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

The Sahara is closer than it looks. This two-day trip from Fes packs mountain roads, cedar forests, desert dunes, a sunset camel ride, dinner, and a sunrise into one fast-moving route to Merzouga. I like the way it combines Middle Atlas scenery with the wide-open sands of Erg Chebbi, and I also like that the camel ride is not your only option: a 4X4 transfer to camp is available if riding is uncomfortable.

The main tradeoff is time. You cover a great deal of Morocco in only two days, so the journey includes long stretches in the vehicle and limited time at each stop. Still, the $108 price is strong value if you want a first taste of the desert without arranging separate transport, meals, camping, and camel trekking yourself.

Key Points to Know Before You Book

• 7:30 am pickup in Fes: Collection is arranged at your hotel, riad, or the nearest place reachable by the vehicle.
• Cedar forest stop: You can see Barbary monkeys in Morocco’s Middle Atlas and may feed them.
• 45-minute camel trek: The ride takes you toward the Erg Chebbi camp in time for sunset.
• Desert night included: Dinner, breakfast, a shower, and one night in a standard camp are part of the package.
• Sunrise comes early: Day two begins with a walk across the dunes to watch sunrise near the Algerian border.
• Small group or private format: Groups can reach 17 people, with French, English, or Spanish guiding available.

Why This Fes to Merzouga Route Works

Fes and Merzouga are far apart, so the route needs careful planning. This tour makes the long transfer useful by breaking it into a string of scenic stops. You do not simply sit in a van until the desert appears. You pass through changing terrain, see a mountain town with an alpine look, stop in cedar woods, cross the Ziz Valley, and reach the dunes by late afternoon.

The air-conditioned vehicle matters here. The first day starts at 7:30 am, and the return to Fes on day two also takes most of the day. A comfortable vehicle and a driver who can speak with you in English, French, Spanish, or another language can make the difference between a tiring ride and a manageable one.

The tour is offered privately or in a small group of up to 17 people. A private departure gives you more control over stops and pace, while a group trip keeps the price low and adds a social side to the camp experience. At $108 per person, the group option is especially appealing for anyone who wants the desert without paying separately for transport and overnight arrangements.

Ifrane: Morocco’s Unexpected Mountain Stop

Your first notable stop is Ifrane, a town in the Middle Atlas with an alpine-style appearance and ski slopes. It feels very different from the old streets of Fes and from the dry country around Merzouga.

Ifrane is best treated as a short change of scene rather than the main attraction. The value of the stop is contrast. In one morning, you move from Morocco’s imperial city setting into a cooler mountain region that can look almost European in style. It gives you an early sense that this trip is about more than sand.

Do not expect a long guided visit here. The day has a great distance to cover, and the stop functions mainly as a scenic pause and photo opportunity. Bring a jacket if you are visiting in a cooler season, since mountain conditions can feel quite different from the desert later in the day.

Cedar Forests and Barbary Monkeys

The cedar forest stop adds one of the most distinctive moments to the first day. You will have a chance to see Barbary monkeys, the native macaques found in this part of Morocco. The setting is greener and cooler than the desert route that follows.

Feeding the monkeys is part of the stated experience, but use common sense. Keep food under control, give the animals space, and listen to your guide. The stop is enjoyable because it is simple and direct: trees, fresh air, and wildlife before the long road south.

This is also a good place to stretch your legs. The route involves many hours in the vehicle, so these short pauses have practical value as well as scenic value. Wear comfortable shoes, as recommended, and keep your sunscreen and hat handy even when the forest feels shaded.

Midelt Lunch and the Long Road South

Midelt is the planned lunch stop. Lunch is not included, so budget for this meal and for drinks throughout both days. The stop breaks up the drive and gives you a chance to eat before the road continues toward the desert.

The schedule is ambitious, and this is where you will feel it most. You are traveling from Fes to Merzouga in a single day, with several stops along the way. If you dislike long drives, this tour may feel rushed. If you see the journey as part of the experience, the changing views make the distance easier to appreciate.

After Midelt, the route moves through the Ziz Valley. The valley provides a sharp visual shift from the Middle Atlas forests and mountain roads. Later, you also stop in Erfoud, a well-known gateway to the desert area. These stops help you understand the geography of southeastern Morocco before you reach the dunes.

Erfoud and the First Sight of Erg Chebbi

Erfoud is the final stated stop before Merzouga. By this point, the route has moved from forest to valley and toward a much drier setting. The desert does not arrive as one sudden wall of sand. Instead, the ground gradually becomes more open and arid until the Erg Chebbi dunes take over the view.

When you reach Merzouga, you first transfer to the hotel to store your luggage. This is a useful arrangement because you do not need to carry your full bag onto the camels or into the camp. Pack a small day bag with your water, sunscreen, warm layer, phone, and anything needed for the night.

The camel trek lasts about 45 minutes. That is long enough to feel like a real desert crossing, but not so long that you are stuck in the saddle for hours. The ride is timed for sunset, giving you the classic view of the dunes turning warmer as the light drops.

The Camel Ride and Desert Camp

The camel ride is the symbolic heart of the trip, but it is worth knowing what it is and what it is not. This is a short transfer toward the camp, not a full expedition across the Sahara. You will sit high above the sand, move at a slow pace, and watch the dunes change around you.

Some people love the calm rhythm. Others find camel saddles uncomfortable, especially after a long day on the road. The tour is described as easygoing and suitable for all ages, and you can use a 4X4 vehicle to reach the camp if you cannot ride. That option makes the experience more accessible and removes pressure from anyone with mobility concerns.

