PRIVATE TOUR
OVERVIEW
FES TO MARRAKECH DESERT TOUR 2 DAYS
Here is your text with Wikipedia links added for the starting cultural city, mountain towns, cedar forests, mountain towns, scenic rivers, desert dunes, dramatic gorges, UNESCO heritage sites, mountain passes, and final destination along this 2-day route:
2 days tour from Fes to Marrakech via the Merzouga desert. In these 2 days / 1 night you’ll visit so many fabulous places in a short time. Firstly, you leave Fes to visit the Switzerland of Morocco, Ifrane, and the cedar forest. A stop in Midelt for lunch, then you drive along the amazing Ziz River. After that, you reach the Sahara Desert of Merzouga. Then you ride camels and spend the night in a desert camp in the middle of the desert. Furthermore, you enjoy a magical sunset and sunrise in the Sahara. After that, you visit the Todra Gorges and the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou. Finally, you cross the High Atlas Mountains and the Tizi-n-Tichka Pass. The 2 day tour ends in Marrakech.
Duration: 2 days / 1 night
Start: Fes
End: Marrakech
Tour style: Private
HIGHLIGHTS
– Visiting Ifrane, known as the “Switzerland of Morocco”
– Exploring the Cedar Forest and meeting the Barbary macaques
– Enjoying lunch in Midelt surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery
– Crossing the scenic Tizi-n-Tilghmt Pass
– Following the Ziz River through the spectacular Ziz Valley
– Arriving in Merzouga and riding camels across the golden Sahara dunes
– Watching a breathtaking sunset from the top of a high desert dune
– Spending the night at a desert camp beneath a vast star-filled sky
– Enjoying traditional Berber drum music and dancing around the campfire
– Waking early to admire the magical Sahara sunrise
– Returning from the desert by 4×4
– Exploring the dramatic Todra Gorges and its towering red cliffs
– Driving through the scenic palm groves of Touroug and Tinjdad
– Visiting Ouarzazate and enjoying free time for lunch
– Visiting the famous Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
– Discovering one of Morocco’s most famous fortified villages and film locations
– Crossing the spectacular Tizi-n-Tichka Pass through the High Atlas Mountains
– Arriving in Marrakech and concluding your 2-day Fes to Marrakech desert tour
DAY 1: FES – IFRANE – CEDAR FOREST – MIDELT – ZIZ VALLEY – MERZOUGA SAHARA (7 hours drive)
The 2 days desert tour to Marrakech starts with an early pick-up from the airport or your accommodation in Fes. Then you drive south through Imouzzer to visit Ifrane, famous for its low temperatures, snow, and alpine-style houses — no wonder it’s called the Switzerland of Morocco. Then you continue to the cedar forest, home to the Barbary macaques; feel free to feed them as you wander among the trees. Later, you continue to Midelt, where lunch is served. Then you head to the Sahara desert, driving through the Tizi-n-Tilghmt Pass and along the Ziz River.
In the afternoon you reach the Sahara Desert of Merzouga, where you switch to camels and cross the sandy desert. A stop is made for you to enjoy the magical sunset atop a high dune. Then you continue to the desert camp, where you can enjoy Berber drum music while dancing around the campfire beneath a vast open sky of stars. Dinner and overnight in the camp.
DAY 2: MERZOUGA SAHARA DESERT – TODRA GORGES – AIT BEN HADDOU KASBAH – HIGH ATLAS MOUNTAINS – MARRAKECH (9 hours drive)
An early wake-up is a must, to contemplate the beautiful sunrise in the middle of the desert. Free time for breakfast, before you return by 4×4 to Merzouga, where the driver awaits. Then you leave the desert and drive west through the Touroug and Tinjdad palm groves to reach the Todra Gorges, where the course of the Todra River has carved a grand canyon through the mountains, forming a high red cliff-sided canyon. Then you drive past various kasbahs and palm groves to reach Ouarzazate; free time for lunch.
