Best Marrakech to Fes Desert Tours

If you’re looking for the best Marrakech to Fes desert tours then you have come to the right place. I have done many of these tours and absolutely love them, which is kind of surprising since I am not really a “tour” person.

TBH I kind of hate group tours and hate being thrown into a group with a bunch of people I don’t know and have to pretend I like. I also hate having to be in certain places at certain times since I always like doing my own thing.

But, when I did my Marrakech to Fes desert tour, I had the most amazing time. I saw incredible things, met amazing people, saved a lot of time (the tour is super efficient), and saved tons of money.

Trust me, if I had done this tour on my own I probably would have spent three to four times the cost of the tour between a car rental, hotels, food, tours, and more.

However, there were some down sides. The tour did feel a bit rushed. So, I would say that a Marrakech to Fes desert tour is a great option if you’re short on time and want to see a lot quickly.

It is also a great option if you want to get a taste of the major highlights between Fes and Marrakech. I kind of treated it as an overview and made mental notes about the places I wanted to go back to and explore more thoroughly.

Additionally, this Marrakech to Fes desert tour can feel a bit touristy. You definitely won’t be seeing “hidden gems” and you definitely will see a lot of other foreigners around.

But, the guides are super nice, very informative, and go out of their way to introduce you to the beauty of Moroccan culture.

So, I would 10/10 recommend a Marrakech to Fes desert tour to anyone who is interested.

In this guide, I am going to go over my personal experience with one of the best Marrakech to Fes desert tours. I’ll share my experience, explain what company I recommend, and go over exactly what you should expect from your trip.

I will also explain if this tour is right for you and give you a list of reputable companies that you can use to book a tour. So, if you’re ready, let’s deep dive into this guide and examine amazing desert tours.

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Should I Book a Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour?

Personally, yes, I think the Marrakech to Fes desert tour is absolutely worth it and you should 100% book it. Not only did I have an amazing time and meet some amazing people, but I saved a lot of money.

Yup, this tour is very economical if you are a solo traveler or if you are a couple since you will save tons of money on transportation, hotels, tours, etc (the tour gets less economical if you are traveling with a larger group).

Essentially, I paid $170.00 USD for 3 days and 2 nights of accommodation, transportation, activities, and food. Yes, some meals and minor activities were not included. But, on the whole, you really won’t have to pay a ton of extra money.

TBH, I hate paying extra money on tours since I always end up feeling like, “Well, then, what the hell did I pay for?”

I also liked that the tour was fast-paced but I didn’t feel like I was RUSHING through everything. Yes, I wish I had had more time to explore Todra Gorge, visit Ifrane, and see the Atlas Studios near Ouarzazate.

However, given how much you are seeing and how much ground you are covering in 3 days (the drive between Fes and Marrakech is LONG), I thought they did a good job of giving us enough time at most of the major highlights.

That being said, this tour is not for everyone. If you hate groups and like spending two or three days at specific locations then this tour is not for you.

This tour is also not for you if you want to get off the beaten path and explore lesser-known parts of Morocco. After all, this tour is designed to introduce people to Morocco’s major highlights.

So, you definitely will be traveling to rather touristy places and see a lot of other foreigners.

Essentially, this tour will be perfect if you are short on time or money (or both) and want to quickly and efficiently see as much of the country as possible.

However, if you have lots of time and money to spend then just rent a car and do a fun road trip through Morocco. You can go at your own pace and enjoy each location a bit more thoroughly.

You also may want to do a private tour if you are traveling with a large group. This way you can go at your own pace and create a custom itinerary based on your own personal needs.

Local Tip: I would also get one of the best SIM cards in Morocco before your tour. This way the tour operator can easily stay in touch with you.

How Much is One of the Best Marrakech to Fes Desert Tours?

The short answer is that it depends. In low season I paid around $170.00 USD for my 3-day tour when I started around February in Marrakech.

I also didn’t need to book in advance (I went in January) and brought some extra cash for food, drinks, and any additional things that I needed to pay for along the way.

Honestly, just read the fine print. Morocco tour operators do a really good job of outlining exactly what is and is not included with the tour.

Just be aware that the price of the tour can go up based on the season and demand. So, I have heard of people paying as much as $250.00 per person for the tour during high season. You also may want to book in advance in high season since things can fill up.

You will have to pay more for a Fes to Marrakech desert tour since this route is not as popular as the one from Marrakech to Fes. I prefer the route from Marrakech to Fes since afterward you can relax in one of the most beautiful riads in Fes.

