2 Days Trip from Fes to Merzouga with Overnight in Desert Camp

The big appeal of this two-day desert trip is simple: you get from Fes to the Sahara on a modest budget, with a camel ride, camp dinner, overnight stay, and breakfast included. Along the way, the road crosses the unusual mountain town of Ifrane, cedar forests near Azrou, the Middle Atlas, and the Ziz Oasis.

I like the chance to meet other solo visitors and couples in a group of no more than 16, and I like that the drivers often make the long ride more pleasant with music, humor, local advice, and well-timed stops. The catch is the schedule: this is a very long road journey, with limited time in the desert itself. Pack patience, water, and warm clothes for the night.

Key points to know before booking

• Around 1,000 kilometers of road travel: The low price is impressive, but much of the two days is spent in the vehicle.
• Ifrane feels unlike most of Morocco: The French-built ski town looks more like a Swiss resort than a North African city.
• Cedar forests and Middle Atlas scenery: The route includes mountain roads, rock formations, springs, Berber villages, and possible monkey sightings near Azrou.
• Camel ride and desert camp included: Your package covers the camel excursion, dinner, breakfast, and overnight camp.
• Friendly drivers matter here: Moha, Hassan, Mustafa, Mohamed, Zakaria, Aziz, and Driss have all been praised for careful driving and personal service.
• Rissani adds a local stop: The old market offers a more everyday Moroccan setting than a polished tourist attraction.

Why this Fes to Merzouga route is good value

At $115.15 per person, this is an unusually inexpensive way to reach Merzouga from Fes and spend a night near the dunes. Air-conditioned transport, a professional driver, dinner, breakfast, camel riding, sandboarding, and the camp are included.

That price matters because transport between Fes and the Sahara is the costly part of the trip. You are not simply paying for an activity near Merzouga. You are paying for a long transfer across much of eastern Morocco, plus the main desert experience once you arrive.

The value is strongest for solo visitors and couples who want to keep costs down and do not mind sharing a vehicle. A group setting also gives you people to talk with during the long drive. It can be a social way to cross Morocco instead of arranging a private car, which usually costs much more.

Still, low cost comes with a tradeoff. Two days is a tight timetable for this distance. The trip can feel like a transfer with a desert night attached, rather than a slow tour of the south. If you want several hours to walk among the dunes, photograph the sunset, or spend quiet time at camp, a longer route will suit you better.

Day 1: From Fes to Ifrane and the Middle Atlas

The first stop is Ifrane, about 20 minutes. Built by the French in the 1930s as a winter resort, it has an unusual European look, with chalet-style buildings and a cooler mountain climate. It does not feel like the Morocco many people picture before arriving, and that contrast makes it a useful opening stop.

You will not spend long there, so think of Ifrane as a brief orientation to the country’s changing regions rather than a full town visit. Admission is included, and the stop gives you a chance to stretch your legs before the mountain roads continue.

After Ifrane, the route passes through the cedar forest near Azrou and across the Middle Atlas Mountains. This is one of the most rewarding parts of the drive. The scenery shifts between forest, springs, jagged rock faces, mountain villages, and broad open views.

The forest is also known for its monkeys. Sightings cannot be guaranteed, but you will have a chance to look for them during the stop. Keep your camera ready, but do not let the search distract you from the wider scenery. The mountain crossing is valuable even when the animals remain out of sight.

The road takes up much of the day. That is the main practical fact to understand before booking. The scenery changes often, but you will still be sitting for hours. Several people found the drivers made the time easier with music, jokes, conversation, and a calm style behind the wheel. Moha is especially praised for being friendly and careful, while Hassan, Mustafa, Mohamed, Zakaria, Aziz, and Driss are also named for attentive service on different departures.

Driver assignments can vary, so you should not book on the assumption that one particular person will be driving. But the repeated praise for the team suggests that the human side of the trip is important. A patient driver who stops when needed can make a major difference on a route this long.

Ziz Oasis: a welcome change after the mountains

The route continues toward Errachidia, with a roughly 15-minute stop for panoramic views of the Ziz Oasis. From above, the oasis appears as a long ribbon of palm trees cutting through the dry terrain.

This is a quick photo stop, not an extended walk through the palms. Even so, it gives you a clear sense of how people live in this part of Morocco. Water makes the difference between the green oasis and the surrounding dry country, and the view helps explain why settlements developed here.

I would treat this stop as a visual break rather than a major sightseeing visit. The drive remains the main event. You will be watching the country change from cool mountain country to the dry south, which is precisely why a window seat is useful.

Arriving at Merzouga and riding into camp

The desert portion begins when you reach Merzouga. The included camel ride takes you toward the camp, replacing the vehicle with a slower and more traditional way to cross the sand.

Camel riding can be uncomfortable for some people, especially after a day in a minibus. You should expect a physical activity that requires a moderate level of fitness, as the booking information advises. Wear practical clothing and shoes, and keep your important items secure while riding.

Free sandboarding is also available. This is a nice extra for anyone who wants something active beyond the camel ride. It may not appeal to everyone, but because it costs nothing extra, you can decide once you see the conditions and how much energy you have left.

The camp itself is part of the appeal. Dinner is included, and the evening can include a fire and music with drums. One account describes playing along with the musicians, which gives the night a more social feel than simply eating and going to bed.

