2-Day Desert Tour from Fes to Merzouga: Camel Ride & Camp

Cross the Atlas Mountains and sleep under the dunes at Erg Chebbi

A 2-day tour departing Fes that crosses the Middle Atlas Mountains, passes through cedar forests and Berber villages, and ends at an overnight desert camp in the shadow of Erg Chebbi's sand dunes in Merzouga. You ride a camel, watch the Ziz oasis from above, and choose at checkout whether to return to Fes or continue to Marrakech. The tour includes air-conditioned transport, a professional driver, breakfast, dinner, and overnight accommodation. A live guide speaks English and French.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Travel from Fes to Merzouga Desert

• Visit Ifrane ski resort
• Drive through cedar forest near Azrou
• Cross Middle Atlas Mountains
• See panoramic views of Ziz Oasis
• Overnight in desert camp

Day 2: Merzouga to Fes or Marrakech

• Visit Rissani historical Kasbahs
• Explore Rissani market
• Return to Fes or Marrakech

The experience

The route starts in Fes and climbs into the Middle Atlas, where most of the first day winds through forests, springs and jagged rock faces. You'll pass Ifrane, a French-built ski resort from the 1930s that looks transplanted from Switzerland, then drive through cedar groves near Azrou where Barbary macaques live in the trees. The landscape shifts as you descend toward Merzouga, and a stop at the Ziz oasis gives a panoramic view of the palm groves stretching across the valley floor.

The overnight camp sits at the foot of Erg Chebbi's dunes. Dinner and breakfast are included, and sand boarding is available if you want it. On the second day, you visit Rissani, the first capital of the Alaouite dynasty that still rules Morocco, to see the historical kasbahs and the famous souk market. After that, the route splits: you return to Fes or continue onward to Marrakech, depending on which option you chose when booking.

The tour runs as a group, and solo travelers and couples can join to keep costs down and meet other people. You travel in an air-conditioned vehicle with a professional driver and a live guide who speaks English and French. The moderate fitness level the operator notes refers to the camel ride and the camp terrain, not to strenuous hiking.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned transport with a professional driver.
• camel ride at Merzouga.
• overnight accommodation in a desert camp at the foot of Erg Chebbi.
• breakfast and dinner.
• sand boarding.
• live guide in English or French.
• pickup included in at least one option.

Options for this experience

4 options

Shared tour (shared tent, max 4 people)Guide in English or French · 07:30Standard shared tent for 4 pax max: this tent is standard with an ensuite bathroom. Visit the Ait Ben Haddou kasbah: for travellers heading on to Marrakech, and for those returning to Fes, there is an option to visit the historic Ait Ben Haddou kasbah (UNESCO site). Shared tour in a shared tent. Duration: 2 days. We start at 8 AM on the first day and finish at 8 or 9 PM on the second day. Note: this tour suits people who do not have much time. Dinner and breakfast. Fes to the desert, Fes or Marrakech: from Fes to the desert, then back to Fes or on to Marrakech, depending on your choice. Air-conditioned minibus, professional driver. Pickup is included.

Group tour (standard tent stay)Guide in English or French · 07:30Overnight in a standard tent: a private standard desert tent with an ensuite bathroom. Visit the Ait Ben Haddou kasbah: for travellers heading on to Marrakech, and for those returning to Fes, there is an option to visit the historic Ait Ben Haddou kasbah (UNESCO site). Shared tour, but the accommodation is private (private tent). Duration: 2 days. We start at 8 AM on the first day and finish at 8 or 9 PM on the second day. Note: this tour suits people who do not have much time. Dinner and breakfast. Fes to desert, then Fes or Marrakech: you start from Fes for the desert, and after the desert you choose whether to drive back to Fes or on to Marrakech. Minibus or minivan with AC, professional driver. Pickup is included.

Group tour (luxury tent stay)Guide in English or French · 07:30Overnight in a luxury desert camp: you stay in a private luxury tent with an ensuite bathroom. Visit Ait Ben Haddou: for travellers heading on to Marrakech, and for those returning to Fes, there is an option to visit the historic Ait Ben Haddou kasbah (UNESCO site). Shared tour. Duration: 2 days. We start at 8 AM on the first day and finish at 8 or 9 PM on the second day. Note: this tour suits people who do not have much time. Dinner and breakfast are included. Air-conditioned minibus with a professional driver. Pickup is included.

VIP small group of up to 10 peopleGuide in English or French · 07:30Luxury desert camp: a private luxury tent with a private ensuite bathroom. 1-hour quad biking: you can choose to go to the tent by quad instead of by camel, or do both. Small group, VIP services. Duration: 2 days. We start at 8 AM on the first day and finish at 8 or 9 PM on the second day. Note: this tour suits people who do not have much time. Dinner and one breakfast. Air-conditioned minivan or SUV. Itinerary: you can choose to end back in Fes or continue to Marrakech, stopping to see Ait Ben Haddou on the way. Pickup is included.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:30

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (1 to 12 years)

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by 3T Travel

Is this one for you?Choose the shared tent option if you want to meet other travelers and keep costs low, or pick a small group or luxury tent if you prefer more space and privacy. The fixed two-day schedule means you see the mountains, the oasis and the dunes without rushing, though it also means the itinerary doesn't change based on your interests once the tour starts.

Traveler reviews

4.95★★★★★★★★★★

63 verified traveler reviews

5 ★60

4 ★3

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (1 to 12 years).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the Ziz oasis like on the way to Merzouga?

The Ziz oasis is a vast expanse of palm trees visible from a panoramic viewpoint on the drive toward Merzouga. You stop there to see the scale of the oasis stretching across the valley.

Do I have to return to Fes, or can I go to Marrakech instead?

You choose your endpoint at checkout: the tour can return you to Fes or continue to Marrakech after the second day in Merzouga.

What happens at Rissani on the second day?

Rissani was the first capital of the Alaouite dynasty. You visit the historical kasbahs and the famous souk market there before heading to your chosen endpoint.

Is the camel ride included, and what's the fitness level like?

The camel ride is included. The operator notes you should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness for the ride and the desert camp terrain.

What meals are covered, and what do I need to pay for separately?

Breakfast and dinner are included each day. Lunch and drinks are not, so budget for those meals and any beverages you want during the tour.