At camp, dinner and entertainment are included. You spend the night in a standard desert camp, with a shower available. The package also includes breakfast the next morning. Camp standards can vary, so you should choose this trip for the desert setting and the overall experience rather than for luxury accommodation.

Sandboarding is included too. It gives you something active to do after arriving at the dunes and can be a fun addition for families and groups. Bring a phone or camera, but protect it from sand. Fine grit finds its way into everything.

The night sky is one of the best reasons to sleep out here. Away from city lights, the desert offers a much wider view overhead. Dinner under the stars and evening entertainment give the night a social feel, rather than leaving you alone with the silence.

Sunrise Near the Algerian Border

Day two begins early. You walk across the dunes to watch the sunrise from a location described as roughly 50 kilometers from Merzouga and just behind the Algerian border. The exact border reference may sound surprising, so follow your guide’s directions and do not wander independently across open desert.

Sunrise is not optional decoration on this tour. It is one of the main reasons the overnight camp is worthwhile. The dunes look different in early light than they did at sunset, and the cool morning air makes the walk more pleasant than a midday outing.

Bring a warm layer even if the forecast for Fes is mild. Desert temperatures can change sharply between night and day. Comfortable shoes are better than sandals for the walk, and a hat and sunscreen become useful once the sun rises.

After sunrise, you return toward Merzouga and begin the long drive back to Fes. You also visit the Ziz Valley on the return route and stop for lunch. Again, lunch and drinks are your responsibility, so keep some Moroccan dirhams available.

The Return to Fes Takes Patience

The second day is not a relaxed checkout morning. It is another full road day, with the return route passing through the valley, Midelt, and Ifrane before reaching Fes. You should expect to arrive later in the day after a great deal of driving.

That is the central limitation of this trip. The desert portion feels memorable, but the journey is compressed. A three-day or longer desert tour would give you more time in the southeast and less pressure on the road. This two-day version is aimed at people with limited time who still want to sleep in the dunes.

The air-conditioned transport and multiple stops help. So does the driver. The provider lists professional drivers who speak English, French, Spanish, and other languages. Recent bookings specifically praised the organization and guides, with Ali receiving warm praise for being helpful and Hassan Amiri described as friendly by a Spanish-speaking visitor. Those personal touches matter on a route this long.

What the $108 Price Really Covers

At $108 per person, the tour includes a fair amount:

• Air-conditioned transportation from Fes and back
• A professional driver
• One night in a standard desert camp
• Camel rides for sunset and sunrise
• Dinner and breakfast
• A shower at the Merzouga accommodation
• Sandboarding
• Guide support in English, French, or Spanish

Lunches, drinks, and personal items are not included. You should also plan for anything extra offered at the desert camp or during optional stops. One recent booking praised the quads as worth the money, but quad biking is not listed among the included services, so ask about the current price before adding it.

The value is strongest when you compare the package with arranging every part yourself. Transport from Fes, the desert transfer, camp, meals, camel ride, and return journey would be difficult to coordinate independently in only two days. The price is less attractive if you want long stops, a quiet schedule, or high-end camp facilities.

The overall rating is 4.8 from 80 ratings, and the recent feedback is notably positive. Spanish-speaking customers praised the organization and the driver, while a French-speaking booking described the experience as a way to get off the usual route. That matches the tour’s best quality: it turns a difficult transfer into a structured adventure.

Who Will Enjoy This Tour Most?

I would recommend this trip to you if you have only two days available from Fes and the Sahara is high on your list. It suits first-time desert visitors, couples, families, and small groups who want transport and activities arranged in one booking.

It is also a good choice if you want flexibility around the camel ride. The 4X4 option means you can still reach the camp if sitting on a camel is not practical. The easygoing format and all-ages description make it more approachable than a demanding desert expedition.

I would think twice if you want a slow road trip. The route includes long driving days, and the desert visit itself is short. You should also be comfortable paying separately for lunch and drinks, and you should not book it expecting luxury camping unless the provider confirms upgraded accommodation.

Pack light, carry a small overnight bag, wear comfortable shoes, and keep sun protection close. A warm layer is wise for the night and early sunrise walk. If you are traveling in a group, agree in advance on how much time you want for photos and rest, since a larger group can make each stop feel more structured.

Should You Book the Fes Desert Trip?

Book this tour if you want the biggest desert experience possible within a tight two-day schedule. The strongest parts are the changing route through Ifrane, the cedar forest monkeys, the sunset camel ride, the camp dinner, and the early walk onto the dunes for sunrise.

Skip it if you would rather spend more time in Merzouga or avoid long road transfers. For most first-time visitors with limited time, though, $108 is a sensible price for the amount included. The high rating, kind comments about Ali and Hassan Amiri, and the backup 4X4 option add confidence. Just understand the bargain clearly: you are buying a memorable desert night, but also two demanding days on the road.

FAQ

Where does the tour pick up in Fes?

Pickup is arranged at your hotel or riad when the vehicle can reach it. If the vehicle cannot access your accommodation, pickup takes place at the nearest accessible location.

What time does the first day begin?

Pickup is scheduled for 7:30 am from Fes.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunches and drinks are not included, so you need to budget for them during the stops in Midelt and on the return journey.

Can I join without riding a camel?

Yes. The tour states that you can be transported by 4X4 vehicle to the campsite if you cannot ride the camels.

What is included at the desert camp?

The package includes one night in a standard desert camp, dinner, breakfast, a shower, camel rides for sunset and sunrise, and sandboarding.

Which languages are available?

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