2Days Share Tour From Fes To Marrakech Or Fes Via Sahara & camel

The main event is simple and memorable: you ride camels into the Sahara, watch the light change over the dunes, eat dinner at camp, and sleep beneath a starry sky. The route also gives you a quick look at Morocco’s cedar forests, Berber villages, oases, and High Atlas passes.

I like the chance to see Barbary macaques in the cedar forest near Azrou, and I like that the journey ends in Marrakech rather than returning to Fes. The catch is the schedule. You cover a huge distance in only two days, so expect long hours in the vehicle and only a brief taste of each place.

Key points to know before booking

• Camel ride to camp: The ride is generally described as lasting about 45 minutes to an hour, though one account found the ride much shorter.
• Two very long driving days: You go from Fes to Merzouga on day one, then from the desert to Marrakech on day two.
• Dinner and breakfast included: Lunch is not included, so keep Moroccan dirhams handy.
• Small shared group: The maximum group size is 15 people.
• One night on the dunes: You stay in a private tent at a desert camp, with dinner, Berber drumming, and singing.
• Weather can change the experience: Wind may spoil the sunset, and cold conditions can be uncomfortable if you are not prepared.

From Fes to the cedar forests near Ifrane

This is a fast way to connect two of Morocco’s best-known cities with the Sahara in between. Pickup begins at Hotel Batha on Avenue de La Liberté in Fes, and the first part of the day carries you into the Middle Atlas Mountains.

Ifrane makes a curious opening stop. Its cool climate and European-looking architecture have earned it the nickname Switzerland of Morocco. You will not spend the day here, but the pause gives you a break from the road before the cedar forests.

The forest near Azrou is one of the more worthwhile stops because it adds wildlife to a route otherwise focused on scenery. Barbary macaques live here, and you may see them close to the road. Some people have fed them or had them climb onto their shoulders, but you should treat that as an unpredictable encounter rather than a promise.

The stop is listed at about two hours, including the visit to Ifrane National Park and the monkey area. That sounds generous, but the full route is demanding, so your time may be divided between walking, photographs, and getting back into the vehicle.

Midelt gives you a practical lunch break

After the forest, you continue toward Midelt. This is less a sightseeing stop than a useful pause in a long day. Lunch takes place at a roadside restaurant and is not covered by the tour price.

That detail matters. At $139.58 per person, the tour is priced attractively for transport from Fes to Marrakech, a camel trek, desert accommodation, dinner, and breakfast. You still need to budget for lunch on both days, as well as tips.

The road through the Middle Atlas is part of the appeal. You pass mountain valleys and Berber villages, with scenery changing from forest to open, dry country. Yet the hours add up quickly. The itinerary gives Midelt two hours, but much of that time includes the meal and the wider drive rather than a long visit in town.

I would think of this as a road trip with selected stops, not a relaxed two-day cultural tour. If you enjoy watching Morocco change outside the window, the pace makes sense. If you want extended visits in each village, museum, or historic site, this trip will feel compressed.

Ziz Valley and the first sight of the Sahara

After lunch, the route continues toward Merzouga through the Ziz Valley. The valley is known for its palms and oasis greenery, a sharp contrast with the dry ground around it.

A panoramic viewpoint provides one of the better photo pauses of the day. From above, the palms form a long green ribbon through the valley. This is the kind of stop that helps explain how communities live in southern Morocco, where water changes everything.

The final approach to Merzouga brings the desert into view. You arrive in the afternoon, then transfer to camels for the ride toward camp. The timing is designed to place you on the dunes near sunset, though the weather controls how much you see.

Wind can flatten the colors and block the sun. One account of the trip had good experiences with the route and staff but missed sunset because of strong wind. Keep your expectations flexible. The desert remains striking even when the sky does not cooperate, but you should not book this trip solely for a guaranteed sunset photograph.

The camel ride and your night in the dunes

The camel trek is the emotional center of the trip. For many people, the movement of the camel, the open sand, and the slow approach to camp are more memorable than the long road sections.

The ride is described as roughly 45 minutes to one hour, and some people find it comfortable enough. Another account reported only about 15 minutes on the camel, so the actual duration may depend on timing, weather, and the transfer arrangements that day.

Camel saddles can be hard on your legs and back, even when the ride is not long. Wear trousers, bring water, and keep your phone or camera secure. If the wind is strong, a scarf or face covering is useful for keeping sand out of your mouth and eyes.

At camp, you are shown to a private tent. The included overnight stay is on the sand dunes, with dinner served in the evening. After the meal, Berber drumming and singing take place around a bonfire.

This is a simple desert night rather than a full resort stay. The word luxury appears in the description, but standards can vary at desert camps, especially when weather is cold or windy. One poor experience described severe cold and a return driver who would not raise the vehicle windows. That account is a reminder to pack warm layers, even if Fes and Marrakech feel mild.

The stars are a major reason to spend the night here. Light pollution is far lower in the desert than in the cities, though cloud, wind, and moonlight affect what you see.

Returning from Merzouga by camel and road

The second morning begins with breakfast, followed by the camel ride back to Merzouga. You then use hotel facilities for a shower before continuing toward the Rose Valley.

This arrangement is practical, but it is not the same as having a full hotel morning. The shower stop gives you a chance to clean up after the night in the sand, then the road starts again. Pack a small overnight bag so you can keep your essentials with you rather than searching through larger luggage.

