2 Days Desert Trip Back To Fes/ Or Marrakech

The best part of this trip is the sudden change from Fez’s old city to the Sahara in just two days. You pass cedar forests, mountain villages, rocky highlands, and palm-filled desert country before riding a camel into the Erg Chebbi dunes for sunset.

I like the well-chosen stops at Ifrane, Azrou, and Midelt, and I like that the evening includes the pieces that make a desert night special: mint tea, dinner, a camp, and time beneath the stars. The main drawback is the road time. This is a hard-driving itinerary, with roughly 7 to 10 hours on the road on the first day and another long return journey.

Key points

• Fez pickup begins at the Medina: Your driver collects you from your hotel in the old city.
• The route crosses the Middle Atlas: Ifrane, Azrou’s cedar forest, Berber villages, springs, and rugged rock country break up the drive.
• The camel ride reaches Erg Chebbi at sunset: Expect about an hour across the sand before reaching camp.
• The overnight camp includes the basics: You get a Berber tent, dinner, breakfast, mint tea, and a desert sunrise.
• You can return to Fez or continue to Marrakech: Confirm your preferred destination when booking.
• The group can reach 17 people: That helps keep the $139.37 price low, but it may feel less personal than a private trip.

From Fez’s Medina to the Middle Atlas

Your day starts with pickup at your hotel in Fez’s Medina. The first half-hour is simply about getting out of the city and settling into the air-conditioned minivan.

The route then climbs toward Ifrane, a resort town built by the French in the 1930s. Its architecture was designed to resemble a Swiss village, a curious sight in Morocco. The stop lasts about 30 minutes, so you should treat it as a short look around rather than a full visit.

Ifrane gives you a useful reminder that Morocco is not one single type of place. Within a few hours, you move from Fez’s dense lanes to a cool mountain town associated with winter sports. The stop also breaks up what would otherwise be a long, straight run toward the desert.

You will spend much of the day in the Middle Atlas. This section includes forests, springs, stone formations, and Berber villages. The route is scenic, but the roads and travel time are part of the bargain. One account of the trip described the journey as about seven hours, while another found the full first-day drive closer to ten hours before camp. Plan for a long day, not a relaxed sightseeing circuit.

Cedar trees, monkeys, and the road to Midelt

The next major pause comes at the cedar forest near Azrou. You may see monkeys here, and the forest offers a welcome change from the city and open road.

The stop lasts about 40 minutes. That is enough for a brief walk, a look at the trees, and a chance to stretch your legs. It is not enough for a long forest outing, so keep your expectations in check.

After Azrou, the road continues through the Middle Atlas toward Midelt. The scenery shifts between wooded areas, open mountain country, exposed rock, and small settlements. I like this part because the drive is not just a transfer from point A to point B. You get a sense of how Morocco changes as you move south and east.

At the same time, you need to be comfortable with sitting in a vehicle for hours. The tour includes the travel time in its two-day schedule, and there is no way to make this route feel short. If you want a desert trip with lots of stops and time in each place, you will find this plan rushed. If you want to reach the Sahara from Fez without arranging several separate transfers, the route is practical.

Midelt lunch and the final run toward Merzouga

Midelt is the planned lunch stop. The town is known for fossils and rocks, and the break lasts about an hour.

Lunch is not included, along with drinks, so bring some cash and plan to pay for your own meal. This is also a good time to buy water if you have not already done so. The supplied details do not name a specific restaurant, so the stop is best viewed as a practical meal break rather than a promised food experience.

After Midelt, the road continues toward Merzouga. This final stretch can feel long, especially after the morning departure from Fez. Still, the arrival brings a clear reward: a wide view over an oasis filled with palm trees, followed by the first sight of the desert near Merzouga.

You will have a mint tea break before heading out by camel. That pause matters. It gives you a few minutes to reset, gather your things, and prepare for the evening ride instead of moving straight from the minivan to the dunes.

Crossing Erg Chebbi by camel at sunset

The camel ride is the centerpiece of the trip. Your guide and camels take you across the sandy dunes of Erg Chebbi, with about an hour on the route to camp.

The timing is set around sunset, so the sand changes color as the light drops. You should have chances to take in the open views and photograph the dunes, though the exact sunset conditions depend on the weather and season.

This is not a long camel expedition. It is a short desert crossing that connects Merzouga with the overnight camp. That makes it accessible to most people, but you should still expect a bumpy ride and some physical effort getting on and off the camel.

At camp, the camels are secured and mint tea is served. Dinner follows, and you can spend the evening looking at the night sky before sleeping in an authentic Berber tent.

The camp received the strongest praise in the available feedback. The setting, food, tents, and evening entertainment were all singled out as excellent. That is important because the long road day only feels worthwhile if the desert night delivers something memorable. Here, the overnight portion appears to be the part that gives the trip its character.

