Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour 2 Days
2 Days Desert Tour from Marrakech to Fes — Overview
This is the fastest way to travel the Marrakech to Fes via Merzouga route. Two days, one night in the Sahara, and a direct drop-off in the city of Fes.
The tour starts in Marrakech and heads south through the High Atlas Mountains on day one. You make a panoramic stop at Ait Ben Haddou before continuing through Ouarzazate to the Merzouga desert and the Erg Chebbi dunes for the sunset camel trek. You spend the night at a luxury desert camp inside the dunes. Day two is the journey north — through the Ziz Valley palm groves, the Middle Atlas Mountains, and the cedar forest before you arrive in Fes in the evening.
Both days are long drives. This is not a relaxed tour — it is the most efficient way to travel from Marrakech to Fes via the Sahara desert when time is the main constraint. If your schedule allows three days, the 3-day version is more comfortable. If two days is what you have, this desert trip covers the essential southern route end to end.
2 Days Tour from Marrakech to Fes — Highlights
- Cross the High Atlas Mountains on day one and make a panoramic stop at the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou — a UNESCO World Heritage site above a dry riverbed
- Drive through Ouarzazate and reach the Merzouga desert by late afternoon for the sunset camel trek into the Erg Chebbi dunes
- Spend the night at a luxury desert camp — private en-suite tent, Berber music around the campfire, and a starry sky with no light pollution
- Watch the sunrise over the dunes before heading north on day two
- Drive through the Ziz Valley — a long date palm grove oasis cutting through the desert toward Midelt
- Pass through the cedar forest and the Middle Atlas — Barbary macaques in the trees near Ifrane — and arrive in Fes in the evening
Itinerary of 2 Days from Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour
Two days, one night in the Sahara. Day one is the push south to the desert. Day two is the journey north to Fes.
Day 1 | Marrakech → Ait Ben Haddou (panoramic) → Ouarzazate → Merzouga (9 hours)
You leave your riad in Marrakech early — 7am at the latest — and head south through the High Atlas Mountains. Tizi n’Tichka pass sits at 2,260 metres. The views back toward Marrakech across the Haouz plain are clear on a good morning.
The road descends into the pre-Saharan south and the landscape shifts completely. The first stop is a panoramic viewpoint above Ait Ben Haddou — one of the most recognised kasbahs in Morocco and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Due to the long drive ahead this is a photo stop and a short explanation from your guide rather than a full walk inside the ksar.
The road continues through Ouarzazate — Morocco’s film capital. Stop here for lunch before the final stretch east. From Ouarzazate the desert landscape opens up and the sand dunes of Erg Chebbi appear on the left in the late afternoon.
You reach Merzouga in time for the sunset camel trek. The ride into the Erg Chebbi dunes takes about 45 minutes. The luxury desert camp is inside the dunes — private tent with en-suite bathroom, hot water, and air conditioning. Dinner at the camp, a fire, Berber music, and a starry sky with no light pollution. Breakfast included.
approx. 560 km · approx. 9 hours driving · Overnight: Desert camp, Erg Chebbi
Day 2 | Merzouga → Ziz Valley → Ifrane → Middle Atlas → Fes (9 hours)
You wake up early for the sunrise over the dunes before heading back to Merzouga. Breakfast at the camp, then the journey north to Fes begins.
The road heads north through Erfoud and into the Ziz Valley — a long palm grove oasis that cuts through the desert toward Midelt. The contrast between the sand dunes behind you and the green valley ahead is one of the most dramatic landscape shifts in Morocco.
From the Ziz Valley the road climbs into the Middle Atlas. The cedar forest is cool and dense — completely different from the desert you left this morning. Barbary macaques sit in the trees near Azrou and Ifrane. You pass through Ifrane at 1,650 metres — a mountain town that looks nothing like the rest of Morocco.
