Description
Three days out of Fes and back to Fes, with two nights in the same camp at the foot of the Erg Chebbi dunes. That is the whole point: the driving sits in days one and three, while the middle day stays in the desert, with no bags to repack.
You climb through Ifrane and the Middle Atlas, cross the cedar forest of Azrou with its monkeys, have lunch in Midelt, and in the afternoon the camels take you out to the camp for sunset. Day two is what the shorter trips do not have: a 4×4 run to an old kohl mine, tea inside a nomad family’s hand-woven tent, Gnaoua music in Khamlia, a walk through a palm grove, and the wild lake of Merzouga, where the flamingos stop.
On the third day you head north with a stop in Erfoud, at a fossil-marble workshop, and a viewpoint over the Ziz Valley, before the drop-off at your hotel in Fes or at the airport.
It suits anyone who wants the Sahara without crossing the whole country, and who would rather get to know one region than drive through it. Tents are private, dinners and breakfasts are included with vegetarian and vegan options, and if you would rather not ride a camel you reach the camp by 4×4.
| Day | Departure from | Arrival |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Fes | Merzouga |
| 2nd | Merzouga | Merzouga desert (Erg Chebbi) |
| 3rd | Merzouga | Fes |
Tour itinerary
Day 1
Fes > Ifrane > Azrou forest > Errachidia > Merzouga:
You leave Fes early with Omar or another of our drivers and begin your climb into the mountains. You pass through Ifrane, a winter ski resort built by the French in the 1930s to resemble a Swiss village, very different from typical Moroccan towns. You then continue through the cedar forest near Azrou, where you can see the monkeys, and cross the Middle Atlas mountains.
Most of the day is spent crossing beautiful forests, springs, rocky cliffs and small Berber villages as you travel through the mountains and begin the descent towards the Sahara desert.
Halfway you stop for lunch in Midelt, a town known for its fossils and rocks. You eat at a local restaurant, where the mint tea arrives before the food, followed by the tagine and the grilled meat. After lunch you continue towards Merzouga. Along the way, you stop at a viewpoint to admire an enormous palm oasis.
You reach Merzouga in the afternoon. Depending on your arrival time, you go to a traditional kasbah at the foot of the Erg Chebbi dunes. After a rest and a glass of mint tea, the guide and the camels will be ready to take you across the sandy dunes. You can admire the beautiful sunset while riding your camel.
After about an hour you reach Camel Trips Camp, our own camp in the desert, where you spend the night in a Berber tent. At the camp the camels are tied up and more mint tea is served. After a delicious dinner, you can watch the stars before sleeping in the Berber tent.
Day 2
Merzouga > Berber villages > nomadic families > Erg Chebbi desert:
Be sure to wake up early to enjoy the beautiful sunrise in the middle of the desert. Afterwards there is free time for breakfast. Then you return to Merzouga on camelback, where the driver is waiting for you. We spend the day exploring the Merzouga region. This area has many incredible places to see, such as sand dunes, a wild lake, old mines, fossil sites and beautiful oases. These places are perfect for many outdoor activities.
We start in Merzouga with an off-road drive to visit an old kohl (eyeliner) mine. Then we visit the nomads who live in hand-woven tents. You can learn about their life while drinking traditional Berber tea. Next comes the village of Khamlia, where you can watch Gnaoua music and dance performances. The inhabitants come from sub-Saharan countries such as Mali, Sudan and Niger.
There will be free time for lunch in a restaurant. After lunch we take a walk through a palm grove. Then we drive a few kilometres to see the wild lake of Merzouga, also called the flamingo lake. Finally, dinner and overnight stay at the camp.
Day 3
Merzouga > Ziz river > Middle Atlas > Fes:
In the morning, after breakfast, we leave the desert and head to Erfoud to visit a workshop that makes objects from fossil marble.
We then follow the Ziz river and stop to enjoy a beautiful view over the Ziz Valley. Afterwards we continue through the cedar forest and pass Ifrane before reaching Fes.
Finally, we drop you off at the airport or your hotel. This marks the end of the tour.
Book the 3-day desert tour from Fes
The price of the 3-day desert tour from Fes to Merzouga starts at 170 euros, but varies according to group size, hotel category and the season in which you travel.
Book nowNote: The itinerary of the 3-day tour from Fes to the Merzouga desert can be personalised to suit your needs and preferences.
Included
- Transport in a modern private air-conditioned vehicle
- Pick-up from and drop-off at your hotel or riad in Fes
- Experienced local driver
- Overnight stays in a private tent at a desert camp
- Dinners and breakfasts, with vegetarian and vegan options
- Sandboarding in the desert (optional)
- A camel ride with a guide
- Option to travel to and from the camp by 4×4 instead of camel
- Luggage service to the camp and to all accommodation
- Berber drums and music
- Free time to explore sites such as the Ziz Valley, take photos and have tea or coffee breaks
Not included
- Tips (optional)
- Extra personal expenses
- Drinks and lunches
Frequently asked questions
Can we choose the accommodation for this trip?
We will gladly book your preferred options among our partner properties, subject to availability. If you choose a different option, we will try to secure it for you, although this may increase the cost.
Will our tent at the desert camp have a bathroom and a shower?
If you choose the standard camp, you will have a private tent with a shared bathroom outside. If you choose to stay in a luxury desert camp, your private tent will have its own bathroom and a shower with hot running water.
What should I wear for the camel ride?
We suggest wearing loose, comfortable clothes to avoid chafing or discomfort. Also bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and comfortable shoes.
How long is the camel ride across the dunes?
The standard camel ride lasts about 1 hour. It takes you from the edge of the desert to the camp, from where you can climb the nearest dunes to watch the sunset and the sunrise.
Will there be electricity at the desert camp?
Yes, the camps have power sockets for charging phones, cameras and other electronic devices, often as USB ports.
Is August too hot to sleep out in the dunes?
August brings very high temperatures and the occasional sandstorm. On those days we give up the camp and have you sleep in a hotel in Merzouga instead, leaving the rest of the programme unchanged.
What our travellers say
Excellent
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