2-day Fez to Merzouga desert tour with camel trekking

Two days crossing the Middle Atlas, the Ziz Valley, and the Sahara dunes on camel

A 2-day desert tour from Fez to Merzouga with private transportation, professional English-speaking driver, and overnight accommodation in a traditional Berber tent. The route passes through Ifrane, Azrou's cedar forest, Midelt, Arfoud, and the Ziz Valley before reaching the Erg Chebbi dunes. Camel trekking at sunset on day one and sunrise on day two. Dinner, breakfast, and an Amazigh lunch are included. Pickup and drop-off from Fez hotels are arranged.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Fez to Merzouga via Atlas Mountains

• Depart early from Fez
• Drive through Berber villages
• Stop at Ifrane city
• Visit Azrou cedar forest
• Lunch in Midelt city
• Drive to Arfoud city
• Drive through Ziz Valley oasis
• Explore nomadic Berber tribes
• Arrive Merzouga and start camel trek
• Watch sunset in desert
• Dinner with Berber folklore
• Overnight in Berber tent camp

Day 2: Merzouga sunrise and return to Fez

• Wake early for desert sunrise
• Camel ride back to Auberge
• Breakfast at Auberge
• Depart Merzouga for Fez
• Stop to explore Moroccan nature

The experience

The drive from Fez to Merzouga covers ground through Berber villages and two distinct landscapes. Your first stop is Ifrane, known locally as Moroccan Switzerland for its mountain setting and European-style architecture. From there the route continues to Azrou and its cedar forest (tall trees thick enough to walk among) before reaching Midelt for lunch. An Amazigh meal breaks the drive and gives a taste of local cooking.

The second half of day one pushes south through Arfoud and into the Ziz Valley, a panoramic stretch of oasis with green vegetation and a river running through the middle of the Sahara. Along this stretch you'll pass nomadic Berber tribes and see how they live in the desert. When you arrive at Merzouga, camels are waiting. The sunset camel trek across the dunes is the centerpiece of the first day. You ride out to watch the light change over the sand. Dinner happens at the tent camp under open sky, with Berber folklore performances and the sound of wind across the dunes as the soundtrack. You sleep in a traditional Berber tent.

Day two starts before dawn. Your camel driver takes you back out to watch the sunrise from the dunes, then you cross the Erg Chebbi sand formations on the way back to the auberge for breakfast. The return journey to Fez includes several stops to see more of the Moroccan landscape. The driver handles all navigation and timing. You ride, walk, and watch.

What’s included

• Private transportation from Fez in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• pickup and drop-off at your Fez hotel.
• a professional English-speaking driver for both days.
• camel trekking at sunset and sunrise.
• overnight accommodation in a traditional Berber tent.
• dinner, breakfast, and an Amazigh lunch.
• bottled water throughout the tour.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:00, 07:30 and 08:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (18 to 95 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 26 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 5 days ago

Good to know

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

Operated by Fuma Tour Travel - Day Tours

Is this one for you?Choose this private tour if you want a driver who adjusts pace and stops to your interests, rather than following a fixed itinerary with other travelers.

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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's the drive like from Fez to the Merzouga dunes?

The route covers roughly 470 kilometers over two days, passing through the Middle Atlas Mountains, Berber villages, Ifrane, Azrou's cedar forest, and the Ziz Valley oasis before reaching the Erg Chebbi dunes. The landscape shifts from mountain scenery to desert as you move south.

How much time do I actually spend on a camel?

You ride at sunset on day one and at sunrise on day two, each trek lasting roughly an hour across the dunes. The camel driver leads both rides. No prior experience is needed.

What happens if I'm not comfortable with camel riding?

The tour centers on camel trekking, so this is the main activity. If you have concerns about your ability to ride, contact the operator before booking to discuss alternatives or modifications.

Where do I sleep, and what are the tent accommodations like?

You spend the night in a traditional Berber tent at a tent camp in Merzouga. The camp provides basic overnight accommodation in the style local to the region.

Are meals included, and what kind of food is served?

Dinner on day one, breakfast on day two, and an Amazigh lunch on day one are all included. Dinner and breakfast happen at the tent camp. Lunch is in Midelt. Bottled water is provided throughout the tour.