From Fes: 2-Day Luxury Desert Tour to Marrakech & Back Fez

One night buys you a whole desert story. This 2-day trip links Fes with the Sahara through the Middle Atlas Mountains, the Ziz Valley, and the giant Erg Chebbi dunes. I like the camel ride at sunset and the chance to sleep in a private camp tent with a bathroom, air conditioning, dinner, music, and breakfast.

I also like the drivers, who can make a very long road journey feel worthwhile. Guides such as Mohammed, Mustafa, Hamid, Imad, Pedro, and Lozi have been praised for friendly service, useful stops, and clear explanations. The main drawback is simple: you spend many hours in the vehicle for only one desert night, and lunch, drinks, and some extras cost more.

Key points to know before booking

• The drive is the real price of admission: You cover the Middle Atlas, Midelt, Ziz Valley, and High Atlas in roughly two busy days.
• The camel ride reaches Erg Chebbi at sunset: This is the tour’s best-known moment, with sandboarding listed as part of the package.
• The camp is comfortable by desert standards: Private tents may include bathrooms, air conditioning, and hot and cold water, though hot water can run out.
• You can finish in Fes or continue to Marrakech: The Marrakech transfer covers about 550 kilometers, with stops for food, coffee, photos, and bathrooms.
• Bring cash and plenty of water: Drinks are not included, some stops accept cash only, and desert prices can be higher than in Fes.
• The staff receive the strongest praise: Friendly drivers and camp workers help turn a tiring route into a pleasant trip.

The big question: can Fes to the Sahara fit into two days?

Yes, but you need to understand the pace. This is not a slow desert holiday with several nights among the dunes. It is a fast-moving road trip that gives you one memorable night at Erg Chebbi, then sends you back across Morocco or onward to Marrakech.

The tour costs about $112 per person, including transport, a driver or guide, the desert camp, camel ride, sandboarding, dinner, and breakfast. That is strong value if you want to connect Fes with the Sahara without arranging separate hotels, transfers, and activities.

The trade-off is time. The first day begins around 7:30 a.m., and much of it is spent on the road. The return to Fes is also long. If you continue to Marrakech, the route is listed at about 550 kilometers, so you should expect another full day with frequent stops rather than a quick transfer.

I would choose this trip if you have limited time in Morocco and want a taste of several regions at once. If you have four or more days, a slower desert route would give you more time in the villages and dunes.

7:30 a.m. departure from Fes

Pickup takes place at your hotel or riad, with the exact meeting point confirmed before departure. That small detail matters in Fes, where cars may not be able to reach every part of the old medina.

The vehicle is air-conditioned, and the tour can be arranged as a private or small-group experience. A private vehicle gives you more control over photo stops and meal breaks, while a small group usually offers better value.

Your driver is a key part of the experience. Several drivers have been praised for safe driving, good humor, and steady communication. Mustafa, Mohammed, Hamid, Pedro, Imad, and Lozi are all named by past customers as helpful guides who explained towns and places along the route.

Do not expect a formal guide talk at every stop. The quality of the day depends partly on your driver’s personality and on traffic, weather, road conditions, and the number of people in the vehicle.

Ifrane and the cedar forests

The first notable stop is Ifrane, a tidy mountain town with Alpine-style buildings created during the French period in the 1930s. Its chalet-like design feels very different from the medinas and ochre towns most people picture when they think of Morocco.

After Ifrane, the road enters the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas. The area is known for forested peaks, mountain streams, rock formations, and Barbary macaques. A stop is planned near the monkeys, though wildlife does not follow a timetable. One person found the monkeys hidden because of the weather.

You may also be offered food to give the monkeys. One useful warning: a customer was charged 20 Moroccan dirhams after accepting food. Ask the price before taking anything, especially at informal roadside stops.

This section gives the trip welcome variety. Within a few hours, you move from Fes to a cool mountain region and then toward the dry country south of the Atlas. It is one reason the long drive can feel more interesting than a direct desert transfer.