The road descends from the mountains and you arrive in Fes in the early evening. Drop off at your hotel or riad.
approx. 490 km · approx. 9 hours driving · End: Fes
Route Summary
| Day | Route | Key Stops | Distance | Drive Time | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Marrakech → Merzouga | Tizi n’Tichka, Ait Ben Haddou (panoramic), Ouarzazate | approx. 560 km | approx. 9 hrs | Desert camp, Erg Chebbi |
| Day 2 | Merzouga → Fes | Ziz Valley, Erfoud, Midelt, Ifrane, Middle Atlas cedar forest | approx. 490 km | approx. 9 hrs | Fes (drop off) |
Sahara Desert Tour from Marrakech to Fes — Inclusions & Exclusions
Included
- Pick up from your hotel or riad in Marrakech on day one
- Drop off at your accommodation in Fes on day two evening
- Private A/C vehicle for both days — 4×4 for 2–3 people, minivan for 4–8, minibus for larger groups
- English-speaking driver-guide for both days (French, Spanish, and Arabic on request)
- 1 night at a luxury desert camp at Erg Chebbi with dinner and breakfast
- Sunset camel trek into the Erg Chebbi dunes
- Sandboarding at Erg Chebbi
- Panoramic stop at Ait Ben Haddou
Not Included
- Lunches on both days
- Beverages
- Tips (optional)
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
Accommodation
One night at a luxury desert camp inside the Erg Chebbi dunes. The camp is inside the dunes — not next to the road. Every tent is private with an en-suite bathroom, hot water, and air conditioning. Dinner and breakfast included. Three tiers available.
All tents have private en-suite bathrooms, hot water, and air conditioning. Dinner and breakfast included at the desert camp.
Price of This 2 Days Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour
This 2-day Marrakech to Fes desert tour starts from €149 per person. The final price depends on your group size and travel dates.
| Participants | Price per Person |
|---|---|
| 1 person | €748 |
| 2–3 people | €367 |
| 4–6 people | €319 |
| 7–9 people | €255 |
| 10–15 people | €199 |
| 16+ people | €149 |
Prices include all transport, driver-guide, one night at the desert camp with dinner and breakfast, and the sunset camel trek. Lunches and personal expenses are not included.
Fill in the form below for a full quote for your group size and travel dates. We respond within a few hours.
Know Before You Go
Both days are long drives
Day one from Marrakech to Merzouga is approximately 560 km and 9 hours. Day two from Merzouga to Fes is approximately 490 km and 9 hours. Leave Marrakech by 7am on day one to reach the dunes in time for the sunset camel trek. Leave the desert camp early on day two to reach Fes before dark.
Ait Ben Haddou is a panoramic stop only
The day one drive does not allow time for a full walk through Ait Ben Haddou. This is a photo stop above the ksar with an explanation from your driver-guide. If you want to walk through the UNESCO site properly, the 3-day Marrakech to Fes tour gives you the time to do it.
The camel trek
The sunset camel trek on day one takes about 45 minutes into the Erg Chebbi dunes. If you prefer not to ride, a 4×4 transfer to the desert camp is available at no extra cost. Let your guide know before arriving in Merzouga.
Packing for the desert camp
Leave your main bag in the vehicle. Take a small daypack to the camp — sunscreen SPF 50, sunglasses, a light scarf for the dunes, power bank, and one change of clothes.
Motion sickness
The Tizi n’Tichka switchbacks on day one are long. Take medication before day one if you are sensitive to winding mountain roads.
Why Our Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour 2 Days?
A 2-day desert trip from Marrakech to Fes as a shared group tour is a genuinely uncomfortable experience. Two 9-hour drives in two days, in a bus full of strangers, with no flexibility on stops or pace. Most people who have done it wish they had booked a private tour.
This Morocco desert tour from Marrakech covers the same route with one vehicle, one group, and a driver-guide who knows when you need a stop and when you need to keep moving. On day one you stop in Ouarzazate when you want. On the long day two drive north through the Ziz Valley and the cedar forest you stop for lunch where the food is actually good — not where the bus schedule says.
For a 2-day desert trip the difference between private and shared is bigger than on any longer tour. The drives are too long to spend trapped in someone else’s schedule. For two travellers the per-person cost is close to a shared tour. For three or more it is consistently cheaper.
