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

Morocco saves its biggest surprise for the road. This Marrakech to Fez desert trip packs the High Atlas, historic kasbahs, the Valley of Roses, Merzouga, and a night in a Berber desert camp into two very full days. I like the included camel ride and sandboarding, and I like that the journey ends in Fez rather than returning to Marrakech. The main catch is simple: you will spend many hours in the vehicle, especially on the first day.

The advertised shared tour costs $100 per person, including transport, dinner, breakfast, the camp, and camel riding. That is strong value if you need to travel between Marrakech and Fez while seeing the Sahara along the way. It is a demanding schedule, though, so you should be comfortable with early starts, long road stretches, and a quick pace.

Key points at a glance

• A cross-country route: Travel from Marrakech to Fez through the High Atlas, Ouarzazate, the Valley of Roses, Dades Valley, Merzouga, the Ziz Valley, and the Middle Atlas.
• One desert night: Sleep in a Berber-style camp near the Erg Chebbi dunes, with dinner and breakfast included.
• Included desert activities: Ride camels for about an hour and try sandboarding at no extra charge.
• A long first day: The opening drive is listed at about nine hours, with only a few quick stops.
• A small shared group: The vehicle can carry a maximum of 17 people, using a minibus or minivan.
• A practical one-way option: The tour finishes in Fez, making it useful for travelers building a Marrakech-to-Fez route.

What this two-day route is really like

This is not a relaxed desert holiday. It is a fast transfer with memorable stops, designed for you to see a lot of southern Morocco without arranging separate transport, accommodation, meals, and desert activities.

The appeal is the route itself. You cross the High Atlas from Marrakech, pass through dry valleys and kasbah country, reach the dunes at Merzouga, then continue toward Fez through the Ziz Valley and Middle Atlas. In two days, you see a striking change in scenery, from mountain roads to open desert and cedar forest.

The price makes more sense when you look at what is bundled together. For $100, you receive a vehicle, a driver, one night at a desert camp, dinner, breakfast, a camel ride, and sandboarding. Lunches and drinks are extra, and travel insurance is not included. If you already need to get from Marrakech to Fez, the tour can be an economical way to turn that transfer into a major sightseeing leg.

The tradeoff is comfort. A group of up to 17 people can mean less personal space and less flexibility with stops. If you prefer long lunches, extended photo breaks, or quiet time at each site, this schedule may feel rushed.

Leaving Marrakech for the High Atlas

The first morning begins with pickup at your hotel in Marrakech. The road heads toward the High Atlas and the Tizi-n-Tichka pass, which reaches about 2,260 meters above sea level.

This climb gives you one of the clearest changes in scenery on the whole trip. The flat surroundings of Marrakech give way to mountain roads, small villages, waterfalls, and changing colors. The route is rewarding for anyone who enjoys seeing how quickly Morocco shifts from city to high mountain terrain.

You should expect a winding road. The mountain section is not the place to plan a long nap if you are prone to motion sickness. A light breakfast, water, and a seat where you can see ahead may help, though the tour does not specify seating arrangements.

The first day is described as a long drive with a few quick stops. That wording matters. You will have chances to look around and take photographs, but you should not expect a slow morning of village visits. Bring a small day bag so you can reach water, medication, sunscreen, and a light layer without opening the main luggage.

Kasbah country, Ouarzazate, and the Valley of Roses

After the High Atlas, the route continues toward Ouarzazate. The town is a familiar gateway to southern Morocco and sits among broad, dry mountain scenery and old kasbah routes.

The journey also passes through the Valley of Roses and Dades Valley. These places are valuable because they show a different side of Morocco than the dunes do. The route is not only about sand. You also get stone villages, valley walls, agricultural pockets, and traditional kasbah architecture.

Ait Benhaddou is included in the advertised route description, along with historic kasbahs and valleys. The supplied timing does not clearly promise a lengthy guided visit or a fixed amount of time there, so treat this part as a route highlight rather than assuming a full site tour. If Ait Benhaddou is a major priority for you, confirm the exact stop and time before booking.

