From Fes: 2-Day Merzouga Desert Trip(Luxury Tent & Dinner)

The best part of this trip is the sharp change in scenery: one morning you are leaving Fes through the Middle Atlas, and by evening you are crossing golden dunes by camel toward a desert camp. The sunset ride into Erg Chebbi gives you the classic Sahara moment without needing to arrange several separate trips.

I like the route through Ifrane and the cedar forest, and I like that the camp gives you a private bathroom rather than a basic shared tent. The main drawback is the long road journey in only two days. Some showers have been cold, and the busy activity schedule can leave little time for quiet desert stillness.

Key points to know before booking

• A full Atlas-to-Sahara route: Visit Ifrane, the cedar forest, Midelt, the Ziz Valley, Erfoud, Rissani, and Merzouga in two days.
• Camel ride at sunset: Cross the dunes by camel, try sandboarding, and reach camp beside a fire.
• Private luxury tent: Your tent includes a private bathroom and toilet, with newer beds and USB points reported in some tents.
• Drivers matter: Tarek and Pedro have been praised for careful driving, helpful stops, and making the long road easier.
• Meals are limited but included: Dinner and breakfast are provided at camp. You pay separately for lunch and mineral water.
• Flexible booking: You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund and reserve without paying at once.

The real tradeoff: two days, one very long road

This tour packs Morocco’s Middle Atlas and Sahara into a quick round trip from Fes. That makes the price of $112 per person appealing, especially since transport, a driver, camel trekking, dinner, breakfast, and a private tent are included.

You should also understand what that low price means. The journey covers a great deal of ground in a short time. You will spend many hours in the vehicle on both days, with sightseeing stops breaking up the drive. I see this as a fast introduction to the desert, not a slow desert retreat.

The vehicle is air-conditioned, and one account describes it as spacious and comfortable. The driver is an important part of the experience. Drivers named Tarek and Pedro have been especially praised for safe driving, useful information, and attention to passengers. Tarek even handled snowy mountain conditions carefully, which matters on a route crossing the Atlas in winter.

Day one begins with Ifrane’s unusual Morocco

Pickup is arranged from your Fes hotel or riad. The operator contacts you by WhatsApp or email to confirm the meeting point and pickup time, so keep an eye on your phone before departure.

Your first major stop is Ifrane, a mountain town known as a Moroccan ski resort. It feels very different from the old streets of Fes, with cooler mountain air and a more European-looking setting. The stop is brief, but it helps you see how quickly Morocco changes once you leave the imperial city.

Ifrane is not the reason to book a Sahara trip, but it is a useful opening scene. You are still in the Middle Atlas, far from the dunes, and the contrast makes the later arrival in Merzouga more striking.

Cedar forest monkeys and the road to Midelt

The route continues into a cedar forest, where Barbary monkeys live. You can meet and feed them during the stop. This is a fun break after the first stretch of driving, and it gives families a simple wildlife encounter without adding another full attraction to the day.

Use a little restraint with the feeding. The monkeys are the point of the stop, but the forest itself is worth noticing. Take a few minutes to look around instead of treating it only as a photo stop.

Midelt follows, with time to stop for lunch. Lunch is not included, so plan to buy your own meal here or at another chosen stop. The exact restaurant is not specified, but the route allows for toilet and food breaks, which makes the long first day more manageable.

I would carry some snacks and water from Fes. Mineral water is also not included, and buying drinks along the way can add up. This is a small point, but it makes a difference on a long road day.

The Ziz Valley gives the route its big views

After Midelt, the road passes through the Ziz Valley. This is one of the most scenic parts of the drive, with a strong contrast between the valley’s greener areas and the dry mountain country around it.

The route is not just a transfer from Fes to the desert. Stops in the valley and around the Atlas help you understand the geography of southeastern Morocco. You see how settlement and vegetation gather around water before the road moves toward harsher, drier ground.

The word valley matters here. You are not looking at endless dunes yet. The Sahara section comes later, and the changing terrain is part of the appeal. If you enjoy watching Morocco shift outside the vehicle window, this route gives you plenty to study.

Erfoud is the last stop before Merzouga

The town of Erfoud provides another break before the final approach to Merzouga. It is a practical stopping point and a useful marker: from here, the trip begins to feel like a desert journey rather than an Atlas crossing.

By the time you reach Merzouga, the camel ride is waiting. The operator’s plan is to use camels to cross the dunes toward the camp, though a 4×4 transfer is also part of the arrangement for some sections or for the return.

Sunset by camel, with sandboarding on the side

The camel ride is the signature part of the trip. You climb aboard near Merzouga and cross the dunes as the light changes. The timing is intended to bring you toward camp around sunset, so you can watch the sand turn warmer in color before darkness arrives.

Expect the ride to be memorable, but not necessarily luxurious. A camel saddle can feel awkward, especially if you have never ridden before. The ride is an important part of the route rather than a long expedition, and you should follow the guide’s instructions when mounting, dismounting, and moving over the dunes.

Sandboarding is also offered. It is a playful extra and a good way to use the dunes beyond taking photographs. The activity can make the arrival feel more like an adventure park than a silent desert crossing, though that is exactly what some families and teenagers want.

You may also encounter other desert activities around camp, including quad bikes. If you want a calm evening, ask about the schedule and find a quiet spot away from the main activity area. The desert can be wonderfully still, but organized camps can also be lively.

What the private luxury tent really offers

The camp provides a private luxury tent with a bathroom and toilet. That is a major advantage over a basic desert camp, particularly after a full day on the road and camel trail.

