2Days Desert Tour From Fez: Round-Trip with Luxury Camp stay

The best part of this Fez to Merzouga desert tour is the sudden change in scenery. You leave Fez in the morning, pass a ski town and cedar forests, cross the Middle Atlas, then reach the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi in time for a camel ride at sunset. It feels like several Moroccan trips packed into one.

I like the thoughtful route, especially the stop with the Barbary monkeys and the views through Ziz Valley. I also like that the luxury camp has a private bathroom and shower, a real comfort after a long day on the road. The catch is simple: the schedule is very tight. You spend roughly seven to eight hours driving each way, so three days would give you more breathing room.

Key points to know before booking

• Sunset camel ride: Expect about 45 minutes on camelback from the Merzouga meeting point to the desert camp.
• Luxury camp comfort: The tents are spacious and include a private bathroom and shower, though hot water may not always be available in winter.
• A full day on the road: The route includes Ifrane, cedar forests, Midelt, Ziz Valley, and Erfoud, but the journey to Merzouga is long.
• Strong driver service: Guides and drivers such as Houcin, Tarek, Mounir, Hafid, and Omar Charif have been praised for patience, safe driving, and helpful stops.
• Meals are limited: Dinner and breakfast are included. Lunch in Midelt and on the return journey is paid separately.
• A practical backup to camels: If you have a health problem, you can use a 4×4 vehicle instead of riding a camel.

From Fez to Ifrane, Morocco’s alpine oddity

Pickup is scheduled for 7:30 a.m. from your hotel or riad in Fez. That early start matters. The drive to Merzouga is long, and arriving at the dunes before sunset depends on keeping the morning moving.

Your first stop is Ifrane, a cool Middle Atlas town with an alpine look and ski slopes. Its tidy streets and European-style buildings feel far removed from the old lanes of Fez. Ifrane is not a deep sightseeing stop on this tour, but it gives you a quick sense of how sharply Morocco’s climate and scenery can change.

The cedar forests come next. Here, you can stop to see and feed Barbary monkeys. This is one of the most enjoyable breaks on the route, especially for families. One driver even added another monkey stop for children on the return journey.

Bring small food items only if the guide permits it, and keep your hands clear around the animals. The stop is brief, but it breaks up the drive and gives you something more memorable than a roadside fuel station.

Midelt lunch and the long Middle Atlas crossing

Midelt is the usual lunch break. Lunch is not included, so you will pay for your own meal at a local restaurant. The cost and value can vary, and two paid lunch stops are one of the weaker points of the tour. Food quality was considered good at the camp, but some of the roadside meals felt expensive for what was served.

I suggest carrying water and a small breakfast snack. The tour begins before many riad breakfast rooms open, and a road closure once caused a missed breakfast stop. Water is also not included, though you can buy it during stops.

The road beyond Midelt is scenic but tiring. You will spend hours in an air-conditioned minibus or mini-van, with winding roads in places. The main roads are generally good, but you should plan ahead if you get motion sickness. Sit near the front if possible, and avoid the back row if you are tall. A six-foot-three passenger found the rear seats short on legroom.

The driver makes a big difference here. Houcin was praised for driving safely, adjusting stops, and changing the route when weather or traffic required it. Tarek, Mounir, Hafid, Omar Charif, and Ael Yousfi Aziz were also singled out for friendly service and care with the group.

Ziz Valley and Erfoud before the dunes

As the route heads toward the desert, the Ziz Valley brings a welcome change. The valley is greener than the surrounding dry country, with palms and cultivated areas following the river. It is a good place to stretch your legs, take photographs, and see how water supports life in southeastern Morocco.

The final named stop is Erfoud, known as a gateway to the Sahara region. The tour description does not promise a long visit there, so treat it as a short pause rather than a full town tour. The real goal is Merzouga and the Erg Chebbi dunes.

The scenery changes gradually, which is part of the appeal. You do not simply fly from city streets into sand. You watch Morocco shift from highland forests to dry plateaus, green valley corridors, and open desert.

