2-Day Fez to Merzouga Desert Tour: Sahara Camp & Camel Trek

Seven hours of driving through mountain passes, cedar forests, and oasis towns to a night under the Sahara sky

A 2-day tour from Fez to Merzouga combines eight hours of driving across Morocco's Atlas Mountains and desert edge with an overnight stay in a luxury camp. Day one moves through Ifrane, the Cedar Forest where Barbary monkeys roam, and the Ziz River valley before reaching Merzouga for a camel trek or 4x4 ride and dinner. Day two returns to Fez (or Marrakech if you prefer) with the same stops in reverse, ending at your original pickup point.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: From Fez to Luxury Camp in Merzouga

• Pick up from four Fez locations
• Drive to Ifrane, Little Switzerland
• Visit cedar forest with monkeys
• Stop in Midelt for lunch option
• See Ziz River oasis region
• Pass Gate of the Sahara oasis town
• Arrive hotel, rest and drink tea
• Camel ride or 4x4 to luxury camp
• Enjoy dinner at camp

Day 2: From Merzouga to Fez

• Breakfast at camp
• Return journey to Fez or Marrakech
• Stop at same places as day one
• Drop off at Fez locations

The experience

You get picked up between 7:30 and 8am from one of four spots in Fez (Place Rcif, Bab Boujloud, Place Batha, or near Hotel Barceló in the new city), and the drive starts at 8am sharp. The route climbs through Ifrane, a mountain town known for its alpine setting, then descends into the Cedar Forest, where hundreds of Barbary monkeys live among souvenir stalls and peanut vendors. This is the only stop where you interact with wildlife. Most travelers spend time here watching the monkeys and buying gifts.

After Midelt, a farming town in the apple-growing region, the landscape opens into the Tafilelt oasis, where the Ziz River creates a ribbon of green through the desert. This valley holds the ruins of Sijilmassa, an 8th-century caravan trading post that once enriched Moroccan dynasties with Saharan gold. Rissani, the gateway town to the desert, marks the final stretch before Merzouga. You arrive at the camp after seven hours on the road, rest with tea, then choose between a camel trek or a 4x4 ride to reach your accommodation. Dinner is included. Breakfast comes the next morning before you head back.

Day two follows the same route in reverse, with the same stops available if you want them. Lunch is not included on either day, so plan to eat in Midelt or Rissani. Before you book, confirm whether you want to end in Fez or Marrakech. You must tell the operator at least 12 hours before departure, and the return route adjusts accordingly. Dropoff happens at one of the same Fez pickup points you started from.

What’s included

• One night in a luxury camp.
• dinner on day one.
• breakfast on day two.
• air-conditioned vehicle for the entire journey.
• pickup from one of four locations in Fez and return dropoff at the same point (or Marrakech if you choose that option at booking).

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (18 to 60 years) · Under 18: can't be booked

GroupUp to 17

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Morocco Real Tours

Is this one for you?This 2-day format fits travelers arriving in Fez with one full day free before moving on, since the tour leaves early morning and returns by evening of day two. If you need to stay longer in the desert or prefer a slower pace, a longer tour would give you more time at the camp. If you have only an afternoon in Fez, a day trip won't work because the drive alone takes seven hours each way.

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Top questions

What is the Cedar Forest and why do people stop there?

The Cedar Forest near Ifrane is the largest cedar woodland in the region and the center of tourist activity in the area. Hundreds of Barbary monkeys live there, and visitors spend time watching them, giving them peanuts, and browsing the souvenir and gift shops and market stalls scattered through the trees.

How much driving is there each day?

Day one involves seven hours of driving from Fez to Merzouga, with stops at Ifrane, the Cedar Forest, and the Ziz River valley. Day two retraces the same route back to Fez, covering the same distance and stops in reverse.

What meals are covered, and when do I need to arrange food?

Dinner on day one and breakfast on day two are included. Lunch is not included on either day, so you'll need to eat in one of the towns along the route (Midelt or Rissani are both options), and pay separately.

Can I end the trip in Marrakech instead of Fez?

Yes, you can choose to end in Marrakech near Jamaa el Fna instead of returning to Fez. You must confirm this choice at least 12 hours before the tour starts, and the return route will adjust to drop you in Marrakech rather than at one of the Fez pickup points.