Marrakech to Fes 3-Day Tour with Morocco Fabulous Travel: Review & Itinerary

Planning a trip to Morocco?

In this guide, I’ll walk you through our exact itinerary for our Marrakech to Fes 3-Day Desert Tour, including my honest experience and review of Morocco Fabulous Travel.

If you’re dreaming of golden dunes, ancient kasbahs, and winding mountain roads, the Marrakech to Fes 3-Day Desert Tour deserves a spot on your Morocco itinerary.

I recently took this tour with Morocco Fabulous Travel, and it turned out to be one of the most incredible experiences of my entire life.

From jaw-dropping natural scenery and authentic encounters with Berber traditions to camel rides at sunset across the golden dunes of the Sahara, this tour perfectly blends nature, culture, and adventure.

Keep reading as I reveal exactly why the Marrakech to Fes 3-Day tour is the ultimate way to experience Morocco’s diverse landscapes and rich culture.

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Marrakech to Fes 3-Day Desert Tour: Itinerary Overview

If you don’t have time to read the whole guide, below is a quick summary & a helpful map –

⚠️ Disclaimer: I was kindly invited on this tour as a guest of Morocco Fabulous Travel. However, as always, all opinions are entirely my own. You can skip to my full Morocco Fabulous Travel Review here.

Preparing For Your Tour

Preparing for your tour is super straightforward, but here are some general pointers.

Morocco Fabulous Travel will send you all the details 1-2 days before your trip begins. We received all the information by 5:00 PM the night before.

They will let you know your pick-up location in Marrakech; ours was from Jemaa el-Fnaa Square (as cars cannot enter the medina), and they arrived perfectly on time.

Here, we met the other 4 people in our group (we were 6 in total) and our driver, Ibrahim.

Here are some important things to remember –

• Cash for lunches & tips
• Head scarf (but you will stop at a shop)
• Layers (it can get cold at night)

👉 Every day, you will pass many shops to get water/snacks, and there are ATMs on the route too

Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour: 3-Day Itinerary

If you’re planning a desert adventure in Morocco, a multi-day tour from Marrakech is the perfect way to experience the country’s beauty, culture, and history.

While many tours return to Marrakech, continuing on to Fes is what we did – and what I would recommend.

Not only do you get to explore a new city, but this route also better showcases Morocco’s incredible diversity of landscapes.

From rugged mountains and winding gorges to lush valleys and the golden dunes of the Sahara, let’s get into it!

Day 1 – High Atlas Mountains, Ait Ben Haddou & Dades Valley

Day 1 of the Marrakech to Fes tour will take you from the chaos of the city to the peaceful heights of the High Atlas Mountains.

The day is packed with historic sites, captivating Berber traditions, and dramatic mountain landscapes.

High Atlas Mountains & Berber Villages

The Marrakech to Fes 3-Day Tour kicks off in the bustling city of Marrakech at about 8:00 AM.

We then began our drive up into the High Atlas Mountains, following the winding Tizi n’Tichka pass that connects the city of Marrakech with Ouarzazate.

At about 9:30 AM, we stopped for coffee and enjoyed absolutely breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.

We made a couple more quick stops: one to admire the twisting roads of the pass from above, and another at a traditional Berber village perched on the hillside.

At 11:30 AM, we stopped at an Argan Oil Cooperative to learn more about the traditional process of making argan oil, from cracking the nuts to producing the finished product. 

These cooperatives are run entirely by women, and visiting them is a great way to support local communities and buy some argan-based gifts.

Afterward, we continued our journey with a scenic one-hour drive to Aït Ben Haddou.

Aït Ben Haddou

We arrived at Aït Ben Haddou around 1:00 PM, which would also be our lunch spot.

Aït Ben Haddou is a traditional kasbah (fortified village) made of mudbrick and clay, dating back to the 17th century.

The site was strategically located on the ancient caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakech, serving as a vital trading post for goods such as salt and gold.

Today, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best-preserved examples of southern Moroccan architecture.

You may recognise Aït Ben Haddou as it is one of Morocco’s most famous film locations. It’s appeared in Gladiator, Game of Thrones, and The Mummy, among many others.

We spent about an hour exploring the maze-like alleys (under the blazing afternoon sun) and climbed to the top for sweeping views of the new village across the river.

After, we grabbed some lunch in a nearby restaurant before hitting the road again at about 3:00 PM.

Ouarzazate & Valley of Roses

After, we continued through Ouarzazate and made a quick pit stop at Atlas Studios (the biggest film studio in the world), which we admired from the outside.

