Imagine starting your morning with the scent of fresh cedar wood and ending it with the silence of the Sahara under a blanket of a million stars. Our 3 days tour from Fes to Merzouga is not just a drive; it is a journey through the soul of Morocco.
This trip is designed for the traveler who wants to disconnect from the noise of the modern world and reconnect with nature. You will leave behind the ancient, winding streets of Fes and travel south, watching the landscape dramatically shift before your eyes. You’ll trade the green oak forests of the Middle Atlas for the dry, red earth of the Ziz Valley, and finally, the soft, golden sands of Erg Chebbi.
Whether you are a couple seeking a romantic getaway, a family introducing your children to the wonders of the world, or a solo traveler hunting for the perfect photograph, this Fes Desert Tour 3 Days offers the perfect balance of adventure, culture, and relaxation. We handle all the logistics—the driving, the hotels, the meals—so you can focus on the experience.
To help you understand why this 3 Day Trip Fes to Merzouga via Desert is our most popular package, here are the unmissable moments you will experience:
Meet the Wild Locals: Get up close (but respectful!) with the endangered Barbary Macaque monkeys in the Azrou Cedar Forest.
Alpine Morocco: Sip coffee in Ifrane, the clean, snowy town known as the “Little Switzerland of Morocco.”
The Great Oasis: Capture panoramic photos of the Ziz Valley, a river of green palm trees cutting through red canyon walls.
Camel Trekking: Ride a camel across the Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset—a bucket-list experience that feels like stepping back in time.
Starry Nights: Sleep in a luxury desert camp where the only light comes from the Milky Way and the campfire.
Gnawa Rhythms: Feel the spiritual beat of traditional Gnawa music in the village of Khamlia.
Nomadic Life: Share a cup of tea with a nomadic family and learn the secrets of survival in the Sahara.
Fossil Hunting: Visit the marble workshops of Erfoud and touch fossils that are 360 million years old.
There are dozens of agencies offering a 3 Days Merzouga Sahara Desert Tour from Fes, so why trust us with your holiday?
We Are Locals, Not Just Agents: We were born in the desert. The dunes are our backyard. We don’t just show you the sights; we explain the stories behind them—like why the dunes are shaped like stars or how to find water in the sand.
No “Carpet Shop” Stops: We respect your time. Unlike cheap bus tours that force you into high-pressure shopping stops to earn commissions, our private tours focus entirely on the landscape and culture.
Comfort on the Road: The drive to the desert is long (about 7 hours). We use high-end, air-conditioned 4x4s (Toyota Land Cruiser Prado or similar) or luxury minivans. Our drivers are safe, patient, and speak fluent English.
Flexible Pace: Because this is a private experience, you control the camera. Want to stop for a photo of a shepherd? No problem. Need a coffee break? Just ask.
Morning: The Atlas Surprise We pick you up at 8:00 AM sharp from your Riad or Hotel in Fes. As we leave the city, the road climbs into the Middle Atlas Mountains. Your first shock will be Ifrane. With its red-tiled roofs, parks, and snowy winters, it looks more like a village in the Swiss Alps than North Africa. We’ll stop to see the famous Ifrane Lion, a stone statue carved during WWII. Legend says it was carved by a prisoner of war or a French legionnaire in exchange for his freedom.
Mid-Day: Monkeys and Mountains Just down the road lies the Azrou Cedar Forest, home to the Barbary Macaque. These aren’t zoo animals; they live wild in the ancient cedar trees. We’ll stop so you can observe them. Tip: Please don’t feed them sugary snacks; it’s bad for their teeth and health!.
We continue crossing the mountains to Midelt, the apple capital of Morocco, where we will stop for a lunch of fresh grilled trout or a warming Tagine.
Afternoon: The Road to the Dunes The landscape changes drastically after lunch. We cross the Tizi n’Talremt pass and descend into the Ziz Valley. This is one of the most spectacular sights in Morocco—a massive canyon filled with millions of date palms. We’ll stop at a panoramic viewpoint to let you take it all in.
Driving past the garrison city of Errachidia and the fossil town of Erfoud, the terrain flattens into a black, rocky desert. Suddenly, the golden mountains of sand appear on the horizon. Welcome to Merzouga.
Evening: The Camel Trek You’ll leave the 4×4 behind and meet your camel caravan. The 60-minute trek into the dunes is peaceful and rhythmic. You’ll stop atop a high dune to watch the sunset paint the sand in shades of orange, pink, and purple. You arrive at your camp, enjoy a traditional Moroccan dinner, and listen to Berber drums around the fire.
Morning: Sunrise and Nomads Wake up early—it’s worth it. The sunrise over the Algerian border is silent and spiritual. After breakfast at the camp, today is dedicated to exploring the desert in our 4×4.
We start by visiting a Nomadic Family. These resilient people live in tents made of camel wool. You’ll see how they bake bread in makeshift ovens and learn how they navigate the desert without GPS, using the stars and the wind. It’s a humbling experience to share tea with them.
Mid-Day: The Music of Freedom Next, we head to the village of Khamlia. The people here are descendants of sub-Saharan Africans, and they are famous for Gnawa music. You’ll watch a private performance of this rhythmic, spiritual music that was originally used to heal the soul.
For lunch, we recommend trying Madfouna, the “Berber Pizza.” It’s a flatbread stuffed with spiced meat, onions, and almonds, baked in a wood-fired oven. Rissani is the best place in the world to eat this!.
