Morocco Desert Tour: Marrakech to Fes via Merzouga

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Embark on a thrilling 3-day desert tour from Marrakech to Fez via Merzouga. Experience the magic of Morocco’s Sahara desert, witness breathtaking starry nights, and immerse yourself in Moroccan culture. Book now!

Duration: 3 days

Cancellation: 24 hours

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Highlights

Marrakech > High Atlas Mountains > Ait Ben Haddou > Ouarzazate > Tinghir

Marrakech - Begin your shared desert tour to Fes from Marrakech. After passing through areas filled with small towns and various farms, we will ascend to cross the High Atlas Mountains.

Tizi n Tichka - We will make a brief stop for coffee and a restroom break before reaching the renowned Tizi Ntichka pass, which stands at 2260 meters. Several stops will be made for photos and to stretch your legs as the landscape changes dramatically near Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou.

Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou - This UNESCO-listed village is one of Morocco’s most visited landmarks, known for its use in numerous Hollywood films such as Game of Thrones, Kingdom of Heaven, and Gladiator.

Ouarzazate - Pass through Ouarzazate to reach Dades Valley.

Vallee Des Roses - Continue to Dades Valley, passing through Ouarzazate, Skoura oasis, and Klaa Mgrouna, which is famous for its Damascus rose plantations and distillation.

Tinghir - Proceed to Tinghir via Boumalen Dades. The route between Roses Valley and Dades Gorges is known as the ‘Road of 1001 Kasbahs.’ Upon arrival in Tinghir, take a minor road past the stunning scenery of the Dades River and various fortified Berber villages. Arrive at your hotel and enjoy dinner.

Tinghir > Todra gorges > Erfoud/Rissani > Merzouga Erg Chebbi

Tinghir - After breakfast, prepare for an incredible journey, the highlight of your Marrakech to Fez desert tour. Your next stop is the Tinghir oasis.

Tinghir - Cross Tinghir to reach Todgha Gorges.

Todgha Gorge - Here, you can walk along the stream under the shade of date palms and olive trees, observing local Berbers tending to their crops or herding cattle. The walk leads to the majestic cliffs of Todgha Gorges, where you can take photos and enjoy the tranquility. After a leisurely lunch at a local cafe, continue to Rissani, passing through various small towns, oases, and fortified villages (Ksours).

Merzouga Desert - Upon arrival in Merzouga, meet your camel caravan and embark on an hour-long camel ride, followed by sandboarding on the Erg Chebbi dunes while enjoying one of the best sunset views. Continue your camel trek to your Sahara desert camp. Tonight, enjoy a delicious Moroccan dinner at your Bedouin camp, with your nomad hosts entertaining you around the campfire with drums under a clear, starry sky. Overnight at your Merzouga desert camp.

Merzouga > Ziz Valley > Zaida > Midelt > Azrou cedar forest > Fes

Merzouga Desert - After an early sunrise camel ride across the Erg Chebbi dunes, arrive at the camp operator’s lodge in Merzouga for breakfast before meeting your driver.

Fes - The journey will take you through the Ziz Valley, dotted with thousands of date palms, offering stunning views of some of Morocco’s greatest oases. From here, cross the Middle Atlas Mountains to Midelt, a small town halfway to Fes, where you will stop for a leisurely lunch. In the afternoon, drive past the cedar forests, where you might spot wild monkeys (Barbary apes), before reaching the small town of Ifrane, known as a popular winter resort for Moroccans. Your estimated arrival time in Fes is 5:00 PM, concluding your 3-day desert tour from Marrakech to Fes with a drop-off at your hotel or the nearest accessible point to your Riad.

What's Included

Camel ride / Camel trek in the desert
Sandboarding
Dinner
First night hotel stay private room, Second night stay desert camp private tent
Breakfast
Professional driver guide

What's Not Included

Lunch on the way

Additional Information

Embarking on the desert journey from Marrakech to Fes via Merzouga is highly recommended for those wishing to fully experience Morocco. The trip starts from Marrakech and leads to Fes, during which you’ll delve into the mysteries of the Sahara that’s famed across the globe for its towering sand dunes and astoundingly starry night skies, making the stars appear so close that it’s hard to believe. The journey concludes in the cultural hub of Morocco, Fes.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings

4.9

(78 Ratings)

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Ebbyimani

Sep 27, 2024

The highlight of our time in Morocco! - 10 out of 5 stars! This tour was the highlight of our time spent in Morocco. Our driver, Dozi, was amazing. He had so much information to share, kept our comfort in mind, and made sure we had the best experience. He helped those on the tour share photos and created a community, truly! Each stop and all the guides along the way were also so friendly, funny, and informative. Our guide Mohammed at Ait Benhaddou had us laughing non stop and was so hospitable. We learned so much about Morocco while creating life long memories and enjoying laughter. Riding a camel into the Sahara, dancing around the fire, overnight camping, and then riding ATVs back at dawn was unforgettable. Sitting under the stars and the Milky Way at night- nothing can compare. By the time the tour ended, we were sad to leave and felt like family. This is definitely a must do experience while you are in Morocco. Your trip will be incomplete without it! We are ready to do it again!!!! A few notes- Bus has AC and WiFi Restrooms along the way require a few Dirham for toilet paper ATVs are not included Remember to tip your guides and learn a few words in Arabic and Amazigh as you go :)

