DESERT TOUR 2 DAYS FES TO MERZOUGA AND BACK

PRIVATE TOUR — DESERT TOUR 2 DAYS FES TO MERZOUGA AND BACK

OVERVIEW

Short on time in Fes? This 2 day desert tour is the fastest way to reach the Sahara and still get a real taste of it. You’ll cross the Middle Atlas Mountains, stop in the cedar forest to look for Barbary macaques, drive along the Ziz Valley oasis, ride camels across the Erg Chebbi dunes, and spend a night in a luxury desert camp — before heading back to Fes via Rissani the next day.

It’s a packed two days with a lot of driving, but for anyone who can’t give the desert more time, it still delivers the core experience: dunes, sunset, stars, and silence.

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

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

– Crossing the Middle Atlas Mountains
– Spotting Barbary macaques in the cedar forest
– Panoramic views along the Ziz Valley
– A camel trek across the Erg Chebbi dunes
– A spectacular sunset and sunrise over the Sahara
– A night under the stars in a luxury desert camp

DAY 1: FES → IFRANE → MIDDLE ATLAS MOUNTAINS → ZIZ VALLEY → MERZOUGA

Your tour departs Fes around 8:00 a.m. heading for Merzouga. The first stop is Ifrane — a small alpine-feeling town often called the “Switzerland of Morocco” — where you can take a short coffee break. The drive continues to the cedar forest around Azrou, where Barbary macaques are often seen in the wild. From there, the road crosses the Middle Atlas to Midelt — known for its apple orchards — for lunch.

The route continues over the Tizi n’Talghemt Pass (the “she-camel pass”) and along the Ziz Valley, a long ribbon of palm groves and small traditional villages with plenty of photo stops along the way.

You’ll reach Merzouga in the afternoon. Your camels and guide will be waiting to take you across the Erg Chebbi dunes to your desert camp, with a pause on a high dune to watch the sunset. After dinner at the camp, the evening unfolds around a campfire with Berber music under a sky full of stars.

Approximate driving distance: 500 km
Approximate driving time: 7 hours 30 minutes

DAY 2: MERZOUGA → RISSANI → FES

An early wake-up is worth it for the sunrise over the dunes. After breakfast, the drive heads to Rissani — the historic foundation of Morocco’s current ruling dynasty. If your trip falls on a market day (Tuesday, Thursday, or Sunday), you can explore the traditional souk. The return to Fes then follows the route via Erfoud and back along the Ziz Valley, ending with a drop-off at your accommodation in Fes.

Approximate driving distance: 473 km
Approximate driving time: 7 hours

IMPORTANT NOTES

– The driving times above don’t include stops for lunch and sightseeing.
– Dietary preferences (vegetarian, vegan, allergies) can be accommodated — please mention this when booking.
– Your luggage is transported to the camp by 4×4 while you ride camels, so it’ll be waiting in your tent on arrival.
– Prefer not to ride a camel? A 4×4 will take you to the camp at no extra cost.
– Want to finish in Marrakech instead of returning to Fes? See the Fes to Marrakech Desert Tour 2 Days.
– All our luxury camps feature private tents with en-suite bathrooms.

– Pick-up from your hotel or riad in Fes
– Private air-conditioned 4×4, van, or minibus
– English- or Spanish-speaking driver, or driver plus English- or Spanish-speaking guide
– 1 night at your chosen luxury camp (private tent with en-suite bathroom)
– 1 dinner and 1 breakfast
– Camel trekking experience
– Sandboarding
– Drop-off at your hotel or riad in Fes