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

The desert starts long before the sand. This two-day trip from Fes to Merzouga packs Morocco’s Middle Atlas Mountains, cedar forests, Ziz Valley, and Erg Chebbi dunes into one fast-moving journey. I like the variety: you are not simply driven to a camel camp, then driven back. You see Ifrane, stop in the cedar woods, pass Midelt and Erfoud, and finish with a night under desert stars.

I also like the practical value. At $108 per person, the price includes air-conditioned transport, a driver, dinner, breakfast, a desert camp, camel rides for sunset and sunrise, and sandboarding. The main drawback is the pace. Two days means many hours in the vehicle, with a long return to Fes on day two. You gain a memorable desert night, but you give up leisurely time at each stop.

The trip in five useful points

• A 7:30 a.m. departure from Fes gives you a full first day, but you need to be ready early.
• Ifrane and the Middle Atlas cedar forest provide a cool, green contrast to the desert.
• A 45-minute camel ride leads to sunset at the Erg Chebbi dunes and an overnight camp.
• Sunrise comes early, followed by the return journey through Rissani, Ziz Valley, Midelt, and Ifrane.
• Private and small-group options are available, with groups of up to 17 people.
• A 4X4 transfer to camp is possible if camel riding is not suitable for you.

Leaving Fes at 7:30 a.m.

Your driver collects you from your hotel or riad, or from the nearest place the vehicle can reach. That last detail matters in Fes, where narrow lanes and busy medina streets can prevent a minibus from reaching your door.

The first day is mostly a road trip, but it is broken up with several stops. Transportation has air conditioning, and the driver speaks English, French, Spanish, and other languages. That makes a real difference when you are spending much of the day on winding mountain roads.

This is offered as either a private trip or a small-group outing. Group size can reach 17 people, so ask which format you are booking if personal space matters to you. A private vehicle gives you more control over pauses, while a group tour usually keeps the cost low.

The road distance is the central fact of this experience. You are crossing much of eastern Morocco in a short time. Bring water, snacks, sunscreen, and something comfortable to wear. Lunch and drinks are not included, so keep some Moroccan dirhams available.

Ifrane, Morocco’s Alpine-Style Stop

Ifrane is an unexpected opening scene. Known for ski slopes and an Alpine-style appearance, it feels far removed from the dusty streets and ochre walls many people associate with Morocco.

The stop gives you a quick change of climate and scenery before the road climbs farther into the Middle Atlas. Do not expect a long guided visit or a full town tour. It is one of several brief pauses, so use the time to stretch your legs, take photos, and enjoy the contrast.

I find this stop valuable because it breaks your mental picture of Morocco. The country is not one continuous desert. Mountains, forests, cold-weather towns, and broad dry valleys all fit within the same journey.

Cedar Forests and Barbary Monkeys

The cedar forest is one of the most enjoyable stops on the route. You can walk among the trees and see the resident Barbary monkeys. Feeding them is part of the experience, though you should follow the driver or local guidance about how to do so responsibly.

This is a simple stop, but it gives the first day some real character. You move from an Alpine-style town into forest, then later into arid valleys and desert dunes. The changes happen quickly, which is one reason the drive feels like more than mere transport.

You may find the forest stop busy or informal, and the time available can depend on the group schedule. Still, it is worth getting out of the vehicle. Wear comfortable shoes, especially if you want to walk beyond the immediate roadside area.

Midelt Lunch and the Road to Erfoud

Midelt is the planned lunch stop. Since lunch is not included, you choose and pay for your own meal. This is useful if you have dietary preferences, but it also means the final cost will be higher than the advertised tour price.

Midelt sits between the Middle Atlas and the desert regions farther east. The stop is less about sightseeing than eating, resting, and breaking up the long drive. Use it well. A proper meal and a short walk can make the final stretch much easier.

After Midelt, the route continues through the Ziz Valley. The scenery becomes drier and more open, with the road following a dramatic valley system before reaching Erfoud. Erfoud is the final listed stop before Merzouga and provides another chance to pause before the desert portion begins.

The drive through this section is a major part of the value, but it is also where the two-day schedule feels tightest. You will see plenty from the vehicle, yet you should not expect long walks, extended village visits, or much free time in each place.

Arriving at Merzouga and Riding Into Erg Chebbi

At Merzouga, you transfer to a hotel or stopping point to leave your luggage. The camels then take you toward the desert camp, with the ride lasting about 45 minutes.

The camel journey is not a full-day expedition. It is a short, scenic transfer timed around sunset. That makes it accessible to many first-time riders, though camel saddles can still feel awkward and tiring. Wear loose, comfortable clothes and closed, comfortable shoes.

From the camel’s back, you get a slower view of the Erg Chebbi dunes. The pace is gentle, and the changing light is the main attraction. The sunset ride is the emotional center of the first day, so keep your phone or camera easy to reach, but do not spend the whole ride looking at a screen.

If riding is not right for you, the experience provides a 4X4 option to the campsite. The tour is described as suitable for all ages, but you should still tell the provider in advance if you have mobility concerns or do not want to ride a camel.

Dinner, Sandboarding, and a Night at Camp

The overnight stay is in a standard desert camp. Dinner and breakfast are included, as is a shower in Merzouga. Sandboarding is also part of the package, giving you another way to enjoy the dunes after arriving.

The camp offers a taste of desert travel rather than a remote expedition. That is a good fit if you want the classic camel, sunset, dinner, and stars experience without arranging a longer desert route. Entertainment is included as part of the evening, though the exact program is not specified.

Pack lightly for the camp and keep your personal items organized. Your main luggage is stored before the camel ride, so you will want easy access to sunscreen, a hat, warm layers, toiletries, and any medication you need overnight.

