Fes desert tours 2 days

Merzouga is a long way from Fez, but this two-day private tour gives you a quick route into Morocco’s Sahara. You pass Berber villages, cedar forest, mountain roads, the Ziz Valley, and Erfoud before reaching the dunes for a camel ride and tent-camp night.

I like the privacy of having your own vehicle and driver, and I like the range of scenery packed into one trip. Drivers such as Sadik and Fouad have been singled out for keeping the long road enjoyable. The main drawback is simple: this is a very long drive in only two days, so you should value reaching the desert more than having slow, unhurried sightseeing.

Key points at a glance

• A full change of scenery: Travel from Fez through the Middle Atlas Mountains, cedar forest, oasis country, and Sahara dunes.
• Private transport: Your group travels in an air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking driver, rather than joining a large coach.
• Sunrise by camel: Start the second day with a camel ride across the Erg Chebbi dunes and a sunrise view.
• A taste of Amazigh food: Lunch in Midelt gives you a chance to try traditional cuisine, though lunch and drinks are not included in the price.
• Dinner and tent camping: The tour includes dinner, breakfast, and an overnight in a desert camp.
• A demanding schedule: The road distance leaves limited time for long stops, and the return to Fez also takes much of the second day.

From Fez to Ifrane through the Middle Atlas

The day begins with an early pickup at your Fez hotel. That early start matters because Merzouga is far from Fez, and the tour tries to fit the journey, the desert camp, and the return drive into roughly two days.

You ride in a private, air-conditioned vehicle with bottled water and an English-speaking driver. This setup is especially useful for a route with so much road time. You can focus on the views, ask questions, and stop as arranged with your driver rather than follow the pace of a large group.

The first major stop is Ifrane, a mountain town known by the nickname Moroccan Switzerland. The name points to its cooler Middle Atlas setting and its different look from the dry country farther south. Ifrane is not the Sahara, but it helps show how quickly Morocco’s scenery changes once you leave Fez.

From Ifrane, the route continues toward Azrou. The cedar forest is one of the most appealing early stops, with tall cedar trees providing a sharp contrast to the open roads and rocky ground that come later. You get a chance to stretch your legs and take in the forest before returning to the vehicle.

I like this opening section because it gives the trip some variety before the desert. If you went straight from Fez to Merzouga, the ride would feel like a transfer. Ifrane and Azrou turn the first part into a sightseeing drive, though the stops remain brief compared with a slower, multi-day journey.

Midelt lunch and the move south

Midelt is the next key stop, and it marks a useful break in the drive. The tour includes time for lunch here, with an Amazigh meal offered as part of the stop. Lunch itself is not included in the tour price, so you should budget separately for food and drinks.

Midelt also helps you understand the route’s geography. You have moved through the Middle Atlas and are now heading toward the drier southern part of Morocco. The change is gradual, which makes the road trip worthwhile for anyone who enjoys seeing how mountains, villages, and open dry country connect.

This is not a tour built around long guided visits in each town. Instead, the towns act as points along a scenic route. Your driver is an important part of the experience, since the quality of the road day depends on clear communication, a comfortable vehicle, and a willingness to make the planned stops useful.

The private format works well here. You can take your lunch break without coordinating with a large busload of people, and your group has the vehicle to itself. The tour is also suitable for most people, and service animals are allowed. Still, the amount of driving means you should be comfortable spending long stretches seated.

Erfoud and the Ziz Valley scenery

After Midelt, the route continues toward Erfoud, a town associated with the southern approach to the desert. The road then takes you through the Ziz Valley, where the scenery shifts again to oasis views and wide desert country.

The Ziz Valley is one of the strongest parts of the drive because it offers a clear visual break from the Middle Atlas. You see palms and oasis scenery set against dry hills and open ground. It is the kind of view that makes the long road feel like part of the trip rather than a blank space between Fez and Merzouga.

I would keep your camera ready, but I would also avoid treating every stop as a formal attraction with a long visit. The supplied timing does not promise extended walks or detailed tours at each location. This is a moving panorama, with selected stops for views and sightseeing.

By the time you reach Merzouga, the scenery has changed completely. The highland forest and mountain roads are gone, replaced by the sand dunes of Erg Chebbi. Arriving here after the full route gives the desert a stronger impact than seeing dunes without the journey that leads to them.

Camel riding and the overnight desert camp

The desert portion is the reason most people book this trip. After reaching Merzouga, you ride a camel into the dunes and spend the night in a tent camp. Dinner is included, along with the overnight stay and breakfast the next morning.

The camel ride is not just transport. It gives you a slower way to cross the sand and experience the scale of the dunes. You should expect a simple, direct desert activity rather than a long list of add-on entertainment, since the main features provided are the camel ride, dinner, tent stay, and sunrise outing.

The private tour format applies to your vehicle and group, but the supplied information does not promise an entirely private camp or a set camp size. That distinction is worth keeping in mind if complete seclusion is important to you.

Dinner at camp is also your included evening meal, while lunch and drinks remain your responsibility. Bottled water is included in the vehicle, which is helpful during the long road sections, but you should still plan your personal spending around the meals that are not covered.

