2 Days / 1 Night
2 Days Desert Tour from Fes to Merzouga
Travel from Fes through the Middle Atlas and Ziz Valley to Merzouga for a camel ride across Erg Chebbi and an overnight Sahara desert camp.
Fes to Merzouga Desert Tour
Experience the Sahara on a 2-Day Tour from Fes
The 2 Days Desert Tour from Fes to Merzouga is a short Sahara journey designed for travelers who want to experience the Erg Chebbi dunes while starting and finishing their trip in Fes.
Leave Fes and travel south through the Middle Atlas Mountains. The route passes through Ifrane before continuing into the cedar forest, where Barbary macaques may sometimes be seen in their natural environment.
Continue toward Midelt and then descend through increasingly dry landscapes toward the Ziz Valley. Palm groves stretch through the valley below, creating a striking green corridor on the approach to southeastern Morocco.
Arrive in Merzouga beside the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi and begin your camel ride into the Sahara. Cross the dunes as the light changes over the desert before reaching your camp for dinner and an overnight stay.
After breakfast the following morning, leave Merzouga and begin the return journey north. Travel back through the varied landscapes between the Sahara and the Middle Atlas before arriving in Fes later in the day.
Tour Highlights
Highlights of Your Fes to Merzouga Desert Tour
Middle Atlas Mountains
Travel south from Fes through the changing landscapes of the Middle Atlas Mountains, with scenic stops along the journey toward the Sahara.
Cedar Forest
Stop in the Middle Atlas cedar forest, where Barbary macaques may sometimes be seen in their natural environment.
Ziz Valley
Admire the palm-filled landscapes of the Ziz Valley as the route descends toward the desert regions of southeastern Morocco.
Camel Ride & Desert Camp
Ride camels across the golden Erg Chebbi dunes and spend the night at a desert camp near Merzouga.
Tour Itinerary
2 Days Desert Tour from Fes to Merzouga Itinerary
Day 1
Fes → Ifrane → Cedar Forest → Midelt → Ziz Valley → Merzouga
Your 2-day Fes to Merzouga desert tour begins with pickup from your accommodation in Fes. Leave the city and travel south toward the Middle Atlas Mountains.
Stop in Ifrane, a mountain town often called the Switzerland of Morocco because of its distinctive architecture and alpine setting.
Continue through the cedar forest of the Middle Atlas. Barbary macaques inhabit parts of this region and may sometimes be seen during the stop, although wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.
Travel onward toward Midelt before continuing south through changing mountain and desert landscapes. Later, reach the Ziz Valley, where palm groves extend along the valley floor beneath the surrounding rocky terrain.
Continue toward Merzouga at the edge of Erg Chebbi. In the late afternoon, meet your camels and begin the ride across the golden Sahara dunes toward the desert camp.
Arrive at the camp and enjoy the peaceful desert surroundings. Dinner is served at the camp before your overnight stay near the Erg Chebbi dunes.
Overnight: Merzouga desert camp
Meals: Dinner and breakfast
Day 2
Merzouga → Ziz Valley → Midelt → Middle Atlas → Fes
Wake early if you would like to enjoy the morning light over the Erg Chebbi dunes. After breakfast at the desert camp, prepare for the return journey to Fes.
Leave the Merzouga region and travel north through the landscapes of southeastern Morocco. The route passes back through the Ziz Valley, with its palm groves and contrasting rocky surroundings.
Continue toward Midelt as the scenery gradually changes from the dry landscapes near the Sahara to the higher terrain of central Morocco.
Travel through the Middle Atlas Mountains on the final stretch of the journey. Depending on timing and road conditions, there will be opportunities for rest and scenic stops along the way.
Arrive back in Fes later in the day, where your two-day journey to Merzouga and the Sahara comes to an end with drop-off at your accommodation.
What's Included
- ✓Pickup from your accommodation in Fes
- ✓Drop-off at your accommodation in Fes
- ✓Private air-conditioned transportation
- ✓English-speaking driver
- ✓One night in the Merzouga desert camp
- ✓Camel ride for each traveler across the Erg Chebbi dunes
- ✓Dinner at the desert camp
- ✓Breakfast at the desert camp
What's Not Included
- ×Lunches
- ×Drinks
- ×Personal expenses
- ×Tips
- ×Entrance fees where applicable
Tour Route
Fes to Merzouga Desert Tour Route
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 2 days enough for a Fes to Merzouga desert tour?
Two days is suitable for travelers who have limited time and want to experience Merzouga and the Sahara while starting and finishing in Fes. Because the distance is significant, both days include several hours of driving.
What route does the 2 Days Desert Tour from Fes to Merzouga follow?
The tour leaves Fes and travels through the Middle Atlas, Ifrane, the cedar forest, Midelt and the Ziz Valley before reaching Merzouga. After the desert experience and overnight camp, the return journey follows the route north toward Fes.
Does the tour visit the Erg Chebbi dunes?
Yes. Merzouga lies beside the Erg Chebbi dunes, which are the main Sahara destination of this two-day desert tour.
Is the camel ride included?
Yes. A camel ride for each traveler across the Erg Chebbi dunes is included as part of the Merzouga desert experience.
Do I have to ride a camel?
If you prefer not to ride a camel, please let us know before the tour so we can discuss an alternative way to reach the desert camp.
Where do we spend the night?
The overnight stay is at a desert camp in the Merzouga area near the Erg Chebbi dunes. Dinner and breakfast are included with the overnight stay.
Can we see Barbary macaques in the cedar forest?
Barbary macaques live in parts of the Middle Atlas and may sometimes be seen during the cedar forest stop. They are wild animals, so sightings cannot be guaranteed.
Is there a lot of driving on this tour?
Yes. Fes and Merzouga are separated by a considerable distance, so this two-day itinerary includes long driving periods. Scenic stops along the route help break up the journey.
What should I bring for the Merzouga Desert?
Comfortable shoes, sunglasses, sun protection and layered clothing are useful. Desert temperatures can change considerably between daytime and night, so a warm layer is recommended outside the hottest months.
When do we return to Fes?
The tour returns to Fes on the second day. The exact arrival time can vary depending on traffic, road conditions, weather and the time spent at stops along the journey.