2-Day Desert Horseback Riding from Fez: Erg Chebbi Overnight

Cross the Sahara on camelback and sleep under the stars at the edge of Algeria.

This 2-day desert trip from Fez takes you through the Atlas Mountains and cedar forests to Erg Chebbi, where you ride camels across the sand dunes and spend the night in a Berber tent. The route includes a camel trek at sunset, sunrise over the dunes, sandboarding, and a choice of return: back to Fez or onward to Marrakech. A professional guide, transport by air-conditioned minivan, dinner and breakfast are included. You pick between a shared tent or a private standard tent, or upgrade to a luxury tent for an extra cost.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Fez to Merzouga via Atlas Mountains

• Depart from Fez to Atlas Mountains
• Pass through Ifrane and cedar forest in Azrou
• Stop for lunch in Midelt
• Continue to Merzouga
• Start camel trek at Erg Chebbi dunes
• Arrive at desert camp and have dinner
• Watch stars and overnight in Berber tent

Day 2: Merzouga sunrise and return trip

• Walk sand dunes and watch sunrise
• Take 4x4 to Rissani
• Transfer by minivan towards Fez
• Stop for rest and lunch en-route
• Arrive in Fez late afternoon or evening

The experience

You leave Fez in the morning and climb into the Atlas Mountains, passing through Ifrane (a French-built ski resort that looks transplanted from Switzerland), and the cedar forest at Azrou where monkeys live in the trees. The drive winds through Berber villages and rocky terrain as you descend toward the Sahara. By midday you stop in Midelt, a town known for fossils, to eat lunch and rest before the final stretch to Merzouga.

You arrive at Merzouga in the afternoon around 5 pm, where your guide and camels are waiting. After a short break, you mount for a two-hour camel trek across the sand dunes of Erg Chebbi. You watch the sunset from camelback, then reach the desert camp where you spend the night in a Berber tent. The camels are hobbled nearby, mint tea is served, and after dinner you can watch the stars. Sandboarding and quad biking are available if you want them instead of or alongside the camel ride.

On the second morning, you can wake early to walk the dunes and watch the sunrise from just behind the Algerian border, about 50 km away. Then you load into a 4x4 for the drive back to Rissani, where you switch to a minivan for the road back to Fez or onward to Marrakech: whichever you chose at booking. The journey includes stops for rest and a meal, and you arrive in the late afternoon or evening.

What’s included

• Transport by air-conditioned minivan and 4x4.
• professional guide in English, Spanish, French or Arabic.
• camel ride across Erg Chebbi.
• sandboarding experience at no extra charge.
• overnight in a Berber tent (standard shared or private, with luxury upgrade available).
• dinner and breakfast.
• pickup from your Fez accommodation.

Options for this experience

5 options

Transfer only - no accommodationGuide in 4 languages · 07:00Pickup is included

Group Tour (Shared Tent)Guide in 4 languages · 07:00Pickup is included

Group Tour Private Standard TentGuide in English, French or Arabic · 07:00Standard desert tent: private standard tent with private ensuite bathroom. Free sandboarding: available by request when you want to start the camel ride. Shared group tour: the transportation is shared but the tent is private. Duration: 2 days, 1 dinner and 1 breakfast. Ends in Marrakech or Fes: this tour starts in Fes and can end back in Fes or in Marrakech. Minibus with air conditioner: comfortable transport. Professional driver: a professional driver, and hotel pickup is available if needed (we have a few meeting points close to the hotels and riads). Pickup is included.

See 2 more options

Group tour (night deluxe tent)Guide in 4 languages · 07:00Deluxe desert tent: private deluxe tent with private ensuite bathroom. Free sandboarding: available by request. Shared tour: the transportation is shared, but the tent is private. Duration: 2 days, 1 dinner and 1 breakfast. Ends in Fes or Marrakech: the tour starts in Fes and ends back in Fes or in Marrakech, as the traveller decides after booking. Minibus with air conditioning: comfortable minibus with AC. Professional driver: a professional driver, and hotel pickup is available if needed (we have a few meeting points close to the hotels and riads). Pickup is included.

Private tour (return to Fes)Guide in 4 languages · 07:30Luxury tent: private tent with ensuite bathroom. Free sandboarding: available by request, which you can ask for when you start the camel ride. Private tour: you will have a private car and driver plus a private tent with a private ensuite bathroom. Duration: 2 days. Dinner and breakfast included. Fes to the desert, back to Fes: this option ends back in Fes, not in Marrakech. Private minivan or SUV with AC: professional driver; hotel pickup and drop-off is available. Pickup is included.

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 dayDepartures at 07:00 and 07:30

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (5 to 12 years) · Infant (under 5)

GroupUp to 17

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French and Arabic

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Fes Desert Tours

Is this one for you?Book the group tour if you're comfortable sharing a tent and want to meet other travelers; choose the private standard tent if you want your own space without the luxury upgrade cost; or upgrade to the luxury tent for more comfort in the desert. The choice of return destination (Fez or Marrakech) depends on where your trip is heading next.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French and Arabic.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 12 years); Infant (under 5).

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 camel ride actually like, how long do you spend on the dunes?

The camel trek lasts about two hours and covers the sand dunes of Erg Chebbi at sunset, ending at the desert camp where you stay overnight. You ride again the next morning if you want to watch the sunrise.

Do I have to ride a camel, or can I do sandboarding instead?

Camel riding is the main activity, but sandboarding is available free of charge if you prefer it or want to do both. Quad biking is also an option.

Where exactly do you sleep, and what's the tent like?

You sleep in a Berber tent at the desert camp in Merzouga. The standard option is a shared tent. You can book a private standard tent, or upgrade to a luxury tent for an extra cost.

Can I choose to end the trip in Marrakech instead of returning to Fez?

Yes, at checkout you choose whether to return to Fez or continue to Marrakech. Both routes include the same desert experience and overnight. Only the final direction changes.

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

The trip includes transport by air-conditioned minivan, a professional guide, the camel ride, sandboarding, overnight accommodation in the tent, dinner and breakfast. Lunch and drinks on the road are not included, nor are tips.

Is this trip suitable if I've never ridden a camel before?

Yes, the camel trek is designed for all fitness levels and no experience is needed. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and the trip is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health.