2 days · 1 night
2-Day Desert Tour from Fes to Merzouga
from €130 / person
Price per person, based on two travellers sharing. Private departures on request.
Fes is the closest imperial city to the great dunes, and this two-day circuit uses that advantage fully: over the Middle Atlas through Ifrane and the cedar forests (stop for the Barbary macaques), across the high plateau, and down the spectacular Ziz Valley — a canyon of palms — to reach Merzouga in time for the sunset camel trek.
The night is the classic Erg Chebbi experience: camp among the dunes, dinner by the fire, drums and stars, sunrise from the sand. Day 2 returns to Fes, or connects onward — many travellers continue to Marrakech on our southern route instead of doubling back.
Highlights
- The shortest route from any imperial city to the real Sahara
- Cedar forests of the Middle Atlas and their Barbary macaques
- The Ziz Valley — a river of palms between desert cliffs
- Sunset camel trek and a night in our Erg Chebbi camp
- Option to continue to Marrakech instead of returning to Fes
Itinerary
Day 1 — Fes · Ifrane · Ziz Valley · Merzouga camp
Departure at 7:00 from Fes through Ifrane — "Morocco’s Switzerland" — and the cedar forest of Azrou. After the Zaida plateau, lunch in Midelt, then the descent of the Ziz gorges to Erfoud and Merzouga. Sunset camel trek into the dunes and a night at camp.
Day 2 — Sunrise · Ziz Valley · return to Fes
Sunrise on the dunes, camel ride back, breakfast and shower — then the return road north, arriving in Fes in the evening. Prefer to continue to Marrakech? We arrange the connection on request.
What's Included
- Transport in an air-conditioned minivan with driver
- Sunset and sunrise camel trek in Erg Chebbi
- Night in a desert camp with dinner, breakfast and bedding
- Fuel and tolls
Not Included
- Lunches and drinks
- Travel insurance
- Tips (optional)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is two days from Fes enough for the desert?
Yes — unlike from Marrakech, the Fes road reaches Erg Chebbi in one day with time to spare for the sunset trek. It is the most efficient real-dunes itinerary in Morocco.
How long is the drive?
Around 7 hours each way with stops. The scenery changes constantly — mountains, cedar forest, plateau, oasis — so it feels much shorter than the southern routes.
Can I end in Marrakech instead of Fes?
Yes. Day 2 can continue south-west to Marrakech (a long day, arriving late evening) — a popular way to see the whole circuit without repeating a road.
When is the best time?
September to May. Note that the Middle Atlas crossing can be genuinely cold in winter — snow around Ifrane is common — while the desert stays mild by day.
Ready to Answer the Call?
Choose your tour and start your adventure today.