PRIVATE TOUR — 3 DAYS DESERT TOUR FROM OUARZAZATE TO FES

OVERVIEW

The 3 day version adds a full exploration day in the Merzouga region to the standard Ouarzazate-to-Fes route. That extra day gets you off the main tourist route to see the seasonal flamingo lake, an old kohl mine, a Berber nomad family in their tent, and live Gnaoua music in the village of Khamlia — the parts of the desert most 2 day tours skip entirely.

You still cross the Todra Gorge on day one, sleep in the Sahara, and head north via Rissani, Erfoud, the Ziz Valley, the cedar forest, and Ifrane to Fes on the last day — but with the desert given the time it actually deserves in the middle.

Every itinerary is fully customisable to suit your preferences and pace.

DURATION: 3 DAYS / 2 NIGHTS
START: OUARZAZATE
END: FES
TOUR STYLE: PRIVATE

HIGHLIGHTS

– A walk through the Todra Gorge
– The palm groves of Touroug and Tinjdad
– A camel ride across the Erg Chebbi dunes
– Sunset and sunrise over the Sahara
– A full exploration day in the Merzouga region by 4×4
– Live Gnaoua music and dance in the village of Khamlia
– An abandoned kohl (eyeliner) mine
– Tea with a Berber nomad family in their tent
– The seasonal flamingo lake of Merzouga
– Two nights in a luxury desert camp with private en-suite tents
– The Tuesday/Thursday/Sunday souk in Rissani
– A fossil workshop in Erfoud
– The cedar forest near Azrou (Barbary macaques)
– Ifrane, the Switzerland of Morocco

ITINERARY

DAY 1: OUARZAZATE → TODRA GORGE → MERZOUGA DUNES → CAMEL TREK → LUXURY CAMP

Early morning pick-up from your accommodation or the airport in Ouarzazate. We head east along the old caravan route into the Todra Valley, where the Todra river has carved a deep canyon through the mountains — red cliffs rising straight up on either side. You’ll have time to walk under them before continuing through the palm groves of Touroug and Tinjdad. Free time for lunch on the way.

By late afternoon we reach Merzouga. You’ll swap the vehicle for camels and ride across the Erg Chebbi dunes, stopping on a high ridge for sunset. From there it’s on to the luxury camp. Dinner and overnight in your private tent, with drumming around a campfire under stars.

Approximate driving distance/time: 6 hours

DAY 2: MERZOUGA DESERT EXPLORATION — NOMADS, KHAMLIA, MERZOUGA LAKE, ERG CHEBBI, PALM GROVE

The whole day is spent exploring the Merzouga region. The area has much more than dunes — seasonal wildlife, fossil sites, small mines, nomad communities, and a couple of oases.

We start with an off-road drive to an old kohl mine (kohl was the eyeliner traded across the Sahara for centuries), then visit a Berber nomad family in their handwoven tent. They’ll share mint tea and talk about their way of life — moving with the seasons, away from villages.

Next stop is Khamlia, a small village south of Merzouga where residents trace their roots back to Mali, Sudan, and Niger. You’ll hear live Gnawa music and a dance performance in the village’s community hall. Free time for lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, we stroll through a palm grove and drive a few kilometres to the seasonal lake at Merzouga — when it’s full, flamingos gather there (the locals call it the flamingos’ lake).

Later, swap the 4×4 for camels again to cross the dunes for another sunset from a high point before arriving at the luxury camp. Dinner and overnight at the camp — another evening around the fire with drumming under the stars.

Approximate driving distance/time: 2 hours (off-road)

DAY 3: MERZOUGA → ERFOUD → MIDELT → CEDAR FOREST → IFRANE → FES

Early wake-up is recommended for sunrise. After breakfast, you’ll return to Merzouga by camel or 4×4 where your driver is waiting.

Drive north to Rissani (Tuesday/Thursday/Sunday souk if it’s a market day), then Erfoud for a fossil workshop visit. The road continues along the Ziz river with a panoramic stop over the valley. Free time for lunch in Midelt.

In the afternoon, we stop in the cedar forest near Azrou where Barbary macaques often appear at the roadside, and then at Ifrane — the small mountain town with chalet-style houses.

Drop-off at the airport or your accommodation in Fes ends the tour.

Approximate driving distance/time: 7 hours

IMPORTANT NOTES

– This is a private tour — only your group travels together.
– Driving times don’t include stops for lunch and sightseeing.
– Dietary preferences (vegetarian, vegan, allergies) can be accommodated — please mention this when booking.
– Camel ride is 40 minutes to 1.5 hours depending on the camp. 4×4 transfer available at no extra cost; ATVs at additional cost.
– Vehicles: Land Cruiser Prado (up to 4), Mercedes Vito Tourer or Ford Tourneo (up to 8), minibus for larger groups.
– Tour ends in Fes between 5:00-7:00 pm depending on stops.
– Price varies by group size and accommodation quality — contact for an exact quote.
– The tour ends in Fes — to end in Marrakech instead, see the 3 Day Ouarzazate to Marrakech tour.
– Shorter option: the 2 Day Ouarzazate to Fes tour skips the desert exploration day.