Marrakech to Fes desert tours

Experience the best Marrakech to Fes desert tours, blending breathtaking landscapes, ancient kasbahs, and the majestic Sahara. From the dramatic High Atlas Mountain passes and the UNESCO World Heritage Ait Benhaddou Kasbah to camel treks in the Erg Chebbi dunes and northern cultural treasures, our private Morocco tours offer unforgettable journeys across the kingdom. Whether you’re seeking an adventurous 3-day desert escape or a more immersive 5-day Sahara tour from Marrakech to Fes, we’ll craft the perfect itinerary for you.
While searching for Marrakech to Fes desert tours, visitors tend to get a little doubtful in terms of possible opportunities to travel in Morocco. Let us list our 3 favorite options below with some highlights. Hopefully, we can make it easier to select the right option:

Choosing the Right Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour:

Choosing the right tour from Marrakech depends on your schedule, pace, and desired experiences.
3-Day Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour: Fast-paced adventure, long driving days (7–8 hours/day), Highlights: Atlas Mountains, Berber villages, Merzouga dunes, overnight desert camp. Ideal for travelers with limited time
4-Day Marrakech to Fes Desert Adventure: Balanced daily drives (5–6 hours/day), Highlights: Ouarzazate, Valley of Roses, Todra Gorge. Ideal for travelers who want comfort and scenic breaks
5-Day Marrakech to Fes Desert Experience: Leisurely pace, shorter drives (4–5 hours/day). Highlights: Ait Benhaddou (UNESCO), Draa Valley, Merzouga dunes, and Middle Atlas. Ideal for travelers who want maximum immersion and comfort

Each itinerary has its unique rhythm. Your choice depends on how much you want to explore, relax, and travel comfortably across Morocco.

We are a tour operator in Morocco focused on crafting the most suitable tour from Marrakech to Fes with a large destination diversity.

A Morocco tour from Marrakech to Fes via the Sahara connects you with Morocco’s rich cultural heritage, vast desert landscapes, and dramatic Atlas mountain scenery. In fact, it’s a perfect combination of adventure and tradition.

These Marrakech to Fes tours travel through diverse Moroccan landscapes — from the snow-capped High Atlas passage to fertile valleys and the endless Sahara dunes at Merzouga. Along the way, you’ll explore ancient kasbahs, lush palm groves, narrow canyons, and experience camel rides at sunset, with comfortable lodging each night.

Seasonal Considerations for Marrakech to Fes Desert Tours:

Planning a Marrakech to Fes desert tour during December to February requires some practical considerations to ensure a safe and enjoyable journey.

  • High Atlas Mountain Passes: Snow may cover both Tizi n’Tichka & Talghomt, slowing travel
  • Shorter Days: Sunset occurs earlier, especially in December and January, affecting photography and sightseeing
  • Desert Sunsets: Winter sunsets are still magical, but earlier in the afternoon
  • Tour Pacing: Longer itineraries or early departures can help you maximize daylight while traveling safely
  • Travel Comfort: Adjust daily schedules for winter weather and road conditions

Tour from Marrakech to Fes » The options

Our Marrakech to Fes desert tours include

  • Hotel pick-up and drop-off in Marrakech or Fes for a seamless start and end to your journey
  • Maintained vehicles, fully equipped for desert and mountain travel
  • Experienced, multilingual drivers and local guides (English, Spanish, French)
  • Friendly, professional on-the-ground support with easy phone assistance if needed
  • Scenic drive across Tizi n’Tichka Pass through the High Atlas Mountains
  • Visit Pasha’s mountain palace in Telouet and explore the Ounila Valley
  • Explore historic sites like Ait Benhaddou (UNESCO) and Ouarzazate
  • Scenic stops in the Skoura Palm Grove and the Valley of Roses
  • Discover the dramatic Todra Gorge and reach the Sahara Desert at Merzouga
  • Sunset camel treks and overnight stays in a desert camp in Erg Chebbi
  • Spot wild monkeys in the Cèdre Gouraud Forest, a perfect stop on the Middle Atlas route
Authentic Tours Marrakech

Destinations

Traveling with a Sahara tour from Marrakech to Fes is an accessible approach to discover Morocco if you’re on a short holiday break in Marrakech. Due to its central geographical location, the famous “Red city” is the starting point for many desert excursions.

Map of itinerary

Click the pins for a piece of quick touristic information.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best tours Marrakech to Fes?

The Moroccan desert is a fantastic stop for those who wish to visit such an amazing natural destination. The best Sahara tour Marrakech to Fes is made by taking you to Erg Chebbi dunes near Merzouga. Departing from Marrakech, our Morocco desert tours Marrakech to Fes do need a bit of time to arrive for those two mentions locations.

This Marrakech to Fes Sahara tour takes you to explore the the UNESCO site of Ksar Ait Benhaddou in Ouarzazate, the picturesque Kasbah Amridil in Skoura, the fabulous Todra Gorges, the breathtaking Erg Chebbi dunes, the beautiful desert region around Merzouga, and the Ziz Valley endless palm groves.

