2 Days Desert Trip Back To Fes/ Or Marrakech

The best part of this trip is the sudden change from Fes to the Sahara. In one long day, you pass the cedar forests and high country of the Middle Atlas, then reach Merzouga in time for a camel ride across Erg Chebbi and sunset among the dunes.

I like the route because it gives you more than a quick desert photo stop. You see Ifrane, Azrou, Berber villages, rock country, and Midelt before reaching camp, and the overnight stay includes dinner, breakfast, and desert stargazing. The main drawback is the distance: the drive is demanding, with about 10 hours of road travel on the first day and another long return day.

Key details before you book

• A long road journey with real variety: Ifrane, cedar forest, Middle Atlas scenery, Midelt, palm-filled oases, and the Sahara all fit into two days.
• Sunset by camel: The ride into the Erg Chebbi dunes lasts about an hour and takes you to camp as the light fades.
• One night in a Berber tent: Dinner, mint tea, a desert camp, and time under the night sky are included.
• Up to 17 people: This is a shared minivan experience, not a private custom tour.
• Return choice: After sunrise and breakfast, you can head toward Fes or Marrakech, but confirm the exact drop-off plan before departure.
• Good headline price: At $139.37 per person, transport, one night, meals listed as included, and the camel ride make this appealing, provided you are comfortable with long drives.

From Fes to Ifrane, Morocco’s cool mountain town

Pickup begins at your hotel in the Medina of Fes. That is useful if you are staying inside or close to the old city, since you do not need to find a separate meeting point. The first stop is Ifrane, about 30 minutes from the starting point.

Ifrane has an unusual look for Morocco. The French built it as a winter resort in the 1930s, and its architecture was designed to resemble a Swiss village. You will not spend long here, but the stop breaks up the morning and gives you a sharp contrast with the narrow lanes and warm colors of Fes.

I like this opening because it shows how quickly Morocco changes. The trip is not simply a transfer to the desert. It begins with a town known for cool weather and European-style design, then moves into the Middle Atlas.

Still, keep your expectations sensible. The stop is listed at about 30 minutes, so you will have time to look around and take photographs, not time for a full visit. Your air-conditioned minivan matters here, especially as the day grows longer and the road continues toward the mountains.

Cedar trees and monkeys near Azrou

The next major stop is the cedar forest near Azrou. You may see monkeys here, and the route continues through the Middle Atlas with forests, springs, rough rock formations, and Berber villages.

This is one of the strongest parts of the drive for anyone who likes changing scenery. The cedar forest feels far removed from both Fes and the Sahara, and the mountain road gives you a sense of Morocco’s geographic range before the dry country appears.

The stop lasts about 40 minutes, but much of the pleasure comes through the windows as you continue across the mountains. The road is not always smooth or fast. One passenger described the route as pleasant with well-chosen stops, while also noting that the roads are not always in top shape. That is a fair warning.

You should treat the road time as part of the trip, not an annoying gap between attractions. The driver is also your practical link to the route, so use stops to stretch your legs, ask questions, and buy anything you need for the remaining hours. The available information does not name the individual driver or guide, so do not expect a particular named guide unless the company confirms one after booking.

Midelt gives you a needed midday pause

Midelt comes roughly at the midpoint of the first day. The town is known for fossils and rocks, and the planned stop lasts about an hour, including a lunch break.

Lunch is not included in the price, and drinks are not included either. Keep some Moroccan dirhams ready, since this is the point in the schedule when you will want a proper meal and something to drink before the long road to Merzouga.

I see Midelt as a practical stop with a bit of local character. Its fossils and rocks connect the town to the mineral country around it, but this is not presented as a formal museum visit or a guided geology tour. You are stopping for food and a break, with time to notice the setting.

This is also where the day can begin to feel heavy. The trip covers a great distance, and the later drive toward Merzouga is still substantial. If you get carsick, choose your seat carefully and use the lunch stop to reset before continuing.

The final run to Merzouga and the Sahara

After Midelt, the minivan continues toward Merzouga. By afternoon, you reach a panoramic viewpoint over an oasis filled with palm trees before arriving at the desert town.

That oasis view is an important transition. The mountains and forest country are behind you, and the palms signal that the Sahara is close. After a mint tea break in Merzouga, you meet the camels and begin the ride into the sandy Erg Chebbi dunes.

The camel ride lasts about an hour. It is not a full two-day trek on camelback, despite the trip’s desert trekking description. You ride into camp, with the main reward being the changing light and the chance to watch the sunset from the dunes.

The ride can be tiring, especially after a full day seated in a vehicle. You will need to be comfortable climbing onto a camel and sitting upright as it moves over uneven sand. The schedule is built around reaching camp at sunset, so the timing is one of the main reasons the long drive is worthwhile.

A night in a Berber tent at Erg Chebbi

At camp, the camels are secured and mint tea is served. Dinner is included, and you spend the night in an authentic Berber tent before watching the sky or turning in for the night.

