Private Morocco tours · Sahara Desert specialists

A couple walking over the dunes at sunset in the Sahara – 3 Day Honeymoon Desert Tour from Fes

Honeymoon 3 Days / 2 Nights Private tour

3-Day Honeymoon Desert Tour from Fes to Marrakech via Merzouga

For couples travelling between Morocco's two great medinas, this private route turns the transfer into the most memorable part of the trip.

  • Private Tour
    Only
  • Local
    Driver-Guides
  • Comfortable
    Vehicles
  • Handpicked
    Accommodation
  • Fully
    Customisable

Tour overview

A Private Journey for Two

For couples travelling between Morocco's two great medinas, this private route turns the transfer into the most memorable part of the trip. A night in a luxury tent among the dunes of Erg Chebbi sits between Fes and Marrakech, with a boutique guesthouse in the Dades Valley on the way out.

Our 3 Day Honeymoon Desert Tour from Fes begins in Fes and ends in Marrakech, covering about 1,050 km by road over three days. Along the way you will experience the Tizi n'Tichka pass over the High Atlas, the UNESCO-listed ksar of Ait Ben Haddou, the Dades Valley and Todra Gorge, a sunset camel trek in the dunes of Erg Chebbi, a night in a desert camp and the cedar forests and Barbary macaques of the Middle Atlas. Each stop is a real visit on foot, with your driver-guide explaining what you are looking at and local people adding their own stories.

Accommodation is chosen for character and location rather than size: one night in a luxury desert camp in the dunes of Erg Chebbi and one night in a kasbah-style guesthouse in the Dades Valley. You travel in a private, air-conditioned vehicle, a 4x4 or a minibus depending on the size of your party, with an English-speaking driver-guide who knows these roads well. Spanish, Italian, French and Portuguese-speaking guides are available on request.

It is designed for couples: honeymooners, anniversaries, or simply two people who want a few days to themselves. Everything is private, and the accommodation is chosen for atmosphere as much as comfort. The longest day on the road is day 1, with 7.5–8 hours of driving; every other day is shorter, and all of them are broken up by visits and stops. Like all our tours it is fully private, so the plan below can be lengthened, shortened or rearranged to fit your dates.

  • Duration3 days / 2 nights
  • StartFes
  • EndMarrakech
  • Tour typePrivate honeymoon tour
  • GroupJust your own party
  • LanguagesEnglish, Spanish, Italian, French, Portuguese
  • TransportPrivate 4x4 or minibus with A/C
  • AccommodationLuxury desert camp and Kasbah-style guesthouse

Highlights

Tour Highlights

  • Cross the High Atlas by the Tizi n'Tichka pass
  • Walk through the UNESCO ksar of Ait Ben Haddou
  • Explore the Dades Valley and Todra Gorge
  • Ride a camel into Erg Chebbi at sunset
  • Spend a night in a Sahara desert camp
  • See the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas

Detailed itinerary

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1

Day 1: Fes – Ifrane – Cedar Forest – Midelt – Ziz Valley – Merzouga

  • 470 km
  • 7.5–8 hours
  • Merzouga (Erg Chebbi)
  • Dinner
A Barbary macaque in the cedar forest near Azrou

Your journey to the Sahara begins early. South of Fes the road climbs to Ifrane, a mountain town of red roofs and gardens, then into the cedar forest, where Barbary macaques often come close to the road.

After crossing the high pastures and the Col du Zad you stop in Midelt for lunch beneath Jbel Ayachi. In the afternoon the Ziz gorges lead to a viewpoint over a long green ribbon of palm trees.

Beyond Erfoud the dunes appear, and in Merzouga two camels carry you into Erg Chebbi for sunset. A romantic dinner and a night in your desert tent end the day.

  • Ifrane and the cedar forest
  • Macaques in the cedar forest
  • Ziz palm valley views
  • Sunset camel trek and desert camp
Day 2

Day 2: Merzouga – Rissani – Todra Gorge – Dades Valley

  • 260 km
  • 4.5–5 hours
  • Dades Valley
  • Breakfast and dinner
Kasbahs and gardens in the Dades Valley under red hills

Wake together before dawn and climb a ridge near your tent to watch the sun rise over the dunes. Afterwards a camel or 4x4 takes you back to Merzouga for breakfast and a hot shower.

Leaving the desert, you pass through Rissani, heir to the caravan city of Sijilmassa, whose souk is busiest on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Beyond it the road crosses a stony plain marked by the round mounds of old khettara wells.

