From Fez: 3-Day Desert Tour to Merzouga and Marrakech

Exploring the diverse landscapes of Morocco on a 3-day desert tour from Fez to Merzouga and Marrakech is an opportunity not to be missed. This small-group adventure promises breathtaking scenery, from the Middle Atlas mountains to the Erg Chebbi dunes, along with immersive cultural experiences. Travelers can look forward to camel rides, Berber camp stays, and visits to historic sites like Ait Ben Haddou. With comfortable transportation and knowledgeable guides, this tour offers an unforgettable way to discover the heart of Morocco. What awaits those who embark on this journey? The adventure is just beginning.

This experience made our list of the 25 Best Tours In Ouarzazate.

Contents hide

1 Tour Overview

2 Itinerary Highlights

3 Included Services

4 Optional Activities

5 Customer Reviews Summary

6 Middle Atlas Exploration

7 Merzouga Desert Experience

8 Ouarzazate and High Atlas

9 Frequently Asked Questions

Key Points

A 3-day small-group tour from Fez to Merzouga Desert and Marrakech, featuring camel rides, Berber camp experiences, and scenic drives through the Middle and High Atlas mountains.
Highlights include the Middle Atlas, Merzouga Desert, Todra Gorge, Dades Valley, and Ait Ben Haddou UNESCO site.
The tour includes hotel pickup in Fez, air-conditioned transportation, an experienced driver/guide, camel rides, accommodation, and select meals.
Optional activities such as sandboarding, quad bike rides, and guided tours of Ouarzazate film studios are available for an additional fee.
The tour is highly rated by customers for its memorable experiences, knowledgeable guides, and beautiful landscapes, despite some critiques about long travel times and additional fees.

You can check if your dates are available here:

Tour Overview

This 3-day desert tour from Fez offers an immersive journey through Morocco’s stunning landscapes, taking travelers on an adventure from the vibrant city to the serene Saharan dunes.

Priced from $254.12 per person, the small-group tour is available in French, English, and Spanish, with a maximum of 18 participants. Pickup is included from Fez, and there’s free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.

The 3-day itinerary covers highlights like the Middle Atlas, Merzouga Desert, Todra Gorge, Dades Valley, and the High Atlas Mountains, culminating in Marrakech.

Included services range from air-conditioned transportation and driver/guide to camel rides, accommodation, and select meals, providing a comprehensive and convenient desert exploration experience.

Here are more great tours and experiences we've reviewed in Ouarzazate

Itinerary Highlights

The 3-day itinerary takes travelers on an immersive journey, beginning with a pickup from Fez and a drive through the stunning Middle Atlas region. Along the way, they’ll stop at the charming town of Ifrane, explore the cedar forest in Azrou, and enjoy lunch in Midelt. The highlight of the first day is the arrival at the Merzouga Desert, where guests embark on a camel ride and spend the night in a Berber camp, indulging in traditional music and stargazing.

Day	Highlights
1	Pickup from Fez, drive through Middle Atlas, camel ride and overnight in Berber camp
2	Breakfast, drive to Ouarzazate via Road of a Thousand Kasbahs, hike Todra Gorge, overnight in Dades Valley
3	Visit Ouarzazate, UNESCO site Ait Ben Haddou, scenic drive through High Atlas Mountains, finish in Marrakech

Included Services

The 3-day desert tour from Fez includes a range of services to provide a comprehensive and convenient experience for travelers.

These services encompass hotel pickup in Fez, air-conditioned transportation throughout the journey, and the guidance of an experienced driver/guide.

Travelers will enjoy a sunset camel ride in the Erg Chebbi dunes, as well as one night’s accommodation in a desert camp with shared bathrooms, and another night’s stay in a private, air-conditioned room.

Two breakfasts and two dinners are also included.

At the end of the tour, guests will be dropped off at their hotel in Marrakech.

Optional activities like sandboarding and quad bike rides are available for an additional fee.

Optional Activities

Along With the included services, the 3-day desert tour from Fez offers several optional activities for travelers to further enhance their experience.

Guests can opt for a 30-minute camel ride in the Merzouga Desert to witness the stunning landscapes from a unique perspective.

For the more adventurous, sandboarding on the desert dunes provides an exhilarating activity.

Plus, visitors can embark on a quad bike ride, exploring the desert terrain at their own pace.

