2Days Desert Tour From Fez: Round-Trip with Luxury Camp stay

Merzouga’s golden dunes are the main event, but the long road from Fez gives you a quick tour of Morocco’s Middle Atlas and eastern valleys along the way. You’ll ride a camel for about 45 minutes at sunset, sleep in a luxury desert camp, and wake early for the Erg Chebbi sunrise.

I like the easy mix of scenery and activity: the cedar forest monkeys make a lively stop, while the evening includes dinner, a fire, and Berber music. I also like that drivers such as Houcin, Tarek, Mounir, and Omar have been praised for patience, safe driving, and flexible photo stops. The catch is simple: two days means two very long drives, so three days would give you more time in the desert.

Key points at a glance

• Camel ride at sunset and sunrise: Ride from the Merzouga edge to camp, then return by camel or 4×4 after breakfast.
• Luxury camp with a private bathroom: Tents are spacious and comfortable, though hot water may not always be available in winter.
• A full day across Morocco: See Ifrane, cedar forests, Midelt, the Ziz Valley, and Erfoud before reaching the dunes.
• Drivers make a big difference: Houcin, Tarek, Mounir, Ael Yousfi Aziz, and others are noted for safe driving, useful information, and patience.
• Good value at $111 per person: Transport, driver, camp, camel rides, dinner, breakfast, music, and taxes are included.
• A fast desert sampler: Ideal if your schedule is tight, but the journey can feel exhausting on back-to-back days.

The real bargain and the real tradeoff

At $111 per person, this is a strong package for a round trip from Fez. You get air-conditioned transport, a professional driver, a night in a camp with a private bathroom and shower, camel trekking, dinner, breakfast, music, and the main sunset and sunrise activities.

The price does not cover lunch, bottled water, a local guide, or personal purchases. Lunch stops are on your own, and one useful bit of budgeting advice is to ask about the restaurant price before ordering. A few meals may cost more than expected for what arrives.

The value depends heavily on your tolerance for road time. Fez to Merzouga takes about seven hours with stops, and the return can feel just as long. Some departures have taken more than eight hours because of traffic, weather, and the number of stops. You are paying for a compact desert experience, not a slow stay among the dunes.

If you have only a short opening between time in Fez and a flight or another city, this trip gives you the essential Merzouga experience. If you can spare a third day, choose it. You will have more time to enjoy the camp and desert instead of watching the clock.

Leaving Fez at 7:30 a.m.

The day starts early, with pickup from your hotel or riad at 7:30 a.m. Bring your full luggage, since you do not need to leave large bags behind in Fez. Wear comfortable shoes, and keep water, snacks, sunglasses, and anything needed during the drive within reach.

Transport is by air-conditioned minibus or mini-van. Legroom can vary, and the back row may be uncomfortable for taller people. One six-foot-three passenger specifically found the back row tight, so ask about seating before settling in if you need extra legroom.

The driver is central to the experience. Drivers speak English, French, Spanish, or Arabic, depending on the assignment. Recent examples include Houcin, Tarek, Mounir, Omar Charif, Hafid, Hamsa, and Ael Yousfi Aziz. The strongest pattern is good personal service: drivers stop for photos, answer questions, drive carefully, and adjust the pace when possible.

Do not expect a formal guide at every stop. A local guide is not included. Instead, you get a driver who may explain the places along the route and help with practical details. Houcin, for example, was praised for offering background information and changing the route when weather or traffic required it.

Ifrane and the cedar forest

Your first major stop is Ifrane, an alpine-style town in the Middle Atlas. It is a sharp change from the image many people have of Morocco. Ski slopes and cooler mountain conditions give Ifrane a European feel, and the town makes a useful early break after leaving Fez.

The cedar forests come next, where Barbary monkeys live. You may see them near the road and can feed them during the stop. This is one of the most memorable parts of the drive, especially for children, and it breaks up the long ride with something active and unexpected.

The exact order can change. Heavy rain once closed the road toward Ifrane, forcing the stop to move to the return journey. That is a reminder to stay flexible. Mountain weather can change the route, and the driver may need to improvise.

If breakfast at your riad begins after 7:30 a.m., eat beforehand or carry something with you. A road closure can remove the expected morning stop, leaving you waiting until lunch. This is a small but important detail on a day when you are already spending many hours in the vehicle.

Midelt makes a practical lunch stop

Midelt is the usual break for lunch. The meal is not included, so bring Moroccan dirhams or another accepted payment method and check the menu prices before ordering. You may find the stop convenient rather than memorable, but it gives you time to stretch and eat before the road continues.

This is also where you start to feel the scale of the journey. The route is not a quick transfer from Fez to a nearby desert. You are crossing a large section of Morocco, and Midelt sits at the point where the mountain scenery gives way to drier country.

Motion sickness is worth planning for. The roads are generally good, but some sections are winding. Sit near the front if possible, look ahead, and bring any medication you normally use. The driver can make stops, but it is easier to prevent the problem than to fix it later.

Ziz Valley and Erfoud before the dunes

After Midelt, the road passes through the Ziz Valley. The route becomes greener in places, with a striking contrast between the valley and the dry terrain around it. This is a scenic part of the drive, so keep your camera ready and listen for opportunities to stop.

Erfoud is the final listed stop before Merzouga. It is a useful pause before the last stretch toward the dunes, and it helps divide the long day into manageable sections. The itinerary does not promise a long visit here, so think of it as a short stop rather than a full town tour.

You may reach Merzouga late in the afternoon. Once there, your luggage is transferred to the camp by 4×4. Pack a small overnight bag for the tent, since you will not need to carry everything onto a camel.

The camel ride into Erg Chebbi

At Merzouga, camels wait near the dunes for a ride of about 45 minutes. The timing is arranged around sunset, giving you the classic first view of the Sahara as the light softens across the sand.

