3-Day Desert Tour Review: Marrakech to Fez – Is It Worth It?

Planning a trip from Marrakech to Fez? That three-day desert tour weaving between them? So, it’s likely that you’ve come across offers for a desert trip, and you’re pondering whether it’s more than just hype. Honestly, a private tour going from Marrakech, that incredible city, all the way to Fez? Well, it might just become a defining part of your Moroccan vacation. What you get are dramatic shifts in scenery, starting with red-ochre Marrakech and morphing into the honey-colored landscapes near Fez, plus everything rugged and romantic smack-dab in between. Let’s take a look at what one of those excursions looks like, that way you can judge whether you fancy grabbing yourself a slice of that action.

What to anticipate from a Marrakech to Fez desert tour

Think sweeping, endless views and sands for days when you consider this excursion. Usually, a typical three-day desert tour looks that it’s jam-packed. Just a word of caution – the travel distances can be quite long. That means extended periods sitting in your transport. It’s true, though; it gives you chances to properly drink in those incredible landscapes of Morocco! The tour starts off usually from Marrakech. Next, it’s quickly winding over the High Atlas Mountains. After that is Aït Benhaddou (that classic fortified village), followed by an overnight in the Dades Valley. The highlight definitely? That has to be your camel trek out to Erg Chebbi, a spot in the Sahara. It offers what feel like impossibly vast dunes. Then, you might get a night spent nestled among them. Before things conclude, the journey keeps snaking through more valleys and towns until it reaches your final drop-off point at Fez, one of Morocco’s top cultural hubs.

Day 1: Marrakech to Dades Valley via Aït Benhaddou

Day one, the adventure begins! Usually, this starts very early in the morning when you take off from Marrakech. At first you get to drive higher up through the High Atlas ranges. I mean, you’re in for twisting roads, picture postcard views, and even the chance that you spot Berber villages dotting the hillsides. Arguably, one thing most people want to see along the way is Aït Benhaddou, a fortified village that looks almost too good to be real, especially since it’s made cameos in multiple blockbuster films and TV shows. By the way, the day normally rounds off as you reach Dades Valley. Here is where, very possibly, your riad, that traditional Moroccan home, will be ready. Basically, it’s a launchpad giving you gorgeous views from a nearby gorge.

Day 2: Dades Valley to Merzouga (Erg Chebbi)

Think camels! Your day two destination, too, that is to say, is the big draw—Erg Chebbi dunes in the Sahara. But getting there will lead you across places like Todra Gorge, which boasts these intimidatingly steep canyon walls that climb high. As a matter of fact, later in the day you will arrive somewhere nearby Merzouga in readiness for climbing onto your camels. You see, once that’s organized, your camel-trek begins. This goes deeper into those spectacular orange Sahara dunes as the sunset puts on an unbelievably colorful exhibition. You may very well reach your desert camp eventually; it will usually consist of Berber tents. Here is where many adventures spend the evening with Berber music, fantastic stars, and maybe even sandboarding if the mood strikes you!

Day 3: Merzouga to Fez

Prepare yourself for an absolutely massive travel day on the final stretch! Honestly, getting all the way from the sands near Merzouga all the way to Fez needs a huge time investment! In general, though, it usually brings you to more sights, like maybe the Ziz Valley with its abundant palm trees or perhaps a visit to the cedar forests, where—just possibly—you might encounter Barbary apes. Even though, clearly, the landscapes offer peeks into an alternate view of Moroccan living compared with that first section near Marrakech, it usually feels dominated now with vast open spaces compared against villages clinging onto hillsides. By the time the tour reaches Fez, your drop-off happens at whatever spot your hotel has arranged—very handy after all those long distances that’ve just elapsed. By the way, travelers commonly take that evening to stretch weary legs and enjoy something tasty in a local eatery within Fez.

