From Fez: Sahara Desert 2-Day Tour with Merzouga Camp Stay

The best part of this tour is the sharp change in scenery: snowy Middle Atlas peaks, cedar woods, green valleys, bare rock, and finally the orange dunes of Erg Chebbi. By sunset, you are on a camel heading toward camp, far from the city noise of Fes.

I like the mix of stops along the road and the simple rhythm of the desert night: dinner, a fire, music, stars, and an early sunrise. I also like that the price includes transport, camel rides, camp accommodation, breakfast, dinner, and sandboarding. The catch is the very long drive, about seven hours each way without stops.

Key points to know

• A full day on the road: The journey from Fes to Merzouga takes about seven hours before rest stops and sightseeing.
• More than a desert transfer: You stop in Ifrane, the Middle Atlas cedar forests, Midelt, the Ziz Valley, and Erfoud.
• Camel ride at sunset: The evening ride leads across the dunes toward the camp.
• Private bathroom and shower: The desert camp includes these facilities, though cold nights remain a real concern.
• Early sunrise start: You rise early for Erg Chebbi’s sunrise, then have breakfast before driving back.
• Strong driver feedback: Mounir, Imad14, Tarik, Pedro, Ismail, and others are praised for safe driving, helpful stops, and clear explanations.

The long road from Fes to the Sahara

This is a two-day desert trip, but only one night is spent in the dunes. That matters. You are choosing a fast, scenic dash to Merzouga rather than a slow desert circuit with several nights away from Fes.

The road itself is part of the experience. You leave Fes by air-conditioned vehicle and cross toward the Middle Atlas. Drivers such as Mounir, Imad14, Pedro, and Tarik have been praised for punctual pickup, steady driving, and useful explanations during the journey. Some vehicles have charging points, which is handy when your phone is working hard as a camera.

The drive takes around seven hours without stops, so do not treat this as a quick outing. You will stop for toilets, food, tea, and short visits, but you still spend a large part of both days seated. If you dislike long road journeys, this is the main issue to weigh before booking.

For many people, the changing scenery makes the miles worthwhile. You move from the cooler hills around Fes to mountain country, green valleys, dry plateaus, and desert dunes. It is a good reminder that Morocco’s Sahara is not just a patch of sand at the end of a road.

Ifrane and the Middle Atlas cedar forests

The first notable stop is Ifrane, an alpine-style town known for ski slopes. It can feel surprisingly unlike the Morocco many people picture, especially if snow covers the nearby mountains. The stop gives you a quick look at a cooler, higher part of the country before the road drops toward drier country.

Next comes the cedar forest of the Middle Atlas. This is one of the most appealing breaks because you get out, stretch your legs, and watch Barbary monkeys. The animals are described as mischievous, and you may have the chance to feed them.

Keep your belongings close and follow the driver’s instructions around the monkeys. This is a short wildlife stop, not a full nature walk, but it breaks up the long drive and gives the day some variety. You are not simply being rushed from Fes to a camp.

Midelt lunch and the Ziz Valley

The route continues to Midelt, where you stop to buy lunch. Lunch is not included, so carry some water and budget separately for this meal. The food stops can vary, and one account describes a buffet lunch as especially good, but the exact choice is not fixed in the tour details.

After Midelt, the scenery changes again as you travel through the Ziz Valley. The green valley is a striking contrast to the drier ground around it. Look out of the window here rather than treating the drive as dead time. The views are one of the reasons the long transfer earns its keep.

This is also a good point to ask your driver questions. The strongest driver experiences come from people who explain the region, stop for photographs, offer tea or dates, and adjust the pace when possible. Mounir is especially noted for sharing information, helping with food arrangements, and making the road portion feel more personal. Those extras depend on your assigned driver, so consider them a bonus rather than a guaranteed feature.

Erfoud, the last town before the dunes

You make a short stop in Erfoud before continuing to Merzouga. It is a brief town visit, not a major sightseeing session, but it marks the shift toward the desert.

