From Fes: 2-Day Merzouga Desert Trip(Luxury Tent & Dinner)

Sahara nights begin with a long road. This two-day trip from Fes packs the Middle Atlas, cedar forests, Ziz Valley, Erfoud, and Merzouga into one brisk outing. I like the camel ride at sunset and the private tent with its own bathroom, dinner, fire, and music. The main catch is the schedule: you spend many hours on the road, and the return journey leaves little time for rest.

The trip costs $112 per person, including transport, a driver, camel trekking, dinner, breakfast, and the desert camp. Drivers such as Pedro and Tarek have earned especially warm praise for safe driving and extra help, but the camp meals are simple and hot water may not always cooperate.

Key points before you book

• A very long scenic drive: You cross the Middle Atlas from Fes, with stops in Ifrane, the cedar forest, Midelt, the Ziz Valley, and Erfoud.
• Sunset by camel: You ride across the dunes toward camp, with time for sandboarding and photographs.
• Private luxury tent: Your tent includes a private bathroom and toilet, though shower water may be cold.
• Campfire entertainment: Dinner is followed by Berber music, singing, and dancing around the fire.
• Early desert morning: You rise for the Erg Chebbi sunrise, then eat breakfast before returning toward Fes.
• Good value, limited leisure: The price covers many costly pieces, but this is a transport-heavy trip rather than a slow desert retreat.

The real shape of this two-day Fes desert trip

The word desert can make this sound like a relaxed escape. It is not quite that. This is a fast cross-country journey from Fes to the edge of the Sahara and back again, with the desert camp as the reward at the far end.

You leave Fes by air-conditioned vehicle with pickup from your hotel or riad. The driver is both chauffeur and the person who keeps the day moving. Pedro and Tarek received particular praise for safe driving, useful information, and looking after passengers during difficult mountain weather. That matters here because the road portion is a major part of the experience.

I would book this trip if I had only two days and wanted to see the desert without arranging every transfer myself. I would not choose it if I wanted several quiet nights among the dunes. With only one night at camp, the trip gives you a taste of the Sahara rather than a full desert stay.

Ifrane and the Middle Atlas road

The first notable stop is Ifrane, a mountain town known as a Moroccan ski resort. It feels very different from the image many people carry of Morocco. Instead of desert heat and dusty lanes, you get a highland setting and, in colder months, the possibility of snow.

That contrast makes Ifrane useful as an opening stop. It shows how quickly Morocco’s scenery changes as you leave Fes. In winter, pack layers rather than assuming the whole trip will be hot. A February journey included snow in the mountains, and one driver was praised for handling the conditions carefully.

The drive continues through the Middle Atlas. You will want a window seat if possible, though the exact vehicle arrangement and group size are not specified. The air-conditioned transport is a practical inclusion, especially during such a long day on the road.

Do not judge the trip by the first hour. The payoff comes later, but these mountain roads are part of the story. The route links northern Morocco with the dry interior, and the changing scenery helps you understand the country’s scale.

Cedar forest monkeys and a short Midelt break

A stop in the cedar forest adds one of the trip’s most playful moments. Barbary monkeys live here, and you may see them close to the roadside. The activity includes the chance to meet and feed them, so keep your belongings secure and follow the driver’s guidance around the animals.

For many people, this becomes a family favorite. It also breaks up the drive at exactly the right time. Still, it is a brief stop, not a wildlife tour. I would treat it as a memorable roadside encounter rather than expect long observation or a nature walk.

Midelt is the next useful pause. You stop there to buy lunch, which is not included in the price. The town gives you a chance to stretch your legs and pick up food before the route grows more remote.

You should carry some Moroccan dirhams for lunch, snacks, and water. Mineral water is also excluded, and personal purchases are your responsibility. The trip includes breakfast and dinner at the camp, but both lunches need to be handled separately.

The Ziz Valley and Erfoud

After Midelt, the route passes through the Ziz Valley. The valley adds a strong visual change, with a greener ribbon cutting through the dry eastern part of Morocco. This is one of the best sections for looking out the window rather than checking the clock.

The itinerary includes a stop in the valley, giving you a chance to take photographs and see how water shapes this part of the country. The drive can feel long, but the scenery keeps changing enough to make it worthwhile.

Erfoud is the final named stop before Merzouga. It is a charming town associated with the approach to the desert, and it functions here as a last pause before the dunes. You may want to use this opportunity for a bathroom break, snacks, or water, since the camp experience is outside the normal rhythm of town life.

From Erfoud, the road heads toward Merzouga and the Erg Chebbi dunes. The sense of arrival grows gradually. You do not simply step off a bus into a ready-made desert scene. You change from road travel to camel travel, which gives the evening a clear turning point.

Camel trekking into Erg Chebbi

At Merzouga, camels wait to carry you toward the camp. The ride is timed for sunset, which is the right choice. The low light softens the dunes and gives you a chance to watch the colors change as you move across the sand.

The camel ride is one of the strongest parts of the trip. It is also worth knowing what it is not. This is not a long expedition into empty desert. It is a transfer and sightseeing activity connected to the camp, with time for photographs and the sunset.

You can also try sandboarding. The activity is included as part of the desert stop, and it adds a bit of fun for families and anyone who wants more than a quiet ride. One family with teenagers particularly enjoyed combining the camel trip, sandboarding, a visit to nomads, and a later 4×4 ride through the dunes.

That extra activity needs a little perspective. Some parts of the desert can feel lively, with quad bikes and other recreational activity nearby. If you want silence and solitude, the organized camp setting may feel busier than your daydream of the Sahara. If you enjoy action and variety, the same energy will make the evening more entertaining.

