Fez to Sahara Desert Tour with Camel Trek & Camp

Summary

Sahara Group Adventure: Camel Trekking & Berber Nights

Cross Morocco’s Middle Atlas from Fez to Merzouga with a small group and local guide. Ride camels into Erg Chebbi dunes, sleep in a Berber camp under desert stars, try traditional food like Madfouna, and listen to live Gnawa music—moments you’ll remember long after you’re home.

What’s the experience like?

We were already winding through the cedar forests outside Ifrane when our driver pointed out wild monkeys by the roadside—honestly, I didn’t expect that. The air smelled sharp and cold up there, almost like pine needles after rain. By the time we reached Midelt for tea, my shoes had picked up a layer of red dust and my phone was full of photos of those endless palm groves in Ziz valley. People waved as we passed tiny villages; kids ran alongside the bus for a bit, laughing.

The real moment for me was arriving in Merzouga just before sunset. Our guide handed out scarves (“for the sand,” he said), and then we climbed onto camels—mine grunted and shifted under me, which made everyone laugh nervously. Riding out into the dunes felt slow and quiet except for the wind hissing over the sand. The sky turned this weird deep orange that I still think about sometimes. At camp, dinner was tagine under lanterns while someone played Berber drums in the background. It got cold fast after dark; I could see my breath when I stepped outside to look at the stars—so many it didn’t seem real.

Next morning, they woke us early for sunrise over Erg Chebbi. My hands were freezing but nobody cared—we all just stood there watching everything turn gold. Later on, back in Merzouga, we visited Khamlia village where Gnawa musicians played these hypnotic rhythms that stuck in my head all day. Lunch was “Madfouna”—Moroccan pizza—which is way heavier than it sounds but really good after a night in the desert.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Fez to Merzouga via Atlas Mountains

• Drive to Merzouga via Ifrane, Azrou, Midelt, Ziz Valley
• Visit Ifrane - The Switzerland of Morocco
• Explore Midelt town
• Visit Ziz Valley and reach Merzouga

Day 2 — Merzouga Excursion and Camel Trek

• Tour Merzouga area: volcanic rocks, Khamlia village, Rissani city
• Rest and camel trek to Berber camp with drumming

Day 3 — Merzouga to Fez via Ziz Valley

• Sunrise camel trek, breakfast, then return to Fez via Tafilalt and Imouzar Kandar

Top questions

How long is the drive from Fez to Merzouga on this Sahara tour?

The drive takes about 7 hours each way, including scenic stops through Ifrane, Azrou, Midelt, and Ziz valley before reaching Merzouga.

Is camel trekking included on this Fez Sahara group tour?

Yes, camel trekking is included—you’ll ride camels into the dunes for sunset and again at sunrise as part of your experience.

What kind of accommodation do we get during the Sahara tour?

You’ll spend one night in a hotel or riad in Merzouga and another night in a standard Berber desert camp with dinner included both nights.

Are meals provided on this Fez to Sahara Desert trip?

Dinners are included at both accommodations; breakfast is also provided each morning. Lunches are at your own expense during stops.

What’s included

Your three-day trip covers pickup and drop-off from your hotel or riad in Fez, comfortable transport with air conditioning and an English/French-speaking driver-guide, one night’s stay at a Merzouga hotel plus another night camping in the desert (both with dinner and breakfast), guided camel treks at sunset and sunrise, plus visits to local villages along the way.