A camel ride is not a long expedition. It is a short, memorable transfer and photo opportunity. The animals move at a steady pace, but sitting high on a camel can be tiring, particularly if you are not used to it. Wear comfortable trousers and shoes, and follow the staff’s instructions when mounting and dismounting.

If you have a health problem, you can use a 4×4 instead of riding. This is a useful option, not a reason to skip the desert. Ask the driver or camp staff early so the transfer can be arranged without confusion.

The sand dunes are the visual high point of the trip. Sunset gives you time to take photos and watch the colors change before reaching the camp. The guides are happy to help with photographs, which is useful when you are traveling without a companion who can take pictures.

Dinner, music, and the luxury camp

The camp provides dinner under the stars, followed by local Berber music around a fire pit. This is the part of the night that gives the trip its human character. You can eat, listen, and join the group rather than simply retreating to your tent.

The camp is described as a luxury option, with spacious tents and a private bathroom and shower. The standard is comfortable rather than hotel-like. You are still in a remote desert camp, and winter conditions can affect the water temperature.

Hot water deserves special attention. Some stays have included a hot shower, while others found the water unheated. If you are visiting in winter, do not assume a reliably hot shower. Bring warm sleepwear and a layer for the evening, even if the afternoon felt warm.

Food includes one dinner at the camp and breakfast the next morning. The meals have generally been considered good, but no other meals are included. Water is also separate, and you can buy it at stops along the way. Bring some cash so you are not dependent on a card machine in a remote area.

The night can be a social one. Music around the fire, dancing, and trying the instruments are part of the evening. You do not need to take part, but joining in is often more rewarding than watching from the side.

Sunrise, breakfast, and the long road back

The second day starts early for sunrise over Erg Chebbi. This is not a sleep-in itinerary. You rise before breakfast, go out to see the dunes in the morning light, then return for breakfast and a shower.

After breakfast, you can return by camel or take a 4×4 to meet the driver. The 4×4 is the practical choice if your legs are sore, you have a health concern, or you simply want to save energy for the long drive back.

The return to Fez includes stops and a lunch break. If the Ifrane or monkey stop was missed on the first day because of weather, it may be moved to this leg. The schedule is fixed enough to keep the group moving, but weather and road conditions can change the order.

This is where the two-day format feels tight. You leave the dunes soon after sunrise and spend most of the day returning to Fez. The desert portion is memorable, but brief. A three-day trip would let you slow down, add more time around Merzouga, and avoid feeling that the camel ride and camp disappeared almost as soon as they began.

What the drivers do well

The driver can shape the whole trip. A safe, patient driver makes the long route easier, while poor communication can make the schedule feel uncertain.

The most praised drivers have been friendly and flexible. Tarek has been noted for explaining Moroccan culture and taking care with the group. Houcin has been described as calm, accommodating, and willing to adjust stops. Mounir was praised for professionalism and help throughout the journey, while Ael Yousfi Aziz received strong marks for combining useful stops with a safe ride.

Communication about timing may not always be perfect. The schedule can feel improvised, particularly when roads or weather interfere. My advice is to ask directly about the next stop, lunch timing, camp transfer, and the return plan. Do not wait for every detail to be announced.

The operator has an overall rating of 4.8 from 259 ratings, with especially strong praise for drivers, safety, kindness, and the camp experience. That does not remove the long-drive drawback, but it suggests that the human service is one of the trip’s best assets.

Who should book this two-day trip?

This tour suits you if you want to see the Merzouga dunes but have only two days available. It works well for first-time visitors who want the basic desert sequence: camel ride, sunset, dinner, music, tent, sunrise, and return.

It is also a good fit if you prefer a guided road journey to arranging several separate transfers. Air conditioning, included taxes, camp transport, and a driver who handles the route reduce the number of details you need to manage.

You should think twice if you dislike long drives, have serious motion sickness, need generous legroom, or want a slow desert stay. Taller passengers should avoid the back row of the minibus, and anyone sensitive to winding roads should prepare in advance.

Families can enjoy the monkeys, camels, music, and dunes. One driver even made an extra monkey stop for children. People with health concerns can use the 4×4 instead of the camel, but it is still wise to ask about your needs before departure.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and reserve-now, pay-later terms add flexibility. The trip is also listed as wheelchair accessible, though you should confirm the practical arrangements for your specific needs before booking.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if the Sahara is a priority and your schedule is tight. At $111 per person, it packs a great deal into the price, especially the private-bathroom camp, camel rides, dinner, breakfast, transport, and driver.

Choose a three-day version if you have the time. The two-day trip delivers the essential Merzouga experience, but the road from Fez is long enough that the desert can feel like a brief reward at the end of a demanding journey. Go in with realistic expectations, carry water and snacks, ask for a comfortable seat, and you’ll be set for a memorable first taste of Morocco’s Sahara.

FAQ

What time does the tour leave Fez?

Pickup begins at 7:30 a.m. from your hotel or riad in Fez.

How long does Fez to Merzouga take?

The drive takes approximately seven hours with stops, though weather, traffic, and the number of breaks can make the journey longer.

Is the camel ride included?

Yes. The package includes a camel ride of about 45 minutes, timed for sunset, plus a camel ride or 4×4 transfer after sunrise.

Does the camp have a private bathroom and shower?

Yes. The luxury camp option includes a private bathroom and shower. Hot water may not always be available, especially in winter.

Are meals included?

One dinner at the Merzouga camp and one breakfast are included. Lunch stops are not included and are paid for separately.

What languages does the driver speak?

Drivers may speak English, French, Spanish, or Arabic, depending on the assigned driver.

Can I avoid the camel ride if I have a health problem?

Yes. You can use a 4×4 instead of camel trekking if you have a health problem.