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

The best part of this Fez to Merzouga desert tour is the sudden change from Middle Atlas forests to the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi. You get a camel ride at sunset, dinner by the fire, Berber music, and a private tent with a bathroom, all for $111 per person.

I like the scenic route through Ifrane, the cedar forest, Midelt, and the Ziz Valley. I also like the flexible, caring drivers, including Houcin, Tarek, Mounir, and Aziz, who have helped with photo stops and changing road conditions. The catch is simple: the drive takes about seven hours each way, and the two-day schedule leaves little time in the desert.

Key points to know before booking

• Sunset by camel: The ride to camp lasts about 45 minutes and is timed for the dunes at sunset.
• A real overnight camp: The luxury option includes a private bathroom and shower, though hot water may not always be available.
• A long road day: Fez to Merzouga takes about seven hours with stops, and the return drive is just as demanding.
• Good route variety: Ifrane, Barbary monkeys, Midelt, the Ziz Valley, and Erfoud break up the journey.
• Strong driver service: Drivers speak English, French, Spanish, or Arabic, with Houcin, Tarek, and Mounir often singled out for care and patience.
• Camel riding is optional: If you have a health concern, you can take a 4×4 transfer instead.

The real tradeoff: two days versus the Sahara

This trip gives you a quick taste of Morocco’s desert without requiring a longer holiday. For $111, the price covers air-conditioned transport, a driver, one dinner, one breakfast, the camp, camel rides at sunset and sunrise, music, and taxes. That is a good package price for a round trip from Fez.

The cost comes in time and energy. You spend most of the first day reaching Merzouga, then most of the second day returning to Fez. You get one evening and one early morning among the dunes. I would choose this version if your schedule is tight and seeing the Sahara matters more than a relaxed pace.

If you have three days available, I would strongly consider a longer trip. The extra time would make the drive less punishing and give you more room for the desert itself. Still, this two-day option works well as a compact sampler, especially if you are already in Fez and do not want to arrange separate transport.

Leaving Fez at 7:30 in the morning

Pickup is scheduled for 7:30 a.m. from your hotel or riad. Bring your luggage, since you keep it with you during the trip, and wear comfortable shoes from the start.

The vehicle is usually a minibus or minivan with air conditioning. The back row can feel tight for tall passengers. One person who was 6 feet 3 inches found the legroom limited there, so ask for a better seat if you are tall or prone to stiffness.

The route includes winding roads, particularly through the mountains. If you get motion sickness, sit toward the front, look outside, and carry any usual medication. The roads are generally good, but bends and long hours in the vehicle are part of the deal.

Your driver is important here. The driver may be your main source of information because a separate local guide is not included. Houcin has been especially helpful with flexible stops and route changes, while Tarek, Mounir, Aziz, and others have been praised for safe driving and friendly explanations. The exact driver depends on the departure.

Ifrane and the cedar forest

The first notable stop is Ifrane, a high-altitude town with an alpine look and ski slopes. It feels far removed from the desert you are heading toward. The town is useful as a visual reminder that Morocco contains several very different climates within one day’s drive.

The cedar forest in the Middle Atlas is another worthwhile pause. Here you may see Barbary monkeys, and the stop can be especially fun for children. You can observe them and feed them, but use care and follow local guidance rather than treating the animals like pets.

Weather can affect this part of the route. Heavy rain once closed the road toward Ifrane, forcing the group to change the order of stops and visit the monkeys on the return journey. This is a good reason to keep some flexibility in your expectations. The route is scenic, but the exact sequence is not guaranteed.

Breakfast deserves planning. Some riads do not serve breakfast early enough for a 7:30 pickup, and a road closure can remove the chance for an early stop. Have something small ready before departure, or ask your accommodation about takeaway food.

Midelt, the Ziz Valley, and Erfoud

Midelt is the practical midday break. Lunch is not included, and you pay for your meal at a local restaurant. The food stop helps break up the drive, but be aware that some meals here have been considered expensive for what is served. Bring water and a few snacks, and check prices before ordering if you want to keep costs under control.

After Midelt, the scenery changes again as you travel toward the Ziz Valley. The valley brings green vegetation and a striking contrast to the dry country around it. This is one of the route’s best stretches for seeing how water shapes settlement and farming in southeastern Morocco.

Erfoud is the final listed stop before Merzouga. It acts as a gateway to the desert region, though the stop may be brief depending on traffic, weather, and the group’s arrival time. The full journey from Fez to Merzouga takes roughly seven hours with stops, so do not expect a leisurely sightseeing day at every location.

I like this route because it shows more than sand. You pass mountain country, forest, agricultural valleys, and dry plains before reaching the dunes. The drawback is that each stop is tied to a long transfer, so you need to enjoy seeing the country from the road as much as getting out of the vehicle.

Reaching Erg Chebbi by 4×4 and camel

When you reach Merzouga, your main luggage is transferred to the camp by 4×4. You then meet the camels for a ride of about 45 minutes toward the desert camp.

The camel ride is timed for sunset. The pace is slow, which gives you time to watch the dunes change color and take photographs. Getting on and off the camel can be awkward, and the saddle may feel uncomfortable by the end. Wear trousers or other practical clothing, and choose shoes that are easy to walk in.