Can you reach the Sahara Desert on a day trip from Marrakech?

No, technically and due to the distance separating Marrakech and the Sahara desert, a one-day journey to the desert is out of the question. The minimum needed for a fast desert trip will be 2 or 3 days, depending on how “big” of a desert you want to encounter. That is why our Marrakech to Fes tours are perfectly designed to fit your needs.

The road from Marrakech to Merzouga is about 570 km, initially through the mountains. This is a long journey but full of special places on the way. Departing from Marrakech the road goes up the Atlas Mountains, until reaching the Sahara Desert. The sudden change can be noticed and this landscape variation is unforgettable.

Is Fes far from the Sahara Desert?

Yes, in fact, Fes is located in the north of Morocco. A desert tour from Marrakech to Fes, on a day tour, is not possible. Since many people decide to arrive in Morocco through Marrakech Menara Airport, and departure going out from Fes, we offer the perfect solution for those who wish to go to Fes ancient city, via the Sahara Desert.

If you visit our page discussing Erg Chebbi vs Erg Chigaga, you will notice that only the Merzouga desert is geographically available for this type of trip. Therefore, a 1000 km road trip in Morocco separates Marrakech and Fes via Erg Chebbi. The journey is easily executed in 3, 4, or 5 days while visiting other renowned attractions on the way. Actually, the whole trip is full of surprises and highlights.

What is the most requested desert tour Marrakech to Fes?

Without a doubt, this is the list of the most famous Sahara desert tour Marrakech to Fes: a 5 days tour from Marrakech to Fes, a 4 days tour from Marrakech to Fes, and the 3 days tour from Marrakech to Fes.

What happens is that many people only have one week to stay in Morocco, and after a few days of visiting Fes, they decide to head to Marrakech while visiting other places on the way. This is the perfect solution to enjoy the distance between Marrakech to Fes.

Itinerary examples:

Day 1 - Marrakech - Ait Benhaddou - Ouarzazate or Skoura
Day 2 - Ouarzazate or Skoura - Todra Gorges - Merzouga Dunes (Erg Chebbi)
Day 3 - Erg Chebbi - Ziz Valley - Midelt - Azrou - Ifrane - Fes

Day 1 - Marrakech - Atlas Mountains - Telouet - Ait Benhaddou - Ouarzazate
Day 2 - Ouarzazate - Dades Valley - Todra Gorges
Day 3 - Todra Gorges - Erfoud - Erg Chebbi Dunes
Day 4 - Erg Chebbi - Ziz Valley - Midelt - Azrou - Ifrane - Fes

Day 1 - Marrakech - Telouet - Ait Benhaddou - Skoura
Day 2 - Skoura - Dades Valley - Todra Gorges - Tamtatoucht
Day 3 - Tamtatoucht - Amelagou - Merzouga Dunes (Erg Chebbi)
Day 4 - Erg Chebbi - Merzouga Desert Exploration
Day 5 - Erg Chebbi - Ziz Valley - Midelt - Azrou - Ifrane - Fes

How much Marrakech to Fes tour cost?

Our Marrakech to Fes desert tours price can vary depending on the number of participants. We run these private tours on a regular daily basis. We pick you up from your hotel and you will be accompanied by an English-speaking driver (may not be available in high seasons due to high demand). We list our Fes desert excursion rates below but take into consideration that the prices vary on the number of participants in each tour.

3-day Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour:

From 2850 MAD per person with a minimum of four participants

4-day Desert tour from Marrakech to Fes:

From 3600 MAD per person with a minimum of four participants

5-day Marrakech to Fes Sahara tour:

From 4000 MAD per person with a minimum of four participants

NOTE: 15% is added to these rates for this period: 24th December until 5th January. Check updated rates on our price page.

How to get a Marrakech to Fes luxury desert tour?

Our services can always be adapted to your travel preference. So, yes, we can provide an attractive Marrakech to Fes luxury desert tour. While booking with us, just select the “Superior accommodation” choice.

Apart from special treats dedicated exclusively to our clients who want a luxury tour, the main difference between the standard option will be regarding the quality of hotels.

The “Superior accommodation” choice is very charming, and the available Merzouga luxury desert camp selection will delight those who search for the ultimate place to sleep in the desert.

How to book a desert trip?

You can easily book our trips by filling up the booking form. You will get a prompt response within 24 hours, with the availability confirmation, and booking procedure. Furthermore, you will be asked to provide us the pick-up details including your hotel address, or the corresponding phone number if you are staying in a riad in the medina.

What type of transportation is used?

All our excursions include an SUV style of transport such as Toyota Land Cruiser (or similar) or a Minibus if the number of people requires a larger car. All our vehicles are air-conditioned equipped and provide fully secured and regularly checked seat belts.

Are these trips private or in a group?

We run private tours. Your vehicle will not be shared with anyone in your group of friends or family. Sporadically and during the high-season, we run desert group tours, so if you’re searching for a Marrakech to Fes shared desert tour, try your luck and check availability on our page dedicated to Morocco last-minute tours.