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Casey_a

Sep 19, 2024

Awesome - Awesome three days, my guide Husham was really nice! The camel trek and night at the desert was a highlight of Morroco

Review provided by Viator

Elise_p

Sep 19, 2024

Best trip ever - Value, sights and best guide - We didnt really know what expect with the tour but we were amazed at the care we received from Hesham, our guide was so knowledgeable about any area we pasted and talked with passion about his country. The tour felt safe throughout, comfortable journeys with WiFi, charging pod & stops for refreshments. I would definitely recommend this tour and Hesham as our experience in Morocco would have been so different without his friendly presence and kindness. Thanks for a lifetime of wonderful memories

Review provided by Viator

Tazmyn_f

Sep 19, 2024

INCREDIBLE!! DO IT - hesham was an incredible tour guide! super knowledgeable and accommodating. the tour was great, comfy bus, lots of stops. the camping was so cool and camel ride and sand boarding was a highlight. worth the money!

Review provided by Viator

Emily_l

Sep 1, 2024

Desert Tour - If you’re searching through reviews, trying to decide which company to go with for a 3 day desert tour, you should stop and go with Marrakech City Life. Abdul, our guide, is an absolute gem of a human being and completely made the experience for us. We spent some time with several other guides at camp, and they were just as lively and generous as Abdul, so I don’t think you can go wrong. In fact, I was very ill the second day of our trip and Abdul found me a pharmacy, allowed me to stay in the van and with him at a cafe while the others were site seeing, asked if I’d like for him to get me a hotel room for a couple hours on our lunch break, and checked in on my wellbeing frequently. He even offered to arrange for someone to get me in the middle of the desert if I couldn’t finish the camel ride and ensured our tent was located closest to the bathroom (IYKYK). Basic information. The van was modern with great ac. The stops the first day are frequent and interesting. If you’re as fortunate as our group, you’ll get to visit Abdul’s family home and share tea with his grandmother. Maybe even see the goat that his mother keeps upstairs in a house! The hotel the first night was modern, clean, had ac, adult beverages (!) and a large pool. We had amazing guides at Ait Ben Haddou and Todra Gorge. The provided meals are basic Morroccan staples. I don’t know if it was because all 3 of the groups in our van were adventurous eaters, but I think Abdul made a change of plans on the third day and we stopped at a much more authentic Moroccan grill for an amazing lunch. The desert camp is rustic and HOT in August. Saw pictures of the luxury camps- if you’re on the fence, spend the money and upgrade. Everything except the desert sleeping arrangements are the same, but didn’t get much sleep in the heat. I expected to have an amazing experience on the desert tour, but I didn’t expect the level of friendship and connection that formed between 2 Americans, 2 Germans, a Mexican, a Ukrainian, and one Moroccan over 3 days in a van across Morocco!

Review provided by Viator

Sandramarkovicc

Feb 9, 2024

Marrakesh to Merzouga Desert Tour - This was such a unique experience, highly recommended for an unforgettable trip from Marrakesh to the Merzouga Desert. Camel rides, sand boarding, traditional berber music, good food, and nice people, it really was a fulfilling few days. A special mention to our wonderful driver, Houcine that took care of us the whole trip. His constant energy and hospitality was greatly appreciated and made the trip even more memorable.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Quest00580569467

Feb 5, 2024

Incredible Trip - The experience was awesome and very well planned. The trip was unlike any other, with great prices and accommodations. Our advisors were also awesome. My driver Hakim was very friendly, helpful, and a great guy.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Manasse_b

Aug 6, 2024

Once in a lifetime... - Yousef was a great driver. He communicated well, was funny, personable and drove safely. We enjoyed the different experiences with some different tour guides throughout the journey, having the opportunity to learn more about Moroccan culture. All spoke very good English. We did find that the meals provided were lacking love and more of a quickly eat and go kind of meal. Also if you don't like hot, I don't recommend going in August. The camp part was interesting. Our camel guides seemed to be teenagers and the camps run by them. They did a great job, it just felt a little disorganized at time and their ages surprised us. In the end if you want more comfort, you need to book the more expensive place... Overall a once in a life time experience. Would recommend, but again maybe choose a cooler month if you can.

Review provided by Viator

Rolly_c

Mar 28, 2024

Highlight of our Moroccan Trip! - This trip was a blast! Our driver Khalid was a great driver, very friendly and great with our kids! The host of our trip, Iddir, was very helpful and kept us informed of plans and timelines. I would highly recommend this trip, as it’s a great way to see a large portion of Morocco and this trip was definitely a highlight. At the Bedouin camp there was good food and hot water. The beds were soft and clean.

Review provided by Viator

Annette_g

Feb 16, 2024

3 amazing days of exploring & adventure - We were picked up at the prearranged location on time. There were 18 people in our group who were wonderful to travel with. Our tour guide, Iddar, took very good care of us and was very polite and patient to answering all our questions. The stops along the way were timely and mostly informative. There were accompanying guides at 2 of the stops and they were very good. The desert camel ride was about 45 minutes to our campsite. The next morning we saw the sunrise and headed back by camel where we met our guide. The desert tour seemed very rushed, but was a lot of fun. This tour was a great way to see and learn so much about the Berber people.

Review provided by Viator

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up to 15 guests

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