Camels on the crest of a great red dune in Merzouga

2 Days Desert Tour from Fes to Merzouga

2 days from Fez to the Merzouga desert

  • Private tour
  • 2 days / 1 night
  • Fez → Fez

From the maze of the medina to the dunes of the Sahara in a single day, and back in Fez the next.

From €150 per person Book now

Highlights

  • Azrou cedar forest
  • Ifrane
  • Ziz Valley
  • Camel trekking
  • Night in a desert tent
  • Starry sky
  • Sunrise in the dunes
  • Private tour

Trip overview

Fez is the closest major city to Merzouga, which makes possible something that would be unthinkable from Marrakech: going to the desert and back in two days. You leave early, cross the Middle Atlas among cedars and mountain lakes, descend through the Ziz Valley and by mid-afternoon you are on a camel heading for the camp.

It is a short, intense trip. The night in the dunes, with dinner, drums and a star-filled sky, more than makes up for the miles. The next day, after sunrise, we return to Fez along the same road with different stops.

Ideal for: travellers based in Fez with only a few days who do not want to go home without setting foot in the Sahara.

Duration
2 days / 1 night
Home
Fez
End
Fez
Type
Private
Departures
Every day
Language
English / Spanish

Day-by-day itinerary

  1. Day1

    Fez → Ifrane → Azrou → Midelt → Ziz Valley → Merzouga

    We meet first thing in the morning and head south. A short walk in Ifrane, the “Switzerland of Morocco”, and a stop in the Azrou cedar forest to say hello to the Barbary macaques. We have lunch in Midelt, the apple town, and continue over the Tizi n’Talghamt pass and past the viewpoints of the Ziz Valley. In Merzouga we swap vehicles: an hour and a half by camel to the camp.

    • Ifrane and its alpine rooftops
    • Macaques of the cedar forest
    • Lunch in Midelt
    • Viewpoint over the Ziz oasis
    • Sunset camel trek
    • Camp in the dunes of Erg Chebbi
    • Dinner
    • 7–8 h drive with stops
    Barbary macaque in the cedar forest
  2. Day2

    Sunrise in Erg Chebbi → return to Fez

    We get up very early to watch the sunrise before leaving the camp. Back in Merzouga, a shower and a good breakfast set us up for the return. We drive back to Fez through the Ziz Valley and the Middle Atlas, stopping wherever we ran out of time the day before.

    • Sunrise from a dune
    • Camel ride back
    • Breakfast in Merzouga
    • Stops in the Ziz and the Middle Atlas
    • Tour ends at your accommodation in Fez
    • Breakfast
    • 7–8 h drive with stops
    Sunrise over the ridge of a dune

Timings and the order of visits may be adjusted according to the season, road conditions and your preferences.

What’s included

  • Private air-conditioned vehicle
  • English- or Spanish-speaking driver-guide
  • Fuel
  • Pick-up and drop-off at your accommodation
  • Accommodation every night
  • Dinners and breakfasts
  • One camel per person in the desert
  • Night in a camp with private tent
  • Turban and sandboarding in the dunes
  • Photo stops whenever you like

What’s not included

  • Lunches
  • Drinks
  • Flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Entrance fees to monuments
  • Tips

Accommodation

We choose small places with character, where a home-cooked dinner is part of the experience. In the desert you can choose between two types of camp.

Traditional tent lit up at night in the desert

Standard camp

Private tent with beds, blankets and shared bathrooms. The simplest and most authentic option.

  • Private tent
  • Dinner and breakfast
  • Campfire and drums
Luxury camp with rugs and lanterns in Merzouga

Luxury camp

Spacious tents with a large bed, private bathroom and shower, electricity and dinner served at the table.

  • Private bathroom
  • Dinner and breakfast
  • Campfire and drums

What a night in the camp is like

A tip from our team

In winter there can be snow in the Middle Atlas: keep a jacket handy in the car even if the desert is sunny.

Frequently asked questions

Is this a private tour or a group tour?

It is completely private: the vehicle, the driver and the itinerary are just for you and your companions. You will not share the trip with strangers, so we can stop wherever you like and adapt the timings.

Can I change the itinerary of “2 days from Fez to the Merzouga desert”?

Yes. What you see is our standard proposal. We can add a night, change the start or end point, include a guided visit or adjust the stages to your flights. Tell us what you need and we will send you a tailor-made version.

What is the difference between the standard and the luxury camp?

In both you have a private tent, dinner, breakfast and an evening of drums by the campfire. The luxury camp adds a private bathroom with shower inside the tent and more refined décor; in the standard camp bathrooms are shared and you shower in the morning at the hotel in the village.

How long is the camel trek?

About an hour and a half each way, at a gentle pace and accompanied by a camel handler. We set off a couple of hours before sunset to arrive in good light. If anyone cannot or would rather not ride, let us know and we will find an alternative.

How do I book and how do I pay?

Send us the form or write to us and we will confirm availability and the final price within 24 hours. We accept online payment (Visa, MasterCard and PayPal), as well as cash or card in person.

When is the best time of year for this tour?

You can travel all year round. Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) have the mildest temperatures. In winter the days are sunny but desert nights are cold, and in summer it is best to start early and make the most of the vehicle’s air conditioning.

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