2 DAY MERZOUGA DESERT TOUR FROM OUARZAZATE TO FES

PRIVATE TOUR — 2 DAY MERZOUGA DESERT TOUR FROM OUARZAZATE TO FES

OVERVIEW

If you are short on time but want to experience the magic of the Sahara while traveling between southern Morocco and the north, this 2 day tour is the ideal solution. Leaving Ouarzazate, you will visit the Todra Gorge before reaching the Merzouga desert for a camel trek and an overnight stay in a luxury camp. The following day is dedicated to the scenic northbound drive through the Ziz Valley, the Middle Atlas Mountains, and the cedar forests before arriving in Fes.

Every itinerary is fully customisable to suit your preferences and pace.

DURATION: 2 DAYS / 1 NIGHT
START: OUARZAZATE
END: FES
TOUR STYLE: PRIVATE

Walking beneath the dramatic cliffs of the Todra Gorge
A camel trek across the Erg Chebbi dunes
Sunset and sunrise over the Sahara
An overnight stay in a luxury desert camp
The traditional souk of Rissani and Erfoud’s fossil workshops
Panoramic views of the lush Ziz Valley
Spotting Barbary macaques in the cedar forest
A stop in Ifrane, the “Switzerland of Morocco”

DAY 1: OUARZAZATE → TODRA GORGE → MERZOUGA

Your tour starts with an early morning pick-up from your accommodation or the airport in Ouarzazate. The route heads east through the Todra Valley, arriving at the Todra Gorge where you can walk through the striking red cliff-sided canyon carved by the Todra River.

After free time for lunch on the road, you will arrive at the Sahara desert of Merzouga in the afternoon. Here, you’ll switch to camels to cross the rolling dunes, stopping at a high vantage point to enjoy a magical sunset.

The ride concludes at a luxury desert camp where you will be served dinner and enjoy traditional Berber drumming around the campfire under a vast, open sky. Overnight in the camp.

DAY 2: MERZOUGA → ERFOUD → MIDELT → CEDAR FOREST → IFRANE → FES

An early wake-up is highly recommended to witness a spectacular desert sunrise. After breakfast, you will ride your camel or take a 4×4 back to Merzouga to meet your driver. The journey to Fes begins with a visit to Rissani, a major trading center with a lively traditional market, followed by Erfoud to see its famous fossilized marble workshops.

The drive then traces the Ziz River, offering panoramic stops overlooking the lush Ziz Valley, before stopping in Midelt for lunch. Continuing north, you will enter the Middle Atlas Mountains and stop at the famous cedar forest to observe the native Barbary macaques. After a brief visit to the alpine-style town of Ifrane, you will be dropped off at your accommodation or the airport in Fes. End of the tour.

IMPORTANT NOTES

Driving times don’t include stops for lunch and sightseeing.
This is a fast-paced tour covering a lot of ground in 2 days. For a more relaxed experience with a full day of desert exploration, consider the 3-day alternative.
Dietary preferences (vegetarian, vegan, allergies) can be accommodated — please mention this when booking.
Prefer not to ride a camel? A 4×4 will take you into and out of the camp at no extra cost.
Your main luggage is transported to the camp by 4×4 while you ride camels.