The Itinerary

If I could give you one piece of advice it would be to NOT get caught up on booking one specific tour with one specific company.

Yes, you want to have a good time and yes, you want to go with the best company possible. But, most companies are pretty much the same and run tours that follow the same exact route.

So, don’t stress out if your dream company is fully booked. Just choose another company and it will be fine since most operators follow the itinerary outlined below.

I also would not worry about bringing your suitcase. The vans they use are huge and tend to have ample room to accommodate everyone’s belongings.

Anyway, below is the itinerary that I followed and that most companies use when doing a desert tour from Marrakech to Fes.

• Early pick-up from your riad in Marrakech at probably 7:00 am or 8:00 am. Once everyone is picked up, you’ll drive through the Atlas Mountains and stop at Tizi n’Tichka for photos before continuing the drive.

• You’ll then stop at Ait Benhaddou and explore this amazing UNESCO World Heritage site with a guide. You’ll have ample time to walk around and enjoy the views. You’ll then quickly stop to see Atlas Studios from far away before driving through the Valley of the Roses.

• You’ll end day 1 at a hotel near Tinghir. The hotel is really nice (like 4 stars) and dinner/breakfast are both included. I was honestly very impressed with the accommodations since they exceeded my expectations.

• You’ll wake up for breakfast and then head to nearby Todra Gorge. You’ll get out briefly and walk through the entrance of the gorge before driving to Merzouga.

• You’ll probably arrive in Merzouga in the afternoon. You’ll hop on a camel and ride for about 45 minutes to your desert camp. You’ll stop to do some sandboarding and watch the sun set before spending the night in the desert.

• At the camp, you’ll enjoy tents with real beds as well as A/C and heat. You’ll also be treated to a lovely dinner/breakfast and live music that is performed around a roaring campfire.

• On Day 3 you’ll wake up very early. This way you can have breakfast and watch the sunrise before you hop on a camel and go back to Merzouga to get in the van.

• You’ll then drive towards Fes. Along the way, you’ll stop in the Middle Atlas Mountains to see Barbary macaque monkeys and spend a bit of time in Ifrane before arriving in Fes at around 4:00 pm or 5:00 pm. Definitely hit up a hammam in Fes since it is a great way to relax after a long trip.

Please Note: This is a rough itinerary and the trip may vary based on the time of year and the specific tour operator you use. Yes, you will do a lot of driving, but I had a good time and enjoyed all of the things we did during the tour.

I also thought the vans were very comfortable and LOVED that I got my own seat as a solo traveler. This way I could just listen to music and not have to make awkward small talk with people.

My Experience with My Unforgettable 3-Day Desert Tour to Fes

⭐️ Rating: 4.9/5.0 (679 Reviews) Price: $170.00+ per person Duration: 3 days and 2 nights 📍Meeting Point: Pick up and drop off included Details: Read more on Get Your Guide Now!

The last time I went to Fes I booked this incredible 3-day desert tour and absolutely loved it. I am not going into the specifics of the exact itinerary we used since I outlined it in detail above.

However, what I will say is that my guide was awesome. He was nice, kind, informative, prompt, and even brought us to his home to have tea and cookies with his family.

He also got out group a GIANT box of dates so that we could taste some from one of the best date regions in the country.

The van was also super comfortable and I felt like I had ample space to sit back and relax while we drove through the Moroccan countryside.

Yes, I wish we could have gone to Ouarzazate and the Atlas Studios. I also wish we had more time to explore Todra Gorge and visit Ifrane along the way.

“it was amazing! The desert is absolutely beautiful—breathtaking views everywhere. Our guide, Hakim, was the best! He’s super easygoing, funny, and super helpful with anything you need. Waking up to the sunrise in the desert was a highlight; it was stunning! The standard camp was totally fine too—comfortable enough to enjoy the experience. If you’re looking for an unforgettable adventure, this tour is definitely worth it!”

Brittany (read more reviews now)

But, I thought our time in the desert was amazing. I loved the camel rides and thought the tents were really well-outfitted. I also though the accommodations near Todra Gorge were exceptionally nice (like 4 stars nice).

The one thing I did not like was when we dressed up in “traditional” clothes to take pictures. I thought it was really touristy and just didn’t want to do it.

But other than that, I thought the tour offered great value for money. The included food was actually really good and I loved meeting my tour group. They were so nice that we ended up having together together once we arrived in Fes.

So, even if you are not a “group tour person” (like me), I would definitely book this tour since the value you get for your money is insane. The guides are also super nice, never make you feel uncomfortable, and work with really great drivers.

