Booking choice: The small-group 3-day tour, from $387 per person. Check dates Tour details
The distance from Fes to Marrakech via the desert is the same whatever you book, roughly 1,000 km on the 3-day route. The number of days decides how that distance is split, and whether you get a second night along the way.
Below: the three lengths side by side, then group or private.
The quick answer
The 2-day tour, from $59, is the fastest and cheapest, but day 2 drives from the dunes all the way to Marrakech. The 3-day tour, from $172 shared or $387 in a small group, is the classic, with a night in the Dades Gorges. The 4-day private tour, from $761, adds a full day around Merzouga and two nights there.
How do 2-day, 3-day and 4-day desert tours compare?
The 2-day tour is the shortest and cheapest, the 3-day is the classic balance, and the 4-day private tour is the slowest and most expensive.
| 2 days | 3 days | 4 days (private) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nights | 1: desert camp | 2: desert camp, Dades or Ouarzazate | 3: riad in Merzouga, luxury camp, Dades hotel |
| Time in the dunes | Sunset and sunrise | Sunset and sunrise | A full extra day around Merzouga |
| Driving | Very long day 2 | 7 to 9 h, 4 to 5 h, 6 to 7 h | Same legs as the 3-day tour, plus a free day |
| Group | Up to 18 | Shared, small group or private | Your group only |
| From | $59 | $172 to $572 | $761 |
| Rating | 5.0 (89) | 5.0 (597), small group | 5.0 (229) |
Going for the classic? Three days in a group of up to 10, with an en-suite tent.
Check dates for the small-group 3-day tourIs the 2-day desert tour from Fes worth it?
Only if you are short on time: you get the camel ride and the desert night, but day 2 crosses from Merzouga to Marrakech in one go.
The 2-day tour leaves Fes at 7:00 AM, stops at Ifrane, the cedar forest and Erfoud, and reaches Erg Chebbi for a camel ride and a night in a classic or deluxe tent. Day 2 runs via Tinghir, Ouarzazate and Tizi n'Tichka to Marrakech: the 3-day tour splits that stretch into two days of about 255 and 315 km. It is rated 5.0 from 89 reviews and costs $59, but it skips the Dades night and Ait Ben Haddou is not a listed stop.
Only two days to spare? One night in the dunes, a camel ride and sandboards at the camp.
Explore the 2-day desert tour Tour detailsWhy is 3 days the classic length?
Because the second night in the Dades Gorges breaks the drive into manageable days and leaves time for the Todra Gorge and Ait Ben Haddou.
Day 1 is still long, 7 to 9 hours with stops, but days 2 and 3 are shorter and full of sights. Three days is the standard length on Viator. See the day-by-day itinerary for the stops.
What does the 4-day tour add?
A full day around Merzouga: Gnawa music in Khamlia, the village of Mfis and a visit to a nomad family, with a riad night before the camp.
The 4-day private tour from $761 sleeps at Riad Azawad in Merzouga, then Africa Luxury Camp, then Hotel Babylon Dades, with three breakfasts and three dinners. Lunches, drinks and entry fees are extra. It is rated 5.0 from 229 reviews, and the itinerary can be customised.
Want slower days? The 4-day private tour adds a full day around Merzouga and two nights there.
Explore the 4-day private tour Tour detailsPrivate or group tour: which should you choose?
Group if price matters most; private if you want your own pace and stops, or are travelling as a family.
Shared tours run from $172 with groups of up to 18 or 30. The small-group tour caps it at 10 for $387. The private 3-day tour from $572 keeps the car to your group, with camels to and from the camp. Guests on the shared tours often enjoy the company of other travellers; on a private tour you decide when to stop.
Which length suits families and older travellers?
Three or four days: a night in the gorges, or a free day in the dunes, gives you a break from the car, but the driving legs stay long.
Families with teenagers review the 3-day tour well, and the small-group tour charges the same per-person price from age 2. The listings say the tours are not recommended for travellers with back problems, pregnant travellers or anyone with heart problems. If that is you, the train may be the better way to Marrakech.
Travelling as a family? The private tour keeps the car to your group.
Check dates for the private 3-day tourCan you do a shorter trip and take the train?
Yes: if the desert is not the priority, the direct train from Fes to Marrakech takes about 6.5 to 7 hours.
It is quicker, but you see none of the south. Weigh it up in train vs desert tour.
Which length should you book?
Match the length to your time and how much driving you can take.
- Two days to spare, on a budget: the 2-day tour.
- The classic, with the gorges and Ait Ben Haddou: a 3-day tour.
- An en-suite tent and a group of 10: the small-group 3-day tour.
- Only your group in the vehicle: the private 3-day tour.
- A full day around Merzouga: the 4-day private tour.
Decided on three days? The small-group tour includes Ait Ben Haddou with a guide and an en-suite tent.
Check dates for the small-group 3-day tourFrequently asked questions
Is 2 days enough for the Sahara from Fes?
It is enough for a camel ride and one night in the dunes, but day 2 is a very long drive to Marrakech and you skip the Dades Gorges.
Is a 4-day desert tour worth it?
Yes, if you want a full free day around Merzouga and can afford a private tour (the driving legs are the same as on the 3-day tour); otherwise the 3-day tour covers the main sights.
Is a private desert tour much more expensive?
Yes: the private 3-day tour starts at $572 per person, against $172 to $387 for group tours.
Do all tour lengths include a camel ride?
Yes. Every tour on this site includes a camel ride in the Erg Chebbi dunes and a night in a desert camp.
Ready to book
Choose your tour
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before on every option. Prices are from-prices in USD and move with the season.
Fez to Marrakech 2-Day Tour with Desert Camp
One desert night, then a very long drive to Marrakech
Fes to Marrakech 3-Day Small-Group Desert Tour
- Air-conditioned vehicle and English-speaking driver-guide
- Night 1: private tent with en-suite bathroom at a luxury camp in Erg Chebbi
- Night 2: private air-conditioned en-suite room in the Dades Gorges
4-Day Private Desert Tour from Fez to Marrakesh
A full day to explore Merzouga, same driving legs
