3 Days Desert Trip From Fes Back To Fes

The best part of this three-day desert route is the change of scenery. You leave Fes in the morning, pass through cedar forests and mountain towns, then reach the wide Sahara dunes near Merzouga. Along the way, you see macaque monkeys in Azrou, the Ziz Valley, Berber villages, and a desert sky far from city lights.

I like the chance to combine several Moroccan settings in one trip, and I like that camel trekking, two nights of lodging, dinners, breakfasts, and transport are included. Guide Mohammed is singled out for his patience, care, and ability to answer questions. The main drawback is the amount of time in the vehicle. The journey back to Fes takes about eight hours, and the first day is also a long road day.

Key points to know before booking

• A full cross-country route: You travel from Fes through Ifrane, Azrou, Midelt, the Ziz Valley, and Merzouga before returning the same way.
• Macaques in Azrou: The cedar forest stop offers a chance to see Barbary macaques, which are actually macaque monkeys, in their natural setting.
• Two different desert nights: Your first Merzouga night is in a traditional Kasbah, followed by a Berber desert camp after the camel ride.
• Late-afternoon camel trek: The trek begins as the heat drops, giving you a better chance to see the dunes in softer light.
• A small maximum group: The air-conditioned minivan can carry up to 17 people, so ask about the expected group size when booking.
• Good value for a long route: At $197.73 per person, the package covers transport, accommodation, camel riding, two dinners, and two breakfasts, but not lunches or drinks.

From Fes to the cedar forests of Ifrane and Azrou

Your pickup is scheduled for about 7:30 am at Fontaine Batha in Fes, with pickup offered from your hotel or riad. Settle into the air-conditioned minivan early, because the first day covers a lot of ground.

Ifrane is the first notable stop. The town was developed by the French in the 1930s and is often called Morocco’s Switzerland. That nickname points to its cooler mountain setting and European-style appearance, rather than to any close resemblance to Switzerland. You get roughly 40 minutes in this area, so expect a short scenic pause rather than a long town tour.

The route then reaches the cedar forests around Azrou. Azrou means The Rock in the local Berber language, and the area is known for its macaque monkeys. They are often called Barbary apes, but macaque is the correct term. Seeing them in the forest can be one of the more memorable moments of the morning.

Keep your expectations sensible. This is not a wildlife safari with a long observation period. The stop is brief, and the monkeys may or may not come close. Still, the forest gives the morning more character than a simple highway drive. You are moving through wooded mountain country, with streams, springs, winding roads, and exposed rock walls along the route.

If you are prone to motion sickness, sit near the front of the minivan and bring whatever usually helps you. The mountain roads are part of the scenery, but they also make this a demanding start to the trip.

Midelt lunch and the route toward the Sahara

After the Middle Atlas, the minivan stops in Midelt for about an hour. The town is known as the City of Apples and sits where the Middle Atlas meets the High Atlas. Lunch is not included, so plan to pay separately for your meal and drinks.

This stop matters for two reasons. First, it breaks up a long morning on the road. Second, it gives you a chance to eat before the more remote part of the journey. Since lunch and drinks are excluded throughout the trip, keep money available and do not assume every meal is covered by the package.

From Midelt, the scenery becomes drier and more open. The route continues past Berber communities and toward the Ziz Valley, a major oasis shaped by the Ziz River. The valley view lasts only about 15 minutes, but it is an excellent place to understand how water changes this part of Morocco.

From above, you can see palms gathered along the river corridor, with bare mountains around them. That contrast is the point: green growth in a dry region, supported by a river that has made settlement possible. It is a quick photo stop, so have your camera ready before the vehicle pulls in.

The first day involves a lot of sitting. You will have several scenic stops, but this is primarily a transfer from Fes to Merzouga, not a slow-paced mountain tour. I would choose it if reaching the Sahara is a priority. If you want long walks in every town, this schedule will feel rushed.

Merzouga, dinner, and your first desert night

Arrival in Merzouga is planned for the afternoon. The stop includes a panoramic view of an oasis before you settle in for the evening. Your first night is in a traditional Kasbah, with dinner and Saharan music included.

The Kasbah night gives you a useful transition between the road and the dunes. You are not going straight from a city hotel into a remote camp. Instead, you have a place to eat, sleep, and get ready for the main desert experience the next day.

The included dinner is one of two dinners covered in the price. Breakfast is also provided on both mornings. Drinks are not included, and lunches are not included, so the package is not fully all-inclusive. That is a small but important budget detail.

The schedule allows you to choose how to use your time in Merzouga. You might visit historical towns and palm groves around the Tafilalt Oasis, including Rissani, listen to Gnawa music in Khamlia village, or simply rest near the desert tents. The precise activity choice is flexible rather than fixed.

That flexibility is useful after the first long road day. You may want more culture and music, or you may prefer a quiet afternoon before the camel ride. Ask your driver or guide what is practical on the day, since the available time and route can affect your choice.

A free Merzouga morning before the camel trek

The second day starts with breakfast, but you can choose to rise early for sunrise over the dunes. The sunrise is also offered on the third morning, so you have two chances to see the desert at first light.

Do not treat this as a guaranteed sleep-in day. The description allows time to explore at your own pace, but the main event is scheduled for late afternoon. You need to be ready for the camel trek once the heat begins to drop.

The options around Merzouga give the trip more depth than a quick ride to a camp. Rissani connects the desert to the wider Tafilalt Oasis area, while Khamlia is associated with Gnawa music. You can also visit palm groves or stay near the tents. The experience is strongest when you use this free time according to your energy level.