👉 the tours are designed to be fully flexible, so if you would like to visit the studios for an additional fee, definitely discuss this with your driver

We drove another hour through the Valley of Roses, famous for its floral products, where we stopped for an afternoon coffee at about 5:00 PM.

Dades Valley

As we approached Dades Valley, the landscape outside the window grew increasingly surreal.

With rust-colored cliffs and jagged rock formations, it looked more like the surface of Mars.

At 6:30 PM, we stopped at a place known as Monkey Fingers, a surreal rock formation named for its rounded, finger-like shapes that seem to jut straight out of the earth.

Our final stop of the day turned out to be my favorite.

Just before reaching our hotel, we stopped at the Dades Gorge viewpoint, where the winding mountain road snakes dramatically through the valley below.

With the sun setting behind the red cliffs, this was easily one of the most breathtaking moments of the entire Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour.

We reached our hotel at about 7:30 PM, where we enjoyed a delicious dinner and well-earned rest after an incredible first day.

Day 2 – Todgha Canyon, Merzouga & Desert Camp

Day 2 takes you deeper into Morocco’s stunning natural landscapes.

You’ll marvel at towering canyons, learn more about ancient practices, and journey across the golden dunes on camelback – arguably, the highlight of the trip.

Day 2 culminates with a desert camp under the stars, a crackling campfire, and traditional Berber music.

Todgha Canyon

The second day of our Marrakech to Fes 3-Day Tour began around 9:00 AM, after a hearty breakfast.

Our first stop was the dramatic Todgha Canyon, which quickly became one of my favorite parts of the entire trip.

You’ll be dropped off so you can walk 15 minutes along the riverbed. This way, you can truly appreciate the sheer scale of the towering limestone cliffs, contrasted with the lush palm trees below.

Adding to the charm, there were locals tending their flocks of goats, which made the scene feel even more authentic and alive.

Ancient Khettara

After an early lunch at about midday, we started our drive to Merzouga.

Along the way, we made a quick stop at a traditional Berber shop, where we got to see the local dress and pick up scarves if we needed them.

👉 this was actually the only part of the tour I did not love, as the dressing up felt a little forced and inauthentic (but that’s just me)

By about 3:00 PM, we paused to admire the Khettara, an ancient irrigation system and impressive feat of engineering.

This clever network of underground channels once carried water to sustain the desert oases, a testament to the ingenuity of Morocco’s desert communities.

Merzouga & Camel Ride

We reached the desert town of Merzouga by about 5:00 PM, ready for what was easily the most exciting part of the day.

Here, we met our friendly camels, who would carry us across the towering Erg Chebbi dunes to our camp for the night.

Crossing the golden dunes of the Sahara Desert on camelback as the sun dipped below the horizon was a true “pinch me” moment, and something I’m pleased to tick off my bucket list.

An hour of riding (and one very bruised bum) later, we stopped to witness the sunset, which was absolutely breathtaking.

Another short, 15-minute ride brought us to our desert camp by 8:00 PM, just as the stars began to appear overhead.

Camping & Local Music

The luxury glamping tents were incredible, and of course, we were greeted with mint tea and warm smiles.

After our dinner, we were treated to an evening around the campfire with traditional Berber music and drumming under the stars.

Later, we lay back on the sand, watching countless stars fill the night sky – a peaceful end to an incredible day in the Sahara.

Day 3 – Ziz Valley, Cedar Forest & Fes

The final day of your Marrakech to Fes 3-Day Tour takes you from the rocky desert back toward the lush Middle Atlas Mountains.

You’ll pass through oases and palm-filled valleys, spot cheeky Barbary apes in the cedar forest, and enjoy a brief stop in a charming alpine-style town before reaching Fes.

It’s a day of striking contrasts, showcasing Morocco’s incredible diversity in just a few hours.

Ziz Valley

Our final day of our Marrakech to Fes 3-Day Tour started with sunrise over the dunes.

Waking up and enjoying a delicious breakfast surrounded by golden dunes was nothing short of magical.

By 9:00 AM, we were back on the road again, venturing through the Ziz Valley on our way back to Fes.

We made a quick stop at a viewpoint overlooking the oasis, where our guide explained a little more about the palm trees and date farms.

As we continued north, the scenery shifted dramatically.

The dry, rocky desert gave way to the cool greenery of the Middle Atlas Mountains, a refreshing contrast that made the long drive feel like a moving postcard of Morocco’s incredible diversity.

Cedar Forest & Barbary Apes

After a quick lunch, we made it to the Cedar Forest by 3:00 PM.