The tent itself is more comfortable than the word camping may suggest. One recent stay described a new tent, tiled flooring, new beds, and a USB point for each person. These details may vary by tent, but they show the level of comfort you can encounter.

The weak point is hot water. A cold shower was specifically reported, so do not book this expecting dependable hotel-style plumbing. Bring toiletries and a small towel, and treat the shower as a useful bonus rather than a guarantee of a long hot wash.

Nights can also be cold in winter. One January stay found the bed warm despite the low temperatures, but you should still pack layers. The private tent makes the evening easier, yet it does not change the desert climate.

Dinner, fire, and Berber music

Dinner and breakfast are included at the camp. The evening meal has been described as basic, with chicken and fruit mentioned as part of one meal. You should expect a filling camp dinner rather than a full restaurant menu.

After dinner, the group gathers around the fire pit for live traditional music and a Berber show. This is one of the most social parts of the night. You can listen, join the atmosphere, and look up at the stars when the fire quiets down.

The music and fire give the overnight stay a sense of place. At the same time, a shared camp program is not private or silent. If you are seeking solitude, the timing may feel too organized. If you are visiting the Sahara for your first desert night, the music provides a welcoming introduction.

I especially like that the evening is not limited to sleeping in a tent. The fire, music, and open dunes give the overnight stop a cultural and visual focus. Just keep your expectations sensible: this is a short camp stay, not a remote wilderness retreat.

Sunrise, breakfast, and the return to Fes

Day two starts early for sunrise over Erg Chebbi. This is worth the early alarm. The dunes look very different in the first light, and the quiet before breakfast is likely to be one of the calmest moments of the trip.

After sunrise, you have breakfast at camp and time to shower. You then leave by camel or by 4×4 transfer to meet your driver and begin the return journey to Fes.

The return route includes Rissani, where you visit Zawiya Moulay Ali Ash-Sharif. This religious site adds cultural interest to a day that could otherwise feel like nothing more than a long drive back. The schedule also includes the Ziz Valley again and Dam Hassan Adakhal, followed by a lunch break.

As on day one, lunch is not included. Keep money available for food and drinks, and do not assume mineral water will be supplied. The tour ends with drop-off at your Fes hotel or riad.

You should be prepared for another long day in the vehicle. The return to Fes is part of the bargain for seeing Merzouga from the city in only two days. If you dislike long drives, a longer desert itinerary with a night closer to the dunes would be easier on your body.

How much value do you get for $112?

At $112 per person, this tour offers strong value for a two-day desert trip. You receive hotel pickup and drop-off, air-conditioned transport, a professional driver, camel trekking, a private tent with its own bathroom, dinner, breakfast, a campfire, and live music.

The extras you pay for are clear: personal items, lunch on both days, local guiding, and mineral water. That makes the cost easy to estimate. You will not have to pay separately for the camel ride or camp dinner, but you should budget for two lunches and drinks.

The price is most attractive if you want one compact package and do not need a private guide for every stop. A local guide is not included, so the driver handles the road and general tour support rather than providing a dedicated guide at each sight.

For families, the value improves because the trip combines wildlife, mountain scenery, camels, sandboarding, music, and a distinctive overnight stay. A family of four found the tent, camel ride, camp evening, and 4×4 dune driving especially enjoyable, including for teenagers.

Who will enjoy this trip most?

I would recommend it to first-time visitors who want to add the Sahara to a Fes stay without giving up several days. It suits families, couples, and active visitors who enjoy a packed schedule and do not mind long road transfers.

It is also a good match if you care about comfort at camp. The private toilet and bathroom are meaningful upgrades, especially for anyone who does not want a basic shared campsite.

You may want a different plan if your main goal is silence, slow travel, or extended time among the dunes. The camel ride, sandboarding, fire, music, and possible 4×4 activity keep the mood lively. The schedule leaves less room to sit alone and watch the desert.

Winter travelers should prepare for cold mountain roads and chilly desert nights. Summer travelers should be ready for heat, though no specific temperature guidance is provided here. In every season, carry water, sun protection, and comfortable clothing for camel riding.

Booking details worth keeping in mind

The operator, El ouarti voyagistes & tourisme, confirms pickup details by WhatsApp or email. Make sure the company has the correct name of your Fes hotel or riad and a working phone number.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Fes schedule is still changing.

The overall rating is 4.8 from 32 ratings, with especially strong praise for the drivers, vehicle comfort, camel ride, and camp tent. The two practical cautions are equally clear: hot water may not work, and the two-day schedule involves a lot of driving.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want the Sahara experience in a tight two-day package and value a private tent, included camel ride, and simple camp dinner over a slow, quiet desert stay. At $112, it covers the costly basics well.

I would choose it for a first visit from Fes, especially with a family or limited time. I would skip it only if long road days, an uncertain shower, or a busy camp atmosphere would spoil the trip for you. If you go, bring water, pack layers, keep lunch money ready, and ask your driver about the camel and 4×4 timing so you can protect a little quiet time in the dunes.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts two days and begins and ends in Fes.

What places do you visit on the way from Fes to Merzouga?

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

Is camel trekking included?

Yes. Camel trekking is included, and the ride takes you across the dunes toward the desert camp. A 4×4 transfer is also available for some transfers.

Does the camp have a private bathroom?

Yes. The included accommodation is a private luxury tent with a private bathroom and toilet.

Are meals included?

Breakfast and dinner at the Merzouga camp are included. Lunch on both days, personal items, and mineral water are not included.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The activity also allows you to reserve now and pay later.