PRIVATE DESERT TOUR — MARRAKECH TO FES

OVERVIEW

Three days to journey from Marrakech to Fes via the Sahara desert — crossing the High Atlas Mountains, visiting the UNESCO Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, sleeping in the Dades Valley, riding camels into the Erg Chebbi dunes, and travelling north through the Ziz Valley and cedar forests to arrive in the ancient imperial city of Fes. This private tour covers an extraordinary range of Moroccan landscapes and cultural heritage in just three days, including the Rose Valley, the towering Todra Gorges, the traditional Rissani souk, the fossil town of Erfoud, and the charming alpine town of Ifrane.

Every element is private, tailored, and delivered by a dedicated driver/guide throughout.

HIGHLIGHTS

– Crossing the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi-N-Tichka pass
– Visiting the UNESCO Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou — filming location for Gladiator, Alexander, The Mummy, and Game of Thrones
– Driving through the Rose Valley and the great palm grove of Skoura
– Admiring the spectacular landscape of the Dades Gorges
– Walking through the soaring red-walled Todra Gorges canyon
– Riding camels across the Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset
– Spending a magical night in a luxury desert camp under the Saharan stars
– Visiting Rissani — the ancient capital of the Tafilalet region
– Exploring the fossil marble workshops of Erfoud
– Spotting Barbary macaques in the cedar forests near Azrou
– Discovering Ifrane — the Switzerland of Morocco
– Arriving in the ancient imperial city of Fes

ITINERARY

DAY 1: MARRAKECH → HIGH ATLAS → AIT BEN HADDOU → ROSE VALLEY → DADES VALLEY

Your private driver/guide collects you early from your accommodation or airport in Marrakech. The road heads south over the spectacular High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi-N-Tichka pass, with stops along the way for panoramic views of the dramatic mountain landscapes.

The first stop is the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou — a magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Site of earthen towers and fortified alleyways. This extraordinary ksar has appeared in numerous film productions including Gladiator, Alexander, The Mummy, and the television series Game of Thrones. After exploring the kasbah, the road continues east through Ouarzazate — the “Gate of the Desert” — with a free stop for lunch, then on through the Rose Valley, passing through the great Skoura palm grove before reaching Boumalne Dades in the evening. Dinner and overnight in a riad or hotel.

DAY 2: DADES VALLEY → TODRA GORGES → MERZOUGA → CAMEL TREK → LUXURY CAMP

After breakfast, drive through the Dades Valley, stopping at a viewpoint over the spectacular landscape of the Dades Gorges. Continue east to the Todra Gorges near Tinghir, where the Todra river has carved a magnificent canyon through the mountains — sheer red limestone cliffs rising on either side of the narrow river corridor. Wander freely through the gorge and take in the extraordinary landscape.

Drive through the palm groves of Touroug and Tinjdad for a lunch stop along the way. In the afternoon, arrive at the Merzouga Sahara desert and the Erg Chebbi dunes. Switch to camels and cross the golden sands, pausing on top of a high dune to watch the magical desert sunset. Continue to your luxury desert camp, where a traditional Moroccan dinner is served and Berber musicians play around the campfire beneath a sky overflowing with stars. Dinner and overnight in camp.

DAY 3: MERZOUGA → ERFOUD → ZIZ VALLEY → CEDAR FOREST → IFRANE → FES

Rise early for the desert sunrise, then enjoy breakfast before returning by camel to Merzouga. Visit Rissani — the ancient capital of the Tafilalet region, still a major trading centre with a famous souk active on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. Continue to Erfoud, where you visit a workshop producing remarkable sculptures and objects from fossilised marble.

Drive north along the Ziz river, stopping at a scenic viewpoint over the breathtaking Ziz Valley. A free lunch stop in Midelt is followed by a drive through the cedar forests near Azrou, where Barbary macaques live freely among the ancient trees. Continue to Ifrane — Morocco’s charming alpine town, famous for its snow, low temperatures, and European-style architecture — before the final drive to Fes. Drop-off at your accommodation or airport.

IMPORTANT NOTES

– This tour is also available in reverse — from Fes to Marrakech.
– The tour can be extended: 4 Days (1 extra night in the desert) / 5 Days (1 extra night in Ouarzazate) / 6 Days (2 extra nights in Fes with guided medina tour).
– Pickup time: 8:30 AM from any location in Marrakech.
– Vehicles: Land Cruiser Prado (up to 4 pax) or Mercedes/Ford minivan (up to 8 pax).
– Price varies by group size and accommodation category.
– Please advise of any dietary requirements at time of booking.
– The itinerary is fully customisable — contact us with your preferences.