Luxury 2-Days Desert Trip from Fes to.:( fes or marakech)

The desert is worth the long road. This two-day trip links Fez with Erg Chebbi through cedar forests, Atlas mountain passes, gorges, and the Ziz Valley, then gives you sunset, sunrise, camel riding, dinner, and a night in a private tent. I especially like the door-to-door transfers and the chance to see several very different parts of Morocco in one short trip.

I also like the small group limit of nine people and the camp tents with electricity and attached bathrooms. The main catch is simple: this is an extremely long drive, often around 10 hours each way with stops, and the schedule can feel rushed before the desert payoff.

Key things to know before booking

• The drive is the main event before the desert: You cross the Middle Atlas, pass through cedar forest near Azrou, and continue through the Tiz Ntalghamt Pass and Ziz Gorge.
• Erg Chebbi is reached late in the day: Camel riding, sandboarding, sunset, and the camp arrival all happen within a fairly tight window.
• The camp is comfortable by desert standards: Private tents include electricity and an attached bathroom, though privacy and heating may vary.
• The overnight stay is the highlight: Dinner, Berber music, sunrise, open desert skies, and breakfast create the most memorable part of the trip.
• The return is another full day on the road: Drop-off is listed around 6:30 p.m. in Fez and 7:30 p.m. in Marrakech.
• Pack for cold desert nights: Warm clothes matter, especially before sunrise. Extra heaters may cost 150 dirhams per person.

From Fez at 8 a.m. to the Middle Atlas

Pickup begins around 8 a.m. at your hotel or riad in Fez. The vehicle is air-conditioned, and the small group size should make the long ride easier than a large coach trip. Still, bring water, snacks, and patience. You are covering a lot of Morocco in only two days.

The first major stop is Ifrane, a mountain town often called the Switzerland of Morocco. The nickname points to its cooler climate, orderly streets, and European-style appearance. It is a quick visual change from Fez, but this is not a long walking tour of the town. Think of it as an early look at the mountain country ahead.

From Ifrane, the road continues toward Azrou. Here, the cedar forest is the real attraction. It is described as the largest cedar forest in Morocco, and Barbary macaques may be visible among the trees. Several people have enjoyed feeding or photographing the monkeys, but use common sense and follow the guide’s instructions. Keep food secure and do not treat wild animals like pets.

Azrou is also a Berber village, giving the stop some cultural context as well as natural scenery. The visit can be brief, so do not expect a full forest walk. You are mainly pausing to stretch, take pictures, and look for monkeys before returning to the vehicle.

Atlas roads, Midelt, and the Ziz Gorge

After Azrou, the route heads toward Midelt through the Middle Atlas and then into the High Atlas region. This is where the trip becomes a moving display of changing terrain. Forest gives way to open hills, mountain ridges, broad plateaus, and dry valleys.

Midelt is a practical stopping point rather than the main attraction. It breaks up the drive and offers a chance to eat, use the facilities, and stretch your legs. Lunch is not included, so keep cash available and expect to pay separately.

Beyond Midelt, the road crosses the Tiz Ntalghamt Pass and reaches the Ziz Gorge. The gorge and valley provide some of the best photo stops on the route. You may also see broad views across the High Atlas plateau, with the scenery becoming more arid as you move toward Merzouga.

This section is beautiful, but the timing matters. Stops are often around 10 to 15 minutes, according to the practical details supplied by people who took the trip. That is enough for a few photographs and a quick break, not enough for a long walk or a careful visit to every place named in the schedule.

The long run to Merzouga and Erg Chebbi

The distance from Fez to the Sahara is the central compromise of this tour. Some people find the changing scenery makes the journey worthwhile. Others feel they spend too many hours in the van for too little time at the main attractions.

I would book this only if you accept that trade. A two-day desert trip from Fez is efficient, but it cannot give you relaxed sightseeing at every stop. The journey can take roughly 10 hours each way, including breaks, and the first day may feel like a road trip with a desert night attached.