Selecting your tour company is super important

Who you travel with can really adjust your travel experiences when setting off anywhere. It is useful when seeking desert tours, that you will get bombarded with all sorts! A few, incidentally, might be a cut above the others. You want to ensure, naturally, they understand what people want out of their travels while keeping those operations safe and professional! By the way, here is what can seriously differentiate one operator versus their counterparts:

The Guidance Quality: Are their local area experts onboard? In other words, that matters hugely when absorbing deeper local culture around all destinations touched throughout.
Vehicle Situation: Does that ride feel comfy during those extended travels between places? Arguably, no one likes those experiences crammed inside dilapidated coasters struggling valiantly against gravity trying attacking near mountains.
Camp Conditions Within Sahara: Clean toilet stations count. Trust that! As a matter of fact, that does everything hygienic especially upon staying remote into Erg Chebbi.
Responsibility to Environmental Causes: What ecological protections occur too, while trekking onwards during the overall holiday time there guys. That might not matter right now but really? Arguably people might later have some regrets perhaps after ignoring their duties to conservation or related aspects somewhere.
Clear Itinerary Adaptability & Support Options: Could adjustments crop after original bookings that address matters which then turn unpredictable whilst overseas on journeys taken outwards currently occurring.

Things you’ll cherish regarding your desert tour

It is not just sights seen. It turns toward small magic pieces assembled which linger well after flights take travelers onwards home eventually. Honestly, experiences like seeing those expansive spaces while watching daylight paint desert shades completely differently every waking moment – totally wow. Even when something like music breaks near camp occurring into nighttime amid Sahara. In other words? Intimate occasions develop that truly cement that spot warmly nestled deepest inward too as memories return there once all said is complete for now. This excursion’s attractiveness actually becomes its human ties experienced deeply amid raw natural beauty.

Sleeping under infinite skies overflowing fully with starry expanses, that’s simply jaw-dropping
That shared time occurring round supper bonfires amid Sahara, maybe
Laughs alongside native people about language things and traditions followed inward!
Knowing there aren’t alternate places looking similar after viewing sights only witnessed there!

Some things that might make you think twice

Alright, you need to accept travel limitations sometimes. You see, tours from Marrakech heading onto Fez using back desert ways ask certain sacrifices especially. Now long times occur when seated because Morocco happens really extensive geographically then also even roads have certain limits which delay rates often either which may seem annoying upon occasion initially especially though it’s genuine there sadly enough presently now presently!

Be truthful after stating upfront now after distances do cover significant ground indeed that sitting will definitely occur extensively frequently. Therefore anyone bothered needs anticipate some tiredness which may then materialize after sessions take form.
Early mornings usually begin frequently therefore if prefer longer mornings maybe prepare somewhat accordingly so days launch favorably despite having needed launching quite previously sadly truly enough.
Touristy attractions pop everywhere although may sometimes feel extremely scripted sadly even possibly. Meaning don’t anticipate genuine isolation when touching certain hubs specifically that almost seem tourist prepared quite actively presently
Climate drastically ranges therefore take layered clothing all hours regardless what periods as protection after hot cold conditions come quite instantly without any delays during visits undertaken inward outwards elsewhere ever.

Recommendations to amplify fun while tripping through Sahara

Right, ready turning something truly perfect after seeing all these spots! Really several steps lift amazing days beyond better as holidays happen! Pack layers plus sunglasses that matter loads when arid sand reflect lighting always throughout days mostly honestly actually!

Carry medicines always mostly then people may avoid awful episodes especially happening beyond close pharmacies somehow somewhere certainly possibly hopefully too.
Interact truly also that enables building contacts versus individuals whom possess cultural awareness helping then further when discovering deep info versus locations throughout sessions taken outward truly clearly too.
Always accept differences then not appear judgmental cause behaviors seem extremely various given backgrounds mostly that occur across Morocco always almost indeed surely greatly now too.
Snap pictures because that helps grab special instants then preserve fondly after reaching respective households later obviously often surely fully genuinely so absolutely.

Would that excursion become advantageous generally after having factored fully versus issues that surfaced beyond presently sadly still though honestly truly usually too?

It honestly fully definitely remains completely unique fully after offering stunning scenery plus native ties all perfectly placed all inward despite possibly including some issues especially honestly. If long duration sitting irritates, carefully review. Still that remains among greatest experiences possibly mostly inward if really prepared fully since something occurs simply completely uniquely absolutely all while touring everywhere abroad always everywhere!