If you have a health problem, you can use the 4×4 instead of riding. This is a useful choice, not a failure to take part. You still reach the camp and can enjoy the sunset and evening program without putting extra strain on your back, knees, or hips.

The dunes around Merzouga are the visual reward for the long drive. Give yourself a moment to look beyond the camera screen. The open sand, changing light, and quiet evening are the parts of the trip that cannot be duplicated by a quick city tour.

What the luxury camp actually provides

The camp is described as a luxury option with a private bathroom and shower. The tents, or haimas, are spacious and comfortable, and the private facilities make a major difference after a full day in a vehicle and on a camel.

Do not assume the shower will always have hot water, especially in winter. This has been a repeated practical concern. A private shower is still useful, but you should pack warm layers and avoid relying on a long hot wash as part of the night.

Dinner is included at the camp. Afterward, local musicians perform around the fire pit, creating the evening’s main social event. You can listen, join the music, and spend time outside under the stars. The air can feel cool after sunset, even when the day was warm, so pack a fleece or jacket.

The camp stay is comfortable, but it is short. You arrive near sunset, eat dinner, sleep, and get up early. Think of it as a well-organized desert night rather than a slow retreat with hours to spare.

Sunrise, breakfast, and the long return

The second day starts early for sunrise over Erg Chebbi. This is worth doing even if you are tired. The light is softer, the dunes are quieter, and you get a final view of the desert before leaving.

After sunrise, you return by camel or 4×4, then have breakfast and a shower at camp. Breakfast is included. Confirm the morning timing with your driver or camp staff, since the schedule is tight and communication may sometimes feel improvised.

You then meet the driver for the return to Fez. Stops are made along the way, with lunch again paid separately. The return journey can include places missed or postponed on the first day, such as the cedar forest and monkeys if weather disrupted the outward route.

The back-to-back driving days are the main reason I would not recommend this plan to everyone. It suits people who can handle long hours in a minibus and who want a short desert visit. It is less suitable if you want time for sandboarding, a slower camel ride, or a second night in the dunes.

Food, water, and small costs

The included food is one dinner and one breakfast at Merzouga. Lunch is not included on either day, and water is also separate. You can buy bottled water at stops, but carrying some from Fez may be cheaper and more convenient.

The lunch breaks are functional rather than a major part of the tour. Since the route is long, the driver needs to stop somewhere, and you may have limited choice. Ask about menu prices before ordering, especially if you are traveling on a tight budget.

You may also want a few snacks for the first morning. A pastry, fruit, or sandwich can prevent the breakfast gap from becoming uncomfortable. Keep small personal items, medication, sunglasses, and a phone charger within reach rather than buried in your main bag.

Gifts and other personal purchases are not included. The price is easy to understand, but your final spend will be higher once you add two lunches, water, snacks, and anything you buy along the way.

Who should take this tour?

I would choose this trip if you have only two days, want a straightforward Fez to Merzouga connection, and care most about the classic desert sequence: dunes, camel, sunset, camp dinner, music, and sunrise.

It is also a good fit for families who want a structured route. Drivers have been attentive to children and willing to add a monkey stop when needed. The 4×4 option helps if someone in your group cannot manage the camel ride.

Tall passengers, people with motion sickness, and anyone who dislikes long road journeys should think carefully. Request a front or middle seat, pack motion sickness supplies, and ask about the schedule at pickup.

The tour is listed as wheelchair accessible, but the camel ride itself is not suitable for every mobility need. Since the details of each vehicle and camp setup are not provided, contact the provider before booking if you need specific assistance.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance, and you can reserve now and pay later. That gives you some flexibility, but the more important decision is whether you can accept the driving time.

Should you book this Fez desert tour?

Book it if the Sahara is a must-see and your Morocco itinerary is tight. The price is strong for transport, a camp with private facilities, meals, camel rides, and the evening music program. The drivers are a major part of the experience, and names such as Houcin, Tarek, Mounir, and Aziz have been linked with careful, friendly service.

Skip it in favor of a three-day route if you want to slow down, spend more time in the dunes, or avoid two exhausting travel days. For a quick and affordable desert taste, this tour delivers the essential moments. Just start early, carry water and snacks, avoid the back row if you are tall, and treat the long road as part of the Moroccan journey.

FAQ

What time does the tour start from Fez?

Pickup is scheduled for 7:30 a.m. from your hotel or riad.

How long does Fez to Merzouga take?

The journey takes about seven hours with stops. The return to Fez is also a long driving day.

What places are visited on the way to Merzouga?

The route includes Ifrane, the Middle Atlas cedar forest, Midelt, the Ziz Valley, and Erfoud. Weather and road conditions can change the order.

Is the camel ride included?

Yes. The tour includes a camel ride of about 45 minutes, timed for sunset, plus a camel ride or 4×4 transfer for the return from camp after sunrise.

Can I skip the camel ride?

Yes. If you have a health problem or prefer not to ride, you can use a 4×4 transfer instead.

Does the camp have private bathrooms?

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

Are meals included?

One dinner and one breakfast in Merzouga are included. Lunch is not included and is purchased during the road stops.

Is drinking water included?

No. You buy water separately at stops along the way.

What languages does the driver speak?

Drivers may speak English, French, Spanish, or Arabic. The assigned driver varies by departure.

Can I bring luggage?

Yes. You can bring your luggage, and it is transferred to the camp by 4×4 when you arrive in Merzouga.