That is an important point with a two-day crossing. The route covers a great deal of ground, but a long list of places does not mean long visits at every one. You are paying for access to a broad slice of southern Morocco, not for a leisurely stay at each attraction.

Arriving at Merzouga and the Erg Chebbi dunes

The first day eventually reaches the Merzouga area, near the Erg Chebbi dunes. After a rest and mint tea, you meet the camels for the ride into the camp.

The camel ride lasts about one hour. That is enough time to get a feel for the dunes and watch the color change as the light shifts, but it is not an all-day trek. You should wear trousers or other clothing that will be comfortable against the saddle, and pack only what you need for the night in the camp.

The dunes are the emotional high point of the trip. After hours on the road, the wide sand country feels like a proper change of scene. The ride gives you a traditional way to reach the camp, while the included sandboarding offers something more playful. Beginners can try it, though the tour does not state what equipment or instruction is supplied.

The tour description also lists a swimming pool as part of the desert camp experience. That can be a welcome extra after the long drive, but camp facilities can vary, so you should confirm the pool’s availability for your date if it matters to you.

A night in the Berber desert camp

The overnight stay is in a Berber-style tent at the desert camp. Dinner is included, as is breakfast the next morning.

The camp gives this transfer real character. Instead of simply arriving at a hotel in Merzouga, you spend the night beside the dunes and wake up in the desert. Mint tea, a camp meal, and the open setting help make the overnight stay feel like more than a basic stop between two cities.

At the same time, you should keep expectations practical. The information provided does not specify private bathrooms, tent categories, heating, bedding details, or the exact standard of the camp. If you need a particular comfort level, ask before paying.

Pack for changing temperatures. The desert can feel warm in the daytime and much cooler after dark, while the next morning begins early. A warm layer, closed shoes, a small flashlight, and a power bank are sensible choices. These are practical packing tips for the conditions described, not promised camp amenities.

Dinner and breakfast are included, but lunches and drinks are not. Carry water and budget for food during the road portions. With such a long first day, buying lunch quickly may be part of the rhythm.

Sunrise, camels, and the road east

The second morning begins with the option to walk over the dunes and watch the sunrise. The description places the sunrise viewpoint near the Algerian border, about 50 kilometers from Merzouga.

You then ride the camels back to the hotel for breakfast, a shower, and some rest before continuing toward Fez. This short return to the hotel is useful. After a night in a camp, having breakfast and a chance to wash before another road day makes the onward journey easier.

The sunrise walk may be the best moment for you if you want quiet time away from the group. The tour does not state how long the walk lasts or exactly how far you go, so do not assume a long desert hike. The camel return is included, but anyone with balance or back concerns should think carefully about the ride and ask the provider for practical guidance.

After Merzouga, the trip becomes another scenic road crossing. You pass through the Ziz Valley, Berber villages, and the Middle Atlas before reaching Fez in the afternoon.

The Ziz Valley and Middle Atlas scenery

The Ziz Valley is a useful contrast to the open dunes. The route follows a greener corridor shaped by water, with villages and palms appearing amid dry surroundings. The supplied details do not promise a dedicated stop, so you may mainly see it from the vehicle or during brief breaks.

The drive then continues through Berber villages and the Middle Atlas Mountains. This section gives you another view of rural Morocco, with mountain communities and changing terrain replacing the desert.

The itinerary also mentions a cedar forest. That is a striking change after Merzouga. In a single day, you can move from sand dunes to valley scenery, mountain roads, villages, and forest. The tour does not specify a named forest stop or a fixed walking time, so think of it as part of the road scenery unless the driver confirms otherwise.

The second day is listed at about eight hours. You should still arrive in Fez in the afternoon, according to the schedule, but road conditions and stop lengths can affect the exact arrival time. Do not book a tight onward appointment immediately after the tour.

