3-Day Merzouga Desert Tour from Fes: Camel Trek & Berber Camp

Berber hosts cook dinner over a campfire in the middle of the dunes while you watch the stars.

A 3-day tour from Fez to Merzouga crosses the Middle Atlas Mountains, stops at cedar forests and the Ziz Valley, and ends two nights in the Sahara: one in a traditional kasbah, one in a Berber camp. Day two is free to explore the oasis towns or rest, then you trek by camel into the dunes at sunset. The return journey leaves after sunrise on day three.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Travel from Fes to Merzouga Sahara

• Pick up from hotel in Fes
• Visit Ifrane town
• Explore cedar forests near Azrou
• Drive through Middle Atlas Mountains
• Lunch stop in Midelt city
• Visit Ziz Valley oasis
• Stop for panoramic oasis views
• Arrive in Merzouga
• Dinner with Saharan music
• Overnight in traditional Kasbah

Day 2: Explore Merzouga Desert

• Wake up early for sunrise
• Breakfast at accommodation
• Explore desert and nearby towns
• Visit Khamlia village for Gnawa music
• Relax around desert tents
• Camel trek to Berber camp
• Dinner with traditional desert meals
• Evening around campfire and stargazing
• Overnight in luxury camp

Day 3: Return from Merzouga to Fes

• Wake up early for desert sunrise
• Return to camp for bath
• Pack luggage
• Breakfast at camp
• Depart for return trip to Fes

The experience

The route starts at 7:30 am from your hotel in Fez, climbing into the Middle Atlas Mountains through Ifrane (built by the French in the 1930s) and the cedar forests around Azrou, where Barbary macaque monkeys live wild. You'll pass through forested peaks and mountain streams, stop for lunch in Midelt at the junction of the Middle and High Atlas, then descend into the Ziz Valley: the largest oasis in Africa, where palm trees line the river. The road reaches Merzouga in the afternoon. Dinner comes with Saharan music, and you sleep in a traditional kasbah.

Day two is yours to shape. Wake early for sunrise over the dunes if you want it, or sleep in. Spend the morning exploring the Tafilalt Oasis towns (Rissani, Merzouga) and palm groves, or stay near the camp. In late afternoon, when the heat breaks, you ride a camel into the desert to a Berber camp deep in the sand. Your hosts prepare traditional meals like Madfona (a slow-cooked tagine), offer camel's milk, and teach you about desert life. The evening is open: sit by the campfire, walk into the dunes, or lie back and watch the stars.

On day three, catch the sunrise over the sand dunes if you wake early, return to camp for breakfast and a bath, then drive back to Fez. The tour includes all transport, the camel rides, both nights' accommodation (kasbah and luxury camp), and a guide who speaks English, Spanish, Italian, French or another language. Hotel pickup in Fez is included.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup in Fez.
• transport to and from Merzouga.
• camel rides.
• overnight in a traditional kasbah.
• overnight in a luxury desert camp.
• dinner with Saharan music.
• traditional Berber meals cooked at the camp.
• a live guide in your choice of language.

Options for this experience

2 options

Standard Desert CampGuide in 5 languages · 07:30Shared standard tent option, pickup is included

Luxury Desert CampGuide in 5 languages · 07:30Private luxury tent option, includes pickup

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 to1h before

GroupUp to 17 · max 8 per booking

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

Audio 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 11 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Desert Life Tours

Is this one for you?Choose the luxury camp option if you want a more comfortable overnight setup in the dunes. The standard camp offers the same Berber experience and camel trek at a lower price. Both include the same sunrise, the same camel ride, and the same desert meals. The difference is in the camp's amenities.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German and Italian.

What is the Ziz Valley and why does it matter on this route?

The Ziz Valley is the largest oasis in Africa, where the Ziz River runs between palm trees and mountains. It marks the transition from the High Atlas into the desert and is a major stop on the drive south from Midelt to Merzouga.

Can I choose how to spend day two in Merzouga?

Yes. You can explore the oasis towns and palm groves around the Tafilalt, visit Khamlia village for Gnawa music, or stay near the camp and rest. The camel trek to the Berber camp happens in the late afternoon on every departure.

What happens at the Berber camp overnight?

Your Berber hosts cook traditional desert food over a fire, including dishes like Madfona, and may offer camel's milk. You can sit by the campfire, walk into the dunes, or lie on the sand and watch the stars. Breakfast and a bath are included before the return drive to Fez on day three.

Do I need experience to ride a camel?

No. The camel trek is part of the tour and is suitable for all fitness levels. The ride happens in the late afternoon when temperatures drop, and your guide and Berber hosts are accustomed to travelers of all backgrounds.

What's included in the price and what do I need to pay for separately?

The tour includes transport from Fez, both nights' accommodation, camel rides, dinner with Saharan music on night one, and all meals at the Berber camp. Lunch on days one and three, and drinks throughout, are not included.