3 Days Tour from Fes to Marrakech: Cedar Forest, Sahara Dunes & Kasbahs
Ifrane, the Ziz Valley, a camel ride in the Sahara and the kasbahs of the south
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Tour at a Glance
Duration
3 days and 2 nights
Tour Type
Private tour for your group only
Starts and Ends
Starts in Fes and ends in Marrakech
Overnight
A starry desert camp and a hotel in Ouarzazate
Highlights
Ifrane, the Azrou cedar forest, the Ziz Valley, Sahara dunes and Ait Ben Haddou
Price
On request. Contact us for a free quote
From Fes to the Sahara and Marrakech
This 3 days tour from Fes to Marrakech links two of Morocco’s great cities through the Middle Atlas, the Sahara and the High Atlas. You leave Fes and drive south through Ifrane, the alpine-style “Switzerland of Morocco”, and the cedar forest of Azrou, where you may see wild Barbary macaques, then follow the palm-filled Ziz Valley to the Sahara dunes near Merzouga.
In the afternoon you ride a camel into the dunes for the sunset and spend the night in a starry desert camp. On the second day you drive through Rissani, the Todra Gorges and the Dades Valley to Ouarzazate, and on the third day you visit Ait Ben Haddou and cross the High Atlas to Marrakech.
Tour Highlights
- Drive through Ifrane, the “Switzerland of Morocco”
- The oak and cedar forest of Azrou, home to Barbary macaques
- The Ziz Valley and its palm groves
- A camel ride into the Sahara dunes
- Sunset and sunrise over the highest sand dunes in Morocco
- A night in a starry desert camp
- A visit to a traditional market
- The Todra Gorges and the Dades Valley
- Ouarzazate, the “Hollywood of Africa”
- Ait Ben Haddou and the High Atlas Mountains
Day-by-Day Itinerary
This itinerary can be modified and designed according to your requirements and needs. Contact us to adapt it.
Day 1
Fes, Ifrane, Azrou, Midelt and Sahara Desert Dunes
You leave Fes after breakfast and travel south into the Middle Atlas. Your first stop is Ifrane, the alpine-style town known as the “Switzerland of Morocco”, followed by the cedar forest near Azrou, where you may see wild Barbary macaques. You continue through Midelt and Errachidia and along the green Ziz Valley, with its palm groves and Berber villages, as the scenery slowly turns to desert. You reach the Sahara dunes at the end of the day. In the evening you ride a camel into the dunes for the sunset and spend the night in a desert camp.
Stops on Day 1
- Fes
- Ifrane
- Azrou
- Midelt
- Errachidia
- Sahara Desert Dunes
Day 2
Merzouga, Rissani, Erfoud, Tinghir and Ouarzazate
After breakfast you drive to Rissani, a traditional market town that was the origin of Morocco’s ruling family, where the souk sits under red arches. You continue through Erfoud and the Tafilalet oasis to Tinghir and the Todra Gorges, one of the most impressive canyons in Morocco, and then along the Dades Valley through Boumalne Dades and on to Ouarzazate.
Stops on Day 2
- Merzouga
- Rissani
- Erfoud
- Tinghir
- Todra Gorges
- Boumalne Dades
- Ouarzazate
Day 3
Ouarzazate, Ait Ben Haddou, Atlas Mountains and Marrakech
After breakfast you leave Ouarzazate and visit the kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, then cross the High Atlas Mountains again over the Tizi n’Tichka pass. The road winds through mountain scenery and Berber villages, and you reach Marrakech in the late afternoon.
Stops on Day 3
- Ouarzazate
- Ait Ben Haddou
- Atlas Mountains
- Marrakech
What Is Included
Included
- Private tour for your group only
- Driver-guide and private 4x4 or minivan transport with fuel
- Accommodation as described in the itinerary, with breakfast and dinner
- Camel ride into the dunes
- A night in a desert camp, with dinner and breakfast
Not Included
- Flights
- Lunches and drinks
- Museum and monument entrance fees
- Tips
- Anything not listed under “Included”
Contact us to confirm the details for your dates and group size.
What to Bring
- Warm layers, as desert nights can be cold in winter
- Sun protection, sunglasses and a scarf for the dunes
- Comfortable shoes and a small overnight bag
- Cash for lunches, drinks and tips
- A camera and a power bank
Is This Tour Right for You?
This tour suits travellers who want to go from Fes to Marrakech via the Sahara in three days. Each day involves long drives, so it is best for those who enjoy road trips and scenery.
For a slower pace, see our 4-day or 5-day tour from Fes to Marrakech.
More Tours You May Like
Compare our other tours between Fes and Marrakech.
Ifrane, the Azrou cedar forest and the Ziz Valley, with time in the Sahara desert.
Ifrane, the cedar forest, the Ziz Valley and a camel trek in the Sahara.
A snapshot of Morocco’s historic cities: Casablanca, Fes, Rabat, Meknes and Marrakech.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 3 days enough to travel from Fes to Marrakech via the Sahara?
It is possible, and it is the quickest way to combine the Middle Atlas, the Sahara dunes and the kasbahs of the south. Each day involves long drives, so for a more relaxed pace choose our 4-day or 5-day tour.
Do I ride a camel and sleep in a desert camp?
Yes. On the first afternoon you ride a camel into the dunes of Merzouga for the sunset and spend the night in a starry desert camp.
Where does the tour start and end?
The tour starts in Fes, where we meet you at your accommodation, and ends in Marrakech on the third day.
Is accommodation included?
Accommodation as described in the itinerary is arranged for you, with the meals listed in the included section. Contact us to confirm the details for your dates and group size.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Yes. The itinerary can be modified according to your requirements, and we can start from any airport, hotel, town or city in Morocco. Tell us what you need on our contact page.
When is the best time to go?
The tour runs all year. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable, summer is very hot in the desert and winter nights are cold, so bring warm clothes.
What should I bring?
warm layers, as desert nights can be cold in winter, sun protection, sunglasses and a scarf for the dunes, comfortable shoes and a small overnight bag, cash for lunches, drinks and tips and a camera. Read our tips in the Morocco FAQ.
How do I book or get a price?
Fill in the form at the bottom of this page or email travelstomorocco@gmail.com with your dates and the number of people, and we will reply with a free quote.
Plan Your Trip
Helpful pages before you book:
Ready for Your Sahara Adventure?
Tell us your dates and group size, and we will send you a free quote for this trip.
Email: travelstomorocco@gmail.com | Phone: +212 6 62 38 50 95
Ask for Prices
Please fill in the form below or contact us directly by email at travelstomorocco@gmail.com, and we will answer you as soon as possible. Include your tour date and the number of people.