PRIVATE TOUR — MARRAKECH TO FES DESERT TOUR 2 DAYS
OVERVIEW
This Marrakech to Fes desert tour 2 days is built for travellers who are short on time but want the Sahara packed into the journey between Morocco’s two great cities. Rather than backtracking, you travel one-way — departing from the vibrant Medina of Marrakesh to the historic Medina of Fez — and take in the Erg Chebbi dunes along the route: a camel trek into the sand, a golden sunset over the dunes, and a night in a desert camp with Berber hosts under a sky full of stars.
It’s the most efficient way to get from Marrakech to Fes while still seeing the desert in two days. The catch is the driving — these are long days in the car. If you’d rather travel at a calmer pace, the 3 day Marrakech to Fes desert tour is the better fit.
Every itinerary is fully customisable to suit your preferences and pace.
DURATION: 2 DAYS / 1 NIGHT
START: MARRAKECH
END: FES
TOUR STYLE: PRIVATE
HIGHLIGHTS
– Crossing the High Atlas via the Tizi n’Tichka pass
– Mountain views along the High Atlas
– A photo stop at the kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou
– Camel trekking across the Erg Chebbi dunes
– An orange sunset from a high dune
– A night in a luxury desert camp at Erg Chebbi
– An evening of Berber music and drumming around the campfire
– Stargazing over the Sahara
– Crossing the Middle Atlas
– Barbary macaques in a cedar forest near Ifrane
DAY 1: MARRAKECH -> HIGH ATLAS MOUNTAINS -> AIT BEN HADDOU -> MERZOUGA
Your two day desert tour from Marrakech to Fes begins with a pick-up from your riad in Marrakech, leaving early enough to reach the desert in time for the camel ride and sunset over the Erg Chebbi dunes.
The road climbs into the High Atlas, with a stop to take in the mountain scenery before continuing on. At Ait Ben Haddou we pause at a viewpoint over the old fortified village — a UNESCO-listed site since 1987 and a backdrop for many films and series, including Gladiator, Babel, and Game of Thrones. From there the drive continues towards Merzouga, with lunch at a restaurant along the way.
You’ll reach the village of Merzouga in the afternoon, where your camels are waiting to carry you across the dunes. On the way to camp you’ll stop to take in the quiet of sunset over the sand. You arrive at your luxury camp after dark, with time to shower and rest in your private tent before dinner. Afterwards, the team lights a campfire and plays drums and Berber songs.
Approximate driving distance/time: 560 km / 9 hours
DAY 2: MERZOUGA -> ZIZ VALLEY -> MIDDLE ATLAS MOUNTAINS -> IFRANE -> FES
An early start is rewarded with sunrise over the dunes. After breakfast, a 4×4 brings you back to the village of Merzouga, and from there the journey north to Fes begins.
The route runs along the Ziz Valley, with a stop at a viewpoint over an oasis thick with palm groves. Further on, we pause in a cedar forest near Ifrane where Barbary macaques often appear, then continue across the Middle Atlas. You’ll arrive in Fes in the afternoon, with drop-off at your riad in the medina marking the end of the tour.
Approximate driving distance/time: 500 km / 7 hours 30 minutes
IMPORTANT NOTES
– Driving times don’t include stops for lunch and sightseeing.
– This is a long-driving itinerary; be prepared for full days in the car.
– We recommend an early start so you reach the desert in time for the camel trek and sunset, especially in winter.
– This tour may not suit travellers prone to motion sickness.
– Vegetarian and vegan options are available — please tell your guide in the morning.
– Your luggage travels to camp by 4×4 once you reach Merzouga, so it’s waiting for you when you arrive by camel.
– Prefer not to ride a camel? A 4×4 will take you to camp instead.
– This route can also end in Marrakech (Marrakech desert tour 2 days) or start from Fes (Fes to Marrakech desert tour 2 days).
– Extra activities can be added before, during, or after the tour — airport transfers, a Marrakech guided tour, hot air balloon ride, day trips to Essaouira, Ouzoud Waterfalls, or Ourika Valley; a desert photographer, romantic desert dinner, proposal setup, quad biking, or buggy driving; and in Fes, a guided tour, a day trip to Chefchaouen, or a day trip to Volubilis and Meknes.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
SECTION 1: BOOKING & PAYMENT
Q: How far in advance should I book my tour?
A: We recommend securing your reservation as early as possible to guarantee availability, particularly during peak travel seasons. Early booking also gives you maximum flexibility when selecting accommodation options and customising your itinerary.
Q: How do I pay for my tour?
A: Our payment process is straightforward. To confirm your booking, a small deposit is required upfront, payable via PayPal, bank transfer, or Wise. The remaining balance is settled in cash on the first day of your tour, paid directly to your driver-guide. We accept euros, US dollars, or an equivalent amount in Moroccan dirhams.
Q: What is your cancellation policy?
A: Full details of our cancellation terms are available on the dedicated cancellation policy page of our website. We encourage all travellers to review these conditions before confirming their reservation.
Q: Can I customise my itinerary?
A: Absolutely. All of our private tours are fully tailorable. You are welcome to request changes to the route, adjust the duration, add or remove destinations, and select accommodations that suit your budget and preferences. Simply contact us and we will design a trip around your requirements.
SECTION 2: TRANSPORT
Q: What vehicles are used on tours?
A: The vehicle provided depends on the size of your group. We typically use Toyota Prado Land Cruiser TX 4x4s for smaller parties, Ford Tourneo Custom vans, and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter minibuses for groups of eight or more. All vehicles are air-conditioned and maintained to a high standard of comfort.
Q: Are airport transfers included?
