2 Days Desert Trip Back To Fes/ Or Marrakech

The Sahara starts long before the dunes. This two-day trip links Fes with Merzouga through Ifrane, the Azrou cedar forest, the Middle Atlas, and Midelt, so you get far more than a quick sand-and-camel outing. I especially like the varied route and the evening camel ride into Erg Chebbi, followed by dinner and stargazing at camp.

The second strong point is the camp itself, which includes a sunset arrival, mint tea, dinner, breakfast, and a night in an authentic Berber tent. The main drawback is the long road day: the journey to camp can take about 10 hours, and the return drive is also substantial. This is a scenic road trip with a desert night, not a relaxed two-day break.

Key points to know before booking

• The road is part of the experience: You cross Ifrane, the Middle Atlas, Azrou, and Midelt before reaching the Sahara.
• The desert section is short but memorable: A camel ride of about one hour carries you into the Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset.
• The camp package is useful: Dinner, breakfast, one night of accommodation, mint tea, and the camel ride are included.
• The drive demands patience: One account describes roughly 10 hours from Fes to the camp and back, with roads that may not always feel smooth.
• The group can reach 17 people: That keeps the price down, but it may feel less personal than a private trip.
• You can finish in Fes or Marrakech: The second day gives you a choice of destination after breakfast.

Leaving Fes for the Middle Atlas

Pickup begins at your hotel in the Medina of Fes. The exact pickup time is not stated, so you should confirm it before the day begins and be ready for an early start. The tour uses an air-conditioned minivan with a professional driver, a welcome feature for a route that covers a great deal of Morocco in very little time.

Fes is not just the starting point. The old Medina, often called Fes el-Bali, gives the trip a strong opening in one of Morocco’s great historic cities. Once the minivan leaves the dense lanes and city traffic, the setting changes quickly.

The first major stop is Ifrane, about 30 minutes. Built by the French in the 1930s as a winter resort, Ifrane has a very different look from Fes. Its architecture was designed to recall a Swiss village, and its mountain setting makes it feel surprisingly cool and orderly compared with the warm, crowded streets of the old city.

This is a brief stop, so think of it as a chance to stretch, take photos, and see a less expected side of Morocco. It is not a full town tour. If you hope to spend hours exploring Ifrane, this schedule will feel too quick.

Monkeys and mountain roads at Azrou

The route continues into the cedar forest near Azrou. The stop lasts about 40 minutes, and the main attraction is the local monkey population. The forest also marks the start of a long crossing through the Middle Atlas Mountains.

This part of the trip gives you the best visual variety before the Sahara. You pass forests, springs, rock formations, and Berber villages as the road rises and then drops toward the desert. The scenery changes steadily, which helps break up the long drive.

I like this section because it prevents the trip from becoming a single uninterrupted highway ride. You see Morocco shift from northern mountain country to dry interior plains, rather than simply appearing at the dunes after hours in a vehicle.

Still, keep your expectations practical. The stops are short, and much of the day is spent driving. The road quality can be uneven in places, and one direct account describes the route as enjoyable but not always smooth. Bring water, keep your phone charged, and consider a small travel pillow if long rides bother you.

Midelt gives the drive a useful pause

Midelt arrives around the middle of the route. The town is known for fossils and rocks, and the schedule allows about an hour for lunch. Lunch and drinks are not included, so you will need to pay for this stop yourself.

That extra cost is modest compared with the total price, but it matters because the tour includes only breakfast and dinner. You should budget for lunch on both days, along with drinks. The minivan is air-conditioned, yet you will still appreciate getting out, eating properly, and walking around for a few minutes.

Midelt is also a useful transition point. After this stop, the route continues toward Merzouga and the dry country becomes more pronounced. The drive may feel repetitive by this point, but the destination is getting closer.

Arriving in Merzouga and the Erg Chebbi dunes

By afternoon, you reach Merzouga. Before the camel ride, there is a pause for mint tea and a panoramic view over a wide palm-filled oasis. This is a good moment to slow down. After hours on the road, the palms and open desert provide a clear change of pace.

The camel ride begins after the tea break. You cross the sandy dunes of Erg Chebbi for about an hour, with the timing arranged to catch the sunset. That timing is one of the best reasons to choose this trip instead of a basic desert transfer.

You should know that camel riding is not effortless. The saddle can feel awkward, and the rhythm takes some getting used to. Most people can take part, but anyone with mobility concerns should think carefully before booking. The tour information says most participants can join, but it does not provide more specific mobility guidance.

The sunset is the payoff. From the back of a camel, the dunes change color as the light fades. It is a simple experience, but the setting does the work. You do not need a long list of activities when the route itself leads into open sand at the end of the day.

Dinner, tents, and a clear desert sky

After about an hour, you arrive at camp. The camels are secured, mint tea is served, and dinner follows. One of the strongest parts of the experience is the balance between basic comfort and a traditional desert setting.

The accommodation is in an authentic Berber tent for one night. The information does not specify the tent layout, private facilities, or bedding arrangements, so you should ask Desert Smile Tours if those details matter to you. Do not assume that a desert camp offers the same facilities as a city hotel.