At the end of the tour, guided tours of the iconic Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou and the Atlas Film Studios in Ouarzazate are available, offering insights into Morocco’s rich cultural heritage and movie-making history.

These optional add-ons allow travelers to customize their desert adventure.

More Great Thing To Do Nearby

Customer Reviews Summary

Travelers have overwhelmingly praised the 3-day desert tour from Fez, awarding it an impressive 4.8/5 overall rating based on 65 reviews. The tour’s transportation has received a near-perfect score of 4.9/5, while the value for money was rated 4.7/5. Reviewers highlighted the tour’s memorable experience, knowledgeable guides, and the stunning landscapes they encountered. However, they did note some drawbacks, such as long travel times and the heat in the desert tents. The 3-day desert adventure seems to offer an exceptional blend of culture and natural beauty, leaving participants with lasting memories.

Metric	Rating
Overall	4.8/5
Transportation	4.9/5
Value for Money	4.7/5
Positive Feedback	Memorable experience, knowledgeable guides, beautiful landscapes, good food
Critiques	Long travel times, heat in desert tents, additional fees for some activities

Here's some more things to do in Ouarzazate

Middle Atlas Exploration

On the first day, the tour departs Fez and journeys through the stunning Middle Atlas mountain range, offering glimpses of its charming towns and verdant cedar forests along the way.

The first stop is in Ifrane, a picturesque city known as the ‘Switzerland of Morocco’ for its alpine-style architecture and lush greenery.

Next, the tour visits Azrou, home to a vast cedar forest that’s a haven for Barbary macaques.

After a lunch stop in Midelt, the journey continues towards the Sahara Desert, providing breathtaking views of the dramatic landscapes that gradually transition from mountains to dunes.

This Middle Atlas exploration sets the stage for the desert adventure that awaits in Merzouga.

Merzouga Desert Experience

Arrival at the Merzouga Desert marks the highlight of the 3-day tour, where travelers embark on a camel ride across the iconic Erg Chebbi dunes to reach their Berber camp for the night.

The desert experience offers several engaging activities:

Enjoy a traditional Moroccan dinner accompanied by mesmerizing live music performances.
Gaze in awe at the boundless night sky, twinkling with countless stars.
Wake up early to witness the breathtaking sunrise over the undulating sand dunes.

After this unforgettable desert adventure, the tour continues towards the cinematic city of Ouarzazate, known for its impressive kasbahs and film studios.

Ouarzazate and High Atlas

After the captivating Merzouga Desert experience, the tour continues its journey towards the cinematic city of Ouarzazate, known for its impressive kasbahs and film studios.

Travelers will explore the Todra Gorge, a stunning limestone canyon, and enjoy a scenic drive through the Dades Valley, stopping for dinner and an overnight stay.

The next day, they’ll visit the iconic Kasbah of Taourirt and the Atlas Studios in Ouarzazate before heading to the UNESCO-listed site of Ait Ben Haddou for lunch.

The final leg of the tour takes them through the breathtaking High Atlas Mountains before reaching the vibrant city of Marrakech, where the adventure concludes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Book This Tour for a Different Starting Location?

Unfortunately, this 3-day desert tour from Fez to Merzouga and Marrakech cannot be booked for a different starting location. The tour package includes hotel pickup from Fez, and the itinerary is designed around this specific departure point.

What Is the Maximum Group Size for This Tour?

The maximum group size for this tour is 18 participants. The tour is limited to a small group, allowing for a more personalized and intimate experience as you explore the desert landscapes and cultural sights across Morocco.

Are There Any Dietary Restrictions Accommodated on This Tour?

The tour accommodates various dietary restrictions. Vegetarian, vegan, and halal meals are available upon request. Guests should communicate any special dietary needs when booking to ensure the appropriate meals are provided throughout the tour.

Can I Extend the Duration of This Tour Beyond 3 Days?

Yes, the tour’s duration can be extended beyond 3 days. Travelers can customize the itinerary by adding extra nights in the desert or other destinations along the way, for an additional fee and subject to availability.

How Often Do the Departure Dates for This Tour Occur?

The tour operator offers this 3-day desert excursion to Merzouga and Marrakech on a regular schedule, typically with departures several times per week. Specific departure dates can be checked on the operator’s website or by contacting their reservation team.