A: Yes. Every private tour we operate can include a pick-up at your arrival airport and a drop-off at the end of your trip, if you require it. Your driver-guide will be waiting for you upon arrival. Please note that flights are not included in the tour price.
Q: Which airports serve Morocco?
A: The majority of international flights arrive into Marrakech and Casablanca. Additional options include Fes, Tangier, Agadir, Ouarzazate, and Errachidia. We can arrange a meet-and-greet at any of these airports.
SECTION 3: GUIDES
Q: Who are the driver-guides?
A: We handpick each of our driver-guides for their knowledge, professionalism, and genuine passion for Morocco. Beyond navigating the country safely, they serve as cultural interpreters — sharing local history, traditions, and stories throughout the journey. Many of our guests mention their guides by name in reviews, which reflects the lasting impression they make.
Q: Are guides English-speaking?
A: Yes. All standard tours are conducted in English. If you prefer a guide who speaks French, Spanish, or another language, please inform us at the time of booking and we will make every effort to accommodate your request.
SECTION 4: ACCOMMODATION
Q: What types of accommodation are offered?
A: We offer a range of options to suit different budgets and tastes, from characterful riads and boutique guesthouses in medina settings to luxury desert camps in Merzouga. We do not offer standard desert camps with shared facilities. All camps in our portfolio feature private tents with en-suite bathrooms and showers.
Q: Do the desert camps have private bathrooms?
A: Yes. Every camp we work with is classified as a luxury camp. Each tent includes a private en-suite bathroom with a shower, ensuring comfort throughout your desert stay.
Q: Can I choose my own accommodation?
A: Yes. We present a selection of pre-vetted accommodation options at each price point for you to choose from. You may mix and match across the options provided. If you have a specific property in mind, let us know and we will do our best to arrange it.
SECTION 5: DESERT & ACTIVITIES
Q: How far is the Sahara desert from Marrakech?
A: Merzouga, gateway to the Erg Chebbi dunes, is approximately 560 kilometres (348 miles) from Marrakech. Given this distance, our 3-day tours from Marrakech include an overnight stop in the Dades Valley en route, rather than attempting to cover the journey in a single day.
Q: How far is the Sahara desert from Fes?
A: The journey from Fes to the Merzouga desert covers roughly 500 kilometres, equivalent to approximately 310 miles.
Q: How far is Casablanca from the desert?
A: Casablanca sits approximately 660 kilometres (around 410 miles) from the Merzouga desert. A tour of five days or more is recommended when departing from Casablanca in order to allow adequate time in the desert without excessive driving pressure.
Q: Is the camel ride compulsory?
A: Not at all. If you prefer not to ride a camel, we are happy to transfer you to the desert camp by 4×4 vehicle at no additional charge. Just let us know your preference in advance.
Q: What activities are available in the desert?
A: Beyond the camel trek and overnight camp experience, a range of optional activities can be arranged in and around Merzouga, including quad biking, buggy driving, sandboarding, and horseback riding. A professional photographer can also be booked to accompany your desert experience. Romantic dinners and desert proposal setups can be arranged upon request.
Q: What additional activities can be added to a tour?
A: Before your main tour, we can arrange transfers from the airport, a guided city tour, or day excursions to destinations such as Essaouira, the Ouzoud Waterfalls, or the Ourika Valley. During the tour, optional extras include the activities listed above. After the tour, hot air balloon rides over Marrakech, guided Fes tours, and day trips to Chefchaouen or Volubilis and Meknes can be arranged.
SECTION 6: TOUR STRUCTURE & EXPERIENCE
Q: What is the difference between a private tour and a shared group tour?
A: On a private tour, your vehicle, guide, and complete itinerary are reserved exclusively for your group. On a shared tour, you travel alongside a small number of other guests — typically no more than ten in total — sharing the vehicle and stops but retaining a private room at the hotel and a private tent at the desert camp. Shared tours offer a more cost-effective option while still maintaining a high level of comfort and service.
Q: Are 7 days enough to see Morocco?
A: Yes, a well-structured 7-day itinerary provides enough time to visit several of Morocco’s key destinations, including Marrakech, Chefchaouen, Fes, the Sahara Desert, Ait Ben Haddou, and the Atlas Mountains. It is a comfortable pace for most travellers and allows genuine engagement with each place rather than a rushed overview.
Q: What can I see in Morocco in 7 days?
A: In one week, a typical itinerary covers Casablanca’s Hassan II Mosque, Rabat, the blue streets of Chefchaouen, the Roman ruins of Volubilis, the ancient medina of Fes, a night in the Sahara Desert with a camel trek, Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, and the High Atlas Mountains en route to Marrakech.
Q: What is the best 7-day itinerary for Morocco?
A: The ideal route depends on your starting point. Travellers beginning in Tangier typically follow the Tangier-to-Marrakech route via Chefchaouen, Fes, the Sahara, and the Atlas Mountains. Those starting in Casablanca can follow the Casablanca-to-Marrakech circuit. We are happy to advise based on your arrival and departure airports.
Q: Where can I book a Morocco tour?
A: Tours can be booked directly through Morocco Fabulous Travel. As a locally based operator with in-depth knowledge of the country, we offer personalised service, expert guidance, and competitive pricing. You can contact us via our website, email, phone, or WhatsApp.
Q: Are meals included?
A: On desert tours, two dinners and two breakfasts are typically included — dinner and breakfast at the desert camp, and breakfast at the hotel in the Dades Valley. Lunches are generally not included, as guests often prefer to explore independently during midday stops. Full details of meal inclusions are listed on each individual tour page.
Q: Can dietary requirements be accommodated?
A: Yes. Please inform us of any dietary preferences — including vegetarian or vegan requirements — at the time of booking, and we will ensure appropriate meals are arranged throughout the tour.