Sunrise across the Erg Chebbi dunes

The second day begins early, with a camel driver taking you out to see the sunrise. This is the best timed part of the experience. Desert light changes quickly, and an early ride gives you cooler air and a chance to see the dunes before the heat of the day builds.

After sunrise, you return to the auberge by camel, crossing the Erg Chebbi dunes again. Breakfast follows, and then you leave Merzouga for Fez with several stops along the way.

The sunrise ride is likely to be the most memorable moment of the tour, but it also requires an early start after a night in a tent. If you want a lazy morning, this schedule will not suit you. If you are willing to trade sleep for the desert at first light, the timing makes sense.

The tour description gives about six hours for the Merzouga Desert portion. The full journey back to Fez is still a major road day, so you should not expect to spend the entire second day in the dunes. The desert visit is the focus, but the return trip is part of the practical cost of choosing Fez as your starting and ending point.

What the private vehicle adds

The tour costs $234.75 per person. That price includes private transportation, an air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water, an English-speaking professional driver, pickup and drop-off, the camel ride, dinner, and breakfast.

The value depends heavily on your group size and priorities. For a small group, the private arrangement gives you a direct route, your own vehicle, and a driver who can keep the day moving. Group discounts are offered, which may make the price more attractive when several people book together.

You are not paying only for a camel ride. The price covers the difficult transport link between Fez and Merzouga, the overnight desert arrangement, and the return to Fez. That makes it a practical choice if your Morocco itinerary has no spare days for a longer Sahara trip.

On the other hand, the tour is not a bargain if you dislike long drives or want extended time in each destination. You are paying for access and efficiency, not for a leisurely exploration of the Middle Atlas, Midelt, Erfoud, and the desert towns.

The private format is one of the clearest benefits. Your group alone participates in the activity, and pickup and drop-off are provided. Mobile tickets make the booking easier to manage, while confirmation is received at the time of booking.

The drivers can shape the whole experience

A driver matters greatly on this route. You spend much of the trip on the road, so a friendly and engaging driver can make the difference between a tiring transfer and an enjoyable day of looking out the window.

Sadik drove one private group from Fez to Merzouga and was praised for keeping the passengers entertained along the way. Fouad also handled a trip for a group of seven American students, including the drive through Ifrane and the overnight Sahara experience.

Those names are useful when you book because they show the kind of staff connection you might receive, but they do not guarantee a particular driver. Your assigned professional English-speaking driver may be someone else.

I would use the drive as a chance to ask about the Berber villages, the route, and the changes in scenery. The tour is strongest when you treat the road as part of the Moroccan experience rather than merely waiting for the camel ride to begin.

Who should book this two-day route

I would recommend this tour to you if you have limited time in Morocco and want to combine Fez with a first Sahara experience. It works particularly well for small groups, couples, friends, and students who value a private vehicle and want the trip arranged from hotel pickup through desert drop-off.

It also suits people who want several types of scenery in a single trip. You get forest, mountain country, Amazigh villages, oasis views, dry southern roads, and sand dunes. That variety is a real strength.

You may want a longer tour instead if your main goal is a relaxed desert stay. Two days leaves little room for delays, extended town visits, or a second night in the dunes. The early departure and sunrise ride also make this a fairly active schedule.

Most people can participate, according to the supplied conditions, and service animals are allowed. The tour requires good weather. If weather causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund, and the local time cutoff applies.

Should you book the Fez desert tour?

Book it if your priority is reaching Merzouga from Fez in a short window, with private transport and the key desert activities already arranged. The camel ride, sunrise, dinner, and tent camp give you the essential Sahara experience, while Ifrane, Azrou, Midelt, Erfoud, and the Ziz Valley keep the road interesting.

Think twice if you need plenty of downtime or dislike long drives. This is an efficient Fez to Merzouga experience, not a slow tour of every stop along the way. At $234.75 per person, it offers solid value for a small group that wants transport, a desert night, meals, and a camel ride in one package, especially with a group discount.

FAQ

How long is the Fes desert tour?

The tour lasts approximately two days. It includes travel from Fez to Merzouga, an overnight desert stay, a sunrise camel ride, and the return journey to Fez.

Where does the tour start?

Pickup is offered from your hotel in Fez. Pickup and drop-off are included.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. This is a private activity, and only your group participates.

What type of vehicle is provided?

The tour provides an air-conditioned vehicle for private transportation.

Is an English-speaking driver included?

Yes. A professional English-speaking driver is included. Drivers named in the tour information include Sadik and Fouad, although a specific driver is not guaranteed.

Does the tour include a camel ride?

Yes. A camel ride in the Merzouga Desert is included, including a sunrise outing on the second day.

Are meals included?

Dinner and breakfast are included. Lunches and drinks are not included.

Is bottled water provided?

Yes. Bottled water is included.

Which places are visited on the way from Fez to Merzouga?

The route includes Ifrane, Azrou and its cedar forest, Midelt, Erfoud, and the Ziz Valley. It also passes through Berber villages and the Middle Atlas Mountains.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.