Then you continue to Marrakech, driving via the famous Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, making a quick stop at the fortified village, which is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Furthermore, the kasbah has appeared in many films including Gladiator, Alexander, and The Mummy, and TV series including Game of Thrones. Finally, you drive through the Tizi-n-Tichka Pass and the High Atlas Mountains to reach Marrakech. Then we drive you to the airport or your accommodation. End of the 2 day Fes to Marrakech tour.
The tour ends in Marrakech. If you wish to drive back to Fes, you can consider: 2 Days from Fes to Merzouga.
IMPORTANT! Bear in mind that 2 Days Tour from Fes to Marrakech is a suggested itinerary. If it doesn’t match what you’re looking for, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’ll organise a different itinerary based on your preferences and the length of your stay. We offer customised and tailor-made tours and trips all around Morocco.
THE PRICE varies according to the number of people: the more people joining the tour, the lower the price becomes. Since the transportation cost is fixed, the price is divided according to the number of people. The price also depends on the quality of the accommodation. Contact us for an exact price.
The 2 day tour is a great experience, but it involves a lot of driving hours. You can consider longer tours, such as:
– 3 Days Tour From Fes to Marrakech (break the 9h drive)
– 4 Days From Fes to Marrakech (+ desert excursion / 2nd night in the desert)
– 5 Days Tour From Fes to Marrakech (+ night in Ouarzazate)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FAQ: FES TO MARRAKECH IN 2 DAYS
Is the 2 days Fes to Marrakech tour private or shared?
The 2 day tour is a private experience, so only the travellers making the enquiry take part. No additional people join the tour. Our focus is on high-quality, personalised experiences, which is why we mainly offer private tours.
Our focus is on high-quality, personalised experiences, which is why we mainly offer private tours.
Is the tent private? Does it have a private shower?
The tent at the luxury camp is private and has private bathrooms with hot running water.
How long is the camel ride?
The camel ride lasts from 40 minutes to 1.5 hours, depending on which camp you’re staying in.
What is the alternative to camels?
If you’d rather not ride, the camp has a 4×4 that takes people and luggage in and out, which you’re welcome to use. Alternatively, ATVs can be arranged at an additional cost.
What happens to your luggage when you do the camel ride?
During the camel ride you take only what you need for the ride itself. The rest of your luggage is transported in the camp’s 4×4, and you’ll find it waiting for you at the camp.
What type of vehicles are used?
The vehicle will be either an SUV (4×4) or a minivan, both with A/C.
Vehicle details:
– 4×4: Land Cruiser Prado (up to 4 pax)
– Minivans: Mercedes Vito Tourer, Ford Tourneo Van, or similar (up to 8 pax)
For groups larger than 8, a minibus seating up to 18 pax can be provided.
Dietary preferences
Please share any dietary preferences you have, and we’ll make sure your needs are met. Kindly let us know in advance so we can arrange lunch stops accordingly and notify the riad/camp, as dinners are included in the package.
Tour age suitability
This tour is suitable for all ages. Please note, though, that it involves roughly 5 to 7 hours of driving each day. Our vehicles are new and comfortable and we make regular stops, but if you’re not used to this level of travel you may prefer a longer tour, such as our 5 Days From Marrakech to Fes, to reduce the amount of daily driving.
Pick-up and drop-off details
The meeting point for the 3 day tour is at 8:30 a.m. at any location within Marrakech. If your riad is accessible by car, we pick you up directly from there; if not, we pick you up from the nearest accessible road point, arranged on confirmation of your booking. At the end of the tour, we drop you off at your hotel or riad in Fes, or the closest available parking area. The tour usually finishes between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. in Fes, though the exact timing can vary depending on how long is spent at each stop.
Expenses
Currency exchange: Euros or USD can be exchanged for Moroccan dirham (MAD) at many locations across Morocco, including banks and exchange bureaus, and ATMs are widely available for cash withdrawals. While credit cards and foreign currencies (euros/USD) are generally accepted, it’s wise to carry local currency (MAD) for convenience.