The minibus, group size, and daily pace

Transport is by a comfortable vehicle, either a minibus or minivan, with a helpful driver. The maximum group size is 17 people.

That size has two sides. A shared vehicle keeps the price low and can make the long road days more social. It also means less control over breaks and a greater chance that the vehicle will feel full. If you value privacy, quiet, or the ability to change the plan, a private desert trip would suit you better, though it would likely cost more.

The driver is described as helpful and knowledgeable in the supplied details, but no driver or guide name is provided. You should think of this as a transport-led tour rather than a fully guided cultural program. The route has plenty of visual interest, yet the experience may depend heavily on how much explanation your driver offers.

The 4.9 rating from 65 reviews and the 100 percent recommendation figure suggest that the basic package has worked well for many customers. One detailed comment praised the organization, friendly staff, and the beauty of the desert, while also making the key warning clear: the distances are immense and there are many hours in the vehicle. That is the fairest way to judge this tour. The desert portion is the reward, and the road is the price you pay to reach it.

Who will get the best value

I would recommend this trip to you if you have limited time and want to connect Marrakech and Fez while seeing the Sahara. It is also a good fit if you want the main desert activities arranged in one package instead of booking transport, a camp, meals, and camel riding separately.

You will probably be happiest if you enjoy scenic road journeys, accept early starts, and can handle a quick schedule. The trip suits active adults and families who can manage long days, although children must be accompanied by an adult. A child rate applies only when the child shares with two paying adults.

The tour requires a strong level of physical fitness. That requirement matters because of the long vehicle hours, mountain roads, camel ride, sandboarding, dune walking, and repeated entry and exit from the vehicle. The activity is not presented as suitable for anyone needing a low-effort or highly accessible program.

You should look elsewhere if your main goal is extended time at Ait Benhaddou, the valleys, or the desert camp. The schedule reaches many places, but the first day is especially compressed. A slower three or four-day route would give you more time, though this two-day option is much cheaper and more direct.

Price, timing, and cancellation advice

At $100 per person, the value is strongest when you count the one-way transport to Fez. The package includes the camp, dinner, breakfast, camel ride, sandboarding, and the vehicle, which removes several separate costs.

You still need money for two lunches, drinks, and travel insurance. The tour offers pickup, group discounts, and a mobile ticket. Confirmation is received at booking, and the experience is near public transportation.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. The experience also requires good weather, and a weather cancellation offers either another date or a full refund.

Because the trip is normally booked about 42 days in advance, you may want to reserve early if your Marrakech and Fez plans are fixed. Keep your schedule flexible on the final afternoon, since an eight-hour road day can be affected by conditions outside the operator’s control.

Should you book this Marrakech to Fez desert trip?

Book it if you want a low-cost, high-impact crossing with a camel ride, desert camp, dinner, breakfast, and sandboarding already arranged. The route gives you far more than a simple transfer, and finishing in Fez is a major advantage.

Skip it if you dislike long drives or need generous time at every historic site. The best decision comes down to your priorities: maximum scenery in minimum time or a slower trip with fewer hours on the road. For the first choice, this $100 shared tour is a practical bargain. For the second, spend more days in southern Morocco.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The experience lasts approximately two days. The first day is listed at about nine hours, and the second day is listed at about eight hours.

Where does the tour start and finish?

Pickup is offered in Marrakech, and the trip ends in Fez on the second day.

Is a camel ride included?

Yes. The camel ride is included. On the first day, the ride to the desert camp takes about one hour, and on the second morning you ride the camels back to the hotel.

Is the desert camp included?

Yes. One overnight stay in a desert camp is included, along with dinner and breakfast.

Is sandboarding included?

Yes. Free sandboarding is included in the tour.

Are lunches and drinks included?

No. Lunches and drinks are not included, so you should budget for them separately.

How many people can join the shared tour?

The maximum group size is 17 people. Transport is by minibus or minivan.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.