Description
Two days, one night and roughly 1,000 km in total: this is the quickest way to reach the Sahara if your time in Fes is short. You leave in the morning, drive south, and come back into Fes on the evening of the second day along the same road.
The outward leg is a crossing of mountain Morocco: Ifrane with its steep roofs, the cedar forest of Azrou and its Barbary macaques, lunch in Midelt among the apple orchards, the Tizi-n-Talghemt pass and the long Ziz Valley. By late afternoon the camels take you into the Erg Chebbi dunes, with sunset from a high dune and dinner at Mouhou Camp, with Berber drums and a fire under the stars.
Day two opens with sunrise over the sand, then a stop in Erfoud, the town of dates and fossils, and the Ziz Valley again heading north. Expect two real driving days, around seven and a half hours each way, broken by plenty of stops.
It suits travellers with a single spare day who still want to sleep among the dunes. Transport is private, and for the night you choose between the standard camp and the luxury camp. If you would rather slow down and have two desert nights, look at the three-day version.
| Day | Departure from | Arrival |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Fes | Merzouga (desert) |
| 2nd | Merzouga | Fes |
Tour itinerary
Day 1
Fes > Ifrane > Azrou > Errachidia > Merzouga:
We leave Fes at around 08:00 in the morning with one of our drivers — Ahmed, for example — and begin our journey to the Merzouga desert. The first stop is Ifrane, often called the “little Switzerland” of Morocco. Here you can enjoy a coffee before heading to the cedar forest near Azrou, where you can spot Barbary macaques in their natural habitat.
We then cross the Middle Atlas mountains to reach the town of Midelt, known as the apple capital of Morocco. It is a good place to stop for lunch: we sit down at a local restaurant among the apple orchards that give the town its name, over a tagine, grilled meat and mint tea.
After lunch we continue our journey across the Tizi-n-Talghemt pass, also known as the “camel pass”. Then we cross the beautiful Ziz Valley, dotted with palm groves and small traditional villages. Several stops are planned along the way to rest and take photos.
In the afternoon we arrive in Merzouga. Here your camel guide will be waiting to lead you across the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi. On the way to the desert camp you can admire an incredible sunset from the top of a high dune.
After a tasty dinner at Mouhou Camp, our own camp among the dunes, you can relax around a campfire under the stars, listening to traditional Berber music played by the camp team.
Day 2
Merzouga desert > Erfoud > Ziz Valley > Midelt > Fes:
Today we recommend waking up early to enjoy a beautiful and unforgettable sunrise. After a delicious breakfast at your desert camp, we head towards Erfoud, the town known for its dates and fossil museums.
We then continue our journey back to Fes, passing through Ait Chaker and travelling once again along the scenic Ziz Valley.
We return to Fes on the same road, through Midelt, Azrou and Ifrane. Your 2-day desert trip ends with a drop-off at your accommodation in Fes.
Book the 2-day Sahara desert tour from Fes
The price of the 2-day desert tour from Fes to Merzouga starts at 85 euros, but varies according to the type of accommodation and the number of participants.
Book nowNote: The itinerary of the 2-day tour from Fes to the Merzouga desert can be tailored to your preferences.
Included
- Pick-up from the meeting point in Fes
- Modern private air-conditioned transport
- Experienced driver (multilingual)
- Overnight stay in a standard or luxury camp of your choice
- Camel ride in the desert
- Sandboarding (optional)
Not included
- Lunches
- Drinks
- Entrance tickets, where required
Frequently asked questions
How far is the Merzouga desert from Fes?
The desert is about 500 km from Fes. The journey usually takes around seven and a half hours.
What should I pack for this trip?
Here is a list of what to pack for your desert tour in Morocco:
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
A scarf or hat
Jeans or long trousers (comfortable for the camel ride)
Light long-sleeved tops
Sandals or sturdy shoes
Flip-flops
Hand sanitiser
A power bank
A first-aid kit
A small backpack for everything
A wallet to keep valuables such as your phone and cards safe
Is this a private or a group tour?
The 2-day tour from Fes to Merzouga is available as a private tour only.
Are the tents at the desert camp private or shared?
The tents are always private. The difference is that in the standard camp the bathrooms are shared, while in the luxury camp each tent has its own private bathroom.
Is my luggage safe during my stay in the desert?
We carry all your luggage to the camp and you will have it with you in your tent on arrival.
Can this tour still run in August?
Yes, although August is very hot and sandstorms are possible. If the wind picks up, we move you to a hotel in Merzouga instead of the camp: you lose the night in the desert, but the rest of the trip goes ahead.
What our travellers say
Excellent
Based on 64 reviews on Tripadvisor
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