From Fes: 2 Day Round Trip Via Merzouga Desert & Camel Trek

The big draw here is simple: in just two days, you go from Fes’s old city to the orange dunes of Erg Chebbi. The route adds cedar forests, mountain villages, the Ziz Valley, a camel ride at sunset, dinner under the stars, and a sunrise walk near the Algerian border.

I like the wide mix of scenery and the fact that breakfast, dinner, a shower, camp lodging, camel rides, and sandboarding are included. I also like the easygoing setup: Ali and Hassan Amiri are among the guides named in recent booking feedback, and the team can arrange a 4X4 transfer if camel riding is not suitable for you.

The main drawback is the pace. Fes to Merzouga and back is a lot of road in two days, with only one night in the desert. You get a vivid taste of southern Morocco, but not much time for slow exploration.

Key details before you book

• A 45-minute camel ride reaches the Merzouga camp at sunset, followed by dinner and a night in a standard desert tent.
• The Middle Atlas stops break up the long drive, including Ifrane, a cedar forest with Barbary monkeys, Midelt, Ziz Valley, and Erfoud.
• Sunrise requires an early start, with a walk across the dunes to a viewpoint roughly 50 kilometers from Merzouga, near the Algerian border.
• The tour accepts private bookings and small groups of up to 17 people, so the feel can vary from personal to fairly social.
• Sandboarding, breakfast, dinner, a shower, and camel rides are included, while lunches, drinks, and personal expenses are not.
• English, French, and Spanish support is available, with hotel or riad pickup arranged where the vehicle can reach the accommodation.

Fes to Ifrane: the first change of scenery

Pickup is scheduled for about 7:30 a.m. from your hotel or riad, or from the nearest accessible meeting point if the vehicle cannot enter the lane. That early start matters because the route covers a great deal of Morocco in a short time.

The first notable stop is Ifrane, a mountain town with an alpine feel and ski slopes. It may surprise you after the heat and ochre tones often associated with Morocco. Ifrane gives the morning a cool, high-country opening and shows how varied the country can be within a few hours of Fes.

Ifrane is a brief sightseeing stop rather than a full town visit. You should think of it as a chance to stretch your legs, take in the different architecture and climate, and continue toward the Middle Atlas. If you want long café stops or detailed town tours, this itinerary will feel too brisk.

Cedar forest and Barbary monkeys

The road then reaches the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas. This is one of the most appealing parts of the drive because it replaces open mountain views with tall trees and cooler air. The resident Barbary monkeys are the main attraction.

You may see them near the road and have the chance to feed them. Keep your phone and snacks secure, and follow the driver’s guidance around the animals. The stop adds a bit of wildlife to a trip otherwise built around roads, dunes, and camels.

I especially like this pause because it gives the journey texture. You are not simply racing from Fes to the Sahara. You are moving through several different parts of Morocco, each with its own climate and feel.

Still, expectations should stay realistic. This is a roadside nature stop, not a long forest walk or a wildlife safari. The amount of time you spend there depends on the group and the day’s schedule.

Midelt lunch and the long road south

Midelt is the planned lunch stop. Lunch is not included, so you will need to pay separately for your meal and drinks. This is one of the practical costs to remember when comparing the $108 price.

The stop also breaks up the long drive at a useful point. You can eat, use the facilities, and prepare for the next stretch toward the desert. The route after Midelt takes you through changing mountain and valley scenery before reaching the Ziz Valley.

The experience is best for you if you accept that transportation is a large part of the trip. There are several scenic stops, but you will still spend substantial time in an air-conditioned vehicle. A private tour may give you more control over pauses, while a group of up to 17 people will usually mean sticking more closely to the planned schedule.

Your driver is described as professional and able to speak English, French, and other languages, with Spanish also available. That language range is useful on a route where the driver is not only behind the wheel, but also helps explain stops and manage the day.

