If you are based in Fes and have just two days, this 2 day Fes to Merzouga desert tour is the quickest way to sleep in the dunes. Our 2-day Fes to Merzouga desert tour is the shortest way to sleep in the Sahara and be back in Fes the next evening. You leave Fes in the morning, cross the Middle Atlas, reach the Erg Chebbi dunes in the late afternoon and ride a camel to a private tent for the night.
On day two you watch the sunrise and drive back to Fes. It is a private trip with your own vehicle and English-speaking driver, run by our team based in Merzouga.
Before or after the trip, set aside time for the old city of Fes, inscribed by UNESCO as the Medina of Fez.
We will be direct with you: this tour is mostly road. You spend roughly 16 hours behind the windows over two days. If you can add one more day, we usually recommend it. If you can’t, this tour still gets you a real night in the dunes, and the page below shows exactly what the two days look like.
2 day Fes to Merzouga desert tour at a glance
| Duration | 2 days, 1 night |
| Start | Your riad or hotel in Fes |
| Finish | Your riad or hotel in Fes |
| Style | Private (your own vehicle and driver) |
| Transport | Air-conditioned 4×4 or minibus, depending on group size |
| Overnight | 1 night in a private tent with its own shower and toilet at Mouhou Luxury Camp, Erg Chebbi |
| Meals | Dinner (day 1) and breakfast (day 2) |
| Main experiences | Middle Atlas cedar forest, Ziz Valley viewpoints, sunset camel ride, campfire with Berber drums, sunrise over the dunes |
| Driving | Approx. 460 km each way; about 7.5–8.5 hours of pure driving per day, before stops |
| Pick-up / drop-off | Included, at your accommodation in Fes (or the nearest point a vehicle can reach in the medina) |
| Price | €340 per person for 2 travellers (€680 in total) — less per person in larger groups |
Why choose a 2-day Fes to Merzouga desert tour?
Most Sahara trips from Fes either last three days or end in Marrakech. This one is for a specific traveller: you are staying in Fes, your next train, flight or booking leaves from Fes, and you have exactly two days.
The honest benefit is simple. You see the Middle Atlas, the Ziz Valley and the Sahara, and you sleep in the dunes, without packing up your Fes base. You can leave your big suitcase at your riad and travel light.
The honest cost is the driving. Merzouga is about 460 km from Fes. There is no shortcut and no faster road. Both days are long. We set our timings so you reach the dunes before sunset and get home at a reasonable hour, and we tell you in advance what you will only see from the window.
Highlights of the 2 day Fes to Merzouga desert tour
- Ifrane and the cedar forest near Azrou — a short stop in the tidy mountain town often called “the Switzerland of Morocco”, then a forest stop where Barbary macaques often appear. These monkeys are endangered; please watch them but do not feed them.
- Midelt — a high-plateau town known for its apples and the usual lunch stop on this road.
- Ziz Valley and Ziz Gorges — a long green ribbon of date palms cut into dry hills. The best viewpoints are right beside the road.
- Erg Chebbi at sunset — the camel ride to camp across dunes that rise up to around 150 m in places.
- A night in a private tent — your own shower and toilet, dinner, then a campfire with Berber drum music.
- Sunrise in the Sahara — the reason you came. Climb a dune, sit down, and watch the colours change.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Fes – Ifrane – Azrou – Midelt – Ziz Valley – Merzouga (camel ride and desert camp)
Approx. driving: 460 km, 7.5–8.5 hours before stops. Expect a full day of about [CONFIRM total hours, e.g. 9–10] hours door to camp meeting point.
Your driver collects you from your accommodation in Fes early in the morning, at around [CONFIRM PICK-UP TIME]. In the old medina, cars cannot reach most riads, so we meet you at the nearest gate or square; your riad can help with your bags.
The road climbs south into the Middle Atlas. You make a short stop in Ifrane, a mountain resort with European-style houses and clean streets. A little further on, near Azrou, you stop in the cedar forest to look for Barbary macaques.
You continue across the high plateau to Midelt for lunch (not included — your driver can suggest a local restaurant; budget [CONFIRM typical lunch cost] in cash). After lunch the land becomes drier and redder. You cross the Tizi n’Talghemt pass [CONFIRM name/stop] and drop towards the Ziz Gorges and the Ziz Valley, with photo stops above the palm groves. You pass through Errachidia and Erfoud without stopping, to save daylight.
You reach Merzouga in the late afternoon. Leave your main luggage in the vehicle and take a small overnight bag. Then you meet your camels and cameleer for the ride to camp, timed for sunset. The ride takes about [CONFIRM camel ride duration]. If you have back or knee problems, you can go to camp by 4×4 instead — just tell us when you book.
At camp you settle into your private tent, have mint tea and dinner, then join the campfire with Berber drums. On a clear night, the stars are the show.
