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

Cross the Middle Atlas and ride into the Sahara at sunset, then wake to the dunes at dawn

A 2-day desert tour from Fez that crosses the Middle Atlas Mountains to Merzouga, where you trade the minivan for a 4×4, ride a camel into the Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset, and sleep in a traditional Berber tent between the sand. Day one passes through Ifrane, Azrou's cedar forests and macaque monkeys, Midelt, the Ziz Valley, and Erfoud before reaching the camp. Day two returns to Fez with stops along the Atlas route. The tour includes an air-conditioned vehicle, camel ride, camp accommodation, dinner, and breakfast.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Middle Atlas Mountains and Sahara Desert

• Pick up from Fes accommodation
• Drive through Middle Atlas Mountains
• Stop at Ifrane (Moroccan Switzerland)
• Visit Berber village of Azrou
• Lunch stop in Midelt
• Photo stops in Ziz Valley and Erfoud
• Arrive in Merzouga and rest
• Camel trek at sunset
• Overnight in Berber desert camp

Day 2: Merzouga to Fez

• Camel ride back to hotel at sunrise
• Breakfast at hotel
• Drive back to Fes via Atlas Mountains

The experience

The journey starts at 8 a.m. from your Fez accommodation in a comfortable minivan, heading south through the Middle Atlas Mountains. Your first stop is Ifrane, known for its alpine-style architecture and ski resort, then Azrou, where you can spot wild Barbary apes in the cedar forests. After lunch in Midelt, the landscape shifts as you approach the desert: the Ziz Valley opens up with its contrast of green palms against red earth and ochre-colored Berber houses built into the hillside. By late afternoon you reach Merzouga, where a 4×4 takes over for the final transfer to your luxury camp nestled between the Erg Chebbi dunes.

At the camp, you'll have time to rest before setting out on a camel trek into the dunes as the sun drops toward the horizon. Dinner is served in the camp, followed by traditional music under a sky full of stars. The next morning, camp staff wake you early so you can ride your camel back and watch the sunrise over the dunes. After breakfast, the return journey to Fez retraces the Atlas route with scenic stops, arriving back in the city by evening.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned minivan transport from Fez.
• 4×4 transfer to the luxury camp in Merzouga.
• camel ride at sunset and sunrise.
• overnight stay in a traditional Berber tent.
• dinner and breakfast at the camp.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (5 and older) · Infant (under 5)

GroupUp to 15

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.

Prices and times updated 14 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Fancy Moroccan Trips

Is this one for you?This 2-day format fits travelers who want the Sahara experience without committing to a longer journey, and the fixed itinerary means all the stops (from Ifrane's alpine houses through the Ziz Valley to the dunes) fit into a single overnight trip from Fez.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Infant (under 5).

What is Ifrane known for on this tour?

Ifrane is called "Little Switzerland" for its alpine-style houses, clean streets and ski resort, marking the first major stop after leaving Fez on the drive south through the Middle Atlas.

Do I ride a camel on this tour?

Yes. You take a camel trek into the Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset on day one, and ride back to the camp at sunrise on day two before breakfast.

What kind of accommodation is included in Merzouga?

You stay overnight in a traditional Berber tent at a luxury desert camp positioned between the Erg Chebbi dunes, with dinner and breakfast provided.

What happens in the Ziz Valley?

The Ziz Valley is a photo stop where you see the contrast between green palm trees and red mountain earth, with typical ochre-colored Berber houses arranged along the valley creating a distinctive landscape.

When does the tour pick me up, and what vehicle is used?

Pickup is at 8 a.m. from your Fez accommodation in an air-conditioned minivan for the drive to Merzouga. A 4×4 takes you from Merzouga to the desert camp and back.