Ziz Valley and Erfoud before Merzouga

After Midelt, the route continues through the Ziz Valley. The valley provides a sharp change from the cedar forest and mountain roads, with greener areas appearing along the route. It is a good reminder that the approach to the Sahara is not simply a sudden change from city to sand.

Erfoud is the final listed stop before Merzouga. It serves as the last major pause before the dunes, giving you time to stretch and take in the transition toward the desert.

These stops are scenic rather than deeply guided cultural visits. You should not expect a long village walk, museum visit, or extended time with local families. The value is in seeing the route itself and breaking the journey into manageable sections.

Sunset by camel at Erg Chebbi

When you reach Merzouga, you transfer to the hotel to store your luggage. The camels then wait for the roughly 45-minute ride toward the desert camp.

This is the classic Erg Chebbi moment: you cross sandy ground on camelback as the light softens, with the dunes providing the setting. The ride is short enough to be approachable for many people, but long enough to feel like a real part of the trip rather than a quick photo stop.

Camel riding can be awkward at first. The animal’s movement is slow and rolling, and getting on and off requires care. Wear comfortable clothing and closed, comfortable shoes. A sun hat and sunscreen are sensible even when the afternoon begins to cool.

If you do not want to ride, or if your body cannot manage it, the operator says you can reach the campsite by 4X4 instead. That makes the desert overnight more accessible without forcing you onto a camel.

The camp is described as a standard desert camp, not a luxury stay. Dinner is included, along with a shower, and the evening includes food and entertainment under the stars. Standards can vary in a desert camp, so pack with practicality in mind rather than expecting hotel-style comfort.

Sandboarding is also included. You can try it on the dunes during the camp stay, though the activity depends on conditions and how much time the group has. It is a welcome extra because it gives you something active to do beyond the camel ride and photographs.

Sunrise and the return through southern Morocco

Day two begins early. You walk across the dunes to watch the sunrise from a location described as roughly 50 kilometers from Merzouga and just behind the Algerian border. The exact viewing point and timing can depend on the day’s arrangements, but the key point is that sunrise is part of the program, not an optional extra.

Bring warm layers even if the afternoon will be hot. Desert mornings can feel very different from the daytime, and comfortable shoes make the walk across sand easier.

After sunrise, you return for breakfast before starting the journey back toward Fes. The route includes the dramatic Ziz Valley again, a lunch break, and the return through the Middle Atlas and Ifrane.

This second day is the trip’s hardest part. You have already had an early morning, and the return drive covers the same broad distance in reverse. If you have only two days available, this is an efficient way to reach Merzouga. If you have more time in Morocco, spending an extra night in the desert or breaking the return route would make the experience less tiring.

Drop-off is arranged at your Fes hotel or riad when possible, or at the nearest accessible point for the vehicle. That is helpful in the old city, where narrow lanes may prevent a large vehicle from reaching your door.

What the $108 price really covers

At $108 per person, the tour packs a lot into a short trip. The included items are:

• Air-conditioned transportation
• A professional driver
• English, French, and Spanish language support
• One night in a standard desert camp
• Dinner and breakfast
• A shower at the Merzouga accommodation
• Camel rides at sunset and sunrise
• Sandboarding

Lunches, drinks, and personal items are extra. You should also bring money for those meals and any other purchases along the way.

The value is strongest if you want the transport and desert logistics handled for you. Reaching Merzouga independently from Fes requires planning, long-distance transport, and separate arrangements for camels and camping. Here, the main pieces are bundled into one booking.

The price is less attractive if you want a slow, private road trip with long stops. A group can have up to 17 people, and that size may affect how long you spend at each viewpoint or how easily the vehicle leaves and stops. Ask about group size if having a quieter ride matters to you, or choose a private option if the budget allows.

The private and small-group choices are important because this is not the same experience for every booking. A private vehicle can make the long drive feel more personal and may offer more flexibility. A shared group can lower the cost and add company, but you give up some control over the rhythm of the trip.

