Category: Morocco Travel Itineraries | Reading Time: 9 Minutes
If you are looking at a map of Morocco and trying to figure out how to fit Marrakech, the Sahara Desert, and the ancient city of Fes into one trip, you are facing a common dilemma.
Do you drive to the desert and all the way back to Marrakech? Do you fly?
The answer lies in one of the most popular and efficient travel routes in the country: The Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour.
This 3-day expedition is more than just a transfer; it is the ultimate Moroccan road trip. You start in the Red City (Marrakech), cross the High Atlas Mountains, sleep under the stars in the Sahara (Merzouga), and finish your journey in the cultural capital of Fes.
It saves you a full day of backtracking and exposes you to the incredibly diverse landscapes of the Middle Atlas—cedar forests, snow-capped peaks, and wild monkeys—that you would miss on a standard loop.
Here is your essential guide to the Marrakech to Fes via Merzouga route.
Why Choose the Marrakech to Fes Route?
This specific itinerary is often called the “Grand Route.” Here is why it is the smartest choice for first-time travelers:
- Efficiency: A standard Merzouga tour returns to Marrakech, requiring a 9-hour drive back the way you came. By continuing north to Fes, you save time and see a completely new region of the country.
- Landscape Diversity: You experience the arid south (Kasbahs and dunes) and the lush north (Alpine villages and cedar forests) in one trip.
- Logistic Ease: You don’t need to worry about internal flights or confusing bus schedules. Your transport doubles as your sightseeing tour.
The 3-Day Itinerary: A Journey Through Changing Worlds
While 4-day options exist (and are more relaxed), the 3-Day / 2-Night itinerary is the industry standard.
Day 1: High Mountains and Hollywood Kasbahs
- The Route: Marrakech to Dades Valley (approx. 6 hours drive + stops).
- The Experience: You depart Marrakech at 7:30 AM. The morning is dedicated to the dramatic Tizi n’Tichka pass. By lunch, you are exploring Ait Ben Haddou, the UNESCO World Heritage site famous for Gladiator and Game of Thrones.
- The Night: You leave the arid plains of Ouarzazate and head into the Valley of Roses and the Dades Valley. You’ll sleep in a hotel surrounded by towering red rock walls.
Day 2: Canyons to Dunes
- The Route: Dades Valley to Merzouga (approx. 4 hours drive + stops).
- The Experience: The day starts with a walk through the spectacular Todra Gorge, where 300-meter cliffs sandwich a crystal-clear river. In the afternoon, the landscape flattens into the stone desert.
- The Climax: You arrive in Merzouga, switch your 4×4 for a camel, and trek into the Erg Chebbi dunes for sunset.
- The Night: A luxury or standard camp deep in the dunes. Drumming, tagines, and the Milky Way.
Day 3: The Long Drive North (The Unique Leg)
This is where the tour differs from the standard Marrakech loop.
- The Route: Merzouga to Fes (approx. 7–8 hours drive + stops).
- The Ziz Valley: After a sunrise breakfast, you head north. The first highlight is the Ziz Valley, a massive canyon filled with millions of date palms—a river of green flowing through the desert rock.
- The Middle Atlas: You cross the Tizi n’Talghamt pass. The air gets cooler. You stop in Midelt (the apple capital of Morocco) for lunch.
- The Cedar Forests: Near Azrou, you enter the ancient cedar forests. This is home to the Barbary Macaques. These wild monkeys are accustomed to humans, and stopping to see them is a highlight of the trip.
- Little Switzerland: Your final stop is Ifrane, a town that looks like an Alpine ski resort with European-style roofs and manicured parks.
- Arrival: You arrive in Fes in the early evening (usually around 6:00 PM or 7:00 PM), where your driver drops you off at your Riad.
Private vs. Shared: What You Need to Know
Because the Marrakech to Fes desert tour is a “one-way” trip, logistics are slightly different than loop tours.
Shared Group Tours (Budget Option)
- The Setup: You travel in a minibus with up to 17 people.
- The Logistics: Most group tours only do the Marrakech-to-Marrakech loop. To go to Fes, you usually do days 1 and 2 with the group. On Day 3 morning, you are transferred to a “Grand Taxi” (shared large sedan) or a different minibus that is heading north to Fes.
- Pros: Very cheap (€100–€150 range).
- Cons: You have to switch vehicles; the comfort level on the long drive to Fes is lower; you have less control over photo stops.
Private Tours (Recommended)
- The Setup: A private 4×4 (Toyota Land Cruiser) with your own English-speaking driver.
- The Logistics: The vehicle stays with you from Marrakech all the way to your Riad door in Fes.
- Pros: Total freedom. The drive on Day 3 is long, and having a comfortable car where you can control the AC and stop for the monkeys whenever you want is invaluable.
- Cons: Higher price point (€300+ per person depending on group size).
When is the Best Time to Go?
- Spring (March–May) & Autumn (September–November): The perfect times. The weather is ideal in both the desert and the mountains.
- Winter (December–February): The desert nights are freezing, but the days are clear. Important: On Day 3, you may encounter snow in Ifrane and the Middle Atlas. It makes for beautiful photos, but pack warm clothes!
- Summer (June–August): It is scorching hot. If you travel now, ensure your transport has powerful air conditioning and your camp has AC.
4 Essential Packing Tips for This Route
Since you are not returning to Marrakech, you must bring all your luggage with you.
- Luggage Management: In a private tour, your suitcases go in the trunk of the 4×4. In a shared tour, space is limited—try to travel light.
- The “Overnight” Bag: When you ride the camels to the camp, you cannot take your large suitcase. Pack a backpack with your pajamas, toothbrush, and change of clothes for the desert night. Your heavy luggage will stay safely in the car or the hotel at the dune line.
- Motion Sickness Meds: The road involves two major mountain ranges (High Atlas on Day 1, Middle Atlas on Day 3). If you get carsick, bring medication.
- Jackets are Mandatory: Even in summer, the Cedar Forests of Azrou can feel brisk compared to the Sahara.
Final Verdict: Is It Too Much Driving?
The Marrakech to Fes desert tour covers a distance of roughly 1,030 km (640 miles) over three days. It is a lot of driving.
However, it is widely considered the best road trip in Morocco. The constantly changing scenery—from red clay kasbahs to golden dunes to green cedar forests—keeps the journey visually stimulating every hour.
By choosing this route, you aren’t just “getting from A to B.” You are connecting the dots of Morocco’s history and geography in the most adventurous way possible.
Ready to book your one-way expedition?
Check out our Private Marrakech to Fes Tours to secure your 4×4 and luxury camp experience today.