The details do not specify the exact tent style, entertainment program, or bathroom arrangements. Do not assume a luxury camp from the $139.37 price. Think of it as a traditional overnight desert stop with dinner, breakfast, tea, and a place to sleep.

Sunrise, breakfast, and the long way home

Day two starts with sunrise in the desert. Get up early enough to enjoy the light before breakfast, since this is one of the few calm moments in an otherwise packed schedule.

After breakfast, you begin the return journey. You can choose Fez or Marrakech, but the information provided does not explain how the route, arrival time, or price changes for each option. I would confirm the destination before you pay, especially if you are using the trip as a connection between cities.

The return section is described as about eight hours. That makes the second day another major road day rather than a full day of sightseeing. You should keep your plans after arrival flexible. A late arrival is possible simply because the distance is substantial.

The phrase Fes el-Bali appears in the day-two plan, but the broader trip description gives you the choice of returning to Fez or going to Marrakech. Confirm the exact drop-off point with Desert Smile Tours before departure. That small check can prevent confusion if you have a hotel, train, or flight waiting.

What the $139.37 price really covers

At $139.37 per person, this is a low-cost way to connect Fez with the Merzouga desert. The price includes an air-conditioned minivan with a professional driver, one night of accommodation, the camel ride, dinner, breakfast, and the sunset portion of the trip.

You still pay for lunch and drinks. Those extras are easy to overlook, especially on a long drive, so budget for them separately.

The value is strongest if you are already planning to travel between Fez and the desert and want transport, the camel ride, and a camp bundled together. Booking those parts separately could take more time and coordination.

The tradeoff is comfort and pace. A group of up to 17 people keeps the cost down, but it may mean shared decisions and less flexibility at stops. The vehicle is air-conditioned, which helps on a long route, but no minivan makes a 7 to 10 hour drive feel like a short transfer.

The overall rating is 4.8 from 26 reviews, with 96 percent recommending the experience. The most useful lesson from that strong score is not that every part is perfect. It is that the desert camp and organization appear to make up for the demanding road schedule.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would recommend this trip to you if you have only two days, want to see the Sahara from Fez, and prefer a ready-made route rather than arranging transport, accommodation, and a camel ride on your own.

It also suits people who care about the full route to the desert, not just the dunes. Ifrane, Azrou, Midelt, the cedar forest, mountain scenery, and palm oasis give you a broader picture of Morocco.

You should think twice if you dislike long drives, motion on winding roads, or early starts. The itinerary is packed, and the return day leaves little time for extra stops.

Most participants can take part, and the tour is near public transportation. Still, the camel ride and long vehicle hours call for reasonable stamina. If you have a medical concern or difficulty sitting for long periods, ask the operator before booking.

Practical tips for a smoother desert night

Bring water and money for lunch and drinks. Those are the clearest costs not covered by the tour.

Wear shoes that can handle sand and clothing that works for both warm daylight and a cooler desert evening. The supplied information does not give temperatures or a packing list, so use layers rather than relying on one heavy item.

Keep your most important small items with you during the camel ride. A phone, camera, sunscreen, and water are more useful in a small day bag than buried in larger luggage.

Do not schedule an important flight or train immediately after the return. The trip includes long road sections, and exact arrival times can shift.

Ask about the Fez or Marrakech drop-off choice when you book. Also confirm the pickup point at your Fez hotel, especially if your accommodation is inside the Medina’s narrow lanes.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Inside that window, the payment is not refunded and changes are not accepted. The tour requires good weather, and a cancellation for weather brings either another date or a full refund.

Should you book the Fez to Merzouga desert trip?

Book it if your priority is reaching the Sahara quickly and affordably while still seeing the Middle Atlas, riding a camel at sunset, and sleeping in a Berber tent. The camp, dinner, breakfast, tea, and sunrise give you the desert experience without a higher-priced private itinerary.

Skip it if you want leisurely sightseeing, short driving days, or a quiet small-group journey. This is a long-distance transfer with a rewarding overnight stop, not a slow tour of every town along the way.

For the right person, the $139.37 price is strong value. Go in ready for the road, confirm your final destination, and treat the sunset camel ride and desert camp as the main event.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

Pickup begins at your hotel in Fez’s Medina.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately two days.

Can I return to Fez or go to Marrakech?

Yes. After the desert overnight, you have the choice of returning to Fez or continuing to Marrakech.

Is the camel ride included?

Yes. The camel ride across the Erg Chebbi dunes is included.

Is accommodation included?

Yes. One night in a desert camp is included, with accommodation in an authentic Berber tent.

Are meals included?

Dinner and breakfast are included. Lunch and drinks are not included.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 17 people.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted and are not refunded.