GROUP TOUR – 1 night 2 Day LUXURY Desert TRIP from FES to FES

The best part of this Fez to Sahara tour is simple: you get a real desert night without arranging several trains, taxis, hotels, and transfers yourself. You cross the Middle Atlas, stop in Ifrane and Midelt, reach Merzouga, then trade the road vehicle for a 4WD and camel ride into the dunes.

I like the small-group limit of 15 and the fact that the price includes dinner, breakfast, transport, camping, and the camel ride. I also like the human touch reported by guests who traveled with guides such as Hamza, Hussein, Mehdi, and Ibrahim. The main drawback is the distance: this is a very long road journey, with only one night in the desert.

Key points at a glance

• 590 kilometers of road each way: The desert is far from Fez, so expect long travel days rather than a leisurely two-day outing.
• Middle Atlas photo stops: Ifrane, cedar woods, Midelt, the Ziz Canyon, and Erfoud break up the drive.
• Sunset camel ride included: You leave your luggage at the camp, take a camel into the dunes, and watch the light change.
• Luxury safari-style tent: Your private tent includes a more comfortable desert stay than basic camping.
• Small group, capped at 15: A group of eight or fewer is possible, though not guaranteed.
• Lunch is extra: Three meals are promoted in the highlights, but the detailed inclusions list breakfast and dinner only, so budget separately for lunch.

Why the Fez to Merzouga route is worth the effort

Fez and the Erg Chebbi dunes near Merzouga are not close neighbors. The route covers about 590 kilometers each way, according to the practical details shared about the drive. That means this tour is best understood as a fast desert sampler, not a slow Moroccan road trip.

You leave Fez at 8:00 a.m. from your accommodation. The vehicle is air-conditioned, and reports also describe Wi-Fi in at least some vehicles. You have private transportation, but the experience itself is a group tour, with up to 15 people sharing the journey.

I like this setup for first-time visitors who want to see the Sahara but do not want to hire a car or negotiate every transfer. You can look out the window, ask questions, and let the driver handle the route. The tradeoff is clear: much of Day 1 and Day 2 is spent seated in the vehicle.

Several guides have received especially warm praise for safe driving, patience, and a friendly manner. Hamza is frequently singled out for making the road time pleasant. Hussein is described as calm, careful, informative, and even willing to sing with the group. Mehdi and Ibrahim are also named positively. Your assigned driver may be different, but these details give you a useful picture of the service style to expect.

Ifrane and the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas

The first major change comes as you climb into the Middle Atlas. The route passes through cedar woods and mountain country before reaching Ifrane, a high-altitude town at about 1,650 meters.

Ifrane is often called Little Switzerland because of its cooler climate, sloped-roof homes, orderly appearance, and winter sports reputation. The stop here is short, about 15 minutes, so think photo opportunity rather than a full town visit. You will have time to stretch your legs and take pictures, but not to explore the place in depth.

The cedar forests make this opening section valuable. Within a few hours, you move from Fez’s urban setting into cooler mountain air and wooded scenery. That sharp change helps the drive feel like a journey through several parts of Morocco rather than one long highway transfer.

Bring a jacket for this section if you are traveling during a cooler season. The desert may be warm later, but the Middle Atlas can feel quite different.

Midelt lunch and a useful break in the drive

Midelt is the main midday pause. The stop lasts about an hour and includes the chance to eat a Berber lunch and take photographs.

Lunch is not included in the detailed list of tour inclusions, so carry cash or confirm the meal arrangement before departure. This is one of the few costs you should plan for beyond the advertised price. The tour describes lunch as a stop rather than a prepaid meal, which gives you less certainty about the exact menu and price.

Still, an hour in Midelt matters. After several hours in the vehicle, you need time to eat, use facilities, and walk around. The stop also gives you a closer look at a mountain town linked with the Berber culture of central Morocco.

Do not expect an elaborate guided visit here. The value is the pause, the food, and the change of scenery.

Ziz Canyon and the route toward the Sahara

The Ziz Canyon stop is brief, about 15 minutes, but it offers one of the route’s most striking visual changes. The Ziz Valley supports palms, fruit trees, grains, cumin, and other crops. Green agriculture set against dry rock makes the valley easy to appreciate, even during a quick photo stop.

This is a good place to ask your guide about how farming works in an oasis region. The tour material specifically points to the area’s mixed agriculture, so you are not simply stopping for a viewpoint. You get a glimpse of how water supports settled life in an otherwise dry part of Morocco.

The short timing is the limitation. You may only have enough time for pictures and a quick walk. Keep your camera ready, and do not assume every stop allows a long independent wander.

Erfoud, then the change to a 4WD

Erfoud is an oasis town in the Drâa-Tafilalet region and the final named stop before Merzouga. The pause is listed at about 15 minutes.

By this point, the scenery has changed from mountain forest to open, dry country and palm-filled oasis zones. Erfoud works mainly as a transition point. You are getting close to the dunes, but the famous desert camp experience still lies ahead.

At Merzouga, you switch to a 4WD vehicle for the transfer to camp. This is an important part of the evening because ordinary road vehicles do not take you directly to the tented camp among the dunes. You leave your luggage at camp before heading out for the camel ride.

Ask your driver or camp staff which small bag you should carry during the camel ride. The supplied information says to leave your luggage at the camp, but it does not specify a luggage limit or storage system. Pack your essentials where they are easy to reach.