In the afternoon you walk hand in hand through Todra Gorge, between orange cliffs that almost touch overhead, then continue to the Dades Valley, where a quiet guesthouse and dinner for two await.

  • Dunes at daybreak
  • Rissani market town
  • Todra Gorge
  • Kasbahs of the Dades Valley
Day 3

Day 3: Dades Valley – Valley of Roses – Ouarzazate – Ait Ben Haddou – Marrakech

  • 320 km
  • 6–7 hours
  • End of the tour
  • Breakfast
Ait Ben Haddou above the river in golden light

Your last day together starts with breakfast in the Dades Valley. You drive down through Kalaat M'Gouna, where you can buy rosewater and rose oil, and the palm grove of Skoura.

After passing Ouarzazate, you walk hand in hand through the lanes of Ait Ben Haddou and have lunch with the ksar in view.

In the afternoon you cross the Tizi n'Tichka pass in the golden light and reach Marrakech in the early evening.

The final evening finds you in Marrakech, where the tour ends at your hotel. We can extend your stay or book the drive to the airport.

  • Rosewater cooperatives
  • Skoura oasis and kasbahs
  • The ksar of Ait Ben Haddou
  • Tizi n'Tichka pass

Good to know

What’s Included

Included in the tour

  • Private air-conditioned vehicle (4x4 or minibus, depending on your group size) for the whole tour
  • English-speaking driver-guide; Spanish, Italian, French or Portuguese-speaking guides on request
  • Fuel, tolls and parking
  • Pickup and drop-off at your hotel, riad, airport or port
  • 2 nights of accommodation with breakfast
  • Dinner on the nights shown in the itinerary
  • Sunset camel trek in Erg Chebbi, one camel per person
  • Night in a luxury desert camp with dinner, breakfast and music around the fire
  • Sandboarding at the camp
  • Private tent in the desert camp and a romantic dinner set-up for two
  • Free stops for photographs, tea and walks whenever you wish

Not included

  • International and domestic flights
  • Lunches and drinks
  • Entrance fees to monuments, museums and film studios
  • Tips for your driver-guide, local guides and camp staff
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal expenses and optional activities

Optional activities

  • Quad or buggy ride in the dunesOne or two hours on the sand around Erg Chebbi with a guide, bookable on the day in Merzouga.
  • 4x4 excursion around Erg ChebbiA half-day circuit to Khamlia, the nomad camps and the black desert, possible if you add a night in Merzouga.
  • Second night in the desertStay an extra night in camp for a slower pace, a walk in the dunes at dawn and time to do nothing at all.
  • Atlas Film Studios in OuarzazateA guided walk through the sets of films and series shot in the region. Entrance is paid on site.
  • Moroccan cooking classShop for ingredients in the market and learn to prepare a tagine, salads and bread with a local cook.

Before you go

Practical Information

Pickup and drop-off

Pickup is from your riad or hotel in Fes, or from Fes-Saïss Airport, at around 8:00 am. For riads inside the medina, your driver meets you at the closest gate.

The tour ends at your accommodation in Marrakech or at Menara Airport. On tours that arrive in the evening, we recommend booking a flight for the following day.

A different start or end point is rarely a problem. Because every tour is private, we can begin in one city and finish in another; tell us where you are staying and we will adapt the route and the quote.

What to bring
  • Comfortable walking shoes or trainers, plus sandals for the camp
  • Sun hat, sunglasses and high-factor sunscreen
  • Light, loose clothing for the day and a warm layer for the evening
  • A small overnight bag for the desert; your main luggage stays safely in the vehicle or at the hotel in Merzouga
  • A scarf or cheche for the camel ride (you can buy one on the way)
  • A warm jacket from November to March, when desert nights can drop close to freezing
  • Head torch or phone light for the camp
  • Passport and a copy of your travel insurance
  • Cash in Moroccan dirhams for lunches, tips and small purchases; ATMs are scarce between the main towns
  • Camera, spare battery and a power bank
  • Any personal medication, and motion-sickness tablets if mountain roads affect you
Best time to travel

Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the most comfortable seasons for this route. Days are warm and clear, nights are mild, and in April and May the valleys of the south are green and the roses of Kalaat M'Gouna are in bloom.

Winter is a good time for the desert if you bring warm clothes: skies are bright and the dunes are quiet, but temperatures after dark can fall to around freezing and the High Atlas passes occasionally close for a few hours after snow. In July and August the Sahara is very hot in the afternoon, so we shift the camel trek later, start driving earlier and can recommend a camp with air-cooled tents.

During Ramadan the tour runs as normal. Some restaurants close during the day in smaller towns, your driver-guide will know where to stop, and evenings are especially lively after sunset.

