Before you book a 2 day Marrakech to Fes desert tour, here is an honest picture of the long drives, the short desert stay and the sunrise. The 2-day Marrakech to Fes desert tour is possible, and we run it privately — but we want you to know exactly what it involves before you book. You leave Marrakech at dawn, cross the Atlas and the south of Morocco in one day, and reach the Merzouga dunes in the late afternoon or at dusk.
You sleep one night in a private tent with its own bathroom, watch the sunrise, and then drive north to Fes the same day. That means around 10 hours on the road on Day 1 and 9–10 hours on Day 2. If you can find one more day, the 3-day version is a much better trip. If you cannot, this page explains how to make the most of two.
The main stop on Day 1 is the Ksar of Aït-Ben-Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site, so it helps to read a little about it before you arrive.
2 day Marrakech to Fes desert tour at a glance
| Duration | 2 days, 1 night |
| Start | Your accommodation in Marrakech, very early (around [CONFIRM PICK-UP TIME, e.g. 6:00–6:30]) |
| Finish | Your accommodation in Fes, in the evening |
| Style | Private — your own vehicle and English-speaking driver |
| Transport | Air-conditioned 4×4 or minibus; fuel and road taxes included |
| Overnight | Mouhou Luxury Camp, Erg Chebbi — private tent with own shower and toilet |
| Meals | 1 dinner, 1 breakfast (lunch not included) |
| Time in the dunes | Roughly from sunset to the next morning |
| Driving | Day 1: about 600 km [CONFIRM]; Day 2: about 460 km |
| Price | €340 per person for 2 travellers (€680 in total) — less per person in larger groups |
The honest version: what two days really means
We would rather you choose the right tour than be disappointed. Here is what to expect.
- Day 1 is the longest day you will spend in a vehicle in Morocco. Marrakech to Merzouga through the Dades and Todra valleys is roughly 600 km [CONFIRM]. Even with an early start and short breaks, expect about 10–12 hours door to door.
- Most stops are short. Aït Ben Haddou is a quick stop for a walk and photos, not a long visit. Dades and Todra are photo stops from the road, not walks.
- You may arrive after sunset. In winter, when days are short, or if there are delays, there may not be enough light for the camel ride. In that case we take you to camp by 4×4 and you ride camels at sunrise instead [CONFIRM this policy].
- Day 2 is long too. Merzouga to Fes is about 460 km, 7.5–8.5 hours of driving plus stops.
- You get one desert evening and one sunrise. That is the core of the experience, and it is real — but it is short.
Who should upgrade to three days? Almost everyone who can. The private 3-day Marrakech to Fes desert tour adds a night in the Dades Valley, so you walk in Todra Gorge, explore Aït Ben Haddou properly and reach the dunes rested and in daylight. On a budget? The shared 3-day Marrakech to Fes tour can cost less per person than a private 2-day tour [CONFIRM].
Who the 2 day Marrakech to Fes desert tour suits
- Travellers who must be in Fes on a fixed date and only have two days free
- Adults who are comfortable sitting in a vehicle for long periods
- People who mainly want one night in the Sahara and the drive itself as a way of seeing the country
Not a good fit for: young children, people who get car sick easily, anyone with back problems who would find two long days hard, or anyone hoping to explore the places on the way.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Marrakech – Tizi n’Tichka – Aït Ben Haddou – Ouarzazate – Skoura – Dades – Todra – Merzouga
Approx. distance: around 600 km [CONFIRM]. Time on the road: about 10–12 hours including stops.
We collect you in Marrakech before sunrise. The road climbs into the High Atlas, and you have a coffee and photo break near the Tizi n’Tichka pass (about 2,260 m).
At Aït Ben Haddou (short stop, about [CONFIRM: 45–60 minutes]), you can walk into the lower part of the UNESCO-listed ksar or photograph it from across the river. Then the road continues past Ouarzazate and the palm oasis of Skoura (pass through). Lunch is a quick stop at a roadside restaurant your driver knows (not included).
In the afternoon you pass the entrance to the Dades Valley at Boumalne and the town of Tinghir, near Todra Gorge. These are photo stops; there is no time on this tour to drive deep into the gorges or walk in them [CONFIRM: whether a brief Todra stop is included].
You reach Merzouga in the late afternoon or around dusk. Leave your main bag [CONFIRM where], take a small overnight bag, and ride a camel into the dunes (about [CONFIRM camel ride duration]) — or, if it is getting dark, go to camp by 4×4.
Overnight: Mouhou Luxury Camp — your own tent with shower and toilet. Dinner, then a campfire with Berber drum music. Meals: dinner.
Day 2: Merzouga – Erfoud – Ziz Valley – Midelt – Azrou – Ifrane – Fes
Approx. distance: about 460 km. Driving: 7.5–8.5 hours plus stops.
