3 Day New Year Desert tour from Fes to Marrakech
Celebrate a magical New Year’s Eve with our 3 Day New Year desert tour from Fes. Experience a luxury Sahara camp, camel trekking, and a festive gala dinner under the stars.
Tour type:
Private or Small Group
Language Support:
English, French, Arabic (Multilingual guides and drivers)
Duration:
3 Days / 2 Nights
An Overview 3 Day New Year desert tour from Fes
Our 3 Day New Year desert tour from Fes is a magnificent experience designed to celebrate the arrival of the New Year in the heart of the Sahara Desert. This journey takes you from the “Switzerland of Morocco” in the Middle Atlas Mountains to the towering golden dunes of Erg Chebbi in Merzouga. You will witness the incredible diversity of Moroccan landscapes, including lush cedar forests, dramatic river canyons, and ancient UNESCO-protected Kasbahs. The highlight of the trip is an unforgettable New Year’s Eve gala dinner at a luxury desert camp, complete with traditional Berber drumming music and a campfire celebration under a celestial blanket of stars.
3 Day New Year desert tour from Fes Highlights
- Scenic Drive: Cross the Middle Atlas Mountains and visit the alpine-style town of Ifrane.
- Wildlife Encounters: Meet wild Barbary Macaques in the ancient cedar forests of Azrou.
- Desert Adventure: Ride camels into the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi to witness a spectacular Sahara sunset.
- NYE Celebration: Celebrate with a festive Gala Dinner and live Berber music around a desert campfire.
- Canyons & Valleys: Explore the towering 300m cliffs of the Todra Gorges and the lush Ziz Valley.
- Cinema History: Visit the famous Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, a backdrop for movies like Gladiator and Game of Thrones.
Tour Plan
Day 1: Fes – Ifrane – Cedar Forest – Ziz Valley – Merzouga Desert
The tour begins with an early pick-up from your accommodation in Fes. We drive south toward Ifrane, known for its European architecture and cool climate. After a stop to feed the Barbary monkeys in the cedar forest, we continue through Midelt for lunch. The journey proceeds through the Tizi-n-Talremt pass and along the Ziz Valley, famous for its vast palm groves. Upon reaching Merzouga, you will mount camels to trek into the Erg Chebbi dunes for sunset. Tonight, you will celebrate a memorable New Year’s Eve gala dinner with entertainment and stay overnight in a luxury tent with private facilities.
Day 2: Merzouga Desert – Rissani – Todra Gorges – Dades Valley
Wake up early to witness a stunning Sahara sunrise over the dunes. After breakfast at the camp, return on camels to meet your driver. We visit the town of Rissani to explore its traditional souk (market) before heading to Erfoud to see fossilized marble workshops. The tour continues to the Todra Gorges, where you can walk through the massive red cliffs carved by the Todra River. We finish the day in the Dades Valley, stopping to see the “monkey fingers” rock formations before checking into your hotel for dinner and rest.
Day 3: Dades Valley – Ouarzazate – Ait Ben Haddou – Marrakech
After breakfast, we drive through the Valley of Roses toward Ouarzazate, the “gate of the desert”. We visit the Atlas Film Studios and then proceed to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, an ancient fortified village. The final leg of the journey crosses the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka pass (2260m), offering breathtaking panoramic views. We arrive in Marrakech in the late afternoon, where you will be dropped off at your hotel or the airport.
Included
Private air-conditioned vehicle with fuel.
Professional English-speaking Berber driver/guide.
Pick-up and drop-off at your accommodation.
1 Night in a luxury desert camp with a private ensuite tent.
1 Night in a high-quality hotel or Riad in Dades Valley.
Daily breakfast and dinner (including New Year’s Gala Dinner).
Camel trek in Merzouga with a local guide.
Sandboarding in the dunes (optional).
Excluded
Lunches and beverages.
Tips for the driver and guides.
Entrance fees to monuments (e.g., film studios).
Travel insurance.