Midelt lunch and the long road south

Around midday, you reach Midelt for lunch. The town is a standard stopping point between the mountains and the Sahara, and the break gives you a chance to stretch your legs.

Lunch is not included. A buffet has been reported at about 120 Moroccan dirhams per person, and one person found the restaurant touristy and expensive. Another complained about poorly cooked spaghetti. You may not have much choice about the restaurant, so budget for this stop and keep your expectations modest.

Drinks are also extra. Bring water from Fes if you can, since a 1.5-liter bottle has been priced at about €2 at a desert stop, with cash required. This is one of those small costs that can add up quickly during a two-day trip.

After Midelt, the scenery changes again. The road heads through the Atlas toward the Ziz Valley, where palms and cultivated green strips contrast sharply with the dry rock around them. The valley is one of the more rewarding photo stops because it shows how water shapes life in southeastern Morocco.

Ziz Valley and the first sight of Erg Chebbi

The approach to the desert is gradual, but Erg Chebbi arrives with drama. Huge orange dunes rise suddenly from the surrounding dry country, with some dunes reaching around 50 meters high.

This is the point when the hours in the car begin to make sense. You are no longer simply heading to a hotel near the desert. You are arriving at a sea of sand that feels very different from the mountain country you passed earlier that day.

At Merzouga, you may wait in a lounge at the camp area before the camel ride. One experience included time at the Sandfish camp lounge before the group headed out on camels.

The timing of the ride can shift. Some people found the camel departure later than expected, which affected the sunset schedule. The operator cannot control traffic, road delays, or the exact position of the sun, so keep a little flexibility in your expectations.

Camel ride, sunset, and sandboarding

The camel trek takes you into the dunes toward the desert camp. The guides may help you tie your headscarf before you set off, and the ride is generally designed for visitors who have never ridden a camel.

The sunset ride is the emotional center of the trip. From the higher dunes, you can watch the sand change color as the sun drops. The scene is quiet, open, and wonderfully strange, though the camp routes mean you are sharing the experience with other tour groups.

Sandboarding is included in the advertised package, but its availability may vary. One person did not receive a board, while another had time to sandboard after arriving near the dunes. If this activity matters to you, confirm it with the guide before leaving the camp area.

A camel ride can be harder on your legs than expected. Wear loose clothing, secure your phone, and bring water. You should also be ready for a slow, swaying ride rather than an adrenaline activity.

A luxury desert camp with practical limits

The camp is more comfortable than a basic tented stop. Tents have been described as clean and spacious, with private bathrooms, air conditioning, and hot and cold water. That makes a major difference after a long day in the car and on camelback.

Still, luxury here means comfortable desert camping, not a full-service hotel. One person ran out of hot water, so do not count on an unlimited hot shower. Camp facilities can also vary by tent and by season.

Dinner is included and has generally been described as plentiful. One meal included bread, three courses, and fruit. Another person found the food good, while a separate comment suggested the main course could use more variety.

After dinner, you can listen to traditional Berber music around the fire. This is a friendly, social part of the night, with singing, drumming, and time to talk with the camp staff and other people on the route.

The desert sky is one of the best reasons to spend the night. With little artificial light around the camp, the stars can be startlingly clear. Clouds may interfere, but on a clear night, stargazing gives the overnight stop a value that a quick sunset visit cannot match.

Sunrise, breakfast, and the ride back to Merzouga

Set an alarm. Sunrise is one of the main rewards of staying in the dunes, and breakfast is served among the sand formations after the early start.

Weather can spoil the view. One person had cloudy conditions and missed the sunrise, despite making the effort to wake early. That is not a fault of the operator, but it is worth remembering that desert photos depend on nature cooperating.

After breakfast, you ride the camels back to Merzouga. If you want a faster way to reach a high dune for sunrise, a quad bike may be available for an additional charge. One person paid extra for this and felt it was worthwhile, but it is not included in the tour price.