Reaching Merzouga by 4×4 and camel

When you reach Merzouga, your luggage is transferred to the camp by 4×4. You then meet the camels for a ride of about 45 minutes toward the desert tents.

This is the signature moment, but it is not a long camel expedition. You ride at sunset, with the dunes providing the main spectacle. Wear comfortable shoes and practical clothing. Camel saddles can feel rough, and climbing on and off requires some flexibility.

If a camel ride does not suit your health or comfort, you can take a 4×4 vehicle instead. That option is useful, and it means you do not have to skip the desert camp simply because of a physical limitation.

The sunset ride is also when the day’s long drive finally pays off. The pace slows, the road disappears, and the sand takes over. Your guide can help with photographs, and the open dunes provide plenty of room for simple, memorable pictures.

A luxury camp night under Erg Chebbi stars

The camp is described as a luxury option, with spacious tents and private bathrooms and showers. This is a major advantage over a basic desert camp. After a full day in a vehicle and on a camel, having your own shower is not a small detail.

The shower situation needs a little caution. Hot water has not always been available, especially during winter visits. If a warm shower is important to you, ask about the current camp facilities before departure and pack a warm layer for the evening.

Dinner is included at the camp. The food has been described as good, and the meal is followed by local Berber music around a fire pit. You can sit by the flames, listen, and join in if the group atmosphere appeals to you. The music and shared fire are more valuable than a polished stage show because they give the evening a social, local feel.

The desert air can turn cool after dark, even when the afternoon was warm. Bring a jacket, especially from late autumn through early spring. The stars are a central part of the experience, but cloud cover and weather can change what you see. One September trip even included a thunderstorm in the desert, an unusual reminder that the Sahara is not always perfectly dry and clear.

Sunrise, breakfast, and the return drive

The second day begins early for sunrise over Erg Chebbi. You have breakfast at camp and time to shower before leaving. The exact order can depend on the morning schedule, so be ready when the driver or camp staff gives instructions.

You can return by camel or by 4×4 to meet the driver. The vehicle option saves time and avoids another camel ride if you are sore from the evening before. The tour then begins the long drive back to Fez, with stops and a paid lunch break along the way.

The return journey can feel more demanding than the first day because you have already spent a night in the desert. The itinerary includes the same broad route in reverse, and the planned stops may include Ifrane and the monkeys if weather or road conditions affected the outward journey.

This is the central weakness of a two-day version. You arrive at the desert in the late afternoon, enjoy the overnight stay, then leave early the next morning for another very long drive. You get the main desert moments, but little free time for walking in the dunes, relaxing at camp, or adding sandboarding.

What the $111 price really covers

At $111 per person, the tour offers strong value if you want transport, a desert night, camel rides, dinner, breakfast, and entertainment arranged in one booking. You also get air-conditioned transport, a professional driver, camp accommodation, taxes, and the 4×4 luggage transfer.

The luxury camp is what makes the price more appealing. A private bathroom and shower add comfort, and the included dinner and breakfast reduce the planning work. You are paying for access to a remote desert area as much as for the camel ride itself.

You should budget extra for lunch, bottled water, and personal purchases. Lunch is not included at Midelt or on the way back, and roadside meals may not always feel like a bargain. Bring some cash for these stops and for small items you may want along the route.

A local guide is not included. Your driver may explain the stops and answer questions, but this is not the same as having a dedicated guide at each destination. Drivers such as Houcin and Tarek have offered useful background along the way, yet the experience remains transport-led rather than a detailed guided tour of every place.

Communication, comfort, and the group ride

The driver is the key person on this experience. Recent driver names connected with strong service include Bada, Pedro, Houcin, Ael Yousfi Aziz, Mounir, Hafid, Tarek, Hamsa, Omar Charif, Mohamed, Imad14, and Otmene. Their praised qualities are consistent: patience, safe driving, flexibility, and attention to the group’s needs.

