From Fez: 2-Day Desert Tour with Return to Fez or Marrakech

Two days can reach the Sahara. This Fez to Merzouga tour takes you from the city to Erg Chebbi by air-conditioned minivan, with mountain scenery, cedar forests, a camel ride, and a night in a Berber-style desert camp. I like the simple door-to-door transport, and I like that dinner, breakfast, the camp, camel ride, and sandboarding are included. The main drawback is the long road time: much of Day 1 and Day 2 is spent in the vehicle.

The sunset camel trek is the emotional high point, followed by mint tea, dinner, music, and stars at camp. You can also watch sunrise from the dunes and shower before breakfast the next morning. Still, this is a fast introduction to the Sahara, not a slow desert stay, and winter nights can be very cold inside the tent.

Key points to know before booking

• The road to Merzouga takes most of the first day: Expect mountain roads, lunch in Midelt, rest stops, and arrival around 5 p.m.
• The camel ride reaches camp at sunset: The ride lasts about two hours and crosses the sandy dunes of Erg Chebbi.
• A desert night is included in the $120 price: Dinner, breakfast, a Berber-style tent, camel transport, and sandboarding are part of the package.
• The morning begins before breakfast: You can walk the dunes for sunrise, then ride back for a shower and breakfast.
• The group can contain up to 15 people: That keeps the price moderate, though the minivan ride remains a major part of the trip.
• The route is available with pickup: Hotel or riad pickup is offered, with an advertised 8 a.m. start.

What this two-day Sahara trip really offers

This excursion solves the biggest problem with visiting Merzouga from Fez: distance. Merzouga sits far to the southeast, beyond the Middle Atlas and the broad high plains beyond Midelt. Going independently means arranging transport, finding the camel departure point, booking a camp, and coordinating the return. Here, those pieces come together in one package.

The advertised price is $120 per person. That is a fair value if you want a straightforward desert introduction and do not want to plan each transfer yourself. You receive transport, a driver and guide, the camel ride, overnight accommodation, dinner, breakfast, and free sandboarding.

Lunches and drinks are extra. That matters because the road portions are long, with a lunch stop on each day. You should carry enough cash for those meals and for drinks along the way.

The group limit is 15 people. That is not a private tour, but it is smaller than a large coach excursion. Your exact vehicle and pickup arrangement should be confirmed before departure, especially if your riad sits inside Fez’s narrow old streets. One useful practical detail is that pickup communication may happen through WhatsApp the night before, so keep your phone available.

Fez to Ifrane: a surprising first stop

The 8 a.m. departure takes you uphill from Fez into the Middle Atlas. The first major stop is Ifrane, a former French-built ski resort with a look unlike most of Morocco. Its buildings and tidy streets were designed in the 1930s to resemble a Swiss village.

Ifrane is interesting because it breaks the usual picture of Morocco. You trade Fez’s old stone lanes and warm colors for cooler mountain air, chalet-style architecture, and a resort setting. The stop is part of a roughly three-hour mountain section, not a full sightseeing visit.

From there, the route continues through forests, springs, rock formations, and Berber villages. The drive itself is the attraction. You get a changing view of Morocco, from cultivated areas around Fez to wooded mountain country and then drier terrain as you descend toward the Sahara.

The main caution is timing. You cannot linger at every viewpoint. This is a transfer with scenic pauses, not a private road trip where you set the pace. If you enjoy watching the country change outside the window, the hours pass more easily. If you dislike long drives, this tour will test your patience before the desert begins.

Cedar forest and Azrou’s monkeys

Near Azrou, you stop in the cedar forest to see monkeys in the trees. This is one of the most memorable breaks on the route because it adds wildlife to a journey otherwise focused on rock, sand, and villages.

The stop can be lively, and some people enjoy feeding the monkeys. I would treat the animals with care and follow the guide’s instructions rather than turning the encounter into a feeding session. The forest also gives you a chance to stretch your legs after the first part of the drive.

