My Review: Marrakech to Fes 3-Day Desert Tour via Merzouga

So, you’re thinking about that classic Morocco trip, the one that takes you from the hectic energy of one old city to the historic spirit of another, with a massive stretch of sand in between. Actually, it’s a tour people talk about a lot. The three-day adventure from Marrakech to Fes through the Merzouga desert is, you know, practically a rite of passage for many visitors to Morocco. I did this trip myself and, to be honest, it was a wild ride of changing views, long hours in a minibus, and a night that really stays with you. At the end of the day, this review is just my straight-up take on what you can expect, the parts that were really amazing, and some stuff I honestly wish I’d known beforehand. It’s almost like a peek behind the curtain of those glossy tour photos.

Day 1: Winding Roads from Marrakech to Dades Valley

Alright, the first day kicks off early, like, really early. You will definitely be picked up from your riad or a nearby spot in Marrakech before the city is fully awake. The minivan fills up, and you sort of get to know the people you’ll be spending the next 72 hours with. First, the road begins to climb into the High Atlas Mountains, and you can see the scenery change pretty quickly. Frankly, the Tizi n’Tichka pass is stunning, but it is also very windy and high up, so if you get carsick, you know, be prepared. You typically make a few stops for photos where you can see the terraced farming communities built into the hillsides. As a matter of fact, it feels a world away from the city you just left.

Basically, the main stop for the day is the ksar of Aït Benhaddou, a really famous fortified village made of earth and clay. You’ve probably seen it before; apparently, it was a backdrop in things like Gladiator and Game of Thrones. Anyway, walking through its narrow paths feels like stepping back in time, seriously. It’s pretty commercialized near the entrance with souvenir shops and stuff, but once you climb higher up, it gets a little quieter. The view from the top is absolutely worth the hike. It’s often helpful to explore different ideas for seeing the Atlas Mountains. From there, you pretty much pass through Ouarzazate, which is known as the “Hollywood of Africa,” but frankly, you just drive by the movie studios. The day more or less ends with a drive into the Dades Valley, where the rock formations look kind of like monkey fingers. It’s a pretty strange and striking place to spend your first night.

Day 2: The Gorge, the Big Desert, and a Camel’s Back

Okay, day two starts after breakfast in the Dades Valley. The first big point of interest is Todra Gorge, a very deep canyon carved by a river. You literally get to get out of the van and walk along the riverbed, with these massive, sheer rock walls towering on both sides. Honestly, you feel very, very small. It’s a bit of a tourist hot spot, with people selling carpets and jewelry, but the natural shape of the place is still incredible. After the gorge, a lot of the day is, well, driving. The views change again, becoming flatter and more barren as you get closer to the Sahara. The anticipation kind of builds up the entire time.

Then, in the late afternoon, you finally arrive in Merzouga, a small town on the very edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes. This is it, really, the main event. Here you meet your camel, and I mean, what an experience that is. Getting on is an adventure in itself. The caravan sets off into the sea of orange sand, and it is almost completely silent except for the soft padding of the camels’ feet. At the end of the day, watching the sun dip below the horizon from the back of a camel, with long shadows stretching across the dunes, is a picture that’s almost burned into my mind. I found that reading different perspectives on the camel trek helped set my expectations. It’s a slightly awkward ride, but utterly unique.

The Desert Camp Experience: What’s It Actually Like?

So, you arrive at the desert camp just as dusk is setting in. The camps are a collection of heavy cloth tents set in a circle, pretty much protected by the dunes. I was actually surprised by how comfortable it was. The tents usually have real beds and plenty of blankets, which you’ll need because the desert gets surprisingly cold at night. There are, for instance, different levels of camps. The standard ones are basic but have everything you need, while some more expensive tours go to camps with private bathrooms and hot water. You’ll just have to check what your specific tour includes. It’s almost always a good idea to read up on your options for a special stay in a desert camp.

In the evening, the Berber guides, who are pretty much your hosts for the night, cook up a huge tagine for dinner. It’s a very communal feeling, eating together under the stars. After dinner, they usually bring out drums and start a campfire. The music and singing under the massive, clear desert sky are just magical, you know? But for me, the very best part was after the music stopped. I walked a little away from the camp, let my eyes adjust, and just looked up. With literally zero light pollution, the number of stars you can see is unbelievable. You can actually see the Milky Way so clearly. It’s a moment of peace that is really hard to describe. Frankly, it makes the whole trip worth it.

Day 3: A Sahara Sunrise and the Long Road to Fes

Your guides will typically wake you up before dawn on day three. You might not want to get out of your warm bed, but you should, you really should. Watching the sunrise over the Erg Chebbi dunes is something else. The colors of the sand shift from soft pink to bright orange as the sun appears, and it’s a very serene, quiet moment. After that, you have a quick breakfast and then it’s time to get back on the camels for the ride out of the dunes. The morning light gives the desert a completely different feel than the evening before, a little sharper and clearer. You meet back up with your driver and van, and then, well, the long drive begins.

I have to be honest with you, this day is basically all about driving. It’s a very long way from Merzouga to Fes, something like 8 or 9 hours on the road. The group in your van is probably a little tired by this point, so it’s a quieter day. Still, the journey has some interesting stops. For example, you drive through the Ziz Valley, which is this huge, stunning ribbon of green palm groves cutting through the dry landscape. Then, you head into the Middle Atlas mountains. One of the main stops is a cedar forest near Azrou where you get to see Barbary macaque monkeys. They are wild but pretty used to people, so you can get quite close to see them. Getting a glimpse of these special Moroccan locations breaks up the trip nicely. You also pass through Ifrane, a town that looks bizarrely like a Swiss mountain village. Finally, in the early evening, you descend into Fes, and you’re dropped off, tired but full of some pretty incredible new memories.

Final Tips and Honest Recommendations

At the end of the day, if you’re thinking about this tour, there are a few things to keep in mind. You spend a lot of time in a vehicle; there’s just no way around that. The country is big, and the sights are spread out. So, you should download some podcasts or bring a book. It’s a pretty good idea to be clear on what your tour package includes. You know, are lunches covered? What about drinks? Sometimes, the lunch stops are at somewhat overpriced tourist restaurants, so having some snacks of your own is a smart move. When it comes to the tour company, you sort of get what you pay for. Cheaper tours will mean larger groups and maybe more basic accommodations, which is totally fine if that’s what you want. I really found that having a good guide for a trip like this is key, as you want to know about packing secrets for the desert.

Honestly, the one thing I’d tell anyone is to just go with the flow. Things in Morocco don’t always run on a strict schedule, and that’s just part of the experience. The long drives are what make the moments in the mountains and the desert feel so special.

Here’s a quick list of what I’d consider before you book:

• Packing: Honestly bring layers. You’ll want light clothes for the day, but a warm jacket, hat, and even gloves for the desert night, which gets really cold. Sunscreen and a scarf are also absolute must-haves, you know, for both sun and dust.
• Money: Basically, have some smaller cash (dirhams) on you for things like tips for your guides, drinks, and any souvenirs you might want to pick up along the way.
• Group Size: A smaller group tour can sometimes feel a bit more personal and less rushed. But a larger group can be fun too, as you meet more people. It really just depends on your personal style.
• Expectations: Just know that this is an adventure, not a luxury resort stay. It’s about seeing the incredible range of Morocco’s geography and culture in a very short amount of time. The driving is long, but the payoff, especially that night in the Sahara, is completely worth it, in my opinion.