Get up early for sunrise on the dunes — this is the moment many travellers remember most. Return by camel (or 4×4), have breakfast [CONFIRM: at camp or base], and set off north.
The road passes Erfoud and follows the palm groves of the Ziz Valley (photo stop). Lunch is in Midelt (not included). In the afternoon you cross the Middle Atlas through the cedar forest near Azrou, where you may see Barbary macaques (an endangered species — please do not feed them), and make a short stop in Ifrane. You arrive at your accommodation in Fes in the evening.
Meals: breakfast.
Where you sleep
One night only, at Mouhou Luxury Camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes. Every tent is private, with its own shower and toilet; we do not use basic camps with shared bathrooms. See our Merzouga desert camp for photos and details. Heating and electricity: [CONFIRM CAMP FACILITIES].
How to make two days work better
- Travel in spring or autumn. Longer daylight and mild temperatures make the late arrival easier. In mid-winter the sun sets early; in summer the afternoon heat in the south is intense (Merzouga often exceeds 40 °C).
- Sleep well the night before. You start very early.
- Eat a good breakfast and carry snacks and water.
- Bring motion-sickness tablets if you need them — the Tichka road has many bends.
- Pack a small overnight bag for the camp.
- Bring cash (dirhams) for two lunches, drinks and tips.
Price and how it is calculated
Price per person depends on the size of your group (the vehicle cost is shared), the vehicle needed, the season, and any upgrades. A 2-day tour does not cost much less than a 3-day tour, because the distance and fuel are almost the same — the main saving is one night of accommodation.
| Group size | Private 2-day, per person |
|---|---|
| 2 travellers | €340 |
| 3–4 travellers | €190–€240 |
| 5+ travellers | On request |
| Child price | [CONFIRM CHILD PRICING] |
| Single tent supplement | [CONFIRM SINGLE SUPPLEMENT] |
Deposit: [CONFIRM DEPOSIT %]. Payment: [CONFIRM PAYMENT METHODS]. Cancellation: [CONFIRM CANCELLATION POLICY]. You receive a written quote first; there is no online payment.
Included
- Pick-up in Marrakech, drop-off in Fes
- Private air-conditioned vehicle, fuel, road taxes
- English-speaking driver
- 1 night in a private tent with own bathroom at Mouhou Luxury Camp
- Camel ride (or 4×4 transfer) to and from camp
- Dinner and breakfast; vegetarian or vegan on request
- Campfire with Berber drums
Not included
- Lunches and drinks
- Optional guides and entrance fees
- Tips
- Travel insurance (recommended)
Frequently asked questions
How much time do we actually spend in the desert?
About 14–16 hours: from late afternoon or dusk on Day 1 to mid-morning on Day 2. Much of that is evening, night and sunrise. There is no full day in the dunes.
What happens if we reach Merzouga after dark?
We take you to the camp by 4×4 for safety, and you can ride camels at sunrise instead [CONFIRM]. Your driver will keep you updated during the day.
Can we visit Aït Ben Haddou properly?
Only briefly. If a proper walk through Aït Ben Haddou matters to you, the 3-day tour gives you more time there.
Is it worth it compared with going directly from Marrakech to Fes?
It is a much longer journey than the direct road (about 530 km, 6.5–7 hours), but it gives you the Atlas, the south and a night in the Sahara. If the desert matters to you and two days is all you have, many people feel it is worth it. If not, the direct route is simpler.
We only have two days but could finish back in Marrakech. Is that better?
It avoids the second long drive to Fes, but it is still a lot of driving. Read 2-day Marrakech to Merzouga: is it worth it? for the honest comparison.
Can we change from 2 days to 3 days after booking?
Usually yes, if accommodation is available. Message us as early as possible [CONFIRM price difference rules].
Related tours
- Private 3-Day Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour — our recommended version
- Shared 3-Day Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour (Small Group)
- 2-Day Marrakech to Merzouga Desert Tour: Is It Worth It?
- All Marrakech to Fes desert tours
Hour by hour: how the 2 day Marrakech to Fes desert tour usually runs
The times below are a guide only. They change with the season, traffic, weather and how long you stop. Your driver will adjust the day as it goes [CONFIRM typical timings].
Day 1 from Marrakech
- Before sunrise: pick-up in Marrakech and the climb into the High Atlas.
- Mid-morning: coffee near the Tizi n’Tichka pass, then the short visit at Aït Ben Haddou.
- Early afternoon: quick lunch on the road beyond Ouarzazate.
- Afternoon: photo stops near the Dades Valley and Tinghir.
- Late afternoon or dusk: arrival in Merzouga, camel ride or 4×4 to camp, dinner and campfire.