Basically, if I had to do it over I would book this tour with Get Your Guide again.

I just like that Get Your Guide works with reputable providers, takes cash payments, provides great customer service, lists tons of reviews, has an easy-to-use app, accepts credit card payments, and has a generous cancellation policy.

Therefore, if you cancel your tour up to 24 hours before your date of departure, you’ll get a full refund, no questions asked. Super handy if your plans change and you want to do something else for your birthday in Marrakech.

Other Picks for the Best Marrakech to Fes Desert Tours

If you are looking for a few other options when it comes to Marrakech to Fes desert tours then have a look at some of the tours outlined below. Most use the same general itinerary, but just vary in terms of direction/quality of service.

• From Fes to Marrakech: 3-Day Sahara Desert Discovery Tour – Priced at around $200.00+ per person, this tour works much like the one I took. The only difference is that it starts in Fes and ends in Marrakech. They also spend a bit more time in Ouarzazate and at the Atlas Studios. The tour is also extremely well-reviewed (with an average of 4.8 stars out of 5.0 stars with 283 reviews) since guides are passionate and strive to share their culture with visitors.

• From Marrakech: 3-Day, 2-Night Sahara Desert Tour to Fes – This tour is great for budget travelers since prices start at a reasonable $130.00+ per person. Reviews aren’t as good (an average of 4.7 stars out of 5.0 stars with 312 reviews) but you will do all of the same things that I got to do on my tour since they follow the same itinerary.

I’m not gonna list a whole bunch of other tours since many are the same and use the same itinerary.

Just know that if you want, you can usually upgrade your experience to include a stay in a luxury tent in Merzouga and a stay at a luxury hotel near Todra Gorge.

Tips for Your Desert Tour

Below are some expert tips so that you can have then best experience possible while enjoying your desert tour.

• Bring Cash – Most things are included with the cost of your tour. However, you will have to pay for Moroccan souvenirs, drinks, lunch (both days), and some entrance fees. Many of these places do not accept cards, so be sure to have cash handy.

• Don’t Forget to Tip Your Guide – Don’t forget about tipping in Morocco! Your guides work really hard for three days and it is customary to tip them for their great service. So, be generous and tip them what you can.

• There is No Single Supplement – I did this tour alone (I hadn’t met my partner yet) and there is no additional fee for solo travelers. This was such a great surprise and I ended up sharing a room with another awesome solo traveler.

• Dress Warmly in the Winter – I cannot emphasize enough how cold Morocco gets in the winter, especially in the Sahara Desert at night. The only people in my group who were prepared for the weather was a couple who planned to go skiing in the Alps after their trip to Morocco. So, if you visit in the winter be sure to bring plenty of warm clothes.

• Be Prepared for A Lot of Driving – There is no way around it, this tour will have driving in Morocco a lot. Yeah, the drive from Marrakech to Fes is a long one and you will be spending a lot of time in the car. So, come prepared with headphones, music, and Netflix downloads since the service can be hit or miss at times.

• You Should Not Be Separated From Your Group – I have recently heard of safety issues when it comes to desert tours. Essentially, you should never be separated from the tour group or the people you are traveling with. My group was always together and was only separated because one couple was taken to a luxury tent. If the tour guide tries to separate you from the group for no reason, this is a HUGE red flag. There is really no reason why you should ever need to be alone with your guide or driver since it’s a group tour.

• Tour Operators Are Prepared for Your Luggage – Everyone in my group brought their luggage with them and there was no issue with regards to storage space and large bags. So, don’t be afraid to bring your giant bag with you since the van you’ll be riding in is big. If you’re worried, just contact the tour provider beforehand and they’ll assist you.

Conclusion

That wraps up this guide to the best Marrakech to Fes desert tours. I hope you found it useful and understand exactly why a tour can be helpful if you’re short on time and want to save a bit of money.

As I mentioned, I am not a “tour person” and I would 100% book a tour again in a heartbeat. I just loved riding camels, going sandboarding, sleeping in the desert, visiting Ait Benhaddou, and walking through Todra Gorge.

Yeah, those were probably the highlights for me. I also loved meeting my guide’s family since it made the tour a bit more personal and made me feel as though I was getting a more authentic experience in Morocco.

Just remember, if you cannot get a tour with one company, do not freak out. Many companies are very similar and follow the same itinerary between Marrakech and Fes.

So, if this happens, just book with another company and you’ll be just fine.

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