2 days luxury desert trip [fes to fes or marakech]

Erg Chebbi is the star here: huge orange dunes, a camel ride at sunset, dinner in a desert camp, and sunrise over the Sahara. You get the full desert picture in only two days, but you also spend long hours in a vehicle.

I like the route through Ifrane and Azrou, which gives you alpine buildings, cedar forests, and a chance to see Barbary macaques before the sands appear. I also like the private tent with its own bathroom, a small but important comfort after a camel ride.

The catch is simple: this is a fast trip, not a leisurely desert circuit. The drive can take about eight to ten hours each way from Fez, the van may feel cramped, and the word luxury should be treated with some caution.

Key points to know before booking

• The Sahara arrives after a very long drive: You cross the Middle Atlas before reaching Merzouga, so the desert reward comes late in the day.
• The camel ride lasts about 90 minutes: You ride through Erg Chebbi to a tented camp among the dunes.
• Your private tent has an attached bathroom: This is a useful comfort, though camp standards and meal quality may vary.
• Sunset, stars, and sunrise are the real highlights: The schedule gives you three memorable desert moments in one night.
• Drivers can make the difference: Karim, Hussein, Mohamed, and Sami are names connected with especially warm and helpful service.
• The group size needs checking: The stated maximum is 10, but some departures have reportedly carried closer to 19 or 20 people.

What this two-day Sahara trip really offers

This tour is built for one purpose: getting you from Fez to the Sahara and back in a very short window. At about $162.84 per person, it bundles transport, dinner, breakfast, camel trekking, a private tent, and some sand skiing.

That is good value if you have only a weekend and the desert is high on your list. A longer Morocco route would give you more time in the Middle Atlas, the Valley of the Ziz, and the desert towns, but this trip saves you from arranging several separate transfers and a camp stay.

You should think of it as a scenic transport day followed by one concentrated night in the dunes. The camel ride, campfire, stars, and dawn are the emotional center of the trip. The road portions are necessary, but they are not gentle.

The experience has an average rating of 4.7 from 131 ratings, with 93 percent recommending it. That is a strong overall result, but the lower scores point to a clear pattern: the destination is excellent, while the pace, vehicle space, pickup arrangements, and group size can make or break the trip.

Leaving Fez for Ifrane and Azrou

Pickup is scheduled for about 7:30 a.m. from your hotel or riad. In practice, the exact time may shift. One family received a call the night before moving pickup to 7 a.m., so keep your phone available and avoid scheduling anything tightly before departure.

The first major stop is Ifrane, often called Morocco’s Switzerland. Its alpine-style buildings and cooler mountain setting feel far removed from the medina streets of Fez. It is a quick change of mood rather than a long sightseeing visit, but it breaks up the drive and gives you a glimpse of a very different Morocco.

Next comes the cedar forest near Azrou. Here, you may see Barbary macaques living in the trees and along the roadside. They are used to people and may approach for food, so keep your lunch packed away unless your guide tells you otherwise. This stop is one of the route’s most appealing details because it adds wildlife to what could otherwise be a straight road transfer.

The road then climbs and bends through the Middle Atlas. You get broad mountain views and changing vegetation, but the schedule allows only short stops. Some passengers find the changing scenery enough to keep the ride interesting. Others wish for more time outside the vehicle and more explanation along the way.

The long road to Merzouga

The stated driving time for the first day is about eight hours, but several accounts describe closer to ten hours. That difference matters. With toilet, coffee, lunch, and photo stops, much of the day passes before you reach the dunes.

The vehicle is air-conditioned, which is essential in warmer months. Still, some passengers found the seats small, especially on a full departure. If you are tall or have knee trouble, ask about the vehicle and expected group size before paying. A bus or van with more people can change the comfort level considerably.

Bring water and snacks. Lunch is not included, and roadside meal stops may be basic. The included food is dinner and breakfast, not a full set of meals for the journey. Carrying something easy to eat also helps if you prefer not to spend time searching for food during a short stop.

The road itself gives you a useful cross-section of Morocco, from mountain towns and cedar woodland to dry eastern country and finally the dunes. I would not book this trip for the drive alone, but I do think the changing scenery helps explain how dramatically the country shifts between Fez and the Sahara.

Some drivers add real value by explaining the places along the way. Karim was praised for combining driving with information about Fez, the desert, and Berber people. Hussein was also singled out for his humor, multilingual help, and ability to keep the long journey pleasant. Service depends on your assigned driver, but a good one matters greatly on this route.

Reaching Erg Chebbi by camel

At Merzouga, the road gives way to sand and the main desert experience begins. Erg Chebbi is a field of tall dunes near the Algerian border, and the first sight of the sand after hours on the road can feel dramatic.

The camel trek to camp takes about 90 minutes. You ride through the dunes as the light changes, often arriving in time for sunset. This is not a fast ride. The camels move in a steady line, and you will spend much of the time adjusting to the rocking motion and taking in the wide views.

You should wear practical clothing and bring a layer. The desert can be hot in the day, but late autumn nights can be cold. One November departure required jackets, and the temperature shift is part of the desert experience. Comfortable trousers and closed shoes will serve you better than city clothes.

The camel handlers may take photographs, and the service can be a welcome extra. One account praised the guides for taking excellent pictures during the ride. Still, your main reason for joining should be the setting, not a guaranteed photo session.

The dunes also offer sand skiing, which is included. It is a simple add-on rather than a full ski outing, but it gives you another way to enjoy the sand if you have the energy after the ride.

Dinner, Berber music, and a private tent

The camp is described as a luxury desert camp with a private tent and attached bathroom. That bathroom is a meaningful advantage. After a long drive, a camel ride, and an evening outdoors, having your own facilities is far more comfortable than relying on a shared washroom.