If you are already tired from the drive, resting is a sensible choice. A desert trip does not improve when you force every possible stop into one day. The schedule provides room to slow down before the evening ride.

Camel trekking at sunset and the Berber camp

The camel trek begins in the late afternoon, when the temperature is lower and the light over the dunes is softer. You ride toward a Berber campsite in the sand dunes, away from roads and ordinary town noise.

This is the moment many people picture when they book a Morocco desert trip. The camel ride gives you a gradual approach to the camp rather than a direct vehicle transfer. You see the dunes at a walking pace and have time to notice how quickly the colors change as the sun lowers.

Camel riding can be uncomfortable if you are not used to it, especially over a longer period. Wear practical clothing and follow the guide’s instructions for mounting and dismounting. The supplied details do not state the exact ride length, so ask before departure if that affects your planning.

At the camp, your hosts prepare a traditional desert meal, including Madfona, a local dish highlighted as part of the evening. Dinner is included, along with Berber hospitality and cultural insight. The evening also gives you time to enjoy the setting rather than simply checking off a camel ride.

Your second night is spent at the desert camp. Accommodation details beyond the camp setting are not specified, so you should confirm the arrangement if bedding or facilities are especially important to you. The next morning includes time to wash, collect your belongings, and prepare for the return drive.

Sunrise, breakfast, and the long road back to Fes

The third morning begins early if you want to see sunrise over the dunes. The pre-dawn start is worth considering because the desert is at its quietest then, and the changing light gives the sand a completely different look from the previous afternoon.

After sunrise, you return to camp for breakfast and a refreshing bath before gathering your luggage. The return to Fes takes about eight hours, so do not expect a full sightseeing day on the way back. The point of this final day is transport, with the driver getting you back to the original meeting point.

This is the trip’s clearest weakness. You spend much of three days in transit, and the return drive follows the same broad route. Still, the long distance is also why the price is reasonable. A shorter desert outing from Fes would not provide the same time in Merzouga and the overnight camp experience.

I would keep the third day free of other plans. Delays, rest stops, and road conditions can affect the arrival time, and the listed duration is approximate.

What the $197.73 price really covers

At $197.73 per person, the package offers solid value if you want transport and basic desert arrangements handled in one booking. The price includes an air-conditioned minivan with a professional driver, two nights of accommodation, a camel ride, a sunset view, two dinners, and two breakfasts.

The inclusions are strongest for the desert portion. You get the Kasbah night, the camel transfer to camp, the camp night, evening meals, and breakfast. Organizing those pieces separately could take more time, especially if you are not familiar with the Merzouga area.

Budget separately for two types of costs:

• Lunch on the first and return days, plus any other lunches during the route
• Drinks, which are not included

The maximum group size is 17 people. That is not a private tour, and the feel can vary depending on how many people actually book your departure. A group of 17 means less control over stop lengths and more people sharing the vehicle, while a smaller group may feel easier and more personal.

The tour is booked, on average, 46 days ahead. That is a useful planning signal. If your Fes schedule is fixed, reserve early rather than assuming a last-minute place will be available.

Who will enjoy this route most

I would recommend this trip to you if you want to reach the Sahara from Fes without arranging several separate transfers. It suits people who value scenery, a desert overnight, a camel ride, and a mix of short cultural stops.

It also works well for friends or families who want the main Moroccan desert experience in a compact schedule. One account describes a group of eight having a very good time with Mohammed, who took care of the group and answered questions patiently. That suggests the guide relationship can make a real difference during the long driving days.

You should think twice if you dislike long road journeys, want deep exploration of each town, or need a private vehicle. The schedule includes short stops in Ifrane, Azrou, and the Ziz Valley, not extended visits with plenty of free time.

The route is listed as suitable for most people, and it is near public transportation at the meeting point. But the camel ride, uneven desert ground, early sunrise, and long vehicle days still require ordinary travel stamina. Ask about the expected group size and camp setup before paying if those details matter to you.

Should you book the Fes to Fes desert trip?

Book it if your priority is a straightforward Sahara experience with the major pieces already arranged. You will see the Middle Atlas, macaques in the cedar forest, Midelt, the Ziz Valley, Merzouga, a Kasbah, a camel trek, a desert camp, and two sunrises in just three days.

Skip it if you want a relaxed pace. The route is ambitious, and the final eight-hour drive can be tiring. At this price, the tradeoff is clear: you save money and planning time, but you give up space, flexibility, and long stays in each place.

For most first-time visitors with limited time in Morocco, I find the balance worthwhile. Confirm pickup from your accommodation, ask who will guide your group, and budget for lunches and drinks. If Mohammed is leading the trip, his patient approach could be especially helpful for a group with many questions.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Fontaine Batha, also written as نافورة البطحاء, in Fes. Pickup is offered, and the scheduled start time is 7:30 am.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in Fes.

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts approximately three days.

What accommodation is included?

Two nights of accommodation are included. The first night is described as a traditional Kasbah in Merzouga, and the second night is at a Berber desert campsite.

Is a camel ride included?

Yes. A camel ride to the Berber campsite in the dunes is included.

Are meals included?

Two dinners and two breakfasts are included. Lunches and drinks are not included.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Transportation is provided in an air-conditioned minivan with a professional driver.

How large can the group be?

The tour has a maximum of 17 participants.

Can I see a sunrise over the dunes?

Yes. You can rise early to see the sunrise in Merzouga and again before leaving the desert camp on the third morning.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted and are not refunded.