Should you start your desert tour in Marrakech or Fes? Both cities are gateways to the Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga, but the routes are quite different. Best Sahara Tours breaks down the choice so you can pick the one that suits your trip.
From Marrakech: mountains and kasbahs
The Marrakech route crosses the High Atlas over the Tizi n'Tichka pass and takes in the UNESCO ksar of Aït Ben Haddou, Ouarzazate's film studios, and the dramatic Dades and Todra gorges. It is the more famous, more cinematic route — and the reason the 3-day Marrakech to Merzouga tour is our best-seller.
From Fes: cedar forests and the Ziz Valley
The Fes route heads through Ifrane (\"the Switzerland of Morocco\"), the cedar forests of Azrou where Barbary macaques roam, and the palm-lined Ziz Valley. It is greener and gentler, with fewer big-name sights but lovely, quieter scenery.
The best of both: a one-way crossing
Can't choose? Travel one way — start in Marrakech and finish in Fes (or the reverse). A Marrakech to Fes desert tour lets you see both landscapes and the Sahara in between, without backtracking. It is perfect if your flights use different airports.