2-day Fes to Merzouga desert tour: Camel trek and Sahara camp

Merzouga's sand dunes and a night under stars in a Sahara camp

A 2-day tour from Fez to Merzouga in the Sahara, traveling southeast through the Middle Atlas mountains and ending with a camel trek and overnight stay in an equipped desert camp. Day one departs around 7am, passing through Ifrane, Azrou's cedar forest, Errashidia and the Ziz Valley before arriving in Merzouga for mint tea, a camel ride at sunset, and dinner with music in the camp. Day two starts with a sunrise camel trek, then returns to Fez via the same route. Hotel pickup and drop-off, transport by air-conditioned minivan, breakfast and dinner are included. The guide speaks English and French.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Travel from Fes to Merzouga

• Start trip at 7am from Fes
• Stop at Ifrane, "Switzerland of Morocco"
• Visit Azrou and cedar forest
• See Barbary apes in forest
• Pass through Errashidia
• Drive via Midelt and Ziz Valley
• Stop for lunch and panoramic views
• Drive through Berber villages like Rissani
• Arrive in Merzouga and check-in
• Meet camels for sand dune adventure
• Spend night in desert camp with music

Day 2: Return from Merzouga to Fes

• Wake early to watch sunrise
• Trek back to riad
• Have breakfast at riad
• Depart Merzouga for Fes via Errashidia
• Pass through Ziz Valley
• Arrive in Fes in evening

The experience

The route traces a line through two mountain ranges, so the landscape shifts as you travel. Day one starts at 7am from your hotel in Fez, heading southeast into the Middle Atlas. Ifrane sits at the first stop (a town built in Swiss Alpine style at high altitude) followed by Azrou and its famous cedar forest, where Barbary apes live in the trees. The road then descends toward Errashidia, where the scenery opens into hints of desert, and continues through Berber villages like Rissani (the birthplace of Morocco's current royal dynasty) before reaching Merzouga by evening. Lunch and photo stops happen along the way.

In Merzouga, you'll have mint tea at your riad, then meet the camels for a trek into the sand dunes at sunset. Dinner and an evening of drums and music happen in the equipped nomadic tent where you sleep. The camp has private tents and basic facilities. This is not a luxury resort, but a genuine desert experience. Day two wakes early (your camel guide will rouse you to watch the sunrise over the dunes), then you trek back to the riad for breakfast. The return journey to Fez follows the same route through Errashidia and the Ziz Valley, arriving in the evening.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, as is transport in an air-conditioned minivan. The guide speaks English and French. Mineral water travels with you in the vehicle. Breakfast and dinner are provided. Lunch is on your own. The minimum age is 18, and the tour suits all fitness levels, though it is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Fez.
• transport by air-conditioned minivan.
• camel trek at sunset on day one and sunrise on day two.
• one night in an equipped private tent in the desert camp.
• dinner with live music in the Sahara.
• breakfast at the riad on day two.
• mineral water during the drive.
• live guide in English or French.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:30

Book up to6h before

AgesAdult (18 to 80 years) · Under 18: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and French

Audio guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Fes Sahara Tours

Is this one for you?The 2-day format lets you reach the Sahara and spend a night in the dunes without rushing. The drive alone takes most of a day, so a single-day trip would cut the desert time short. If you have only one day in the region, a day trip from Fez exists. If you want more time in Merzouga or to explore other routes, a longer tour is an option.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and French.

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 is the Ifrane stop like on the way to Merzouga?

Ifrane is a mountain town built in Swiss Alpine style, sitting at high altitude in the Middle Atlas. It is the first stop on day one, about an hour into the drive from Fez, and marks the beginning of the landscape shift toward the desert.

Do I get to ride a camel in Merzouga?

Yes. You trek into the sand dunes on camel at sunset on day one, then again at sunrise on day two before returning to the riad for breakfast and the drive back to Fez.

What is the desert camp like where I sleep?

The camp is an equipped nomadic tent with private tents for guests. You'll have dinner, listen to live drums and music at sunset, and sleep in the Sahara. It is a genuine desert experience, not a resort.

Does the tour include lunch?

Lunch is not included. Breakfast and dinner are provided at the riad and in the desert camp. You'll have photo and meal stops along the drive on day one where you can buy food.

What time does day one start and when do I return to Fez on day two?

Day one departs around 7am from your hotel. Day two starts with the sunrise camel trek, then breakfast at the riad, and the return drive to Fez arrives in the evening.