Afternoon: Adventure or Chill In the afternoon, you can visit the Mifis Mines, an abandoned ghost town that once produced lead and eyeliner (kohl). Or, if you prefer an adrenaline rush, you can rent Quad Bikes (ATVs) or go Sandboarding down the dunes.
Evening: Return to your hotel or camp for a second night of relaxation, shower, and a delicious dinner.
Morning: The Rissani Souk After breakfast, we drive to Rissani. If it’s a market day (Tuesday, Thursday, or Sunday), you are in for a treat. This is an authentic souk where locals trade sheep, donkeys, spices, and dates. It’s chaotic, colorful, and completely real.
Mid-Day: The Fossil Capital On the way back north, we stop in Erfoud to visit a fossil workshop. Did you know this desert was once a prehistoric ocean? You’ll see artisans cutting huge slabs of rock to reveal ammonites and trilobites that are hundreds of millions of years old.
Afternoon: The Scenic Return The drive back to Fes follows the same route but feels different as the afternoon light hits the Middle Atlas mountains from the west. We make plenty of comfort stops for coffee and stretching.
We drop you off at your Fes accommodation around 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM, ending your Fes to Merzouga desert tour 3 days with a heart full of memories.
We understand that every traveler is unique, which is why we crafted this 3 Day Desert tour from Fes to Merzouga to capture the very best of Morocco’s landscapes and local culture. However, we also know that sometimes you might want to linger a little longer in a beautiful spot or simply change the pace. That is absolutely fine! We offer complete flexibility to customize the itinerary to fit your personal style—whether that means adding an extra day or rearranging the stops. Our friendly team is available 24/7 to answer your questions and help you design your dream trip. And remember: the bigger your group, the lower the cost per person. Reach out to us anytime; we are here to ensure your Moroccan adventure is perfect.
We offer two tiers for this 3 Day Trip from Fes to Merzouga. The main difference is the desert camp.
Our Advice: For a difference of roughly €50-80, the Luxury option is worth it for the private bathroom alone. Navigating the sand in the dark to find a shared toilet is not fun!.
Our pricing for the Fes Desert Tour 3 Days is based on the number of people in your group and the accommodation tier.
Standard Option: Approx. €250 – €300 per person (based on 2 people).
Luxury Option: Approx. €350 – €450 per person (based on 2 people).
Group Discounts: Prices drop significantly for groups of 4 or more.
Note: Solo travelers may pay a single supplement.
Our experience with Visit Maghreb was nothing short of spectacular. We were initially hesitant about the long drive, but the 3 Day Desert tour from Fes to Merzouga was perfectly paced and incredibly comfortable. Our driver was not just a chauffeur but a storyteller who made the history of the Ziz Valley come alive. The luxury camp was a dream—having a hot shower in the middle of the dunes is a game changer! If you want an authentic, stress-free adventure with true local experts, this is the agency to book with.
I cannot recommend Visit Maghreb enough. From the moment we sent our first email, their team was responsive and willing to customize the itinerary to fit our schedule. The 3 Day Desert tour from Fes to Merzouga became the highlight of our entire Moroccan holiday. Watching the sunset over Erg Chebbi while sipping mint tea was a magical moment we will never forget. Everything ran on time, the vehicle was pristine, and the hospitality was unmatched. Don’t hesitate to book!
Ready to book your 3 days tour from fes to Merzouga?
Contact Us: Send us via WhatsApp or Fill out the form with your dates and group size.
Confirm Details: We will email you back within 12 hours with a custom quote.
Deposit: Pay a small deposit (usually 20-30%) to secure your vehicle and camp.
Adventure: Pay the balance to your driver when you arrive.
To ensure you have the best 3 Day Trip Fes to Merzouga via Desert, here is our local advice:
The Drive is Long: Be prepared. The drive on Day 1 and Day 3 is about 7-8 hours. Bring podcasts, music, or a good book. The scenery helps the time pass quickly!.
Packing List:
Sunscreen & Sunglasses: The desert sun is strong.
Layers: Even in summer, the desert can get chilly at 4 AM. In winter (Dec-Feb), you need a warm winter jacket for the nights.
Scarf: Essential for the camel ride to protect your face from sand. You can buy a local Chech (turban) on the way.
Tipping: It is not mandatory but highly appreciated. A good rule of thumb for a private driver is 150 – 200 MAD (€15-20) per day for the whole group. For guides in spots like the Cedar Forest, 20-50 MAD is polite.
Money: Cash is king in the desert. Bring enough Dirhams (MAD) for lunches, drinks, and tips. ATMs are available in Rissani and Merzouga but can sometimes be out of order.
Alcohol: Desert camps generally do not sell alcohol. If you want a glass of wine under the stars, buy it in Fes (at Carrefour or a specialized shop) before you leave.
Make your 3 Days Merzouga Sahara Desert Tour from Fes even more thrilling with these add-ons:
Quad Biking (ATV): Rent a powerful quad bike for an hour to tear up the dunes. It’s an adrenaline rush like no other. (~€40-50 per hour).
4×4 Off-Roading: Go deeper into the desert to visit the border area or search for fossils.
Sandboarding: Most camps offer simple boards for free. It’s like snowboarding, but warmer!
Dayet Srji Lake: In spring, this seasonal lake near Merzouga fills with water and attracts flocks of pink flamingos. Ask your driver if it’s “in season.”
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