3-Day Trip from Fez to Marrakech via Merzouga

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Tour summary:

Duration

3 days - 2 nights

Arrival

Fez

Departure

Marrakech

Type of tour

Private or Shared

This 3-day trip between Fez and Marrakech is designed for those who wish to travel across Morocco from north to south without missing out on the essence of the Sahara. The route departs from the spiritual capital, crosses the Middle Atlas Mountains, winds through cedar forests inhabited by macaques, and descends into the Ziz Valley before reaching the golden dunes of Merzouga.

The journey continues westward through imposing gorges, rose valleys, and ancient kasbahs, until it reaches the summit of the High Atlas and finally descends to Marrakech. Three days of ever-changing landscapes, one night in the desert, and the contrast between two fascinating cities. An intense, balanced, and memorable experience for travelers with an adventurous spirit.

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Highlights

Departure from Fez heading south: the journey to the desert begins.
Ifrane and Azrou cedar forests: alpine architecture and Barbary macaques.
Ziz Valley: endless palm groves on the road to the gateway of the Sahara.
Arrival in Merzouga: the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi at the foot of the desert.
Camel ride at sunset: the magical light over the Sahara dunes.
Night in a Berber camp: traditional dinner and endless stars.
Sunrise in the desert: first light over the dunes before setting off.
Dades Gorges: rock formations sculpted by nature.
Kasbah of Aït Ben Haddou: UNESCO Heritage Site and Hollywood backdrop.
Crossing the High Atlas via Tizi n’Tichka: the most spectacular route in Morocco.
Arrival in Marrakech: end of the journey in the Red City.

Tour categories:

Tour Itinerary: 3 Days from Fez to Marrakech

Day 1: Fez – Ifrane – Cedar Forest – Ziz Valley – Merzouga

Departure from Fez in the morning heading south, taking us into the Middle Atlas mountains. The road first passes through Ifrane, a town that surprises with its clean streets and alpine-style architecture, an unexpected contrast in Morocco.

We continue towards the cedar forests of Azrou, where Barbary macaques leap between the branches, putting on a natural spectacle. After passing through Midelt, the landscape begins to transform as we descend into the lush Ziz Valley, famous for its long stretches of palm groves and oasis scenery.

At dusk, we arrive in Merzouga, at the gateway to the Sahara. From here, a camel ride takes us into the Erg Chebbi dunes just in time to take in the colours of the sunset. Dinner and overnight stay in a Berber camp, surrounded by golden dunes and absolute silence.

🛣️ Distance	Approx. 460 km
⏱️ Driving time	Approx. 7 – 8 hours (with stops)
🌅 Main stops	Ifrane, Azrou cedar forest (macaques), Midelt, Ziz Valley
🐪 Camel ride	Approx. 1.5 hours to the camp

Day 2: Merzouga – Dades Gorges

After breakfast, we depart from Merzouga heading west. The route crosses desert villages and changing landscapes, with views of rocky plains and oasis settlements. We pass through Rissani, a town with a deep caravan history, as we venture into the southern valleys.

The scenery becomes more dramatic as we approach the Dades Gorges. Rock formations rising towards the sky and winding roads create one of the most impressive settings in the foothills of the High Atlas. Afternoon arrival, dinner and overnight stay with views over the canyon.

🛣️ Distance	Approx. 350 km
⏱️ Driving time	Approx. 5 – 6 hours
🌅 Main stops	Rissani, southern landscapes, arrival at the Dades Gorges

Day 3: Dades Gorges – Valley of Roses – Ouarzazate – Aït Ben Haddou – Marrakech

The final day begins by crossing the Valley of the Roses, famous for its rose fields and traditional villages. The route passes through Skoura, with its palm grove dotted with kasbahs, before arriving in Ouarzazate, known as the gateway to the desert.

We make a stop at the famous Kasbah of Aït Ben Haddou, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most iconic fortified villages in Morocco. We enjoy time to explore its mud alleyways and take in the panoramic views.

In the afternoon, we ascend into the High Atlas mountains crossing the picturesque Tizi n’Tichka pass, with its spectacular views, before descending towards Marrakech. Arrival in the Red City in the late afternoon, marking the end of this 3-day journey from Fez to Marrakech through the desert.

🛣️ Distance	Approx. 335 km
⏱️ Driving time	Approx. 5 – 6 hours (with stops)
🌅 Main stops	Valley of the Roses, Skoura, Ouarzazate, Kasbah Aït Ben Haddou, Tizi n’Tichka pass

100% Customizable Itinerary

This route can be fully adapted to your preferences and travel style. The price is adjusted according to the category of accommodation, the number of travellers and the duration of the trip.
Contact us and we will send you a personalised proposal with no obligation.
If this itinerary does not exactly match what you are looking for, our team will design a tailor-made journey through Morocco for you, taking care of every detail so that you enjoy a unique experience.

What's included:

Private transportation by 4x4, minivan, or minibus, including driver and fuel
Pickup from your accommodation in Fez
Spanish-speaking driver/guide
1 night at a Berber camp in Merzouga (dinner and breakfast)
1 night in a hotel or riad in the Dades Gorges (dinner and breakfast)
Camel ride in Merzouga
Bottled water (one bottle per person per day)

Does not include:

Gallery

Tour Route:

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this tour start in Fez and end in Marrakech?

Yes, the tour begins in Fez (with pickup at your hotel or riad) on the morning of Day 1 and ends in Marrakech on the afternoon/evening of Day 3. Perfect for travelers who want to cross Morocco from north to south without backtracking.

Do I need to fly from Marrakech, or can I continue my journey?

You can do whatever you like. Once you’ve finished your trip in Marrakech, you have a few options: fly out of Marrakech Airport (RAK), continue your trip on your own, or book additional nights or excursions with us. Just let us know.

