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

The big draw here is the chance to cross Morocco from Marrakech to Fez in only two days, with a night in the Erg Chebbi desert along the way. You ride a camel into the dunes, eat dinner at camp, sleep in a Berber tent, and wake for sunrise before continuing north.

I like the clear mix of transport and desert time: camel riding and sandboarding are included, not sold as costly extras. I also like the route itself, from the Tizi-n-Tichka pass and kasbah country to the Ziz Valley and Middle Atlas. The catch is simple: this is a very long road trip, with little time for extended sightseeing on day one.

Key points to know before booking

• A cross-country route: You start in Marrakech and finish in Fez, with the desert night serving as the main stop between the two cities.
• A genuine desert overnight: The package includes dinner, breakfast, a Berber camp, and a camel ride into the Erg Chebbi dunes.
• A long first day: The drive through the High Atlas, Ouarzazate, the Valley of Roses, and the Dades area takes most of the day.
• A small shared group: The vehicle carries no more than 17 people, using a minibus or minivan.
• Useful included extras: Sandboarding, the camel ride, transport, dinner, and breakfast are all covered in the $100 price.
• A physically demanding schedule: Early starts, rougher desert conditions, extended sitting, and a sunrise departure call for good fitness.

A fast route from Marrakech to the Erg Chebbi dunes

This is not a leisurely circuit of southern Morocco. It is a clever transfer trip with a memorable desert night added in. You leave Marrakech early, cross the High Atlas, reach Merzouga near the dunes, and continue to Fez the following day.

That distinction matters. I would recommend this trip to you if your main goal is to experience the Sahara and get from Marrakech to Fez without returning to Marrakech. I would not choose it if you want long visits at every kasbah, plenty of free time, or slow mornings.

The advertised price is $100 per person. For two days of transport, a desert camp, dinner, breakfast, a camel ride, and sandboarding, that is a strong package price. You still need to budget for lunches, drinks, and travel insurance, and the low price makes more sense when you accept that this is a shared trip rather than a private one.

The group limit is 17 people. That is small enough to be more manageable than a large coach, though the exact feel depends on whether your departure fills close to capacity. You travel in a minibus or minivan, with a professional driver described as helpful and informed about the route.

Crossing the High Atlas on the first morning

The road out of Marrakech climbs toward the Tizi-n-Tichka pass, which reaches about 2,260 meters above sea level. You will see the surroundings change as the route leaves the plains and enters mountain country, with small villages, waterfalls, and shifting colors along the way.

The pass is one of the most rewarding parts of the drive, but it is also a reminder of the day’s scale. You are crossing a large section of Morocco, not simply taking a short excursion from Marrakech. Stops are described as quick, so bring your camera, keep your day bag close, and do not expect a long mountain walk.

The road can also feel tiring. If you are prone to motion sickness, sit where you usually feel most comfortable and carry anything you need for a full day in a moving vehicle. The tour requires a strong level of physical fitness, and that refers as much to endurance as to walking.

You pass through Ouarzazate, a useful marker between the High Atlas and the desert regions. The route then continues toward the Valley of Roses and the Dades Valley. These names may sound like separate sightseeing stops, but the timing means they are mainly part of the changing view from the road, with short pauses rather than extended visits.

Kasbah country and the question of Ait Benhaddou

The trip is promoted as passing via Ait Benhaddou and the historical kasbahs and valleys of southern Morocco. Ait Benhaddou is one of the best-known fortified villages in the country, so its inclusion will catch the eye of anyone planning a first visit to Morocco.

The supplied schedule does not spell out a dedicated Ait Benhaddou visit, entrance arrangement, or guided walk. I would ask the operator before booking if seeing the kasbah up close is essential to you. The route clearly goes through the kasbah region, but a road pass or brief photo stop is not the same as time inside the site.

This is a useful example of how to read the trip. The scenery and place names are impressive, yet day one is built around covering distance. You may stop for photographs and rest, but the schedule is not designed for detailed archaeological sightseeing.

Reaching Merzouga and riding into Erg Chebbi

After the High Atlas, Ouarzazate, the Valley of Roses, and the Dades area, you continue toward Merzouga and the Erg Chebbi dunes. Arrival time can vary because the first day depends on traffic, road conditions, and the pace of the group.

At the desert meeting point, you have time for a mint tea and a short rest before the camel ride. The camels then carry you across the sandy dunes toward the camp. The ride is described as lasting about an hour, which gives you a proper introduction to the dunes without turning the whole evening into a saddle session.

The camel ride is included in the price, which makes a real difference to the value. You do not have to decide at the last moment if an extra charge is worth paying. The route leads to a Berber tent camp, where dinner and the night’s accommodation are included.

The desert is the emotional high point of the trip. After a day spent watching Morocco pass by through the vehicle windows, you finally slow down and enter the sand on camelback. It is a simple change of pace, but that contrast is exactly why the overnight stop works.

What the desert camp includes, and what it does not

Your package includes an overnight stay in a desert camp, dinner, breakfast, and sandboarding. After the camels arrive, they are secured while you settle into the camp. The camp is described as a Berber tent setup, so you should expect a practical desert stay rather than a conventional hotel room.