Meal costs: Meals typically range from €5 to €20 per person, though prices vary by establishment.
Haggling / price negotiation: Haggling is an accepted and expected practice in Morocco; even locals take part in it.
BOOKING PROCESS:
1. Get in touch with us through the contact forms, email, WhatsApp, or our social networks, and tell us the number of travellers, the type of accommodation (excellent, luxury, etc.), your tour date (if available), and your chosen tour or some details so we can plan a new itinerary for you.
2. Booking: We ask for a small deposit to confirm the booking (preferably via our PayPal account). The rest is paid in cash to your driver/guide once you arrive, or through PayPal, which carries a 5% transaction fee. If you don’t have PayPal, we can send an online invoice you can pay by card. A bank/wire transfer is another option; it takes up to 12 days to appear in our system, and we can confirm the tour with a transaction receipt until the payment arrives.
WHY PRIVATE MOROCCO TOURS?
A private tour is an itinerary run exclusively according to your preferences. On a private trip you travel only with the people you choose. Private tours are more flexible when it comes to group size, travel dates, and what your trip includes. On top of that, you’ll have your own tour guide and driver at your disposal.
1. Booking, Pricing & Payment
Q: How does the pricing work for Morocco tours?
A: Pricing is dynamic and depends on two main factors:
Group Size: Because private vehicle and driver costs are fixed, per-person rates decrease significantly as your group size increases.
Accommodation Tier: Tours can be quoted with standard, mid-range, or 5-star luxury Riads and desert camps.
Q: What is the booking and payment process?
A: Select an itinerary or request a custom route via WhatsApp, email, or contact form.
Pay a small confirmation deposit via PayPal, credit card online invoice, or international bank transfer.
Pay the remaining balance upon arrival in cash (EUR, USD, or MAD) directly to your driver/guide, or via PayPal (which carries a standard 5% processing fee).
2. Tour Types & Customization
Q: What is the difference between small shared group tours and private tours?
A: Small Shared Group Tours: Limited to a maximum of 10 travelers (featured on Morocco Fabulous Travel), offering a cost-effective, social experience on fixed routes (e.g., 3-day Marrakech to Fes).
Private Tours: Fully customizable itineraries where only your party travels in a dedicated 4WD or minivan with your personal driver/guide, allowing you to choose stops, pace, and departure dates.
Q: Can we customize our itinerary or start from any city?
A: Yes. Both agencies allow full customization. Tours can depart from and end in any major Moroccan gateway, including Casablanca (CMN airport), Marrakech, Fes, Tangier, Ouarzazate, or Errachidia.
3. Desert Experience & Camp Life
Q: What does a Sahara Desert tour include?
A: Most standard 3- to 5-day desert packages include:
Private air-conditioned transportation with fuel.
Professional multilingual local Berber driver/guide.
Scenic mountain crossings (Tizi n’Tichka / High Atlas) and stops (Aït Benhaddou, Dades/Todra Gorges).
Sunset camel trek across the Erg Chebbi dunes in Merzouga.
Overnight stay at a Berber desert camp (Standard or Luxury) with private tent, dinner, breakfast, and traditional campfire music.
Q: What is the difference between a Standard and a Luxury Desert Camp?
A: Standard Camps: Comfortable Berber nomad tents with shared or basic bathroom facilities outside the tent.
Luxury Camps: Spacious private tent suites featuring proper beds, private en-suite bathrooms with hot-water showers, electricity, and premium bedding.
4. Practical Logistics & On-Trip Details
Q: Are meals and entrance fees included?
A: Included: Daily breakfast and dinners in the desert and mountain gorges (Dades/Todra).
Excluded: Lunches, drinks/beverages, personal expenses, tips, and entry fees to historical monuments (unless bundled into a luxury custom quote).
Q: Which languages do the drivers and local guides speak?
A: The dedicated local drivers/guides speak English, French, Spanish, and Arabic/Berber. For deep-dive historical city tours (such as the medinas of Fes or Marrakech), licensed local city guides are hired.