What the luxury tent is really like

The camp provides a private luxury tent with a private bathroom and toilet. That is a meaningful upgrade over a basic shared camp, especially after a full day in a vehicle and on camelback. One recent account described a new tent, tiled flooring, new beds, and USB points for each person.

Those details make the tent more comfortable than a simple fabric shelter. You can charge your phone, use your own bathroom, and sleep in a proper bed. The campfire and desert setting remain rustic, but you do not have to give up every modern convenience.

The bathroom is the one area where expectations need adjusting. A cold shower was reported more than once, even though the tent itself was praised. Do not count on a reliably hot wash after the camel ride. Bring wet wipes, a small towel, and a warm layer for the evening.

The night can also be cold, especially outside the warmer season. A January stay was described as warm in bed despite chilly conditions. Pack for both ends of the day: light clothing for the sun, and a fleece or jacket for the fire and early sunrise.

Dinner, firelight, and Berber music

Dinner is included at the camp, followed by a campfire and live music. The evening program includes traditional singing, drumming, and dancing around the fire pit. This is the social center of the trip, and it gives you a shared moment after the long drive.

The food is serviceable rather than elaborate. Chicken and fruit were specifically mentioned, and dinner and breakfast were described as basic. I would view the meals as convenient camp food, not a reason to choose the trip on its own.

The music adds more value than a standard hotel dinner. You are eating outside the city, with the fire and dunes providing the setting. If the sky is clear, you can look up at the stars after the performance. Keep your expectations grounded, though. A popular camp can never offer the same quiet as sleeping alone far from other groups.

The experience works best if you join the evening in the spirit intended. Listen to the music, warm yourself by the fire, and enjoy the unusual setting. You do not need to treat every moment as a grand production.

Sunrise and the return to Fes

The second day starts early for the Erg Chebbi sunrise. This is not optional in spirit, even if you are tired. The sunrise is one of the few calm moments in an otherwise tightly timed trip, and it gives you a different view of the dunes from the previous evening.

After sunrise, you return for breakfast and a shower. You then leave the camp by camel or by 4×4 vehicle to meet the driver. The option of a 4×4 transfer is useful if you are uncomfortable with another camel ride or simply want to get moving faster.

The return route includes Rissani and the Zawiya Moulay Ali Ash-Sharif. It also includes another look at the Ziz Valley and a stop at the Hassan Adakhil Dam, with a break for lunch. Lunch is again not included, so budget for it separately.

Then comes the long drive back to Fes. This is the hardest part of the itinerary. You have already experienced the main desert activities, but you still need to cross a large part of Morocco before drop-off at your hotel or riad.

The return journey can feel easier if you use it as scenery time rather than expecting more attractions. A safe, helpful driver makes a real difference here. Tarek was praised for staying attentive, explaining stops, and making the long road feel manageable. Pedro was also praised for helping the journey pass in good spirits.

What the $112 price covers

At $112 per person, the package offers solid value if you want the main desert elements in a short time. Transport, hotel pickup and drop-off, an air-conditioned vehicle, a professional driver, camel trekking, the campfire program, a private tent, breakfast, and dinner are all included.

Arranging those pieces separately would take time and could cost more, especially once you add a desert transfer and overnight camp. The private bathroom makes the price more appealing for couples and families who do not want a basic shared camp.

The value is less convincing if you want a slow pace. You are paying for access and convenience, but the two-day format means the road consumes much of your holiday. Lunches, water, personal items, and a local guide are excluded. The experience has a driver, but the information provided does not promise a separate local guide at each stop.

I would also allow a little spending money for food and drinks along the route. That small extra cost is easy to overlook when comparing tour prices.

Who should book this desert trip?

I think this suits you if:

• You are staying in Fes and have only two days available.
• You want a first Sahara experience without planning the transport yourself.
• You enjoy a full schedule with several scenic stops.
• You are traveling with older children or teenagers who will like camels, sandboarding, music, and 4×4 driving.
• You want a private bathroom and proper bed at camp.
• You value a helpful driver and included transfers.

I would hesitate if you dislike long road journeys or need generous free time. The route is packed, and the desert night passes quickly. You may also prefer another option if your main goal is silence, because camp entertainment and dune activities can make the setting feel active.

The trip has a high overall rating of 4.8 from 32 ratings, and the strongest praise centers on the drivers, comfortable vehicle, camel ride, camp tent, and organization. The weaknesses are just as clear: basic food, possible cold water, and a great deal of time in transit.

FAQ

How long does the Fes to Merzouga desert trip last?

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

What places are visited on the way from Fes?

The route includes Ifrane, the Middle Atlas cedar forest, Midelt, the Ziz Valley, and Erfoud before reaching Merzouga.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off at your hotel or riad in Fes are included.

Is transport included?

Yes. The tour provides air-conditioned transportation with a professional driver.

Is camel trekking included?

Yes. Camel trekking is included, including the ride toward the desert camp around sunset.

Can I try sandboarding?

Yes. Sandboarding is included during the Merzouga desert portion of the experience.

What type of accommodation is provided?

You stay in a private luxury tent with a private bathroom and toilet.

Are breakfast and dinner included?

Yes. Breakfast and dinner at the Merzouga desert camp are included.

Are lunches and mineral water included?

No. Lunch on both days, mineral water, personal items, and a local guide are not included.

Is there music at the desert camp?

Yes. The evening includes a campfire with live traditional music and a Berber show around the fire pit.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want a compact, well-organized taste of the Sahara and can accept a long drive. The combination of a sunset camel ride, private tent, firelight music, and sunrise gives you the essential desert experience at a reasonable price.

Skip it if you want several nights in the dunes or a quiet retreat without camp activity. For most first-time visitors with only two days, though, the strong drivers, included transport, and comfortable tent make this a practical way to reach Merzouga from Fes.