3-Day Sahara Desert Tour from Fez to Marrakech with Camel Trekking and Desert Camp Overnight
by Authentic Sahara Tours
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This 3-day tour starts in Fez and ends in Marrakech, covering approximately 72 hours. The journey includes visits to Azrou, Ifrane, and the cedar forests where Macaque monkeys live. Travelers pass through the Ziz Gorge, Todra Gorge, and Dades Gorge, then continue to Rose Valley, Skoura Palmerie, Ouarzazate, and the World Heritage Site of Ait Benhaddou. Overnight accommodations include a hotel in the Dades Gorges with private air-conditioned rooms and a deluxe desert camp in the Sahara Desert featuring private tents with ensuite bathrooms and showers. The tour includes camel trekking twice in the Sahara Desert: once in the evening and once in the morning. There is an option to skip the camel ride and travel by SUV to the desert camp instead. A local guide accompanies the group in Ait Benhaddou village and provides information about the area. Drinks and lunch meals are not included in the tour price. The itinerary covers diverse landscapes and several gorges, with time for travel and sightseeing between stops.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Ifrane
A 15-minute stop in Ifrane to stretch and have a coffee. The houses here have sloping roofs, which are unusual in Morocco. The town is also known as "little Switzerland."
15 min
Middle-Atlas-Cedar-Forest
Cross the Middle Atlas mountains and stop briefly to observe the Barbary apes living in the cedar forests.
30 min
Midelt and Desert Approach
Arrive in Midelt, known as the apple capital, for lunch. In the afternoon, continue to Erfoud and then enter the desert. Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel near the Erg Chebbi dunes.
60 min
Ziz-Valley and Aoufous Oasis
After lunch, descend through the Ziz Valley, noted for its extensive palm trees and large date production. Observe the many ksars, fortified houses built by merchants. Stop for a panoramic view of the Aoufous oasis in the Tafilalte region.
30 min
Erfoud
Arrive in Erfoud, known for its date festival and fossils. Many shops display artifacts made from millions of fossils found in the area, making them worth visiting.
30 min
Merzouga and Camel Ride
Upon arrival in Merzouga, take a short off-road drive to the edge of the golden dunes where camels await. Luggage is transported by 4x4 to the camp. Enjoy a camel ride over the sand dunes and watch the desert sunset on the way to the camp.
60 min
Rissani Market Town
Return to paved roads and continue west through a distinctive gate into Rissani. This market town hosts a livestock auction and features a "donkey parking lot," which is notable to experience.
60 min
Todra-Gorges and Khettarat
Travel to Todra Gorges. On the way, pass the khettarat water channels, which can be descended to understand their irrigation design that reduces evaporation. The Todra Gorges offer a suitable place for walking and exploration.
60 min
Dades-Valley Route
Leave Tinghir and proceed to the scenic Dades Valley, considered one of Morocco's most picturesque valleys. Several stops are made to admire views and take photographs.
60 min
Dades-Valley Exploration
Explore old kasbahs and red-colored canyons formed by the Dades River. Points of interest include the Dades Gorge, the winding road, and the monkey fingers before checking into the hotel for the night.
60 min
Kelaa M'Gouna and Rose Fields
Follow the Dades Valley to Kelaa M'Gouna, known for its Festival of Roses. The area features farmland extensively cultivated and bordered by fragrant rose bushes.
15 min
Road of a Thousand Kasbahs to Ouarzazate
Travel through the area known as the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs, going by the Skoura palm grove, before reaching Ouarzazate, which is referred to as "Hollywood of Morocco."
Taourirt Kasbah or Film Studio Tour
Guests may visit Taourirt Kasbah or take a studio tour to see how nearby desert landscapes have been used in various films. Lunch is served at a local restaurant.
60 min
Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah
After lunch in Ouarzazate, the journey continues to Ait Ben Haddou, a fortified village on a hill by the Ounila Valley River. It lies along the old caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakech and includes several kasbahs, some still inhabited.
60 min
Tizi n Tichka Pass to Marrakech
In the late afternoon, the route proceeds north to Marrakech via the Tizi n Tichka Pass at 2260 meters elevation. There are multiple stops to view the High Atlas panoramas before arriving at the accommodation in Marrakech.
Meeting point
At your hotel or at the nearest parking lot to it.
End point
We can drop off the clients at the nearest parking lot to their hotel or riad and call their host
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
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