Set your expectations carefully. The tent gives you privacy and a bathroom, but it does not turn a remote desert camp into a city hotel. The meaning of luxury here is comfort in a desert setting, not polished resort service. One Spanish-language account specifically felt the luxury label promised more than the overall organization delivered.

Dinner is included, followed by traditional Berber music and time around the campfire. Food quality appears to be uneven. Some people found the meal good, while others called it ordinary. I would treat dinner as part of the evening rather than the reason to book the camp.

The best part comes after the meal, when you can look across the dunes under a clear night sky. There is very little to compete with the moon, stars, and silence. This is the point where the long drive earns its keep.

If you need a large range of camp activities, this is not the right format. The schedule centers on the camel ride, sand, music, food, and sky. Its strength is simplicity.

Sunrise and the return through the Atlas

You wake early for sunrise over the dunes. The changing shadows make the sand look different from the previous evening, and this second view is one reason the overnight stay is worth the effort.

After breakfast, you return by camel to the hotel area. From there, the drive back through the Middle Atlas begins. The second day is also listed at about eight hours, though the full return can feel longer depending on the drop-off point and traffic.

The standard itinerary returns you to Fez. Some versions continue toward Marrakech, and one account describes roughly 12 hours on the road to Marrakech the next day. If your booking is sold as Fez to Marrakech, confirm the exact route, vehicle change, drop-off, and expected arrival time before departure. Do not assume the Fez return schedule applies.

The return includes a few short stops, but this is not a relaxed sightseeing day. If you have a flight, train, or important appointment, leave a generous buffer. One group appreciated the effort made to get them to an airport on time, but the overall timing still depends on road conditions and the number of passengers.

Group size, pickup, and organization

The advertised maximum is 10 people, and the tour is described as a small-group experience. Yet some departures reportedly carried around 19 or 20 people, including a 17-seat bus. That is a major difference in comfort and personal attention.

Ask three things before the trip:

• How many people are booked?
• What vehicle will be used?
• Is pickup directly at your riad, or at a central meeting point?

One unhappy departure involved a pickup point that was not honored, leaving the party to move four suitcases themselves. This is not a minor issue if you are staying in a narrow medina or traveling with large bags.

The provider is Samitrip, and the experience has free cancellation up to 24 hours before the local start time. Confirmation is sent at booking, and mobile tickets are accepted. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate, though the camel ride and long vehicle hours may be hard for anyone with mobility or knee concerns.

How the $162.84 price compares with the effort

The price is attractive for what is included. You receive a private air-conditioned transfer, camel trekking, a private tent with an attached bathroom, dinner, breakfast, and sand skiing. If you paid separately for transport, a desert camp, a camel ride, and meals, the total would likely be higher.

The value depends on your tolerance for discomfort. You are paying not only for the camp but also for the long connection between Fez and Merzouga. If you have extra days, a slower route may give you more time and a better feel for the desert region. If you have only two days, this package gets the main experience done without much planning.

Lunch is excluded, and you should budget for food on the road. You may also want to bring water, snacks, warm clothing, sunscreen, and a phone charger. These are small costs, but they make the long transfer easier.

I would call the price good for a short Sahara visit, with one condition: make sure the group size and final drop-off match what you need.

Who should book this trip?

This suits you if the Sahara is a must and you have only two days from Fez. It also works well for people who want the classic desert sequence: camel ride, sunset, tent, music, stars, and sunrise.

Families can enjoy it. One family traveling with children aged 11 and 13 found the experience memorable, and most participants can take part. Still, children need to handle a full day in a vehicle and an early morning after the camp stay.

It is less suitable if you dislike long drives, need generous legroom, want detailed sightseeing at every stop, or expect a polished five-star resort. It is also a poor match for a tight onward schedule unless the operator confirms the timing clearly.

I would choose this tour for the desert, not for comfort on the road. A strong driver such as Karim, Hussein, or Mohamed can make the journey far better, but you cannot guarantee who will be assigned.

Should you book this Fez desert trip?

Book it if your priority is seeing Erg Chebbi in a short window and you accept two demanding road days. The camel trek, private bathroom tent, desert sunset, stars, and sunrise make a powerful one-night experience.

Before paying, confirm the pickup location, group size, vehicle, route, and whether you return to Fez or continue to Marrakech. Bring snacks, water, warm layers, and patience. If those conditions suit you, $162.84 is a fair price for a fast and memorable taste of the Sahara.

FAQ

How long is the desert trip?

The experience lasts approximately two days. The first and second driving sections are each listed at about eight hours, though some journeys take closer to ten hours.

Where does the tour start?

Pickup is offered from your hotel or riad in Fez. The listed start time is 7:30 a.m., but the exact pickup may change, so keep your phone available before departure.

Does the tour return to Fez?

The main itinerary returns to Fez after the desert night. Some versions are offered toward Marrakech, so confirm your final destination and arrival timing when booking.

What is included in the price?

The price includes an air-conditioned vehicle, breakfast, dinner, camel trekking, sand skiing, and a private tent with an attached bathroom in a desert camp.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, so bring money, water, and snacks for the long road sections.

How long is the camel ride?

The camel trek to the desert camp takes about 90 minutes. You also return by camel to the hotel area after breakfast.

Is the desert tent private?

The included accommodation is described as a private tent with an attached bathroom. The camp is presented as a luxury desert camp, but standards may not match a city hotel.

How many people are in the group?

The stated maximum is 10 people. Some departures have reportedly been larger, so confirm the expected group size and vehicle before booking.

Can I cancel the tour?

You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are not accepted for a refund.