- Overnight: Mouhou Luxury Camp, Erg Chebbi (private tent with own shower and toilet)
- Meals: Dinner
- Visit / stop / pass: Ifrane (short stop), cedar forest (stop), Midelt (lunch stop), Ziz Gorges and valley (photo stops), Errachidia and Erfoud (pass through)
Day 2: Merzouga sunrise – Rissani (if market day) – Erfoud – Errachidia – Ziz Gorges – Midelt – Fes
Approx. driving: 460 km, 7.5–8.5 hours before stops. You are usually back in Fes in the evening, around [CONFIRM ARRIVAL TIME RANGE].
Wake before dawn and climb a dune for the sunrise. Afterwards, ride the camels back to the village (or return by 4×4), have breakfast, and take a shower if you wish at [CONFIRM where breakfast and showers are offered on day 2 — camp or partner hotel].
Then the drive north begins. If your trip falls on a Rissani market day (traditionally Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday [CONFIRM]), your driver can make a short optional stop at the old Tafilalt market town. This adds time to an already long day, so we will ask you first. Otherwise you pass through Erfoud and Errachidia, then follow the Ziz Gorges back up to the plateau.
Lunch is in or near Midelt (not included). In the afternoon you cross the Middle Atlas again and arrive at your accommodation in Fes in the evening.
- Overnight: Not included (you return to your own accommodation in Fes)
- Meals: Breakfast
- Visit / stop / pass: Rissani (optional, market days only), Erfoud and Errachidia (pass through), Ziz Gorges (photo stop if light allows), Midelt (lunch stop)
Route notes: what you visit and what you pass
This is an out-and-back trip on the same main road. That means you see the Middle Atlas and Ziz Valley twice, once in each direction. We use that: on day 1 we stop more in the mountains, on day 2 we keep moving so you reach Fes before late evening.
Places you visit or stop at: Ifrane, the cedar forest near Azrou, Midelt, Ziz viewpoints, Erg Chebbi and the camp. Places you only pass through: Errachidia, Erfoud, and (unless it’s market day and you agree) Rissani. Places not on this route: Todra Gorge, Dades Valley, Aït Ben Haddou and Ouarzazate. Those are on the longer southern routes — see the related tours below.
[MAP PLACEHOLDER — simple route map Fes → Ifrane → Azrou → Midelt → Errachidia → Merzouga, same road back]
Where you sleep
You spend one night at Mouhou Luxury Camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes near Merzouga. We do not use basic camps with shared bathrooms. Every tent is private and has its own shower and toilet. Bedding, heating in winter, electricity and charging points: [CONFIRM tent equipment]. For a full picture of the tents, the evening and what to pack, read what a night at our Merzouga desert camp looks like.
Price and how it is calculated
There is no fixed online price because the cost of a private trip depends on a few clear things:
- Number of travellers. The vehicle and driver cost the same whether there are two of you or five, so the price per person falls as the group grows.
- Vehicle. A 4×4 for small groups; a minibus for larger families or groups.
- Season. Busy holiday periods can cost more than quiet months [CONFIRM seasonal pricing].
- Tent category. If the camp offers different tent levels, the choice changes the price [CONFIRM].
| Group size | Private, price per person |
|---|---|
| 2 travellers | €340 |
| 3–4 travellers | €190–€240 |
| 5–6 travellers | €140–€160 |
| 7+ travellers | On request |
| Children | [CONFIRM CHILD PRICING] |
| Solo traveller / single tent | [CONFIRM SINGLE SUPPLEMENT] |
Deposit: [CONFIRM DEPOSIT %]. Payment methods: [CONFIRM PAYMENT METHODS]. Cancellation: [CONFIRM CANCELLATION POLICY] — see our booking terms and conditions.
What’s included
- Pick-up and drop-off at your accommodation in Fes
- Private air-conditioned 4×4 or minibus, fuel and road taxes
- English-speaking driver for both days
- Camel ride to and from camp in Erg Chebbi (or 4×4 transfer if you prefer)
- One night in a private tent with its own shower and toilet
- Dinner on day 1 and breakfast on day 2
- Campfire evening with Berber drum music
What’s not included
- Lunches on both days (your driver recommends local places)
- Drinks other than water and tea at camp [CONFIRM]
- Tips for your driver and camp team (optional)
- Entry fees for any optional visits
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Sandboarding, quad biking or other extra activities [CONFIRM availability and price]
Is this tour right for you?
It’s a good fit if: – You are based in Fes and need to return there. – You have exactly two days and want a real night in the dunes, not just a look at them. – You are comfortable sitting in a vehicle for most of each day.
