Exclusive! 2 Days Desert Trip Marrakech to Fez via Ait Benhaddou

This Marrakech to Fez desert trip is interesting because it strings together the High Atlas climb, with the Tizi-n-Tichka pass, and then sends you straight to the Sahara dunes near Merzouga. I like how the day includes real breaks for views and small village moments, not just endless highway time.

My favorite part is the overnight in a Berber tent and the included sandboarding plus camel ride into Erg Chebbi. The catch is you are in the van a lot, so if you dislike long drives, plan for a more physical, road-heavy kind of adventure.

Key Highlights You’ll Actually Feel

• Erg Chebbi camel ride from Merzouga, then a short walk and fresh tea on arrival at camp
• Sunrise on the dunes with an early-morning walk near the Algerian border area (about 50 km from Merzouga)
• Free sandboarding plus time on the sand before the desert night settles in
• Long drive route with variety, going through places like Ouarzazate, the Valley of Roses, Dades Valley, Ziz Valley, and the Middle Atlas
• Small shared group size, with a maximum of 17 travelers and hotel pickup offered in Marrakech

Marrakech to Fes in 2 Days, What You’re Really Signing Up For

This is a fast, focused route: Marrakech in the morning, Fes at the end of day two, with one desert night in between. You’re not lingering. You’re moving. And in exchange, you get a big change of scenery from mountain passes to Saharan dunes to Atlas mountain backroads.

You’ll travel in a comfortable minibus or minivan with a professional driver. The group is kept small, up to 17 people, which helps the pacing feel less chaotic. You also get hotel pickup offered, and you’ll have a mobile ticket for a smoother start.

If you like trips where the “main event” is the desert, this format makes sense. You arrive in the dunes area at the right time for sunset and camp life, then leave early enough for sunrise.

Price and Value: What $100 Buys You (and What It Doesn’t)

At $100 per person for a 2-day, 1-night journey, the value comes from what is included versus what you’d normally pay separately.

Included basics are the stuff that makes the desert portion work: transport, dinner, breakfast, overnight in a desert camp (Berber tent), plus a camel ride and free sandboarding. You also get a driver who handles the route and timing, which matters on long road days.

What’s not included is also clear: lunches and drinks aren’t part of the price, and travel insurance is not included. So budget for midday food and whatever drinks you want during the drives or at stops.

Bottom line: this price is fair if you want the core desert experience and the Atlas mountain drive in one shot. If you already planned to sleep in a camp and you just want transport, you might find other options cheaper, but they often cut those included activities.

Day 1: High Atlas Pass, Ouarzazate, Dades Valley, Then Erg Chebbi

Day 1 is about the long drive and the moment you finally step into the dunes world.

Tizi-n-Tichka Pass and the climb out of Marrakech

After meeting you at your hotel in Marrakech, you’ll head toward the High Atlas through the Tizi-n-Tichka pass. The route climbs from the plains up to about 2260 meters above sea level, passing small villages and even small waterfalls along the way.

This part is not just a scenic “between places” section. It’s the payoff of this trip’s routing. You’ll see how the mountains change as you rise, and you’ll understand why so many Moroccan roads are built around passes like this one.

Tip for comfort: you can feel a temperature shift with altitude. Even in warmer months, bring a light layer.

Ouarzazate, the Valley of Roses, and Dades Valley breaks

From the mountains, the drive continues through Ouarzazate, then the Valley of Roses, and onward to Dades Valley. These are stop-and-see corridors where the scenery shifts again, and you get the short breaks that keep a long day from feeling endless.

These quick pauses matter on a trip like this. Without them, you’d just be counting hours. With them, you’re collecting moments.

Arriving near the Erg Chebbi dunes

Depending on timing, you’ll reach a traditional kasbah setting on the foot of the dunes of Erg Chebbi. You’ll rest, then have mint tea. After that, the guide and camels are ready, and you’ll ride across the sand dunes.

You’ll spend about one hour on the camel ride, which is long enough to feel like part of the desert, but not so long that it becomes a struggle for most people.

Then you continue on to the desert camp for your Berber tent night.

Desert Camp Night: Berber Tent Sleep, Tea, Sandboarding, and a Pool

The desert camp is where this trip stops being “a drive” and becomes “an experience.”

Your Berber tent night

You’ll sleep in a Berber tent. This is the part most people remember, because the desert night is different from any hotel night. The setting is more open, the air feels different, and you’re not surrounded by walls and hallways.

One thing I like about this style of camp setup is that it gives you a full block of time for the desert mood. You are not just passing through for 15 minutes and moving on.

Free sandboarding and dune play

Sandboarding is included and you’ll have time to do it. It’s simple but fun, and it gives you a reason to get back out on the dunes even after you’ve already done the camel ride.

If you go, start slow. Sand can be slippery in a way that takes a minute to get used to, especially if the surface is not packed the same everywhere.