Where do we sleep every night?

Night 1: Berber camp in Erg Chebbi (in the middle of the dunes) or hotel near Merzouga. Dinner and breakfast included.
Night 2: Riad or hotel in the Dades Gorges, with dinner and breakfast included.

What is a night like at the desert camp?

You arrive by camel at sunset. A traditional Moroccan dinner awaits you, along with Berber music around the campfire and comfortable tents equipped with mattresses and blankets. The camp has shared bathrooms and hot showers. In the morning, the sunrise over the dunes is spectacular.

What will we see on the 3rd before arriving in Marrakech?

Day 3 is very packed:

Valley of the Roses: Landscapes and traditional villages.
Ouarzazate: The gateway to the desert and film capital.
Ait Ben Haddou: The most famous kasbah in Morocco, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Time to explore.
High Atlas: Crossing the Tizi n’Tichka pass (2,260 m) with spectacular views.

How do I handle my luggage during the camel ride?

On Day 1, when you arrive in Merzouga, you’ll leave your large suitcase in the vehicle. You’ll only bring a small backpack with the essentials for the night at the camp. The vehicle will be waiting for you the next day with all your luggage.

Will we make it in time to catch our flight on the last day?

Arrival in Marrakech is between 18:00 and 20:00 on day 3, depending on traffic and stops. We recommend booking flights from 21:00 onwards, or preferably the following day. If you need to leave earlier, let us know and we will try to adjust the schedule.

What's the difference between this tour and the 3-day tour that returns to Fez?

This tour (Fez → Marrakech): Crosses the country from north to south. Ideal for combining with other destinations or flying out from Marrakech.
The other tour (Fez → Fez): Returns to the starting point. Perfect if your base is in Fez and you want to return there.

How can I book the tour?

You can book directly through our website or by sending us a message on WhatsApp.
💬 Contact us on WhatsApp and we will send you all the information on availability, prices and personalised options.

Request a Reservation

+212 658 860892

Would you prefer a quick response? Contact us directly on WhatsApp and we'll help you right away

What our customers say

excellent

We just got back from our trip, and we couldn't be happier with the experience. Everything was perfectly organized, which allowed us to enjoy ourselves to the fullest without worrying about a thing.

The dromedary excursions in the desert and the quad rides were among the most exciting and fun activities of the trip. In addition, the accommodations exceeded all our expectations: comfortable, clean, charming and located in spectacular locations.
The value for money was excellent. We felt we got much more than we expected.
But what really made this trip special was our guide, Hassan. From the very beginning, he was approachable, friendly, and very professional. He was always looking out for us, making sure we were comfortable, safe, and having a good time at all times. It was a real treat to have someone like him with us!

We recommend this experience 100%. Morocco is an incredible country, and living it with such a careful organization and with a guide like Hassan really makes the difference. Thank you for everything!

We had an unforgettable trip in Morocco with Hassan as our driver and guide. We were a group of five friends touring Tangier, Chefchaouen, Fez, Casablanca, Essaouira and Marrakech, and the whole experience was perfectly organized thanks to him. Hassan was much more than just a driver. He took us to excellent local restaurants, always negotiating fair prices on our behalf and making sure we enjoyed authentic Moroccan cuisine without worrying about overpaying. His knowledge of each city, its culture and history greatly enriched the trip, and he was always willing to explain details and answer all our questions. What we valued most was her flexibility and constant attention. She adapted the itinerary to our needs, to our rhythm and to the group dynamics, always with a professional and close attitude. At all times we felt safe, comfortable and very well cared for. If you are planning to travel Morocco and are looking for a reliable driver, an excellent guide and a person who really cares about making your trip a special experience, we can't recommend Hassan enough.

Hassan and his team are excellent. They were recommended to us by friends and were fantastic. Like all operators, they took a little while to resolve the problem, but Hassan was very flexible with his range of services. He accommodated my needs rather than insisting on doing everything on a high budget. This was very different from others and optimized my budget. The car and driver (Hamid) were first class and the accommodation in the riad and camp was very comfortable. 5 stars.

We have just returned from an incredible trip organized by Haya Viajes and we could not be more grateful for the unique experience we had in Morocco. From the very first moment, the organization was impeccable: every detail was carefully planned, which allowed us to enjoy ourselves to the fullest without worrying about anything. We traveled as a family—two couples with four children—and Hassan made sure that each of us felt comfortable and enjoyed every moment. We discovered the most authentic side of Morocco, exploring traditional villages, bustling markets, and spectacular landscapes. However, the most magical part was undoubtedly our experience in the desert dunes. Spending the night under a starry sky, riding a dromedary, and feeling the immensity of the Sahara was something we will never forget. The children were fascinated, and we were amazed by the beauty and tranquility of the place.

Hassan is not only an excellent organizer, but also a charming person, always willing to share his culture and make us feel at home. If you are looking for an authentic adventure in Morocco, we highly recommend trusting him, a trip that will remain forever in our hearts!

It was the first time my friend and I had traveled to Morocco, and we didn’t know where to start. We got Hassan’s contact information, and from the very beginning he helped us with everything. He picked us up at the airport and took us to our first riad, where we received a very warm and welcoming reception. The next morning we left for the desert with Hassan, who accompanied us throughout the tour, explaining each place and making us feel very comfortable at all times. We visited the kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, continued to the Dades Gorges, and ended the day in the desert of Merzouga with a camel ride and a magical night in a Berber camp under the stars. At dawn on the third day, we went on a quad bike excursion in the desert—an experience we highly recommend—and then continued on to Ouarzazate and finally Marrakech. With many meals included and others left to us to enjoy at the places where we stopped, it was one of the trips where I felt most relaxed, enjoying every moment without a care in the world. Undoubtedly, an unforgettable experience.