On the 2 day Marrakech to Fes desert tour, Day 1 has very little slack. Short stops keep the day moving, so the driver may suggest skipping a photo stop to reach the dunes in better light.
Day 2 to Fes
- Before sunrise: wake-up call and short walk up a dune.
- After sunrise: return to Merzouga and breakfast.
- Morning: drive north through Erfoud and the Ziz Valley.
- Lunchtime: stop in Midelt.
- Afternoon: Middle Atlas cedar forest and a short stop in Ifrane.
- Evening: arrival at your accommodation in Fes.
Day 2 of the 2 day Marrakech to Fes desert tour is a little calmer than Day 1, but it is still long. Allow the whole day before making any evening plans in Fes.
Packing for two long days in the vehicle
Comfort matters more than usual on the 2 day Marrakech to Fes desert tour, because you will spend most of both days sitting down.
- Loose, comfortable clothes and a layer you can add or remove quickly
- A neck pillow and a light scarf or eye mask for resting in the car
- A refillable water bottle and some snacks you like
- Downloaded music, podcasts or books, as signal can be weak in the mountains
- A power bank for your phone and camera
- A warm jacket for the evening and sunrise in the dunes, in any season
Keep a small bag at your feet with everything you need for the day, so you do not have to open the main luggage at every stop.
Choosing your travel dates
Daylight decides how much you see on the first day of the 2 day Marrakech to Fes desert tour. In spring and early autumn the evenings are long, which gives you the best chance of reaching the dunes before sunset. In December and January the sun sets much earlier, so the camel ride may move to sunrise.
If your dates are flexible, the 2 day Marrakech to Fes desert tour works best between March and May or from September to early November. Summer is possible, but the afternoon heat in the south makes the long drive more tiring.
Your first evening in Fes
You reach Fes in the evening of Day 2, usually tired. Plan a simple dinner at your riad or close by, and leave exploring the medina for the next day.
Most travellers who finish the 2 day Marrakech to Fes desert tour add at least one full day in Fes. A licensed local guide helps a lot on your first visit, because the old medina is a maze of narrow lanes. Ask your riad to recommend one, or ask us [CONFIRM whether we arrange Fes guides].
How to rest on the road
- Sit where you feel best. If you get car sick, take the front seat or a seat with a clear view ahead.
- Use every stop. Get out, stretch your legs and walk a little, even at short coffee breaks.
- Drink water regularly. The air in the south is dry, and it is easy to forget.
- Talk to your driver. He can slow down on the mountain bends or add a short break if someone needs it.
Small habits like these make the 2 day Marrakech to Fes desert tour much more comfortable, especially if you are not used to long road trips.
Is it worth it for you?
The 2 day Marrakech to Fes desert tour is a good choice if three things are true: you must reach Fes on a fixed date, a night in the Sahara is a priority, and you are comfortable with long hours in a vehicle. If one of those is not true, a longer trip or a different route will probably suit you better.
For many people the real question is not two days or three, but how much they value time in the places along the way. If you want to walk in the gorges or spend longer at Aït Ben Haddou, the extra day is worth more than its cost. If you change your mind after booking, moving from the 2 day Marrakech to Fes desert tour to three days is usually possible when rooms are free.
More questions about the 2 day Marrakech to Fes desert tour
Can we start on the day we land in Marrakech?
Not easily. The tour leaves before sunrise, so we strongly suggest arriving in Marrakech at least the day before and getting a good night’s sleep.
Can we do the same trip from Fes to Marrakech?
Yes. The 2-day Fes to Marrakech desert tour follows a similar idea in the other direction, with the same long second day.
Is the 2 day Marrakech to Fes desert tour suitable for solo travellers?
Yes, as long as you are happy with the long drives. A solo traveller has the whole vehicle and their own tent, so the price per person is higher than for a group [CONFIRM single supplement].
Are there toilet stops on the way?
Yes. Your driver stops at cafés and petrol stations along the route, roughly every two hours or whenever you ask.
What happens if it snows in the mountains?
Snow sometimes closes the Tichka pass or slows the Middle Atlas roads for a few hours in winter. Your driver follows road reports and chooses the safest option, even if that changes the timing of the 2 day Marrakech to Fes desert tour.
Can we bring large suitcases?
Yes. Large bags stay in the vehicle while you are at camp [CONFIRM where luggage is kept]. Pack a small overnight bag for the camel ride.
Get a quote
Tell us your dates, group size and accommodation in Marrakech and Fes. If you are unsure between 2 and 3 days, ask — we will tell you honestly what fits your plans.
- Ask on WhatsApp: +212 667 850 421 (8:30–20:00 Morocco time)
- Contact form: Check availability & get a quote
- Email: [EMAIL ADDRESS]
Morocco Desert Excursions is a local company founded by Sahara natives from Merzouga.
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