The camp received the strongest praise in the available feedback. The setting, tents, entertainment, and food were all rated very highly, with the camp described as a full 10 out of 10. That matches the appeal of this trip: the overnight stay gives you time in the desert instead of reducing the Sahara to a short stop and a photograph.

The exact style of the camp is not specified, so you should not assume a particular level of comfort or private facilities. What is clear is that you get one night of accommodation, dinner, mint tea, and the chance to sleep beneath the desert sky.

Try to save energy for the evening. The first day begins in Fes and ends after the camel ride, so you may be ready for dinner and bed rather than a late night. Still, the chance to sit outside and stargaze is one of the few quiet moments in a very busy schedule.

Sunrise, breakfast, and the long second day

The second morning starts with sunrise in the desert, followed by breakfast. This is the right time to be outside, since the cooler air and low light make the dunes look different from the evening before.

After breakfast, the route takes you toward Fes or Marrakech. The listed travel time for this part is about eight hours, so the second day is mainly a transfer with the desert sunrise as its central experience.

The choice of endpoint can make this trip useful for a wider Morocco itinerary. Returning to Fes suits you if you are continuing your visit there or need to end near your original base. Choosing Marrakech can help connect the desert with another major city, but the distance means you should confirm where and when the drop-off occurs before booking.

The description refers to a stop at Fes el-Bali on this day, but it does not give a separate sightseeing program there. Do not expect a guided return visit through the old city. Think of the second day as transport after breakfast, not another day of attractions.

What $139.37 really buys you

At $139.37 per person, the package includes an air-conditioned minivan with a professional driver, one night of accommodation, a camel ride, sunset views, dinner, and breakfast. That is a strong bundle if you want the desert experience without arranging separate transport, camp accommodation, and camel logistics yourself.

The value depends on how you feel about the road time. A large share of the two days is spent traveling, and the group may include as many as 17 people. You are paying for a connected route and basic organization, not for a private vehicle or a slow-paced desert holiday.

Lunch and drinks are extra. You should also allow for the physical effort of the camel ride and the early morning start for sunrise. The price looks most attractive for someone who has limited time and wants to link Fes with Merzouga, then possibly Marrakech, in one compact trip.

The posted rating is 4.8 from 26 reviews, with 96 percent recommending the experience. That is encouraging, but the smaller number of ratings means I would still read the schedule carefully rather than treating the score as a guarantee. The strongest pattern is clear: the camp is the highlight, while the road journey is the tradeoff.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would recommend this experience to you if you want a straightforward first taste of the Sahara and prefer having the major pieces arranged together. It suits people who value scenery, a sunset camel ride, a desert night, and cultural contact with Berber communities more than long stops in every town along the way.

It is also useful if you are building a point-to-point route through Morocco. The option to travel toward Fes or Marrakech after breakfast may save you from returning to your starting point by a separate mode of transport.

You may want a different format if you dislike long drives, need a private schedule, or want several nights in the desert. Two days is enough for a memorable introduction, but it leaves little room for delays or unplanned exploration.

The group size matters. With up to 17 people, departure and meal stops may take longer than they would in a private car. On the other hand, a shared tour keeps the cost down and gives the camp experience a social feel.

Practical points that affect your day

Pickup is offered from your hotel in the Fes Medina, and confirmation is received when you book. The experience is near public transportation, although the useful feature is the hotel pickup rather than needing to reach a distant terminal.

Most people can participate, according to the supplied information, but the camel ride and long vehicle journey still require basic physical comfort. The experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancel inside that 24-hour window and you will not receive a refund, and changes made during that period are not accepted. The cut-off uses local time.

Because the route is long, I would keep your schedule flexible after the tour. The stated travel times are approximate, and road conditions can affect the day. Confirm the destination, hotel drop-off, and expected arrival time if you have a train, flight, or other fixed booking afterward.

Should you book this Fes desert trip?

Book it if your priority is the full route in a short period: Fes, the Middle Atlas, Merzouga, a sunset camel ride, one night in a Berber tent, and a choice of onward direction. The camp experience and sunset give the trip its real reward, and the included transport and meals make the $139.37 price reasonable.

Skip it if you want leisurely sightseeing or a private desert escape. The first day is long, the roads can be rough, lunch and drinks cost extra, and the second day is mostly a return or onward transfer.

For a compact Sahara introduction, I think the balance is favorable. Just book it with clear eyes: you are choosing a demanding road journey in exchange for one memorable night among the Erg Chebbi dunes.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

Pickup starts from your hotel in the Medina of Fes.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately two days.

Can I return to Fes or continue to Marrakech?

Yes. After sunrise and breakfast on the second day, you have the choice of heading to Fes or Marrakech.

What is included in the price?

The price includes breakfast, dinner, one night of accommodation, a camel ride, sunset views, and transport in an air-conditioned minivan with a professional driver.

Are lunch and drinks included?

No. Lunch and drinks are not included.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 17 travelers.

Is the camel ride included?

Yes. The camel ride into the Erg Chebbi dunes is included and takes about one hour.

What is the cancellation policy?

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 refunded or accepted.