Camel riding into the dunes at sunset

The camel ride is the emotional center of the trip. You climb onto the animals near camp and travel through the dunes as the sun drops. The point is not speed. It is the slow rhythm, the rising and falling sand, and the way the evening light changes the color of the desert.

You may also have the chance to try sandboarding, as that activity is described in the experience details. It is not included in the formal inclusions list, so confirm whether equipment and participation are part of your booking or an optional addition.

A camel ride can be harder on your legs and back than the photos suggest. Wear practical clothing, use sun protection, and bring water. You do not need to dress formally for dinner. Comfortable trousers and shoes are the sensible choice.

The duration shown for the Merzouga section is broad and appears to cover the 4WD transfer, camp arrival, and evening activities rather than six hours of camel riding. Do not read it as a continuous ride.

What the luxury desert camp actually adds

The camp is described as a private luxury tent in a safari-style setting. Reports describe air-conditioned tents, comfortable bedding, attentive staff, good food, and a strong mix of comfort and desert atmosphere.

That combination is the reason to choose this package over basic desert camping. You still sleep among the dunes and experience the night sky, but you are not giving up all creature comforts. Air conditioning is especially welcome in hot weather, while solid bedding matters after a full day on the road.

Luxury does not mean a resort with a long list of facilities. The central attraction remains the desert setting. You should book this for the tent, dinner, music, fire, stars, and location, not for hours of indoor entertainment.

After dinner, the evening may include music, dancing, and time around the fire with local staff. One particularly useful detail is that the desert night itself, rather than the road stops, is likely to become your strongest memory. The change from a busy vehicle day to a quiet sky full of stars gives the trip its sense of occasion.

Sunrise, breakfast, and the hard return to Fez

The next morning begins early. Your guide wakes you in time for sunrise, followed by breakfast. This is worth accepting even if you are tired. Sunrise gives you a second view of the dunes, now in cooler light, and it is one of the few quiet moments in this tightly packed schedule.

After breakfast, you return to Fez by the same general route. The return is listed at about seven hours, though the exact timing will depend on traffic, stops, and road conditions. The final drop-off is at your accommodation.

This is the tour’s biggest practical weakness. You spend one night in the Sahara, then devote most of the following day to getting back. If you have only a short stay in Morocco, this is an efficient way to reach Merzouga. If you have more time, adding another night or arranging a longer route would make the journey less rushed.

Plan a quiet evening after arrival in Fez. The advertised two days are packed, and the early start plus long return drive can leave you tired.

The $203.55 price and what it covers

At $203.55 per person, the tour offers strong value if you want the main desert experience in a compact format. The price includes the air-conditioned vehicle, private transportation, 4WD transfer, camel ride, private luxury tent, dinner, and breakfast.

You are also paying for convenience. Round-trip pickup from a Fez address removes the need to reach a distant bus station or arrange separate transport to Merzouga. A group limit of 15 keeps the price below a private tour while avoiding the feel of a very large coach excursion.

The important caveat is lunch. The highlights describe three meals, but the detailed inclusion list names breakfast and dinner, and the itinerary calls for a Berber lunch stop in Midelt. Treat lunch as an extra expense unless the operator confirms otherwise.

The tour is particularly good value for solo visitors and couples who want a desert night without paying for a private vehicle. A very small group may make the road stops and guide interaction more pleasant, but the maximum is 15, not a promise of four or eight people.

Who should book this two-day desert trip

I would choose this tour if you have limited time in Fez and the Sahara is a top priority. It suits people who value a simple plan, included transfers, a comfortable tent, and a classic sunset camel ride.

It also works well for families and mixed-age groups, since most of the route is handled by vehicle and the camp provides a more comfortable night than basic camping. Service animals are allowed, and the operator states that most people can participate.

I would hesitate if you dislike long drives, need generous free time, or want to explore every town along the way. The stops are short, and the schedule leaves little room for delays. Anyone with mobility concerns should ask the operator for specific advice about the camel ride and camp access before booking, since the general statement that most people can participate does not explain every practical detail.

The experience has a maximum of 15 people and pickup is offered from your Fez accommodation. Confirmation is provided at booking. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time, while cancellations or changes inside that window are not refunded or accepted.

My verdict: a fast but rewarding Sahara sample

This is a sensible way to reach the Merzouga dunes from Fez when you have only two days. The mountain and oasis stops add welcome variety, but the real payoff is the evening camel ride, private tent, dinner, fire, stars, and sunrise.

I like the value, the included 4WD transfer, and the repeated praise for friendly, careful drivers such as Hamza and Hussein. I would book it knowing that the desert night is purchased with long hours on the road. If that trade suits your schedule, Bekben Travel’s trip gives you the essential Sahara experience with fewer moving parts and a comfortable place to sleep.

FAQ

How long is the tour from Fez to Merzouga?

The tour lasts approximately two days and one night. The outbound journey is described as taking about eight hours, while the return to Fez is listed at about seven hours.

What time does pickup begin?

Pickup begins at 8:00 a.m. from your Fez accommodation or another suitable Fez address.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

Lunch is not listed among the detailed inclusions. The itinerary includes a lunch stop in Midelt, so you should plan to pay for that meal unless the operator confirms otherwise.

Is the camel ride included?

Yes. The camel ride is included, along with the 4WD transfer from Merzouga to the luxury camp.

What meals are included?

Breakfast and dinner are included. Lunch is not listed as included.

How large is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 15 participants. A smaller group may be available, but the exact group size is not guaranteed.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start, and changes made within that period, are not accepted for a refund.