Camel rhythm and mint tea welcome

After your arrival, mint tea is part of the welcome. Then, the camp rhythm takes over: food, relaxation, and that calm, slow feel you only get after the drive and the dunes.

The overview also says there’s a swimming pool at the camp. If that’s available on the day you go, it’s a nice way to cool off after dune time, especially if you feel dusty or sun-worn.

What to expect emotionally

The desert can feel like a reset button. Even if you’re tired from travel, the shift helps. The dunes go quiet in a way that makes you pay attention to your surroundings.

Just remember this is a camp night, not a full-service hotel. Plan for a basic setup and focus on the experience, not luxury.

Day 2: Sunrise Behind the Algerian Border, Then Ziz Valley and the Return to Fes

Day two starts early. That early start is your chance to get the dunes at their best.

Early morning dune walk and sunrise

In the morning, you can get up early for a walk over the sand dunes and watch the sunrise. The sunrise viewpoint is described as being behind the Algerian border, about 50 km from Merzouga.

Even if you’re not a sunrise person, this is worth it here because the desert changes quickly. Light shifts across the dunes and you get a clean view of the open sand world without the heat.

Then you take the camels back to the hotel.

Breakfast, shower, and reset time

After breakfast, you’ll have time for a shower and rest. I really like this part of the itinerary because it balances the early start. Instead of jumping straight back on the road while still feeling dusty or tired, you get a chance to clean up and reset.

Drive through Ziz Valley, Berber villages, and the Middle Atlas

Then you head back to Fes through the Ziz Valley, Berber villages, and the Middle Atlas Mountains. This is another “route with layers” day, where you’re traveling through multiple regions rather than repeating the same scenery.

You’ll arrive in Fes in the afternoon, so the trip ends without dragging into the night.

Group Size, Timing, and the Reality of Long Road Days

This tour is built for movement. You should assume day one is a long drive with a few quick stops, and day two is also long, with a return drive that takes you through multiple regions.

That can be totally worth it. Morocco by road is a show, and this route strings together the kind of variety you’d be hard pressed to match if you tried to assemble it yourself with separate tickets.

But it is also a consideration. The feedback you want to listen to is the simple one: there are many hours in the vehicle. Pack for it.

A practical packing checklist for this kind of trip

Bring layers for altitude changes and mornings. Have sun protection for dune play. If you get carsick, consider what usually helps you on curvy mountain roads.

Also bring cash for lunch and drinks, since those aren’t included.

Who This Marrakech to Fes Desert Trip Fits Best

This trip fits best if you want a desert night and two mountain-driven days without complicated planning.

It’s especially good for:

• First-timers to Morocco who want a clear “desert plus Atlas” highlight in a short time
• People who enjoy scenic drives when the stops are built in
• Anyone who wants the included desert activities, especially camel ride and free sandboarding
• Travelers who like small-group travel, with a max of 17

It may not fit as well if:

• You dislike long road days and want a slower pace
• You need lots of downtime each day
• You are traveling with limited mobility, since the overview notes travelers should have strong physical fitness level

Should You Book This 2-Day Desert Journey?

Book it if you want the classic Marrakech to Fes desert arc in a tight schedule, with a real desert night in a Berber tent and included desert activities like camel riding and sandboarding. The value makes sense because so much of the core experience is bundled, and the small group size helps keep the vibe calm.

Skip it if you know long drives drain you, because this itinerary is road-heavy. Also, go into it expecting a camp night and a shower reset, not a hotel-style day-and-night experience.

If you’re okay with that trade, this is a strong way to connect Marrakech and Fes through Morocco’s mountains and into the big open dunes.

FAQ

How long is the trip from Marrakech to Fes?

It runs for about 2 days (2 days, 1 night).

Where does the tour start and where does it end?

You start in Marrakech with hotel pickup and the trip ends in Fes in the afternoon on day two.

Do I get hotel pickup in Marrakech?

Yes, pickup is offered.

Is the overnight part of the tour included?

Yes. You’ll have an overnight in a desert camp in a Berber tent.

What desert activities are included?

A camel ride is included, and sandboarding is free. The overview also mentions a swimming pool at the camp.

Are meals included?

Breakfast and dinner are included. Lunches are not included, and drinks are not included.

What happens on the first day?

You travel from Marrakech toward the High Atlas using the Tizi-n-Tichka pass, then pass through areas like Ouarzazate and Dades Valley, and continue to the dunes of Erg Chebbi for camel ride time and a night in a Berber tent camp.

Is sunrise included on day two?

You can get up early for sunrise and a walk over the sand dunes behind the Algerian border area, described as about 50 km from Merzouga.

When do I return to Fes?

You arrive in Fes in the afternoon on day two.

What is the cancellation policy?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid is not refunded. Weather affects the tour as well, and if it’s canceled due to poor weather you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Is there a child policy?

A child rate applies only when sharing with 2 paying adults. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

What is the group size limit?

The tour has a maximum of 17 travelers.