The return route is another long one. The Merzouga section is listed at about five hours, which includes the camel return, the shower stop, and the drive onward. That makes day two physically tiring, particularly after an early start.

The upside is that you do not have to arrange another transfer from the desert. The vehicle takes you all the way toward Marrakech, and the tour handles the route through southern Morocco.

Rose Valley, Ouarzazate, and the High Atlas

Lunch is scheduled in El Kelaa M’Gouna, commonly called the Rose Town. The town is associated with the rose-growing area of southern Morocco, and it gives you another useful break before the long afternoon drive.

Do not expect a full town tour based on the supplied schedule. The stop is mainly for lunch, followed by the route to Ouarzazate and across the Atlas. Lunch is again at your own expense.

The road then passes through Berber settlements and reaches Ouarzazate. The description refers to a visit to the Atlas Mountains, but the available schedule does not give a detailed Ouarzazate sightseeing program or a confirmed attraction visit. You should therefore treat Ouarzazate as part of the route rather than assume a long stop at a film studio or kasbah.

The most dramatic road section comes at Tizi n’Tichka, the High Atlas pass at about 2,260 meters. The views include steep mountains, dry valleys, and scattered Berber villages. Road conditions and weather can affect the crossing, and the high elevation may feel cold compared with Marrakech.

You arrive in Marrakech in the evening. The endpoint is different from the Fes pickup, and the itinerary identifies Jemaa el-Fnaa as the final area. This is convenient if Marrakech is your next base, but you should have your onward arrangements ready because the arrival is late in the day.

What the $139.58 price really covers

The price is strong if you want to combine transportation and a Sahara overnight without arranging several separate bookings. You receive:

• Pickup from the stated Fes meeting point
• Transport to Merzouga and onward to Marrakech
• Camel trekking
• One night in a tent on the dunes
• Dinner
• Breakfast

You pay separately for lunch, tips, and anything else not listed. Since lunch is needed on both days, the advertised price is not the final amount you will spend.

The value depends on what you want. For a simple shared transfer with a desert night included, it is appealing. For a slow, guide-led cultural trip with long visits and plenty of free time, it is less convincing.

The maximum group size is 15 people. That is small enough to keep the vehicle from feeling like a large coach tour, but it is not a private trip. Pickup and timing can take longer when several passengers are involved.

The drivers receive especially positive attention for being kind and helpful. One driver also helped with phone charging, a small service that matters after a full day on the road. If your phone is your map, camera, and booking tool, bring your own charging cable and power bank anyway.

The main strengths and the main risks

I see three clear strengths. First, the route covers an impressive slice of Morocco, from the Middle Atlas forest to the Sahara and then the High Atlas. Second, the camel trek, desert dinner, music, and overnight stay give you a real change of setting rather than another city transfer. Third, finishing in Marrakech saves you the cost and time of returning to Fes.

The weaknesses all come from the short duration. You spend many hours in the vehicle, the sightseeing stops are brief, and the camel ride may not match your expectations if the schedule changes. The trip also leaves little room for weather delays.

The sunset and sunrise are not guaranteed as scenic moments. Strong wind prevented one sunset, and another poor experience included no clear sunrise. Pack for the desert as a real outdoor environment, not as a warm theme park.

The quality of the return journey can also depend heavily on the driver. Most available feedback about the drivers is favorable, but one account describes a rude driver and uncomfortable cold. That is not enough to dismiss the tour, but it is a reason to bring warm clothing and confirm practical details at the start.

Who will enjoy this two-day route

I would recommend it to you if you have limited time in Morocco and want the biggest possible change of scenery in a short period. It suits people who accept long drives in return for a camel ride and one night in the desert.

It also works well if your route already runs from Fes to Marrakech. You are using the transfer day for sightseeing rather than paying for a separate train, bus, or private vehicle.

I would hesitate if you dislike early starts, winding mountain roads, long vehicle rides, or basic overnight conditions. Families and older visitors may also want to consider the physical demands of mounting camels and handling two very full days.

Bring warm layers, sun protection, comfortable trousers, water, a phone charger, and cash for lunch and tips. These small preparations can make the difference between enjoying the desert and spending the night wishing you had packed a jacket.

FAQ

Where does the tour start in Fes?

Pickup starts at Hotel Batha, Avenue de La Liberté, Fes 30000, Morocco.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends in a different location from the starting point, in Marrakech. The itinerary identifies the final area as Jemaa el-Fnaa.

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts approximately two days.

Is the camel ride included?

Yes. Camel trekking is included in the price. The ride is generally described as lasting about 45 minutes to one hour, although the actual time can vary.

Is accommodation included?

Yes. One night in a tent on the sand dunes is included.

Are meals included?

Dinner and breakfast are included. Lunch is not included and must be paid for separately.

How many people can join the group?

The maximum group size is 15 people.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience starts for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book this tour?

Book it if you want a budget-friendly Sahara sampler and you value reaching Marrakech at the end. The desert camp, camel ride, macaque stop, Ziz Valley, and Tizi n’Tichka crossing make a memorable route for the money.

Skip it if you want relaxed pacing, guaranteed sunset and sunrise views, or a carefully controlled private experience. This is a long shared road trip with one excellent desert night in the middle. Go prepared for the miles, the weather, and the basic conditions, and the journey can deliver a lot in two days.