The Cedar Forest is home to the famous Barbary Apes, who roam freely among the towering cedar trees. We got to see them right up close, as they were on the hunt for peanuts.

Ifrane

The final stop on our Marrakech to Fes 3-Day Tour was a stop in the picturesque town of Ifrane.

Often called “Little Switzerland” for its alpine-style architecture, cooler weather, and abundant greenery, Ifrane felt worlds away from the desert we’d left behind.

The cool mountain air and European-style vibe were a refreshing change of pace, and we enjoyed a coffee and a short stroll through town before beginning the final stretch of our journey.

We arrived in Fes around 6:00 PM, tired but amazed at how much of Morocco we’d seen in just three unforgettable days.

Morocco Fabulous Travel: My Honest Review

If I could give the Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour with Morocco Fabulous Travel an 11/10, I absolutely would.

Our guide, Ibrahim, was incredibly accommodating and knowledgeable, sharing fascinating insights about each stop and keeping the atmosphere laidback and fun.

What really stood out to me was how flexible the trip was. We were able to adjust stops and timing to suit our group’s interests, which made the whole experience feel personal and well-paced.

The small group size was another highlight – something unique to Morocco Fabulous Travel. There were only six of us, which made it much easier to bond.

Ibrahim even went the extra mile on the last day. We were heading straight to the airport and needed to print our boarding passes (thank you, Ryanair), so he made a stop at a local library to help us out.

That level of care and attention really sums up the experience, and I felt like I could simply switch off and enjoy the entire trip.

The only small downside is that this tour is slightly pricier than some others offering a similar route. This tour cost €249 in total.

However, the accommodation and food were both exceptional and of a very high standard, and well worth the money in my opinion.

Another downside was lunch. As lunch was not included in the tour, we were taken to particularly touristy restaurants, meaning that prices were over double the regular price – something to bear in mind.

However, in the grand scheme of the whole tour, this was a very minor issue and did not impact our experience whatsoever.

If you’re looking for a perfectly-organized, comfortable, and genuinely memorable desert tour, Morocco Fabulous Travel delivers above and beyond.

Fes To Marrakech 3-Day Tour

If you’re already in Fes and are heading to Marrakech, the good news is that this tour can be taken in the opposite direction!

The Fes to Marrakech 3-Day Tour itinerary is exactly the same, and instead starts with a longer day of driving as opposed to ending with it.

FAQs

What is the best desert tour from Marrakech?

The best desert tour from Marrakech totally depends on how much time you have, and the type of experience you’re after.

I would highly recommend going for the 3-day tour, as this means you’ll camp in the Sahara Desert – a true once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

With the 3-day tours, you have a choice of returning to Marrakech or carrying on to Fes. We did the latter.

If you’re hoping to see greater diversity in Morocco’s landscapes and the contrast as the rocky desert evolves into lush greenery, I’d suggest the Fes option.

It’s also a great way to explore a new city while saving on transport costs, as your journey north is already included in the tour.

Can you do a day trip from Marrakech to Fes?

Technically, you can do a day trip from Marrakech to Fes, but you’ll be driving at least 8 hours each way.

This means it is definitely not recommended, as you’d spend the majority of the time driving and not truly have time to enjoy Fes.

If your goal is to see the desert, mountains, and historic towns, it’s much better to do a 3-day desert tour that ends in Fes.

This way, you can break up the long drive, experience the Sahara Desert, and arrive in Fes rested and ready to explore the city.

Are Morocco desert tours worth it?

If you’re looking for a truly transformative adventure filled with breathtaking landscapes, rich culture, and unforgettable experiences, a Morocco desert tour is absolutely worth it.

It’s your chance to immerse yourself in the heart of Morocco, create unforgettable memories, and witness this country’s rich diversity in a short amount of time.

Are Morocco desert tours safe for solo travellers?

I cannot speak for all Morocco desert tours, but I can say with confidence that Morocco Fabulous Travel is absolutely safe for solo travelers.

The guides are friendly, knowledgeable, and experienced, able to navigate the desert’s unpredictable conditions and make sure your journey runs smoothly.

The small group sizes mean your individual needs are always taken care of, and you never feel lost in a crowd.

As long as you book with a reputable company, you can relax and enjoy the adventure – there’s really nothing to worry about.

Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour with Morocco Fabulous Travel: Final Thoughts

Well, there you have it! This post has detailed everything you need to know about the 3-Day Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour with Morocco Fabulous Travels.

If you have any questions, I would love to hear from you – drop me a comment below or reach out to me on Instagram or Pinterest!