Comfort, clothing, and physical demands

The tour is described as easygoing and suitable for all ages. That does not mean it is effortless. The camel ride, dune walk, early sunrise, and long vehicle sections all require a basic level of comfort with changing conditions.

Pack:

• Comfortable shoes
• A sun hat
• Sunscreen
• Comfortable clothing
• A second hat or warm layer for the early morning

The supplied packing advice lists both a sun hat and a hat, so bring head coverage that works for heat and another layer if you tend to feel cold before sunrise. Your luggage is stored at the hotel before the camel transfer, so keep anything you need for the camp and morning walk in a small day bag.

The 4X4 option is a useful safety net for anyone who cannot ride a camel. You still get the desert camp, dinner, sunrise, and sandboarding, although the camel ride itself would not be part of your experience.

The strongest part of the experience

The most praised qualities are the organization, the helpful attitude of the guides, and the sense of adventure. Ali is repeatedly described as kind and ready to help, while Hassan Amiri is named as a friendly guide. That matters on a two-day route because clear coordination makes every transfer and stop easier.

The atmosphere also gets strong marks. Dinner, entertainment, desert dunes, and the sunrise create the emotional high points of the trip. The route feels like a real change of place, not just a nearby excursion from Fes.

One booking note also calls the party and company excellent, while another describes the trip as a unique experience worth repeating. That fits the tour’s appeal: you get a quick, social introduction to the desert rather than a quiet, slow retreat.

You should treat the camping as part of the adventure. The standard camp offers the essentials, but the main reward is being out among the dunes at sunset and sunrise. If you care more about private bathrooms, polished rooms, and a long night’s sleep, you may want a higher-end desert package.

Who should book this Fes desert trip?

I would recommend it most strongly to you if:

• You have only two days available
• You want to see the Sahara without arranging transport yourself
• You like a full sightseeing schedule
• You enjoy a social group atmosphere
• You want camel riding, sandboarding, and a desert camp in one package
• You are comfortable with a long drive and an early start

It suits first-time visitors who want a broad sample of Morocco beyond Fes. The cedar forest, mountain towns, valley roads, and dunes give you more variety than a direct city-to-desert transfer.

It is less suitable if you want several hours in each place, a relaxed pace, or a serious desert trek. It is also not the best fit if you dislike group timing or find long road journeys tiring.

Final call: a fast route to a real desert night

Book this tour if the main goal is to reach Erg Chebbi quickly, sleep in a desert camp, ride a camel at sunset, and see the dunes at sunrise. The $108 price is solid for the transport, lodging, meals, camel rides, shower, and sandboarding included.

Before booking, confirm whether your departure will be private or shared, and plan for extra money for two lunches and drinks. Bring sensible shoes, sun protection, and a small overnight bag.

I would choose the private option for couples, families, or anyone who wants more control over the long drive. I would choose the group option if you value lower cost and meeting other people. Either way, this is a compact introduction to Morocco’s southern desert, with impressive variety and a demanding schedule.

FAQ

How long is the Fes to Merzouga desert tour?

The tour lasts two days and includes travel from Fes to Merzouga, one night in a desert camp, and the return journey to Fes.

What time does pickup take place in Fes?

Pickup is scheduled for about 7:30 a.m. from your hotel or riad, or from the nearest accessible point if the vehicle cannot reach your accommodation.

Is the camel ride included?

Yes. Camel rides at sunset and sunrise are included. The sunset camel transfer to the camp lasts about 45 minutes.

Can I skip the camel ride?

Yes. If you cannot ride the camels, you can be transported to the campsite by 4X4.

What meals are included?

Dinner and breakfast are included. Lunches and drinks are not included and must be paid for separately.

Is sandboarding included?

Yes. Sandboarding is included as part of the desert camp experience.

What languages are available on the tour?

Live guide support is available in English, French, and Spanish.