Important information before booking
  • This is a private tour. The vehicle, the driver-guide and the departure date are yours alone, and the itinerary can be changed before or during the trip.
  • Driving times are approximate and do not include stops. We stop often, so expect each day to take longer than the hours shown.
  • Prices depend on the number of travellers, the season and the accommodation category you choose. Tell us these three things and we will send an exact quote.
  • The camel ride to the camp takes about an hour to an hour and a half. If you would rather not ride, or are travelling with small children or have back problems, we take you to the camp by 4x4 at no extra cost.
  • We offer two desert camp options, both with private tents, en-suite bathrooms and hot showers: a mid-range luxury camp, and a luxury camp with more spacious tents, air conditioning and heating. Please say which you prefer when booking.
  • Day 1 is the longest on the road (7.5–8 hours of driving). If you prefer shorter stages, ask us to add a night along the way.
  • Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal meals are easy to arrange; let us know about allergies or dietary needs in advance.
  • Roads in the mountains are winding. If you suffer from motion sickness, sit in the front and bring medication.
  • Most nationalities do not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days, but please check the entry requirements for your passport before travelling.

Questions and answers

3 Day Honeymoon Desert Tour from Fes: Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 3-day tour from Fes private?

Yes. You travel only with the people in your own party, in a private vehicle with your own driver-guide. That means you choose the departure date, set the pace and can stop wherever you like along the way.

How much driving is there each day?

It varies from day to day. The longest stretch is on day 1, with 7.5–8 hours on the road, and the other days are noticeably shorter. In total the tour covers about 1,050 km. All times are approximate and broken up by visits, lunch and photo stops.

What is the desert camp like?

Camps in Erg Chebbi have real beds with sheets and blankets, a dining tent and a fire circle. You choose between two options. Our mid-range luxury camp has private tents with en-suite bathrooms, hot showers and comfortable bedding. Our luxury camp has more spacious tents with air conditioning and heating, high-quality bedding and premium bathroom amenities. Dinner and breakfast are served at the camp.

Do I have to ride a camel to reach the camp?

No. The camel trek is included and most guests enjoy it, but if you prefer, we take you to the camp by 4x4. This is also what we suggest for very young children, pregnant travellers and anyone with back or knee problems.

Can I change the itinerary or the start and end point?

Yes. The programme on this page is a starting point. We can add nights, swap stops, upgrade accommodation or finish somewhere other than Marrakech. Tell us what you have in mind and we will adjust the route and send a new quote.

Can you arrange something special for our honeymoon?

Yes. Tell us it is your honeymoon and we will arrange a private tent, a table for two away from the other guests and small touches along the way. If you have a particular idea, such as a photographer in the dunes, ask and we will tell you honestly what is possible.

What is the best time of year for this tour?

March to May and September to November offer the most comfortable temperatures. Winter is clear and quiet but cold at night in the desert; in July and August the Sahara is very hot, and we adjust the timings accordingly.

How much does it cost and how do I book?

Prices are always quoted on request: the price depends on the number of travellers, the season and the accommodation category, so we quote each request individually. Send us your dates and group size by WhatsApp or email and we will reply with a detailed quote. You can ask for as many changes as you need before confirming.

Accommodation

Where You’ll Stay

Carefully selected riads, guesthouses, hotels and desert camps. The exact properties are confirmed with your quote, in the category you choose.

A tent of a desert camp in Erg Chebbi glowing at dusk, with a terrace on the sand

Night 1

Erg Chebbi dunes, Merzouga

Luxury desert camp in Erg Chebbi

A luxury camp among the dunes: a spacious private tent with an en-suite bathroom, hot shower, air conditioning and heating, and dinner served by lantern light.

Kasbahs and palm gardens in the Dades Valley

Night 2

Dades Valley

Kasbah-style guesthouse

A family-run guesthouse or kasbah hotel built in the local earthen style, with en-suite rooms, a terrace over the valley and a home-cooked dinner.

Your night in the Sahara

Choose Your Desert Camp

We offer two camps in the dunes of Erg Chebbi. Tell us which one you prefer when you enquire.

A desert camp glowing under the night sky in Erg Chebbi Available on request

Mid-Range Luxury Camp

  • Private tents with en-suite bathrooms
  • Hot showers
  • Comfortable bedding
  • Good balance between comfort and authenticity
A traveller sitting on a dune as the sun sets over the Sahara

Ready for Your Moroccan Adventure?

Tell us your dates and group size, and we will send you this itinerary with a personal quote. You can change anything you like before confirming.