Sahara Desert Tours from Fes
From Fes to the golden dunes of Merzouga in one day, a night in a luxury camp, then on to Marrakech through the kasbahs and gorges of the south.
Fes is the closest imperial city to the Sahara. In one day you cross the Middle Atlas, the cedar forests around Ifrane, Midelt and the palm groves of the Ziz Valley, and you arrive at the dunes of Erg Chebbi in Merzouga in time for a camel ride at sunset.
The classic choice is the 3 day desert tour from Fes to Marrakech: one night in the desert, then the Todra Gorge, the Dades Valley, Ouarzazate and Ait Ben Haddou on the way to Marrakech. All our tours are private, with pick-up at your riad in the Fes medina.
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Desert tours starting in Fes
3 Days3 Days Sahara Desert Tour: Fes to Marrakech via Merzouga
A private 3-day desert crossing from Fes to Marrakech: Ifrane and the Ziz Valley, a camel ride and luxury camp in Merzouga, the Todra Gorges, Dades, Ouarzazate and Ait Ben Haddou.
3 Days3 Days Sahara Desert Tour: Marrakech to Fes via Merzouga
A private 3-day desert crossing from Marrakech to Fes: Ait Ben Haddou, Dades, the Todra Gorges, a sunset camel ride and luxury camp in Merzouga, then the Ziz Valley and Ifrane.
4 Days4 Days Sahara Desert Tour: Marrakech to Fes via Merzouga
A private 4-day desert tour from Marrakech to Fes with two nights in Merzouga: Ait Ben Haddou, Dades, the Todra Gorges, a camel ride, and a full day exploring Erg Chebbi by 4WD.
8 Days8 Days: Casablanca to Marrakech Imperial Cities & Sahara Tour
A private, driver-guided week through Rabat, Fes, the Sahara dunes at Merzouga and Marrakech — Morocco's essentials in eight days, starting and built around Casablanca.
11 Days11 Days: Casablanca, Chefchaouen, Fes, Sahara & Essaouira Tour
The 8 day essentials plus the Blue City of Chefchaouen and a day trip to the Atlantic port of Essaouira — a fuller loop back to Casablanca with more of the north and coast.
From Fes: Chefchaouen Private Day Trip to the Blue City
A full day from Fes to Chefchaouen, the blue-washed town in the Rif mountains, with your own driver and free time in the medina.
From Fes: Volubilis, Moulay Idriss & Meknes Private Day Trip
Roman mosaics at Volubilis, the hill town of Moulay Idriss and the imperial city of Meknes, in one day from Fes with your own driver.
Compare at a glance
| Tour | Start → end | Nights in the desert | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 day Fes to Marrakech desert tour | Fes → Marrakech | 1 | Fes first, then the south |
| 3 day Marrakech to Fes desert tour | Marrakech → Fes | 1 | The same route in reverse |
| 4 day Marrakech to Fes desert tour | Marrakech → Fes | 2 | More time in Merzouga |
| 11 day Morocco tour | Casablanca → Casablanca | 1 | Chefchaouen, Fes, Sahara, Essaouira |
The route from Fes to Merzouga
Day 1 is a beautiful mountain drive: Ifrane, often called the little Switzerland of Morocco, the cedar forest of the Middle Atlas, lunch in Midelt, then the Ziz Gorges and the endless palm groves of the Ziz Valley. You leave the car at the edge of the dunes and ride a dromedary to the camp for sunset.
Fes to Marrakech, or back to Fes?
Most travellers continue to Marrakech, so they never drive the same road twice and see the Todra Gorge, the Dades Valley, the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs and Ait Ben Haddou on the way. If your flight leaves from Fes, tell us and we plan a round trip from Fes on request.
Not sure where to start? Read Marrakech vs Fes: which first and our Fes medina guide.
Coming from Chefchaouen or Tangier?
Fes is the natural gateway to the desert from the north. Our 11 day tour and 13 day tour combine Chefchaouen, Volubilis, Meknes and Fes with a night in Merzouga before continuing to Marrakech.
Best time for a desert tour from Fes
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the most comfortable. Winter days are sunny but the Middle Atlas can be cold and snowy around Ifrane, so pack a warm layer. See the best time to visit the Sahara Desert.
Frequently Asked Questions
Travel guides for this trip
- Fes to Merzouga: Distance, Route and the Best Way to Reach the Sahara
- 2 Days in Fes: A Day-by-Day Itinerary for the Medina and Beyond
- Chouara Tannery in Fes: How to Visit, What You See and Fair Prices
- Ifrane and the Middle Atlas: Cedar Forests, Barbary Macaques and the Road to the Sahara
- Moulay Idriss Zerhoun: Morocco's Holy Town Next to Volubilis
- Volubilis Roman Ruins: A Practical Guide to Morocco's Best-Preserved Site