The camel ride is not the only way back, so ask the guide about the exact timing and transport plan. The main package includes transportation by air-conditioned vehicle, but the desert portion can change according to camp arrangements and weather.

Returning to Fes or continuing to Marrakech

After leaving Merzouga, the return route retraces much of the mountain and valley country. You can stop for lunch, coffee, photographs, and bathroom breaks in the High Atlas and along the road.

The return to Fes is tiring but direct. One person described the seven-hour drives each way as worth the effort, while another called the driving time very long but still found the trip fulfilling.

The Marrakech option is useful if you are building a one-way Morocco route. The transfer is about 550 kilometers, so do not picture a relaxed scenic shuttle. You will spend most of the day in transit, with planned stops along the way.

Drop-off details deserve attention. One person was left at a Marrakech medina square rather than directly at a hotel. If you are carrying luggage or staying deep inside the old city, confirm the final meeting point in advance.

What $112 really buys you

At $112 per person, this is a good package price. You receive two days of transport, a driver or guide, one desert night, dinner, breakfast, camel riding, and sandboarding as advertised. A private or small-group format can make the cost even more useful if you value flexible stops.

The price does not cover lunch or drinks. You may also pay extra for quad biking, food offered at the monkey stop, and other optional purchases. Keep Moroccan dirhams available because at least some roadside sellers and restaurants may not accept cards.

The camp is the strongest value point. A private tent with a bathroom and air conditioning gives you a comfortable base without requiring you to pay for a separate desert hotel. The cost is also reasonable for people who need a transfer from Fes to Marrakech and want to add the Sahara along the way.

The weak point is the amount of driving. You are paying not only for the desert night, but also for a long cross-country connection. If you dislike road trips, the low price may not compensate for the time spent seated.

Who should book this desert trip?

I would recommend it to first-time visitors who want Morocco’s major contrasts in a short window: Fes, mountain forests, the Ziz Valley, huge dunes, a camel ride, and a night under clear desert skies.

It also suits solo visitors and couples who want organized transport without giving up the choice of a private group. Women traveling together have felt safe with the drivers and camp staff, which is useful when choosing a fast-moving route through unfamiliar areas.

I would think twice if you need slow mornings, long walks, or several nights in the desert. The itinerary is tightly packed, and a cloudy sunrise, absent monkeys, late camel ride, or missing sandboard can change the day.

The tour allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Pickup is optional and confirmed with you, while guides may speak English, French, Arabic, Spanish, or Italian.

Should you book the Fes to Sahara tour?

Book it if you want maximum variety in minimum time and accept long driving days. The camp comfort, generous meals, friendly staff, sunset camel ride, and star-filled night give you a memorable first look at the Sahara for a fair price.

Skip it if the road journey sounds like punishment or if you want a quiet, unhurried desert stay. For most time-pressed visitors, though, the balance works: the mountains break up the drive, Erg Chebbi delivers the big desert moment, and the camp provides enough comfort to make the overnight stop enjoyable.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The experience lasts two days. The first day runs from Fes through Ifrane, the Middle Atlas, Midelt, the Ziz Valley, and Merzouga. The second day returns to Fes or continues to Marrakech.

Can I finish the tour in Marrakech instead of Fes?

Yes. A transfer to Marrakech is available, with the route listed at about 550 kilometers and stops for lunch, drinks, photos, coffee, and bathrooms.

Is the camel ride included?

Yes. A camel trek to the desert camp is included, along with the return camel ride the next morning.

Is sandboarding included?

Sandboarding is listed as included. However, availability may vary, so confirm with your guide before the activity begins.

Are meals and drinks included?

Dinner and breakfast are included. Lunch and drinks are not included, so bring extra cash and water.

Does the desert tent have a private bathroom?

The luxury camp tents may include private bathrooms, air conditioning, and hot and cold water. Hot water is not guaranteed throughout the stay, as it has occasionally run out.