Communication about the daily timing may not always be perfectly clear. The plan can be adjusted for weather, traffic, road closures, and the pace of the group. Ask your driver early about breakfast, lunch, camel departure, the return time, and whether you will use the camel or 4×4 on day two.

You will share the minibus or mini-van with other people. The provided information does not state a group-size limit, so do not assume a private vehicle. Air conditioning is included, but the long drive can still feel hot and tiring, particularly in summer.

The tour is wheelchair accessible, though the camel ride itself may not suit every passenger. If you need a 4×4 transfer or specific assistance, arrange it in advance and speak clearly with the provider.

Who should choose this two-day desert tour?

This trip suits you if you have only two days available from Fez and want to see the Sahara without arranging several separate bookings. It also works well for first-time visitors who value a simple route, an overnight camp, and a driver who handles the long transport.

Families can benefit from the monkey stop, the 4×4 option, and the camp’s private bathrooms. The experience also suits couples and small groups who want sunset, dinner, music, and sunrise without a more demanding desert itinerary.

It is less suitable if you dislike long road journeys or want a slow desert stay. You will have limited time at the camp, and sandboarding is not listed as an included activity. If you want a relaxed pace, a three-day excursion is the better choice. That extra day would make the long distance easier to handle and leave more room for the desert itself.

Practical tips for making the trip easier

• Start with water and a snack because the early pickup may come before breakfast at your riad.
• Wear comfortable shoes for the dunes and camel ride.
• Ask for a front or middle seat if you are tall or prone to motion sickness.
• Pack a warm layer for the night, even during a warm season.
• Bring cash for both lunch stops and bottled water.
• Confirm the shower and hot-water arrangements if you are visiting in winter.
• Keep luggage manageable, even though luggage is allowed and moved to camp by 4×4.
• Ask the driver about the exact timing, since weather and road conditions can change the plan.
• Choose the 4×4 option if camel riding causes pain or is unsuitable for your health.

The activity has a 4.8 rating from 259 reviews, with especially strong praise for the drivers and the camp stay. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later, which is useful when your Fez plans are still shifting.

Should you book this Fez to Merzouga tour?

Book it if your priority is reaching the dunes quickly, sleeping in a comfortable camp, and fitting Morocco’s mountain, valley, and desert scenery into a short trip. The combination of a sunset camel ride, private tent bathroom, dinner, Berber music, and sunrise gives you the essential Merzouga experience for a reasonable price.

Skip it, or choose three days instead, if you want time to rest and explore. The two-day return to Fez is a lot of driving, and the desert portion can feel rushed. For a short holiday, this is a practical and memorable introduction to the Sahara. For a deeper stay, give Merzouga one extra night.

FAQ

What time does the tour leave Fez?

Pickup is scheduled for 7:30 a.m. from your hotel or riad in Fez.

How long is the drive from Fez to Merzouga?

The journey takes approximately seven hours with stops. Some sections of the full trip can take more than eight hours, depending on road conditions, traffic, and the stops made along the way.

Which places does the tour visit on the way to Merzouga?

The route includes Ifrane, the cedar forests with Barbary monkeys, Midelt, the Ziz Valley, and Erfoud before reaching Merzouga.

Is the camel ride included?

Yes. The tour includes a camel ride of about 45 minutes, including the sunset ride to the desert camp. A camel ride is also listed for sunrise.

Can I use a 4×4 instead of riding a camel?

Yes. If you have a health problem or cannot ride comfortably, you can use a 4×4 vehicle instead of the camel trekking.

What is included at the desert camp?

The package includes a luxury camp stay with a private bathroom and shower, one dinner, one breakfast, camel trekking, and local Berber music at the camp. Hot water may not always be available in winter.

Are lunch and water included?

No. Lunch is paid separately at the stops, including Midelt and the return journey. Water is also not included, but you can buy it during the stops.

What languages can the driver speak?

Drivers may speak English, French, Spanish, or Arabic. The professional driver is included with the air-conditioned minibus or mini-van transport.