Fes to Marrakech: Sahara Camel Ride & Desert Camp 2-Day Tour

Summary

From Fes to Marrakech crossing dunes valleys and mountain passes

You’ll share tea with locals in mountain towns, ride camels across Erg Chebbi’s golden dunes at sunset, sleep in a Berber camp beneath Saharan stars, and cross dramatic valleys all the way to Marrakech. Expect laughter with your guide, slow-cooked tagine by firelight, and a sunrise you’ll remember every time you see sand.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Fes to Desert Camp via Ziz Valley

• Refreshment stop in mountain town
• See Barbary macaques in cedar forest
• Drive through Ziz Valley oasis
• Transit desert gateway city
• Optional stop in fossil-rich desert town
• Arrive at Sahara Desert edge
• Sunset camel ride on dunes
• Dinner and overnight in desert camp

Day 2 — Desert to Marrakech via Atlas Mountains

• Optional sunrise camel ride
• Depart desert for Atlas Mountains
• Travel through Tinghir desert landscapes
• Drive through rose valley and kasbahs
• Optional stop in Ouarzazate film studios
• Stop at High Atlas mountain pass
• Arrive in Marrakech evening

Top questions

How long does the Fes to Marrakech desert tour take?

This tour lasts two days, starting in Fes and ending in Marrakech by evening on day two.

Is dinner included at the desert camp?

Yes, dinner is included during your overnight stay at the Berber-style desert camp near Merzouga.

Do I get to ride a camel in Erg Chebbi?

Yes, there’s a sunset camel ride across Erg Chebbi dunes on day one and an optional sunrise ride on day two.

Are bathrooms private at the camp?

You can choose Classic (shared bathrooms) or Deluxe (en-suite bathroom) accommodation options at camp.

What’s included during this 2-day Sahara tour?

The tour includes air-conditioned transport, camel rides in Erg Chebbi dunes, dinner and breakfast at camp, sandboards to use in camp, plus pickup from Fes.

How many people are on this shared tour?

The group size is up to 18 travelers per departure—small enough for comfort but social enough for meeting others.

Is lunch provided during the trip?

No lunch is not included; stops are made along the route where you can purchase food.

Can infants join this Sahara desert tour?

Infants can join but must sit on an adult’s lap; not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal or heart issues.

What’s included

Your journey includes pickup in Fes by air-conditioned vehicle with a local guide leading you through mountain towns and oasis valleys all the way to Merzouga. You’ll enjoy both dinner and breakfast at a traditional desert camp after your camel ride through Erg Chebbi dunes—with sandboards available if you feel adventurous—before continuing west toward Marrakech.

What’s the experience like?

We were still laughing about my attempt at “shukran” when our driver, Youssef, pulled over in Ifrane. It’s this odd little town that looks more Swiss than Moroccan—pointy roofs, crisp air, and locals bundled up even in spring. Youssef bought us sweet mint tea from a street vendor who winked at me when I tried to say thank you again (I think I got closer that time). The cedar forest after that was full of Barbary macaques—one of them stared right back at me as if he knew how tired I was from the drive out of Fes. It smelled like pine needles and damp earth. We kept stopping for photos but honestly, half the time I just wanted to watch the light change on the hills.

The road stretched forever through Ziz Valley—palms everywhere, then suddenly nothing but sand and wind. In Merzouga, we met our camel guy (he called himself “Simo Ronaldo”, which made everyone laugh), and set off into the Erg Chebbi dunes just before sunset. The camels are taller than you think; mine kept turning his head as if checking if I was still there. Sand felt cool under my hand, but it got colder fast as the sun dropped. Dinner at camp was tagine cooked slow over coals—smoky, rich—and after eating we sat around listening to drums under a sky so full of stars it almost didn’t look real. Someone played a song on their phone and it mixed with the wind. Not sure why that sticks with me now.

Waking up in the desert is weirdly quiet except for a few voices and the soft shuffling of camels getting ready for sunrise rides back across the dunes. My legs were sore but I didn’t care—I just wanted one more look at that pinkish light on sand before we packed up for Marrakech. The drive west felt long but not boring; we wound through Todra Gorge (stopped for oranges) and crossed Tizi-n'Tichka Pass where shepherds waved from far below. By the time we reached Marrakech it was dark and busy again—felt like coming back to another world entirely.