Optional Activities
At Erg Chebbi, MerzougaQuad Biking +
One hour across the outer dunes. Arrange through the camp on arrival.
Horse Riding +
Late afternoon on day one after the camel trek. Arrange through the camp on arrival.
Sunrise Photography +
Day two at the dune ridge — local photographer available on request through the camp.
Fes Medina Guided Tour +
Licensed local guide for the full Fes medina — souks, tanneries, Al-Qarawiyyin University. Book through us in advance.
Meknes & Volubilis Day Trip +
One hour from Fes — Roman ruins at Volubilis and the imperial city of Meknes.
FAQ — 2 Days Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour
Is 2 days and 1 night from Marrakech to Merzouga to Fes too rushed?
It is honest to say yes — this is a rushed itinerary. Both days are approximately 9 hours of driving with one night at the desert camp. You get the camel trek, the luxury desert camp, the Sahara sunrise, and the Ziz Valley. What you do not get is time at Ait Ben Haddou or the canyon country. If your schedule allows three days, the 3-day Marrakech to Fes tour is a significantly more comfortable experience.
What is included in a 2-day Marrakech to Fes desert tour?
Private transport for both days, English-speaking driver-guide, one night at a luxury desert camp at Erg Chebbi with dinner and breakfast, the sunset camel trek into the Merzouga dunes, sandboarding, and a panoramic stop at Ait Ben Haddou. Lunches on both days are not included.
What are the main highlights of a Marrakech to Fes desert tour lasting 2 days?
The panoramic stop at Ait Ben Haddou on day one, the sunset camel trek into the Erg Chebbi dunes, the night in the desert camp under the stars, the sunrise over the dunes on day two, and the drive through the Ziz Valley and Middle Atlas cedar forest on the way to Fes.
What is the typical itinerary for a 2-day desert tour from Marrakech to Fes?
Day one: leave Marrakech at 7am, panoramic stop at Ait Ben Haddou, lunch in Ouarzazate, arrive in Merzouga in time for the sunset camel trek into the dunes, spend the night at the desert camp. Day two: sunrise at the dunes, breakfast at the camp, drive north through the Ziz Valley and the Middle Atlas, arrive in Fes in the early evening.
How do I book a 2-day desert tour from Marrakech to Fes?
Contact us on WhatsApp or fill in the enquiry form on this page. We confirm availability and send full pricing for your group size within a few hours. A small deposit secures your dates.
When is the best time to take a 2-day desert tour between Marrakech and Fes?
March to May and October to November are the best months. Desert temperatures at Erg Chebbi sit between 18 and 28°C. July and August are possible but both driving days are very long in the heat. December and January are cold at the desert camp at night but the dunes are quiet and uncrowded.
What types of accommodation are available on a 2-day desert tour from Marrakech to Fes?
One night only — at a luxury desert camp inside the Erg Chebbi dunes in Merzouga. Three tiers: standard, mid-range, and premium. All have private en-suite tents with hot water and air conditioning, and dinner and breakfast included. The tour ends with a drop-off in Fes — no hotel night in Fes is included.
How safe is travelling the desert route between Marrakech and Fes?
The route is safe and well-travelled. Both days are around 9 hours driving and your driver is experienced on this road year-round. The desert camp around Merzouga is completely safe. Bring cash in dirhams for lunches and tips — ATMs are limited between Ouarzazate and Fes.
How does a 2-day Marrakech to Fes desert tour compare to longer desert tours?
The 2-day tour covers the core of the route — the Sahara, the camel trek, the desert camp, and the Ziz Valley. The 3-day tour adds the Dades Valley as a proper overnight and a full walk at Ait Ben Haddou. The 4-day tour adds a full desert day in Merzouga. For travellers with more time, the longer tours are always a better experience.
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Book This Tour
This 2-day Marrakech to Fes desert tour starts from €149 per person. Pick up from your hotel in Marrakech on day one morning. Drop off at your accommodation in Fes on day two evening. The tour is fully private — tell us your group size, travel dates, and accommodation tier when you enquire and we will confirm everything within a few hours.