The camp is described as well equipped and comfortable, but you should still prepare for desert temperatures. Nights can be very cold, particularly around the end of December and in January. The dry setting may feel warm in the daytime and sharply cold after sunset. Bring layers rather than relying on the camp to provide all the warmth you need.

Breakfast is included the following morning. Drinks are not included, and lunch is also your responsibility. Carrying some water and budgeting for food along the route will make the low tour price easier to enjoy.

Day 2: Rissani and the return or onward transfer

The second listed stop is Rissani, with about 45 minutes to explore. Rissani was the first capital of the Alaouite dynasty, the ruling dynasty of Morocco, and it is known for historic kasbahs and its market, or souk.

This stop offers a useful contrast with the desert camp. The market is described as a less tourist-focused place in the heart of Morocco, so you can see a more ordinary trading town rather than another carefully staged attraction. Forty-five minutes is enough to look around, but not enough for a slow, detailed visit.

The exact end point should be checked carefully when you book. The main description presents the experience as a Fes to Merzouga trip, while some arrangements described by passengers continued onward to Marrakech. Do not assume an onward transfer is included unless it is clearly confirmed for your date.

That point is important because the route is already demanding. If you are using this as part of a larger Moroccan journey, confirm where you will be dropped off and what happens after the desert night. A small difference in the final destination can change your transport plans and total cost.

The long drive and what the vehicle means

The air-conditioned vehicle is a major part of the experience, not a minor detail. The route covers about 1,000 kilometers according to the trip accounts, and the vehicle gives you shelter from heat, dust, and changing mountain temperatures.

The group size is capped at 16, which is more manageable than a large coach. Still, a full minibus means limited personal space. You should expect to share the ride, follow a group schedule, and accept that stops will be set by the driver and route.

The most useful driver qualities here are not formal commentary or an elaborate guiding program. They are safe driving, patience, humor, and practical help. Moha is repeatedly singled out for good music, a calm driving style, and a friendly attitude. Hassan is praised for making the journey comfortable and for suggesting useful ideas for the rest of a Morocco trip. Mustafa is described as professional and pleasant, while Driss is noted for attentive family service.

This does not mean every departure will feel identical. Group chemistry and the assigned driver can change. I would bring headphones, a book, downloaded music, or a podcast, while also leaving room for conversation and scenery.

What is included, and what you still need to pay for

The package includes:

• Air-conditioned transport
• Professional driver
• Camel ride
• Desert camp overnight stay
• Dinner
• Breakfast
• Sandboarding at no extra charge

Lunch, drinks, and tips are not included. These exclusions are normal for a budget group trip, but they can catch you off guard if you arrive without cash or snacks.

The desert camp and camel ride are the expensive-feeling parts of the experience, while the meals and transport remove some of the usual costs. For $115.15, the combination is strong value, provided you accept the basic format and long drive.

Tips are not mandatory in the listed price, but you should budget for them if your driver gives you good service. The drivers are doing more than steering: they may help with timing, stops, local suggestions, and the general mood of a demanding journey.

Who should book this trip?

I would recommend it to a solo visitor who wants company, a couple watching the budget, or anyone with only two days available for a first taste of the Sahara. It also suits people who value the route itself, especially the Middle Atlas, cedar forest, Ziz Oasis, and Rissani market.

You should be comfortable with a moderate level of physical activity for the camel ride and sandboarding. You should also be prepared for long hours in a shared vehicle and a quick pace at each stop.

I would not choose this option for a slow desert holiday. If your main goal is quiet time in the dunes, extended photography, or several walks around the camp, the two-day format will feel rushed. A longer desert itinerary would give you more breathing room.

The trip requires good weather and a minimum number of people. If poor weather or low numbers cause cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but changes or cancellations inside that period are not accepted.

Should you book the Fes to Merzouga desert trip?

Book it if you want the lowest-cost practical route from Fes to a Sahara camp and you are happy to trade spare time for a packed schedule. The camel ride, dinner by the fire, overnight camp, and changing scenery give you a memorable introduction to southern Morocco.

Skip it if you dislike long road journeys or want a relaxed desert stay. The honest description is not a leisurely two-day tour. It is a very long transfer, a mountain and oasis route, one night in camp, and a camel experience at the far end.

For the right person, that is a fair deal. Go with warm layers, water, snacks, realistic expectations, and a willingness to share the road with a small group. If you are lucky enough to have a driver such as Moha, Hassan, Mustafa, or Driss, the journey itself may become almost as enjoyable as the dunes.

FAQ

How long is the trip from Fes to Merzouga?

The experience lasts approximately two days. The route involves a very long road journey, described in the trip information as about 1,000 kilometers overall.

What stops are included on the first day?

The first day includes Ifrane, the cedar forest area in Ifrane National Park near Azrou, the Middle Atlas Mountains, and a panoramic stop overlooking the Ziz Oasis near Errachidia.

Is the camel ride included?

Yes. A camel ride is included in the price, along with the overnight desert camp.

Is sandboarding included?

Yes. Free sandboarding is available as part of the experience.

Are meals included?

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

How many people can join the group?

The maximum group size is 16 people.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience begins for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted.