2-Days Desert Tours from Fes with Overnight in Luxury Camp

Merzouga is a long way from Fes, but this two-day Sahara trip gets you from Morocco’s northern imperial city to the dunes and back in a tight schedule. You’ll pass cedar forests, mountain villages, rocky plateaus, palm oases, and finally the golden sands of Erg Chebbi.

I like the sharp change of scenery and the fact that the main desert moments are included: camel trekking, sunset, dinner, breakfast, and sunrise. I also like the small-group format, with no more than 17 people, and drivers such as Zaki and Hassan who are praised for safe driving and useful local knowledge. The catch is simple: you will spend many hours in the vehicle, so this suits you only if the desert matters more than a leisurely pace.

Key points to know before booking

• The journey is the experience: You cross the Middle Atlas, stop at Azrou’s cedar forest, pass through Midelt, and watch the countryside turn dry and Saharan.
• Camel trekking begins around 5 p.m.: The ride takes about an hour and is timed for sunset at the Erg Chebbi dunes.
• Your night is in a desert tent: Dinner, breakfast, accommodation, mint tea, and the camel ride are included.
• Sunrise comes early: You can walk over the dunes before taking the camels back to the hotel.
• The return drive is demanding: Day two includes Rissani and a lunch stop in Midelt before the long run back to Fes.
• Lunch and drinks cost extra: Bring money for both, plus travel insurance if you want it.

Why this two-day desert trip works

This tour is built for a short holiday. From Fes, you can reach the Sahara without giving up several extra nights, and the route gives you more than a simple transfer. The road cuts through several distinct parts of Morocco, making the trip feel like a fast-moving geography lesson.

The first part is green and cool. Around Ifrane and Azrou, cedar trees cover the hills. Later, the mountains become rougher and more open. By the time you reach the palm oases near Errachidia and the sand around Merzouga, the change is striking.

That variety is the main reason to choose this tour. You are not simply being driven to a camp. You are watching Morocco change from Middle Atlas forest to high mountain rock to desert scrub and sand.

Still, two days requires discipline. The route from Fes to Merzouga takes most of the first day, and the return occupies much of the second. You will see a lot through the vehicle window, but you will not have long walks or extended visits at every stop.

Day one: from Fes through the Middle Atlas

Pickup is scheduled for 8:00 a.m. The exact pickup arrangement is not detailed, so confirm your meeting point when booking. The tour offers pickup and mobile ticketing, and confirmation is sent at booking.

The vehicle is described as comfortable and air-conditioned. That matters here. The road distance is substantial, and the day includes hours of mountain driving before the desert ride even begins.

Your early route passes through Ifrane, a town known for its cooler mountain setting and European-looking character. The tour then reaches Azrou and its cedar forest.

Azrou Cedar Forest and the Barbary macaques

The stop at Azrou lasts about 30 minutes. This is a short visit, but it breaks up the morning drive and gives you a chance to stretch your legs beneath the cedar trees.

The main attraction is the local macaques. You can watch them and, according to the tour description, play with them. Keep your belongings close and follow your guide’s instructions around the animals. The stop is informal rather than a long forest walk, so set your expectations accordingly.

I like this pause because it gives the day an early change of pace. You begin in Fes, move into forested hills, and soon find yourself watching monkeys in a cedar grove. It is a small stop, but it helps the long drive feel less like a single uninterrupted run.

Midelt and the long mountain crossing

The route continues through the Middle Atlas toward Midelt. This section is one of the most scenic parts of the trip, with forests, springs, jagged rock faces, and Berber villages along the way.

Midelt is scheduled for about three hours, including the lunch break. The town is known for fossils and rocks, and it is a practical place to stop before the route heads farther south.

Lunch is not included, and drinks are also extra. That gives you some freedom, but it means you should budget for the meal and carry enough cash. The tour information does not specify one fixed restaurant or menu, so the exact lunch experience can vary.

This is also where a good driver matters. Drivers praised in the supplied material, including Zaki and Hassan, are described as friendly, patient, careful, and helpful with food and ATM stops. Driver assignments can vary, so you should not assume one particular person will lead your departure. Still, the repeated emphasis on safe driving is reassuring on a day with so many hours on the road.

After Midelt, the scenery becomes drier and more open. The road crosses the mountains and begins its descent toward the Sahara. You will see villages, rocky ground, and broad views rather than the dense forest of the morning.

Errachidia and the palm oasis

The drive continues toward Errachidia. The schedule allows about two hours for this section, including a stop at a panoramic viewpoint.

The main sight here is a large palm oasis. This is an important visual transition. Palms mark the presence of water and farming in an otherwise dry region, and they give you a sense of how communities have adapted to the desert edge.

The viewpoint is brief, but it offers a useful pause before the final run to Merzouga. Have your camera ready, but do not expect a long guided visit. This tour is designed to get you to the dunes in time for the evening camel ride.

Merzouga, camels, and sunset at Erg Chebbi

The group is expected to reach Merzouga around 5 p.m. After a rest, your guide and camels will be waiting.

The camel trek takes about an hour across the sandy dunes of Erg Chebbi. For many people, this is the emotional center of the trip. The ride is slow and exposed, giving you time to watch the color of the sand change as the sun drops.

Camel riding can be uncomfortable, especially for your knees and backside. The tour does not describe the riding conditions beyond the one-hour crossing, so wear practical clothing and be ready for a saddle that feels very different from a normal vehicle seat. The excursion is not a long expedition, which is helpful if you want the desert experience without committing to a full day on camelback.

At the camp, the camels are hobbled and mint tea is served. Dinner is included, followed by a night in a Berber tent. Accommodation is described as spacious, clean, and, in at least some arrangements, equipped with an ensuite bathroom. Because the exact tent category is not detailed, confirm what luxury camp facilities are provided for your date.

The night sky is another strong reason to choose the overnight option. Away from city lights, you can sit outside and look up after dinner. The camp atmosphere may also include Amazigh music, based on the experience details provided, though entertainment is not formally listed as an included feature.

What luxury means here

The phrase luxury camp should not lead you to expect a hotel in the dunes. You are still spending the night in a tent, in a remote desert setting.

The useful comforts are the ones that matter after a long drive and a camel ride: a proper bed, a clean shelter, dinner, breakfast, and potentially an ensuite bathroom. One detailed account describes a spacious tent, generous meals, and good cleanliness.

Ask about the exact tent setup if private bathroom facilities are important to you. The tour includes accommodation, but it does not spell out every camp amenity. That is one of the few details worth confirming before payment.

Dinner and breakfast are included. Lunch is not. Drinks are not. The meals are described as generous and enjoyable, but no fixed menu is supplied, so do not book this expecting a particular dish.

Day two: sunrise, Rissani, and the road back

The second day begins early. You can walk over the sand dunes and watch the sunrise from the desert, with the Algerian border described as about 50 kilometers from Merzouga.

This is not a formal sightseeing stop with a long schedule. It is a quiet chance to see the dunes before the heat and before the return drive takes over. Bring a layer for the early morning, since desert temperatures can feel very different from the afternoon.

After sunrise, you take the camels back to the hotel. Breakfast follows, then the group departs for Rissani.

Rissani’s monuments and souk

The Rissani stop lasts about one hour. The town is known for its monuments and colorful souk, giving you a final look at local life before the long drive north.

An hour is enough for a quick look, but not a detailed market visit. If you want unhurried shopping or extensive exploration, this schedule may feel too brief. I would treat Rissani as a useful cultural pause rather than the main event of the day.

The souk adds welcome variety after the sand and camp. You can see how the desert region functions as a town, not just as a scenic backdrop.

The return through Midelt to Fes

The route then turns back toward Fes, with another stop in Midelt for lunch. The listed timing gives about three hours to this part of the day, though the full return journey from the desert is clearly a major drive.

This is the point where the tour’s compact design asks the most of you. You have already had an early sunrise and a camel ride, then you face hours in the vehicle. The comfortable van and careful driver become especially important.

The upside is that you return to Fes after only two days. The downside is that the desert can feel rushed. If you have a flexible itinerary, a longer trip would allow more time in the south and reduce the amount of driving per day. If your holiday is short, this is the tradeoff that makes the tour possible.

Price and overall value at $139.37

At $139.37 per person, the price includes a comfortable vehicle, professional driver, accommodation, dinner, breakfast, and camel riding. For a trip that covers the transport from Fes to Merzouga and back, the desert camp, and the main evening and morning activities, that is a strong package.

You should add money for two lunches, drinks, and any personal purchases in Rissani or along the route. Travel insurance is also excluded.

The small-group limit of 17 people helps keep the experience more manageable than a large coach trip. It does not make the drive short, but it can make stops and communication easier. The value is strongest if you want transport and arrangements handled for you rather than trying to plan the desert connection yourself.

Who should book this experience

This tour suits you if you have only two days, want a clear route from Fes to Merzouga, and care most about the classic desert sequence: dunes, camel ride, sunset, camp dinner, stars, and sunrise.

It also fits people who prefer a guided road trip to arranging several separate transfers. The drivers are a major part of the experience. Zaki is repeatedly praised for friendly service, safe driving, language skills, photography help, and practical assistance. Hassan is also described as punctual, attentive, and focused on comfort and safety.

You should think twice if you dislike long drives, need plenty of free time, or want a slow study of the Middle Atlas and desert towns. This is a fast connection with worthwhile stops, not a relaxed week in the south.

The tour is described as suitable for most people, with a maximum group size of 17. The camel ride, early sunrise, and long vehicle days are the main physical and practical considerations.

Booking includes free cancellation if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refundable, and poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Should you book the Fes to Merzouga desert tour?

Book it if the Sahara is a priority and your schedule is tight. You will see a surprising amount of Morocco in two days, and the included camel ride, camp night, meals, and sunrise keep the trip focused on the experiences you came for.

Skip it if you have enough time for a slower route. The long drives are real, and the itinerary leaves little room for wandering. For a short holiday, though, this is a practical way to trade two demanding travel days for one memorable night among the dunes.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

The tour begins in Fes, with a stated start time of 8:00 a.m. Pickup is offered.

How long does the experience last?

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

What is included in the price?

The price includes dinner, breakfast, a comfortable vehicle, a professional driver, accommodation, and a camel ride.

Are lunch and drinks included?

No. Lunches and drinks are not included, so you should budget for them during the route.

How many people can join the group?

The tour has a maximum group size of 17 people.

When does the camel ride take place?

The camel ride begins in the afternoon after arrival in Merzouga, around 5 p.m. The crossing takes about one hour and is timed for sunset.

Can I watch the sunrise in the desert?

Yes. On the second morning, you can walk over the dunes to watch the sunrise before taking the camels back to the hotel.

Is accommodation included?

Yes. One night of accommodation in a desert tent is included. The experience is described as an overnight stay in a luxury Berber camp.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience begins. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded, and poor weather may result in a different date or a full refund.