Temperatures can change sharply between day and night, and the provided advice to bring comfortable clothes, a sun hat, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes is sensible. The desert is easy to underestimate. Daylight can be bright, while early morning may feel cold.

Sunrise Beyond Merzouga

Day two starts early. You walk across the dunes to watch the sunrise from a location behind the Algerian border, described as about 50 kilometers from Merzouga. The exact timing is not provided, but the early start is essential if you want to see the first light.

Sunrise is included in the camel experience, and the morning walk gives you a quieter view of the dunes than the previous evening. Bring a light layer and shoes that can handle sand. A hat and sunscreen become useful as soon as the sun rises.

This is also the point where you need to be realistic about energy. You have had a late desert evening, then an early morning, followed by a long drive back to Fes. If you prefer slow mornings, this schedule may feel demanding.

Rissani, Ziz Valley, and the Long Return to Fes

After sunrise and breakfast, the route heads back toward Fes. The return includes Rissani, the dramatic Ziz Valley, a lunch break, Midelt, and Ifrane.

Rissani is a useful eastern Morocco stop, but the available details do not promise a long market visit or a specific attraction. Think of it as part of the return route rather than a standalone sightseeing tour.

The Ziz Valley gives you one more major view before the scenery changes again. Seeing it on the way back helps make the journey feel less repetitive, even though much of the day remains inside the vehicle.

Lunch is again at your own expense. Drinks are also excluded, as are personal purchases. I would budget for two lunches, drinks, and small extras in addition to the $108 tour price.

The final stretch through Midelt and Ifrane retraces the broad route toward Fes. Drop-off is at your hotel or riad when possible, or at the nearest accessible point. After such a long day, that door-to-door finish is useful.

What the $108 Price Really Covers

The $108 price is strong if you want transport and a desert overnight arranged in one booking. You receive an air-conditioned vehicle, a professional driver, dinner, breakfast, a standard camp, camel rides at sunset and sunrise, sandboarding, and a shower in Merzouga.

That package removes several costs and planning tasks that can add up when arranged separately. It is especially useful for a first visit when you want to see the desert but do not want to organize transfers, camp reservations, and camel logistics yourself.

Still, the price does not cover lunch, drinks, or personal items. You should also confirm whether any optional activities, such as quad biking, cost extra. One recent booking note specifically praised the quad bikes, but quads are not listed among the included features.

The best value comes from the range of scenery covered in only two days. The weaker value comes from the limited time in each place. If you want long village visits, extended walks, or a slower desert stay, a longer tour will suit you better.

Guides, Groups, and the Feel of the Ride

The driver is a key part of this experience because the route is so long. English, French, and Spanish are available, and specific driver feedback has praised Ali for being helpful and Hassan Amiri for being friendly. Guide quality can shape the entire trip, so these names are useful when confirming your booking, though guide assignment may vary.

A group of up to 17 people can keep the price accessible, but it may also mean less flexibility at stops. A private option is better for families, couples, or anyone who wants more control over rest breaks.

The tone of the tour appears easygoing rather than strenuous. It is designed for a wide range of ages, and the 4X4 alternative means you do not have to ride a camel to reach camp. You still need to handle long vehicle hours and an early start.

Who Should Book This Two-Day Desert Trip?

I would choose this tour if you have limited time in Fes and want a first taste of the Sahara without arranging a complex route. It suits people who value variety, included transport, a classic sunset camel ride, and a night in a desert camp.

It also works well for families and mixed-age groups because camel riding is not the only way to reach the camp. The driver language options help international groups, and the private or small-group choices give you some control over the social side of the trip.

I would hesitate if you dislike long drives or want a relaxed holiday. The tour covers a great deal of Morocco in two days, but that efficiency comes with early mornings and limited time at individual stops.

The overall rating is 4.8 from 80 reviews, with especially strong praise for the organization, friendly drivers, and the desert experience. Spanish-speaking customers have described the organization as exceeding expectations, while French-speaking feedback has highlighted the friendly guide Hassan Amiri. Those points match what matters most here: reliable transport, a helpful driver, and a smooth transition from Fes to the dunes.

Should You Book It?

Book it if your priority is seeing Merzouga quickly and getting the main desert experiences in one compact trip. At $108, the inclusions make it good value, especially for a first visit.

Skip it if you can spare more time and want the desert to feel less rushed. For everyone else, this is a practical, scenery-packed introduction to eastern Morocco, with one important warning: the dunes are memorable, but the road to them is long.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

Pickup is available from your hotel or riad in Fes, depending on vehicle access. If the vehicle cannot reach your accommodation, pickup is arranged at the nearest accessible point.

What time does pickup take place?

Pickup is scheduled for 7:30 a.m. on the first day.

How long is the tour?

The experience lasts two days.

What places are visited on the way to Merzouga?

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

Is a camel ride included?

Yes. A camel ride is included for sunset on the first day and sunrise on the second day.

How long is the sunset camel ride?

The sunset camel ride lasts about 45 minutes.

Can I reach the camp without riding a camel?

Yes. If you cannot ride the camels, you can be transported to the campsite by 4X4 vehicle.

Is food included?

Dinner and breakfast are included. Lunches, drinks, and personal items are not included.

Is sandboarding included?

Yes. Sandboarding is included in the tour.

What languages are available?

Live guiding is available in English, French, and Spanish. The professional driver may also speak other languages.

Is the tour private or shared?

Both private and small-group options are available. Groups can include up to 17 people.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, comfortable clothes, a sun hat or hat, and sunscreen. These items are useful for the camel ride, dune walks, and outdoor stops.