The driver makes a big difference. Guides and drivers named in the supplied comments include Hassan, Imad, Hussein, Tarek, Mubarak, and other members of the local team. Hassan and Imad were praised for safe, helpful driving, while Tarek was appreciated for explaining more about Morocco. Your assigned driver may be different, but a friendly driver can turn a tiring day into a pleasant one.

Keep your expectations clear. This is not a leisurely private tour with long visits at every viewpoint. It is a fast route to Erg Chebbi, with useful stops along the way.

Camel riding, sandboarding, and sunset

The group reaches the Erg Chebbi area in the late afternoon, often around 5:30 p.m. The timing is important because several activities are packed together. You may have time for camel riding and sandboarding before continuing to the camp for sunset.

The camel ride is one of the signature moments, but do not expect hours in the saddle. Actual riding time has been described as roughly 30 to 45 minutes, and some bookings appear to include one main camel ride rather than two separate rides. That is long enough to reach the camp and enjoy the dunes without making the ride an endurance test.

Camels are not the fastest way to move, but that is part of the point. From the saddle, you get a slow view of the dunes, the changing light, and the group moving across the sand. If your legs are not happy with the ride, the short duration is welcome.

Sandboarding is included, though equipment availability can be limited. One account described only one sandboard for the group. If sandboarding is a major reason for booking, ask about the equipment before you go rather than assuming every person will have a board.

Sunset is the first big reward for the long drive. The Erg Chebbi dunes provide clean, sweeping views and warm evening colors. You may share the area with other tour groups, but the open sand still gives the moment a strong sense of space.

A private tent with a few important qualifications

The accommodation is described as a private tent with an attached bathroom in a luxury desert camp. Tents have electricity, and several accounts praised the comfort, food, and general quality of the camp. By desert standards, this is far more comfortable than sleeping in a basic shared shelter.

The word private needs a little care. One person found the camp overcrowded and was placed with four other people, despite expecting a private room. Another noted that the bathroom was separated from the sleeping area by heavy fabric, so sound carried easily.

That does not make the camp unusable, but it does mean you should confirm the exact sleeping arrangement before departure. The attached bathroom is a useful feature, yet it may not offer the same sound separation or privacy as a normal hotel bathroom.

Cold is the bigger practical issue. Desert temperatures can drop sharply at night and before sunrise. One account said heaters cost an additional 150 dirhams per person, and even extra blankets did not fully solve the cold. Pack a warm layer, long trousers, and something comfortable for sitting outside after dinner.

Dinner, music, stars, and sunrise

Dinner is included and has received strong praise. The meal is served at the camp, where you can eat among the dunes rather than returning to a town restaurant. Breakfast is included the next morning after the sunrise camel ride.

The evening usually brings Berber music around a fire. This is the social center of the overnight stay, and it gives the trip more character than a simple hotel stop. The atmosphere depends on the camp and the group, but the music and open setting are central parts of the desert night.

The stars may be the best reason to stay overnight. Away from city lights, the sky over the dunes can be exceptionally clear. If you care about stargazing, allow yourself time after dinner to sit quietly outside. Bring a warm layer, because the cold is part of the bargain.

The next morning begins early for sunrise. You ride the camels back toward the hotel or camp base, then have a shower and breakfast before setting out for Fez. Sunrise is quieter than sunset and often feels more personal, but the early wake-up makes warm clothing especially valuable.

Returning through Rissani, Erfoud, and Errachidia

After breakfast, the return route passes through Rissani, Erfoud, Errachidia, and Midelt. These towns and road sections show another side of southeastern Morocco, but the return remains a long drive.

The schedule includes stops for lunch and pictures in the Azrou cedar forest, where you may again see wild monkeys. Lunch is still not included, so budget for it separately. Carrying snacks is wise, especially since meal stops may not match your preferred timing.

The vehicle eventually returns you to your Fez hotel or riad, with an expected arrival around 6:30 p.m. The information also gives a Marrakech return time of about 7:30 p.m. That Fez or Marrakech wording needs clarification at booking, since the main description is a Fez departure and return. Confirm both your pickup city and your final drop-off before paying.