Sandboarding is offered free of charge. If you enjoy a little activity after the camel ride, this is an easy way to make the evening more active. The information also mentions a swimming pool among the camp activities, but it is not included in the formal inclusions list. Ask specifically about pool access and conditions before you rely on it.

Lunches and drinks are not included. You will want cash or another practical way to pay for food and beverages along the route, although the available information does not specify prices or payment methods. Dinner at camp and breakfast the next morning are covered.

The camp night is not just a place to sleep. It breaks up the long drive and gives you time in the desert that a simple transfer would not provide. Still, pack with restraint. A small overnight bag is far easier to manage than a large suitcase when moving between a vehicle, camels, and tents.

Sunrise, breakfast, and the road north

The second day begins early. You can walk over the dunes and watch the sunrise from near the Algerian border, described as roughly 50 kilometers from Merzouga. The early start is part of the appeal, but it is also the reason you should not expect a lazy morning after the camp night.

After sunrise, you ride the camels back to the hotel area. Breakfast, a shower, and some rest follow before the drive to Fez begins. That shower is especially welcome after a night in the sand, and the pause gives you a chance to repack before another long stretch in the vehicle.

This morning has a better rhythm than the first day because it gives you a clear desert experience before the road takes over again. I would keep your expectations practical, though. The main reward is the sunrise and the dunes, not a full morning of activities.

Ziz Valley, Berber villages, and the Middle Atlas

The road to Fez passes through the Ziz Valley and its oasis, then continues through Berber villages and the Middle Atlas Mountains. The Ziz route provides a strong visual change after the open dunes, with cultivated green areas and settlement patterns set against dry country.

The schedule also includes the Middle Atlas and a cedar forest. These places help show how varied Morocco can be within a short distance on the map. You move from desert sand to oasis, mountain roads, villages, and forest before reaching Fez.

Again, the timing is the main limitation. The second day is listed at about eight hours, and arrival is expected in the afternoon. Stops may be brief, so treat these areas as scenic parts of the journey unless the driver gives the group more time.

I like this route because it avoids simply retracing the road to Marrakech. You keep moving forward to Fez and see a different side of the country. The price of that efficiency is sitting in the vehicle for much of the day.

How the $100 price works in practical terms

At $100 per person, the package offers good value if you use all the included pieces. Transport between two major cities can be costly on its own, and this price adds dinner, breakfast, a desert camp, a camel ride, and sandboarding.

The value is strongest for people with limited time. Instead of arranging separate transport, a desert overnight, and a transfer to Fez, you combine them in one booking. The tradeoff is comfort and flexibility. A shared vehicle follows a group schedule, and you will not be able to redesign the route around every viewpoint.

The price does not cover lunch, drinks, or travel insurance. Those omissions are normal for a low-cost two-day road trip, but they should be part of your budget. The child rate applies only when a child shares with two paying adults, and children must be accompanied by an adult.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, and cancellations inside that period are not refunded. Poor weather can also lead to a new date or a full refund.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would choose this experience if you want four things:

• A desert night without arranging a complicated private trip
• A direct route from Marrakech to Fez
• A low price with the main desert activities included
• A compact introduction to the High Atlas, southern valleys, oasis country, and Middle Atlas

It suits active adults and older children who can cope with long drives and an early start. The physical fitness requirement is worth taking seriously. You will be climbing into and out of a vehicle, riding a camel, spending time on sand, and sitting for hours over two days.

I would hesitate if you dislike group schedules, long road journeys, or basic accommodation. I would also hesitate if Ait Benhaddou is your main reason for booking, because the available details do not confirm the length of a visit there.

The tour is recommended by all the listed ratings and carries a 4.9 score from 65 reviews, with the main praise centered on friendly organization and the beauty of the desert. The one clear criticism is also fair: the distances are immense, and there are many hours on the road. Both points can be true at once.

Should you book the Marrakech to Fez desert crossing?

Book it if the desert night matters more to you than a relaxed pace. The combination of an included camel ride, dinner, breakfast, camp stay, and sandboarding gives the $100 price real value, especially when you need to reach Fez.

Skip it if you want a slow southern Morocco tour or detailed visits at every kasbah and valley. Before paying, confirm the pickup point, the exact Ait Benhaddou stop, and what is meant by the swimming pool mention. If you accept the long drives, this is an efficient and memorable way to connect Marrakech, Merzouga, and Fez.

FAQ

How long does the trip take?

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 finishes in Fez on the afternoon of the second day.

Is the tour shared or private?

It is a shared option. The maximum group size is 17 people, and transport is provided by minibus or minivan.

Is a camel ride included?

Yes. The camel ride from the Merzouga area to the desert camp and the return ride the next morning are included.

Is sandboarding included?

Yes. Free sandboarding is included in the tour.

Are meals included?

Dinner at the desert camp and breakfast the next morning are included. Lunches and drinks are not included.

Where do you sleep?

You spend one night in a Berber desert camp near the Erg Chebbi dunes.

Do children need an adult with them?

Yes. Children must be accompanied by an adult. The child rate applies only when sharing with two paying adults.

Can you cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted, and poor weather may result in a different date or a full refund.