Bring a phone or camera, but do not count on a long visit. The schedule has to carry the group across the mountains and onward to Merzouga. The value here is variety: Ifrane, cedar trees, monkeys, villages, and mountain scenery make the first day more than a single long highway run.

Midelt lunch and the long road south

Midelt comes roughly halfway through the journey. The town is known for fossils and rocks, and it serves as the main lunch break before the road continues toward Merzouga.

Lunch is not included, so budget separately for it. The stop also provides time for restrooms and a break from the minivan. Feedback about meals is mixed, with one complaint describing an unsuitable tourist restaurant and poor food. That does not mean every meal will be disappointing, but it does mean you should keep expectations sensible and ask about the menu before ordering.

The road after Midelt is still long. You continue through changing mountain and desert country, with rest and lunch stops along the way. Some excursions also pause for photographs and views, but the precise stops can depend on the driver, traffic, and the day’s timing.

This is where the tour’s value becomes personal. You are paying to cross a large section of Morocco in two days. That is efficient, but not relaxed. A guide who explains the towns and points out photo spots can make the journey far better. Several strong comments praise drivers and guides for giving information during the route, helping with photos, and making the stops useful.

Reaching Merzouga around 5 p.m.

The group is scheduled to reach Merzouga in the afternoon, around 5 p.m. That timing is important because the camel ride is planned around sunset. After a short break, you meet the camel handlers and begin crossing Erg Chebbi’s dunes.

The ride lasts about two hours. It is long enough to feel like a real desert outing, but not so long that you spend an entire day on a camel. One useful point from the feedback is that some people wished they had more time on the camels. If camel riding is your main goal, consider that before booking.

The dunes are the visual center of the tour. From camelback, you watch the sand change color as the sun drops. The pace is slow, the route is simple, and the experience is far removed from city touring. You should wear practical clothing, protect your face and neck from sun and sand, and keep your phone secure while mounting and dismounting.

At camp, the camels are hobbled and mint tea is served. Dinner follows, with the evening usually centered on a campfire, music, and dancing. A sandstorm once forced an evening program indoors, but the camp team still arranged music and dancing inside the tent. That is a useful reminder that desert weather can change plans quickly.

A Berber-style tent and a cold night

The overnight stay is included, which makes the price more attractive than a transport-only trip. You sleep in a Berber-style tent, eat dinner at camp, and wake in the dunes rather than returning to a town hotel.

The phrase desert camp can cover different comfort levels, so you should not assume hotel-like conditions. The camp is described as well organized, and the staff received praise for being helpful. But winter nights can be extremely cold, and one person specifically wished for heating in the tent.

Pack warm layers even if Fez feels mild when you leave. A fleece, warm socks, and a hat can make a major difference after sunset. You should also carry a small overnight bag rather than relying on a large suitcase during the camel transfer.

Sandboarding is included at no extra charge. It gives you another way to use the dunes and is a welcome addition if you want more activity after the camel ride. The supplied information does not specify the amount or type of equipment, so ask the guide when you arrive if sandboarding is important to you.

Sunrise, shower, and breakfast in Merzouga

Day 2 starts early. You can walk over the dunes and watch the sunrise, with the view described as being near the Algerian border, about 50 kilometers from Merzouga. The border itself is not a sightseeing stop, but its presence helps explain how remote this part of Morocco feels.

Sunrise is optional in practice, but it is one of the best reasons to accept an overnight camp rather than a quick evening visit. The dunes are quieter, the light is softer, and you have a final chance to walk before leaving.

After sunrise, you ride the camels back to the hotel in Merzouga. There, you can shower and eat breakfast. This return to ordinary facilities is welcome after a night in the sand, especially if you have spent the evening outdoors.

The morning camel section is listed at about two hours. Combined with the previous evening’s ride, you receive a proper camel experience rather than a short photo circuit. Still, the exact pace depends on the group and the camel handlers.