The evening also includes time for stargazing. Away from city lights, the open sky becomes the main entertainment. Dinner, camp accommodation, and breakfast are included, which helps the $139.37 price feel reasonable, especially since the camel ride and air-conditioned transport are also covered.

The camp received especially strong praise for its setting, food, tents, and evening entertainment. That matches the way this trip is designed: the long drive is hard work, but the desert night is the part you will remember.

Sunrise starts a very long second day

The second morning begins with sunrise and breakfast. You then head toward either Fes or Marrakech, depending on the choice available to you. The published schedule gives about eight hours for this portion, though the full return journey can feel longer when stops and road conditions are considered.

The choice of destination is valuable. If your wider Moroccan route continues south or west, finishing in Marrakech may save you from arranging another long transfer. If you need to return to Fes, the same tour can bring you back there instead.

The wording around the second-day route is not fully detailed, so confirm the final drop-off point and expected arrival time before booking. It is clear that you choose Fes or Marrakech, but the exact stops between the desert and your destination are not listed.

You should also avoid planning a tight connection on the same day. Eight hours is already a major driving block, and road delays are possible. Treat this as a transfer day with scenery, not as a day for scheduled sightseeing in your arrival city.

What the $139.37 price really covers

At $139.37 per person, this trip offers solid value for a two-day route that includes transport across a large part of Morocco. The price covers the air-conditioned minivan, professional driver, one night at camp, camel riding, dinner, breakfast, and the sunset outing.

You still pay for lunch and drinks. Those costs are easy to overlook, especially because the schedule includes a lunch stop in Midelt and a long return day. Add a modest food budget before deciding that the advertised price is your complete trip cost.

The maximum group size is 17. That is small enough to avoid a huge coach, but it is not a private experience. If everyone is on time and the group works well together, the size should be manageable. If you want flexible photo stops, a slower pace, or long conversations with your guide, a private tour may suit you better.

The strongest value comes from combining transport and a desert night in one booking. Organizing those pieces separately could be more complicated. The tradeoff is that the schedule leaves little room for personal choice.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would recommend this tour to you if you want to see the Sahara but have limited time in Morocco. It suits people who enjoy road trips, changing scenery, and a clear schedule. The mountain stops make the journey more interesting than a direct transfer, and the camp gives you a real taste of desert travel.

It is also a good fit if you want to finish in Marrakech rather than return to Fes. That option can make the trip useful as part of a larger route through Morocco.

I would hesitate if you dislike long drives, have trouble sitting for many hours, or want two full days of activities. The desert visit itself is concentrated into the late afternoon, evening, and next morning. Most of the rest is road time.

Families and older visitors should consider the camel ride and the long minivan hours carefully. The tour states that most people can participate, but it does not promise special assistance or detailed accessibility arrangements.

Practical details that matter

Confirmation arrives at booking, and pickup is offered from your hotel in the Fes Medina. A mobile ticket is available, and the starting point is near public transportation, though the hotel pickup makes that less important for most people.

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather cancels the trip, you are offered a different date or a full refund. For a normal cancellation, you need to cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.

The tour is booked, on average, about 26 days ahead. That does not guarantee that every date sells out, but it is a useful sign that you should not wait until the last minute if your Morocco schedule is fixed.

A few simple preparations will make the ride easier:

• Carry water and money for lunch and drinks.
• Wear shoes that are comfortable on sand.
• Bring a light layer for the evening and early morning.
• Keep valuables and essential medication with you in the minivan.
• Confirm whether your final destination is Fes or Marrakech.
• Ask about tent facilities if private bathrooms or specific bedding are important to you.

Should you book the Fes to Merzouga desert trip?

Book it if you want a low-cost way to combine Morocco’s mountain country with one sunset, one desert night, a camel ride, and a sunrise. The camp, food, tents, and evening program earn the most praise, and the route offers more visual variety than a simple drive to Merzouga.

Skip it if comfort and free time matter more than reaching the Sahara quickly. The road day is long, lunch and drinks cost extra, and a group of up to 17 can limit flexibility.

For the right person, this is a practical desert sampler. You trade a lot of minivan time for a memorable evening under the desert sky, with enough mountain scenery along the way to make the journey worthwhile.

FAQ

How long does the desert trip last?

The experience lasts approximately two days. The first day includes the journey from Fes to Merzouga, and the second day includes the trip toward either Fes or Marrakech.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup is offered from your hotel in the Medina of Fes. The starting stop is listed as the Medina of Fes.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch and drinks are not included. A lunch stop is planned in Midelt on the first day.

What is included in the price?

The price includes breakfast, dinner, one night of accommodation, a camel ride, sunset viewing, and transport in an air-conditioned minivan with a professional driver.

Can I choose Fes or Marrakech as my destination?

Yes. After sunrise and breakfast on the second day, you can head toward Fes or Marrakech.

How large can the group be?

The tour has a maximum group size of 17 people.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted, and poor weather may result in a different date or a full refund.