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

The big draw here is simple: in just two days, you trade Fes’s old-city lanes for the Erg Chebbi dunes, a camel ride, a desert camp, and a sunrise near the Algerian border. The road itself is part of the show, passing Ifrane, cedar forests, the Middle Atlas, Midelt, the Ziz Valley, and Erfoud.

I like the useful mix of scenery and activities, especially the 45-minute sunset camel ride and the included sandboarding. I also like the flexible pickup and the option of a private vehicle or a group of up to 17 people. The catch is the schedule: Fes to Merzouga and back in two days means long hours on the road, with limited time at each stop.

Key points at a glance

• Cedar forest stop: Look for Barbary monkeys in Morocco’s Middle Atlas and, if appropriate, feed them.
• Sunset by camel: Ride for about 45 minutes from Merzouga toward the desert camp.
• Night in the dunes: Dinner, a shower, breakfast, sandboarding, and a standard desert camp are included.
• Sunrise near the border: Rise early for a walk across the dunes to a viewpoint about 50 kilometers from Merzouga and near the Algerian border.
• Flexible transport: Hotel or riad pickup is arranged when the vehicle can reach your accommodation.
• Easygoing pace on the sand: If camel riding is not suitable, a 4X4 transfer to the camp can be arranged.

From Fes to Ifrane, Morocco’s alpine-looking town

Pickup is scheduled for about 7:30 a.m. from your hotel or riad, or from the nearest accessible point if the vehicle cannot enter the lane. Start early, because Merzouga is a long way from Fes and the return journey is just as demanding.

The first notable stop is Ifrane, a town with an alpine style and ski slopes. It feels quite different from the Morocco many visitors picture, with a cooler mountain setting and a more orderly appearance. The stop is brief, but it helps mark the change from Fes and the surrounding plains into the Middle Atlas.

You should treat this first day as a moving sightseeing trip, not a direct transfer. The driver makes several stops, yet the main aim is still to reach Merzouga in time for the camel ride. If you prefer slow meals, long walks, and extended visits at every stop, this two-day plan will feel rushed.

Cedar forests and Barbary monkeys

The road then enters the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas. This is one of the most appealing parts of the drive because the scenery changes again, from Ifrane’s town setting to forested mountain roads.

The tour includes time to see the resident Barbary monkeys. You may also feed them, but do so carefully and follow your guide’s directions. The stop gives the long drive a welcome break and adds a wildlife encounter that has nothing to do with desert scenery.

I like this part because it prevents the first day from becoming a featureless highway run. Still, the information provided does not set a fixed length for the stop, so expect the guide to balance monkey viewing with the need to reach Merzouga before sunset.

Midelt lunch and the long road south

Midelt is the planned lunch stop. Lunch is not included, so keep money ready for your meal and drinks. This is also a good place to buy water for the desert portion of the trip, since drinks and personal items are your responsibility.

After Midelt, the road continues through the Ziz Valley. The valley gives you one of the most striking changes in scenery on the route, as the road leaves the higher mountain country and moves toward the dry southeast.

Erfoud is the final named stop before Merzouga. The schedule does not promise a long guided visit there, so think of it as a useful pause rather than a full sightseeing program. By this stage, you will probably be watching the clock and waiting for the first clear view of the dunes.

Arriving in Merzouga for the camel ride

In Merzouga, you transfer to the hotel to store your luggage before meeting the camels. This is a practical arrangement. You do not need to haul a large suitcase into the desert camp, and you can keep only what you need for the overnight stay.

The camel ride lasts about 45 minutes. It is designed to bring you into the dunes in time for sunset, with the sandy Erg Chebbi setting providing the main visual reward. The ride is not a full-day trek, so you get the classic desert experience without spending hours on a camel.

A little preparation makes the ride easier. Wear comfortable clothes and closed, comfortable shoes. Use sunscreen and bring a sun hat or other head covering. The supplied information lists both a sun hat and a hat, so the message is clear: protect yourself from the sun.

Camel riding can be awkward at first, especially when the animal rises or kneels. The tour is described as easygoing and suitable for all ages, but you should still tell the guide if you have concerns. If you cannot ride, a 4X4 vehicle can transport you to the camp.

Standard camp, dinner, shower, and sandboarding

The overnight stay is in a standard desert camp. This is important wording: you should expect a straightforward camp experience, not a luxury desert lodge. Dinner, breakfast, and a shower are included, giving you the basic comforts needed after a long day on the road and in the sand.

The evening includes food and entertainment, and one recent booking described the atmosphere as a good party and company. That suggests a social night, especially in a group setting, but the exact program can vary. The main appeal is being out among the dunes after sunset rather than spending another night in town.

Sandboarding is included. You do not need to add another paid activity to enjoy the dunes, though the supplied information does not give details about the equipment or how long you can use it. One booking specifically praised the quads and said they were worth the cost, but quad biking is not included in the listed price, so ask about availability and extra charges before adding it.

The desert can feel magical, but keep expectations sensible. A standard camp may suit you perfectly if you want a memorable night at a reasonable price. If private bathrooms, quiet surroundings, or a high level of comfort matter most, ask detailed questions before booking.