Rissani and the return to Fez

After the Merzouga morning, a 4×4 takes you back to Rissani, where you change into the minivan for the road north. This transfer arrangement makes sense because the camels and desert camp are based near the dunes, while the minivan handles the longer road section.

Day 2 includes about six hours of driving, with stops for rest and lunch. You should expect to reach Fez in the late afternoon or evening, depending on road conditions and the group’s pace. After a sunrise start and a long return, you may have little energy left for evening plans in the city.

If you are booking an option that returns to Marrakech rather than Fez, confirm the exact route and timing before paying. The detailed schedule supplied here describes the return to Fez, while the tour title indicates that a Marrakech return may also be available. Do not assume both versions use the same stops or arrival time.

Guides, drivers, and group comfort

The guide and driver can shape the quality of this experience more than any single stop. Hassan received especially warm praise for combining driving with information about the places along the route and helping arrange good meals. Other strong feedback points to friendly Spanish-speaking service and guides who offered photo help and explanations.

The tour is operated by 3t Travel, with transport in an air-conditioned minivan and a professional driver or guide. Air conditioning matters during the long desert approach, though it does not turn the journey into a short one.

The group maximum is 15 people. That number can work well for a social trip, but it also means shared decisions about bathroom stops, photographs, and lunch. One serious complaint described extra personal stops, skipped sightseeing stops, and a poor restaurant. Since experiences can vary by driver and day, confirm the planned route at the start and speak up politely if the group needs a reasonable break.

A guide who communicates well can also help with one of the tour’s less obvious challenges: moving between different vehicles and service providers. You may use the minivan, a 4×4, and camels within 48 hours. Clear instructions are valuable.

Who should book this desert tour?

I would recommend it to you if your Morocco trip includes Fez but not enough time for a longer Sahara itinerary. It gives you the key elements in a tight package: Middle Atlas scenery, Azrou’s cedar forest, a camel ride, sunset, a desert camp, dinner, sunrise, and a return transfer.

It also suits you if you prefer an organized route. The remote location makes independent planning harder, and the included transport removes several logistical tasks.

Families can enjoy the variety, especially the monkeys, dunes, music, and sandboarding. A moderate fitness level is required, so you should be comfortable with long vehicle rides, walking on sand, and getting on and off a camel.

I would think twice if you need generous rest time, dislike winding roads, or want a quiet luxury camp with dependable heating. The overnight stay is a useful part of the package, but winter comfort may be limited. Vegetarians can be accommodated if you advise the company when booking.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted, and the cut-off uses local time.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if your priority is reaching Erg Chebbi from Fez without building the trip yourself. The camel ride at sunset, desert night, breakfast after sunrise, and included transport make $120 a reasonable package price, especially for a short Morocco visit.

Skip it if the long drive will overshadow the reward. In that case, choose a longer Sahara plan with more time in Merzouga and less rushing. Before booking, confirm your pickup point, return city, lunch arrangements, winter bedding or heating, and the expected route. With those points clear, this is a practical first taste of the Sahara, not a leisurely desert holiday.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The experience lasts approximately two days. Day 1 includes the drive from Fez to Merzouga and the camel trek to camp. Day 2 includes sunrise, the return camel ride, and the journey back toward Fez.

What time does pickup begin?

The advertised start time is 8 a.m. Pickup is offered from your Fez hotel or riad.

Is transport included?

Yes. Transport is provided in an air-conditioned minivan with a professional driver or guide. A 4×4 transfer is used between Merzouga and Rissani on the second day.

Is the camel ride included?

Yes. The camel ride is included. You ride across the Erg Chebbi dunes to the camp on the first afternoon and return by camel the next morning.

Where do you sleep?

You spend the night in a desert camp in a Berber-style tent. Dinner and breakfast are included.

Are lunch and drinks included?

No. Lunches and drinks are not included. The schedule includes lunch and rest stops during the road journey, so you should budget separately for them.

Is sandboarding included?

Yes. Free sandboarding is included as part of the tour.

Can I request vegetarian food?

Yes. A vegetarian option is available, but you need to advise the company when booking.