Why end in Fes instead of returning
A round trip Sahara tour spends its final day driving you back to Marrakech, which is fine if that is where you started and where you are flying out. But if your plan is to see Fes, Chefchaouen or the north of Morocco afterwards, that return drive is wasted time. A one way Marrakech to Fes tour solves it. You see the same Atlas pass, the same gorges and the same Erg Chebbi dunes, then continue north to Fes on the last day. The best value option is the Marrakech to Fes 3 day tour from $107, and a higher rated version is the best Marrakech to Fes desert tour from $128.
We are an independent guide, not the operator. The booking and the on the ground logistics are handled by the tour company, usually with free cancellation through Viator.
The route, day by day
Day one: Atlas and Ait Ben Haddou
You climb the Tizi n Tichka pass over the High Atlas and stop at Ait Ben Haddou, the famous earthen ksar, before continuing through Ouarzazate toward the Dades valley for the first night. This day is the same on the Fes route as on the round trip.
Day two: Todra gorge to the dunes
You drive through the Todra gorge and across open country to Merzouga, then ride a camel into the Erg Chebbi dunes for sunset and a night in a desert camp. This is the heart of the trip, identical whichever way you finish.
Day three: dunes to Fes
After sunrise and the camel ride back out, the route turns north instead of west. You cross the Middle Atlas, often stopping near the cedar forests and the town of Ifrane, and arrive in Fes in the evening. You finish in a new city rather than back where you started.
Private and 4 day options
If you want more time and your own vehicle, a private 4 day tour that ends in Fes from $389 spreads the same route over an extra day with a private driver. The slower pace suits couples, families and anyone who finds three long days too tiring. It costs more, but the comfort and the flexibility on stops are real upgrades over a shared minibus.
Who the Fes route suits
Choose the one way Fes tour if your itinerary already points north, if you dislike backtracking, or if you want to split your Morocco trip between two great cities with the desert in between. Stick with a round trip to Marrakech if your flights and hotel are there. For the full comparison of 3 day options, see our best 3 day desert tours guide, and for the exact daily rhythm read our 3 day Sahara itinerary.
Heading north after the desert?
Compare one way Marrakech to Fes desert tours with live prices and free cancellation.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Several 3 day tours run one way from Marrakech to Fes, covering the Atlas pass, Ait Ben Haddou, the Todra gorge and the Erg Chebbi dunes near Merzouga before continuing north to Fes instead of returning. It is ideal if your itinerary moves on to Fes or the north of Morocco afterwards.
A shared 3 day Marrakech to Fes desert tour starts from around $107 per person, with a higher rated version near $128. A private 4 day tour that ends in Fes runs from about $389 and adds a more relaxed pace and a private vehicle, which suits couples and small groups.
End in Fes if your trip continues north, since you avoid a full day of backtracking and arrive ready for Fes or Chefchaouen. Return to Marrakech if your flights or hotel are there. The route and the desert experience are nearly identical, so the choice is purely about where you need to be afterwards.