Sunrise beyond Merzouga

Day two starts early. You rise to walk across the dunes and watch the sunrise from a location described as just behind the Algerian border, about 50 kilometers from Merzouga. The wording refers to the viewpoint area, not a border crossing, so keep your focus on the sunrise and the dunes rather than expecting a frontier visit.

This is one of the strongest parts of the trip. The desert is quiet at dawn, and the low light brings out the shape of the dunes before the heat of the day builds. Bring your comfortable shoes, sunscreen, and a hat even for this early outing. The sun may be low, but you still have a long return drive ahead.

The early start is also the main physical demand of the camp night. You will not get a leisurely morning, and breakfast comes after the sunrise portion. If you enjoy being up early for dramatic scenery, this works in your favor. If you need a slow start, the schedule may test your patience.

The return drive through the Ziz Valley

After sunrise and breakfast, the route heads back toward Fes. The return includes another visit through the Ziz Valley and a lunch break. As on day one, lunch is not included, and drinks are also extra.

The return journey follows the same broad route through the southeast and Middle Atlas. That means the scenery remains attractive, but you are unlikely to get the feeling of discovering a completely new route on day two. The value here is the desert experience at the far end, not a two-day circuit with different scenery every hour.

You will eventually pass back through the Midelt and Ifrane areas before the drop-off in Fes. The tour ends at your hotel or riad when accessible, or at the nearest point where the vehicle can stop. Expect to arrive tired. This is a transfer-heavy trip, and that is the tradeoff for fitting Merzouga into only two days.

What the $108 price really covers

At $108 per person, the price is attractive for an experience that includes air-conditioned transport, a professional driver, a camel ride at sunset and sunrise, a night at camp, dinner, breakfast, a shower, and sandboarding. It also includes the long return from Fes, which is a major part of the cost and effort of this journey.

The value is strongest if you want a first desert taste without arranging separate hotels, transfers, camel logistics, and camp reservations. You also get a guide who can speak English, French, Spanish, and other languages, depending on the guide assigned.

The price does not cover lunches, drinks, or personal items. Budget for those separately. Extra activities such as quad biking may also cost more, since the included features list does not include quads.

A private tour gives you more control, but a group of up to 17 can offer a lower-cost and more social experience. If you want the best balance, check the exact group size before paying. A small group is more pleasant for long drives and easier at photo stops than a full vehicle.

The guide can shape the experience

The driver is not just handling the road. This person controls the timing of the stops, the comfort breaks, the route through the mountains, and the handoff to the camels. A professional driver is listed, with English, French, and other languages available.

Ali received especially warm praise for being helpful and ready to assist with everything. Hassan Amiri was also singled out as a friendly guide who helped make the experience enjoyable. You may not receive either guide on your departure, so treat these names as useful examples of the service style to hope for, not a guarantee.

The language options are a real benefit on a fast-moving trip. You will have questions about meal stops, luggage, camel timing, and the camp transfer. Clear communication matters more here than on a simple city walk.

Who should book this two-day desert trip

I would choose this tour if you have limited time in Morocco and want to combine mountain scenery with a real Sahara camp night. It suits first-time desert visitors, families, and people who want the main camel, sunset, sunrise, and sandboarding experiences arranged in one package.

It also works well for anyone who cannot ride a camel but still wants the camp. The 4X4 option means you do not have to give up the desert night because of mobility or comfort concerns.

I would hesitate if you dislike long road journeys or want several relaxed days in the desert. The trip covers a lot of ground in two days. You will see many places, but most stops are pauses along a demanding route rather than full excursions.

Bring comfortable shoes, light and comfortable clothes, sunscreen, a hat, and only a small overnight bag for the camp. Keep your larger luggage stored at the hotel in Merzouga, as arranged.

Should you book it?

Book this if your priority is getting from Fes to the Erg Chebbi dunes quickly and collecting the classic desert highlights: a sunset camel ride, a camp dinner, sandboarding, and a sunrise among the dunes.

Skip it if you have enough time for a slower desert trip or if long driving days are a deal-breaker. At $108, the package offers strong value, but the price depends on accepting a tight schedule and paying separately for lunches, drinks, and personal extras. Check the group size, camp standard, guide language, and any paid quad option before confirming.

FAQ

How long is the tour from Fes to Merzouga?

The tour lasts two days and includes the return journey from Fes to Merzouga and back to Fes.

What time is pickup 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 hotel or riad pickup included?

Yes. Pickup can be arranged from your hotel or riad when the vehicle can access the location. Otherwise, you will meet the vehicle at the nearest accessible point.

How long is the camel ride?

The camel ride lasts about 45 minutes and is scheduled around sunset on the first day. A camel experience is also included for sunrise.

Is a night in the desert camp included?

Yes. The package includes one night in a standard desert camp in Merzouga.

Are dinner and breakfast included?

Yes. Dinner and breakfast are included. Lunches and drinks are not included.

Is sandboarding included?

Yes. Sandboarding is listed among the included activities.

What happens if I cannot ride a camel?

You can be transported to the campsite by 4X4 vehicle if you cannot ride the camels.

What languages are available?

Guides are available in English, French, and Spanish. Other languages may also be available depending on the guide.

Can I cancel or pay later?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. Reserve-now, pay-later booking is also available, so you can hold a place without paying immediately.