At Merzouga, you transfer your luggage to the hotel or storage point before going to the camels. This arrangement means you do not need to haul a full suitcase across the dunes. Pack a small overnight bag with warm layers, water, medication, and anything you need after sunset.

The tour includes camel rides and sandboarding. Extra activities, such as quad biking, may be available for an additional fee, but that cost is not included. One traveler found a quad ride worthwhile, yet you should ask about the price before agreeing.

Camel trekking into Erg Chebbi

The camel ride is the central event of the first day. You ride over the dunes toward the camp, usually timed for the sunset. The pace is relaxed, and the setting does most of the work: open sand, changing light, and the silhouettes of the camels ahead.

A camel ride is not the most comfortable form of transport for everyone. The saddle can feel awkward, especially when the camel rises or sits, and you may feel stiff afterward. Wear comfortable trousers and shoes, and bring water. The tour recommends comfortable footwear, which is sensible for the sand and camp area.

Your camel handler may help with photographs. Mohammed is specifically praised for making sure people got good sunrise pictures, but staff assignments can change. Bring a phone with enough battery, and keep it secure during the ride.

The sandboarding included in the package offers another way to enjoy the dunes. You may prefer watching others try it, but it is a useful inclusion at this price because similar desert activities are often sold separately.

Dinner, firelight, and the camp night

After the camel ride, you reach the nomad-style tents for dinner. The meal is included, as is breakfast the next morning. The evening also includes live entertainment, with a Berber folklore show, music, and time around a fire pit.

This is a social part of the experience. You eat, listen to music, and watch the sky darken over the dunes. The night can feel wonderfully quiet once the activity settles down, though the camp is not a private wilderness retreat. Other people may be staying nearby, and the fire and performance give the evening a shared atmosphere.

The camp includes a private bathroom and shower, a useful comfort after a dusty camel ride. Several accounts describe the tents as clean, with good beds and friendly staff. Still, do not confuse private facilities with hotel-level insulation. The desert gets cold after dark, particularly in winter. People visiting in January and February specifically needed extra layers, and blankets were available at some camps.

Pack more clothing than you think you need for the night. A warm top, long trousers, thick socks, and a hat are practical choices. Water is also important because you are advised to bring bottles for the overnight stay.

One point deserves a little caution. Most of the camp experience is described positively, but one account found the camp manager unpleasant. That does not define every stay, yet it is a reminder that the driver and the camp staff are separate parts of the operation. The drivers often receive especially warm praise, while the camp service may feel less consistent.

Sunrise at Erg Chebbi

The morning begins early. You get up before dawn to watch the sun rise over Erg Chebbi, then return for breakfast. This is the moment I would protect most carefully when planning the trip.

The dunes change color as the light arrives, and the stillness gives you a different view of the Sahara than the lively evening around the fire. You may watch from near camp or ride camels again, depending on the morning arrangements. The early start is not optional if you want the full experience, so do not expect a leisurely breakfast-in-bed morning.

Sunrise is also when the cold can feel sharpest. Keep warm clothes beside your bed rather than buried in your luggage. Once the sun is up, the desert can warm quickly, but the pre-dawn wait is the part that catches people out.

The return to Fes

After breakfast, you collect your luggage and begin the long drive back to Fes. You stop to buy lunch at your own expense, then continue through the same broad regions in reverse.

The return journey is tiring. You have already had an early start, and the excitement of the desert has passed. Still, the route offers another chance to see the mountains, valleys, and changing terrain in different light. A good driver makes a large difference here.

Imad14 is repeatedly praised for organization, careful driving, and keeping the journey comfortable. Pedro is described as punctual and helpful, with sensible stops. Tarik is praised for explaining the route, while Ismail and Hamza also receive positive comments for making the drive easier. You cannot select a particular driver with certainty unless the operator confirms it, but you can ask when booking.

Weather can affect the plan. Rain, snow, or difficult road conditions may change the route or make the desert portion harder to reach. In one case, an alternative program was arranged when the original desert plan could not go ahead. That flexibility is useful, but you should understand that desert travel depends on road and weather conditions.

