Fez to Sahara Desert Tour with Camel Trek & Camp

Summary

Sahara Day Trip from Fez: Camel Ride & Berber Campfire

You’ll cross mountains and cedar forests from Fez to Merzouga, ride camels into golden dunes, share Berber music by firelight, and wake up under desert stars. With local guides and all transport included, this Sahara tour leaves you with sandy shoes—and memories that linger long after you’re home.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is the smell of mint tea in the van — our driver, Hassan, poured it for us right after picking us up in Fez. We’d barely left the city when the landscape started changing; Ifrane looked almost European, which I didn’t expect. There were cedar forests and monkeys darting around near Azrou (one of them tried to grab my snack — quick little guy). The drive was long but not boring; every hour felt like a new country. Hassan told stories about his childhood in Midelt and pointed out the Ziz valley’s date palms, which shimmered gold in the late afternoon light.

By the time we reached Merzouga, my legs were stiff but my brain was buzzing. Camels were waiting — taller than I thought, with that slow, swaying walk that makes you laugh at yourself for trying to look cool. The sand was warm underfoot even as the sun dipped low. Our guide Youssef showed me how to wrap my scarf against the wind (“like this — tighter!”) and then we set off into the Erg Chebbi dunes. It’s quiet out there except for camel grunts and your own heartbeat. Dinner at camp tasted smoky and sweet; someone played drums by the fire while we watched stars appear one by one. I still think about that sky.

I woke up before sunrise because someone (maybe Youssef?) whispered outside our tent that it was worth seeing. He wasn’t wrong — pink light over endless sand is something you don’t forget quickly. After breakfast (flatbread and strong coffee), we rode back on camels with sand still stuck in our shoes. The return to Fez felt different; quieter maybe, or maybe just tired in a good way. We stopped once for pomegranates at a roadside stall — juice running down my chin while Hassan laughed at my mess. So yeah, if you’re thinking about a day trip from Fez to Merzouga with camel trekking and a night at a desert camp… it’s not really about ticking boxes. It’s more like letting Morocco surprise you.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Fez to Merzouga via Middle Atlas

• Pick up from riad-hotel at 7:30 am
• Drive through Ifrane, Azrou, Midelt, and Ziz Valley
• Camel trek to Berber desert camp
• Enjoy Berber drumming and starry sky

Day 2 — Merzouga to Fez via Ziz Valley

• Sunrise camel trek back to Merzouga hotel
• Breakfast and freshen up
• Drive back to Fez via Tafilalt, Rissani, and Imouzar Kandar
• Drop off at hotel/riad in Fez

Top questions

How long does the drive from Fez to Merzouga take?

It takes about seven hours each way by car or minivan, with stops along the route for breaks and sightseeing.

Is camel trekking included in this Sahara tour?

Yes, a guided camel trek through the Erg Chebbi dunes is part of the experience—usually around 45 minutes each way.

What kind of accommodation is provided in Merzouga?

You’ll stay overnight in a standard Berber desert camp with dinner and breakfast included.

Are meals provided during the tour?

Dinner at camp and breakfast are included; other meals can be bought during stops along the route.

Is hotel pickup available in Fez?

Yes, pickup from your hotel or riad in Fez is included at around 7:30 am on departure day.

What’s included

Your journey includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Fez, private transport with an experienced local driver, guided camel treks into Erg Chebbi dunes, an overnight stay at a Berber desert camp with dinner and breakfast provided—plus plenty of stories shared along the way before returning home in the evening.