What $139.03 buys you

At $139.03 per person, the price is strong if the advertised inclusions are delivered. You receive air-conditioned transport, door-to-door transfers, the camel trek, sandboarding, dinner, breakfast, and a private tent with an attached bathroom. For a trip covering the Atlas region and the Sahara in two days, that is a lot of transport and activity for the money.

The value depends on your priorities. If you want a comfortable way to reach the desert without arranging several separate transfers, the package makes sense. If you want long visits at Ifrane, Azrou, the gorge, and other stops, the short schedule may disappoint.

Lunch is extra, and you should also carry cash for toilets, tips, and souvenirs. A heater may cost extra at the camp. The low headline price can rise once those small costs are added, though the main desert services remain included.

The trip is commonly booked about 31 days ahead. That suggests planning early, especially if you need a particular date or are coordinating a longer Morocco route.

The main strengths and the real weaknesses

The strongest part is the desert stay itself. The dunes, camel ride, sunset, sunrise, food, music, and night sky create the kind of memory people often hope for when they visit Morocco. The camp’s electricity and attached bathroom also make the overnight stop easier for anyone who does not want a very basic desert camp.

The staff can be another major strength. Hassan, Imad, Hussein, Tarek, and other named team members have been praised for kindness, patience, safe driving, and helpful explanations. A good driver matters greatly when you spend so much time on the road.

The weaknesses are mostly organizational. Pickup and drop-off have sometimes been disorganized, and communication can be difficult if the listed phone contact reaches a driver who speaks only Arabic. A few serious complaints describe poor support and confusion over arrangements. I would save all booking details, confirm pickup the day before, and make sure you have a working contact number for the local operator.

There is also a serious safety concern in one account involving a camel handler and a group separated from camp after sunset. It is not possible to establish the full circumstances from the available information, but you should stay with your group, follow the camp’s directions, and speak up immediately if a situation feels wrong. The overwhelming appeal of the desert does not remove the need for basic caution.

Who should book this two-day desert trip?

I would recommend it to you if your Morocco schedule is tight and Erg Chebbi is a must-see. It is also a good fit if you value included transport, prefer a small group, and are happy to trade relaxed sightseeing for speed.

It suits people who want a memorable desert night without organizing their own vehicle, driver, camp, camels, and meals. The private tent and attached bathroom are useful additions for couples and for anyone who wants more comfort than a basic camp provides.

I would think twice if you dislike long vehicle journeys, need a slow pace, or want guaranteed privacy and highly polished coordination. A longer desert route would give you more time, but this two-day option gets you to the dunes at a relatively low price.

The cancellation terms are reasonable: you can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not refunded.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if the phrase long road, big reward sounds fair to you. Erg Chebbi is the clear star, and the combination of dunes, camels, sunset, sunrise, music, food, and stars can make the exhausting drive worthwhile.

Before booking, confirm the departure and return city, private tent arrangements, sandboard availability, heater cost, and pickup contact. Pack warm clothes, snacks, water, and cash for lunch and small expenses. With those details settled, this is a good-value shortcut from Fez to one of Morocco’s most memorable desert settings.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

Pickup is offered from your hotel or riad in Fez, with a listed start time of 8:00 a.m.

How long is the experience?

The trip lasts approximately two days, including the overnight stay in the Erg Chebbi desert and the return drive.

Is transportation included?

Yes. An air-conditioned vehicle and door-to-door round-trip transfers are included.

Is the group private?

The group is limited to a maximum of nine people. The accommodation is advertised as a private tent, but you should confirm the exact sleeping arrangement before departure.

Are meals included?

Dinner and breakfast are included. Lunch is not included.

Is the camel ride included?

Yes. The camel trek is included. The camel riding time may be fairly short, with some accounts describing roughly 30 to 45 minutes.

Is sandboarding included?

Sandboarding is listed as included. Equipment availability may be limited, so confirm how many boards will be available for the group.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience begins for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded.