Sahara Desert 2-day tour: Merzouga camel trek & camp

Two days crossing Morocco's mountains to sleep under desert stars

A 2-day shared tour from Fez to Merzouga in the Sahara, with camel trekking, one night in a desert camp, and a sunrise ride back. The route passes through Ifrane and the Azrou Cedar Forest, where Barbary macaques live among the Atlas cedars. Includes air-conditioned transport, a live guide in English, Spanish, Italian or French, dinner, breakfast, and hotel pickup from Fez.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Fes to Merzouga desert journey

• Depart from Fes early morning
• Explore Ifrane town streets
• Walk in Azrou Cedar Forest
• Visit Midelt apple orchards and market
• Arrive Merzouga desert camp
• Camel trek to desert sunset
• Dinner at desert camp

Day 2: Merzouga sunrise and return to Fes

• Watch sunrise on desert dune
• Camel ride back to Merzouga village
• Breakfast in Merzouga
• Stop at Tafilalt and Rissani
• Return to Fes in evening

The experience

The journey starts early from Fez and runs south through changing landscapes: the European-style streets of Ifrane, then the Middle Atlas Mountains where the Azrou Cedar Forest shelters native Barbary macaques. A nature walk lets you spot them among the ancient cedars. The route passes through Midelt and its apple orchards before reaching Merzouga at the edge of the Sahara. You'll spend the night in a desert camp after a camel trek to watch the sunset over the dunes.

Day two begins before dawn. You climb a dune in darkness to watch the sunrise from the top, then ride a camel back to Merzouga village for breakfast. The return to Fez includes stops at Tafilalt and Rissani, a town tied to the Alawite dynasty. You arrive back in Fez in the evening, ending a two-day loop that moves from mountain forest to desert and back.

The tour runs as a shared group with a live guide who speaks English, Spanish, Italian or French. Transport is air-conditioned throughout. Dinner and breakfast are included. Lunch is on your own. Hotel pickup from Fez is part of the booking.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned transport throughout the two days.
• camel trekking in the Sahara.
• one night in a desert camp.
• traditional Moroccan dinner and breakfast.
• a live guide in English, Spanish, Italian or French.
• hotel pickup from Fez.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day8 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 09:30

Book up to4h before

GroupUp to 17

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French and Italian

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 15 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by KMT

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want a shared group experience that covers Morocco's range in two days (mountains, forest, and desert) without arranging your own transport or guide. The fixed itinerary and included meals mean less planning on your end.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French and Italian.

What are the Barbary macaques and where do I see them on this tour?

Barbary macaques are monkeys native to the Atlas Mountains and found in the Azrou Cedar Forest, a protected area on day one of the tour. A nature walk through the forest gives you a chance to spot them among the ancient cedar trees.

Do I need experience to ride a camel in Merzouga?

No experience is needed. The camel trekking is part of the tour and suitable for all physical fitness levels. You'll ride to the desert camp on day one to watch the sunset and again on day two for the sunrise before returning to the village.

Where do I sleep on the first night?

You sleep in a desert camp in Merzouga after your camel trek. The camp includes a traditional Moroccan dinner and the chance to experience the desert at night under the stars.

What time does the tour pick me up from my hotel in Fez?

The tour begins early from Fez, though the exact pickup time is confirmed when you book. Hotel pickup from Fez is included in the tour price.

Is lunch included in the 2-day tour?

Lunch is not included. Breakfast and dinner are provided. You'll arrange lunch on your own during the stops in Ifrane, Azrou or Midelt.