It’s probably not for you if: – You get car-sick or dislike long drives. Choose the 3-day Fes to Merzouga desert tour with a full day in the dunes instead: same road, but a rest day in the middle. – Your next stop is Marrakech. Don’t drive back to Fes — the 2-day Fes to Marrakech desert tour via Merzouga ends in Marrakech instead (also long days). – You are travelling with very young children. Two long drives in a row are hard for small kids; talk to us first.
Practical tips for a 2-day desert trip from Fes
- Pack a small overnight bag. Your suitcase can stay at your Fes riad (ask them) or in the vehicle. On the camel you only need a small backpack: toothbrush, warm layer, charger, torch, medication.
- Dress for both heat and cold. In summer, Merzouga is often above 40 °C in the day. From December to February, desert nights can get close to freezing, and the Middle Atlas can see snow. If snow or heavy rain closes a road, we adjust the route.
- Best months: spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are the most comfortable.
- Bring cash in dirhams for lunches, drinks and tips. Card machines are rare on this road.
- Motion sickness: the mountain roads have bends. Sit in front if you can and take tablets before you leave.
- Sun protection: hat, sunglasses and a scarf for wind and sand.
FAQs about the 2-day Fes to Merzouga tour
How many hours will I spend in the car? About 7.5–8.5 hours of pure driving each day, so roughly 16 hours in total. With stops for photos, lunch and breaks, each travel day lasts about [CONFIRM total hours] hours.
Is two days really enough to see the Sahara from Fes? It’s enough for one sunset, one night in camp and one sunrise in Erg Chebbi. It is not enough to explore the area around Merzouga. If you want to visit Khamlia, Rissani or a nomad family, choose three days.
What time do we get back to Fes? Usually in the evening, around [CONFIRM ARRIVAL TIME RANGE]. We don’t recommend booking a train, flight or dinner reservation for the same evening.
Can I leave my big luggage in Fes? Yes. Most riads will keep bags for guests who return. Bring only a small bag for the desert night. Your driver can also keep luggage in the locked vehicle [CONFIRM].
We arrive in Fes in the evening. Can we start the tour the next morning? Yes, the tour starts with an early pick-up, so arriving the evening before works. Tell us your riad name and we’ll arrange the meeting point.
What happens if the camel ride isn’t possible for me? We drive you to camp by 4×4 and back in the morning. Please mention back, knee or mobility problems when you book.
Is there a shared version of this trip? This page describes a private tour. Shared departures from Fes to Merzouga: [CONFIRM whether offered, departure days and prices]. Compare the styles in our guide to private vs shared desert tours.
Related tours from Fes
- 3-Day Fes to Merzouga Desert Tour with a Full Day in the Dunes — same road, two nights near the dunes, much calmer.
- 2-Day Fes to Marrakech Desert Tour via Merzouga — if you’re continuing south to Marrakech.
- All Fes desert tours to Merzouga, round trip and one-way — compare every option from Fes.
- Planning your Merzouga trip: getting there, best time and packing
The evening before you leave
A little preparation makes the 2 day Fes to Merzouga desert tour much easier. Pack your small overnight bag the night before, ask your riad to store your suitcase, and set an alarm for the early pick-up.
- Charge your phone and power bank
- Put a warm layer and a scarf on top of your bag
- Have some cash in dirhams ready for lunch and tips
Arriving at the dunes
When you reach Merzouga on the 2 day Fes to Merzouga desert tour, you leave your main luggage in the vehicle, take your small bag and meet your cameleer. Wrap your scarf against the sand and keep your phone in a zipped pocket for the ride.
More questions before you book
Can the 2 day Fes to Merzouga desert tour start at Fes airport?
It can, if your flight lands early enough to reach the dunes before sunset [CONFIRM availability and timing]. Usually it is easier to arrive the evening before.
Is the trip possible in winter?
Yes. Days are cooler and often clear, but nights in the desert can be close to freezing and the Middle Atlas may see snow. On a 2 day Fes to Merzouga desert tour in winter, we watch the forecast and adjust timings if needed.
Is there a minimum age?
[CONFIRM minimum age]. With young children, two long drives in a row are tiring, so talk to us before you book the 2 day Fes to Merzouga desert tour.
Can we extend the 2 day Fes to Merzouga desert tour to three days?
Usually, if the camp and your driver are available. Tell us as early as possible [CONFIRM].
Check availability and get a quote
Tell us your travel date, number of travellers and where you’re staying in Fes. We reply with a clear quote and a confirmed plan.
- WhatsApp or call: +212 667 850 421 (8:30–20:00 Morocco time)
- Email: [EMAIL ADDRESS]
- Contact form: contact form
How booking works: 1) send us your plans, 2) receive your itinerary and quote, 3) confirm your booking, 4) travel. There is no online payment on this website.
Check availability & get a quote Ask on WhatsApp
Travel with a local Merzouga team
Morocco Desert Excursions was founded by Sahara natives from Merzouga. The camp, the camels and the people who meet you at the dunes are part of our home area.
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