Is $114 a good value?

At $114 per person, the package covers a lot: pickup and drop-off, air-conditioned transport, a professional driver, camel rides, sandboarding, camp accommodation with a private bathroom and shower, dinner, breakfast, and live entertainment.

The value is strongest if you want the major Merzouga experience without organizing each part yourself. You avoid arranging a long-distance vehicle, finding a camel operator, negotiating camp transport, and booking meals separately. The driver also handles the route and pickup.

The price does not include lunch or a local guide. You should also allow extra money for drinks, snacks, and optional activities such as quad biking. The driver provides information, but that is different from having a dedicated local guide at every stop.

Shared transport is available, while the camp is private for the shared-group option. A private group can also be arranged. Ask exactly what is private before paying, since private camp accommodation and private transportation are not the same thing.

Who should book this two-day trip?

I would choose this for a first Sahara visit when you are based in Fes and have limited time. It gives you the essential sequence: road scenery, camel ride, sunset, camp dinner, fire entertainment, sunrise, and return to Fes.

It suits people who can handle long drives and want a ready-made plan. Families have enjoyed the camel ride and camp, and solo visitors have felt safe and well cared for with attentive drivers. The wheelchair-accessible option may help some visitors, but you should confirm how the camel transfer and sandy camp sections will work for your needs.

I would hesitate if you have more time and want a slower desert trip. Two days leaves little room for delay, rest, or extra exploration. If you can spare more than three and a half days in total, spending additional time around the Sahara may give you a less rushed experience.

The tour is also a better fit in warmer months if cold nights are a concern. Winter can offer crisp air and snow around Ifrane, but the tents may be very cold after sunset and before sunrise.

Booking advice before you go

Pickup is included, and the company contacts you to confirm the time and location. Keep your phone available for that message, often sent through WhatsApp. Confirm your accommodation details clearly.

Bring:

• Several warm layers for the camp night
• Comfortable shoes for sand and walking
• Bottled water
• Cash or another way to pay for lunch
• A small overnight bag
• A charged phone or camera
• Space for a scarf or hat if the weather is cold

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now while paying later. The listed driver languages are English, Spanish, and French. Ask about your preferred language and driver before departure rather than assuming a particular person will be assigned.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if the Sahara is a priority and two days is all you can spare from Fes. The road is long, but the changing scenery, sunset camel ride, camp dinner, fire show, and sunrise create a complete first taste of Merzouga for $114.

Skip it if you need a relaxed pace or dislike sitting in a vehicle for most of a day. For everyone else, pack warm clothes, protect your lunch budget, and treat the journey itself as part of the Moroccan experience. The desert night is the reward, but the road is half the trip.

FAQ

How long is the drive from Fes to Merzouga?

The drive takes around seven hours without stops. The tour includes breaks for food, toilets, tea, and sightseeing, so the full travel time can be longer.

What places do you visit on the way to Merzouga?

The route includes Ifrane, the Middle Atlas cedar forests, Midelt, the Ziz Valley, and Erfoud before reaching Merzouga.

Are camel rides included?

Yes. Camel rides are included, including the ride toward the desert camp. A camel handler takes you across the dunes, usually around sunset.

Is sandboarding included?

Yes. Sandboarding is included in the tour package.

What meals are included?

Dinner in the Merzouga desert and breakfast at the camp are included. Lunch is not included, so you need to purchase it yourself.

Does the desert camp have a private bathroom?

Yes. The included camp accommodation has a private bathroom and shower.

Is the camp warm at night?

The desert can be very cold at night, especially in winter. Blankets may be available, but you should bring warm clothes and extra layers.

Can I book private transportation?

A private group option is available. For the shared-group option, transportation is shared, while the camp is private.

Which languages are available?

Drivers are listed as speaking English, Spanish, and French.

Is pickup from my Fes accommodation included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included. The company contacts you to confirm the pickup time and location.