2-Days Desert Tours from Fes with Overnight in Luxury Camp

The best part of this trip is the sudden change from Middle Atlas forests to Sahara dunes in a single day. You leave Fes in the morning, pass cedar trees and Berber villages, then reach Merzouga in time for a camel ride and sunset over Erg Chebbi.

I like the Azrou cedar forest stop, where you can see Barbary macaques, and the overnight camp, which includes dinner, breakfast, a private tent, and an ensuite bathroom. The tradeoff is simple: this is a very long road trip, with much of both days spent in the vehicle.

Key points to know before booking

• Camel ride at sunset: Ride across the Erg Chebbi dunes for about an hour before reaching camp.
• Azrou’s cedar forest: Stop for around 30 minutes to see the monkeys and stretch your legs.
• Long but scenic drive: The route passes Ifrane, the Middle Atlas, Midelt, Errachidia, palm oases, and desert villages.
• Luxury-style desert camp: Dinner, breakfast, accommodation, and mint tea are included, with some tents reported to have private bathrooms.
• Small group format: The vehicle can carry up to 17 people, with pickup offered.
• Strong driver service: Zaki and Hassan are names connected with this operation, both praised for safe, friendly driving and useful local advice.

This tour is built for a specific kind of Morocco visit. You have limited time, but you still want to see the desert, ride a camel, sleep under the stars, and return to Fes without arranging several separate transfers.

At $139.37 per person, the price is low for what is included: transport, a professional driver, the camel ride, dinner, breakfast, and one night of accommodation. Lunch, drinks, and travel insurance are extra. The value is good if you want the desert portion of Morocco without committing to a longer private tour.

The catch is the clock. Fes to Merzouga is a long run, and the return journey is also substantial. You will see a lot through the vehicle windows, but you will not have much free time in the desert. I would choose this trip for a short holiday, not for a slow, deeply detailed tour of southeastern Morocco.

Leaving Fes at 8 a.m. for Ifrane and Azrou

The departure time is 8 a.m., giving you a full day on the road. Pickup is offered, and the group may include as many as 17 people. That makes the trip more affordable, but the pace and stops are likely to follow a shared schedule rather than your personal timetable.

The first part of the route takes you through Ifrane and toward the Middle Atlas Mountains. Ifrane is known for its cooler climate and tidy alpine appearance, while the road beyond it leads into forests and mountain villages.

At Azrou, the group stops for about 30 minutes in the cedar forest. This is a useful first break after leaving Fes, and the local Barbary macaques are the main attraction. You may see them near the roadside and forest edge, but remember that they are wild animals. Keep food secure and avoid treating them like pets.

This stop is short, so do not expect a long forest walk. Think of it as a quick chance to see the monkeys, take photographs, and get some fresh air before the mountain drive continues.

Crossing the Middle Atlas to Midelt

After Azrou, the road winds through the Middle Atlas. The scenery changes constantly, with forests, springs, exposed rock, villages, and broad mountain views. This is one of the strongest parts of the trip for anyone who enjoys seeing how quickly Morocco’s terrain shifts.

You will spend much of the day in the vehicle. The road is the attraction here, not a series of long walks or formal sightseeing visits. A comfortable vehicle and a careful driver matter a great deal, especially on a route that can take roughly seven hours before the desert camp.

Midelt is the main midday break. The town is known for fossils and rocks, and lunch is not included, so budget separately for the meal and drinks. The stop is listed at about three hours, which gives you time to eat and rest before continuing.

I would use this break wisely. Buy water, use the facilities, and keep a little food with you for the afternoon. Since lunch is outside the tour price, the driver can be helpful in directing you to a suitable place to eat. Past passengers have particularly appreciated drivers such as Zaki for knowing practical stops, including food and ATM locations.

From Errachidia to the First Palm Oasis

The road continues toward Errachidia, where the scenery becomes drier and more open. The journey has a clear visual rhythm: forest gives way to rock, rock gives way to dry valleys, and palms begin to appear as you near the desert.

A planned panoramic stop allows you to look over a large palm oasis. This is an important pause because the desert route is not only about sand dunes. Morocco’s southeastern valleys depend on water and palms, and the oasis offers a useful glimpse of how settlements survive in such a dry region.

The Errachidia section is listed at about two hours, though the total driving time depends on road conditions, stops, and the group. You should not expect a fixed minute-by-minute schedule. The point is to reach Merzouga in the afternoon with enough daylight for the camel ride.

Arriving in Merzouga for the Camel Ride

The group is expected to reach Merzouga around 5 p.m. After a short rest, you meet the camel handlers and begin the ride toward camp. The crossing lasts about an hour and is timed for the late afternoon, when the sun drops toward the dunes.

This is the classic Sahara moment, but it is also the part that requires realistic expectations. Camel riding is not like sitting in a car. The saddle can feel awkward, and the animal’s movement is steady but pronounced. If you have back or mobility concerns, ask the operator about the ride before booking.

The route crosses the sandy dunes of Erg Chebbi, one of Morocco’s best-known desert areas. The real pleasure is the gradual change in light as the sun lowers. You will have time to look across the dunes and take photographs, though the group schedule means you will not be wandering alone at your own pace.

Once you reach camp, the camels are hobbled and mint tea is served. Dinner is included, and the evening continues inside a Berber-style tent. The accommodation is described as a luxury camp, and detailed descriptions include spacious, clean tents with ensuite bathrooms. Since exact tent arrangements can vary, confirm the setup if a private bathroom is important to you.

A Night in the Desert Camp

The overnight stay is more comfortable than a simple sleeping bag under the open sky. You have a proper tent, dinner, breakfast the next morning, and time to sit outside and look at the stars.

The night sky is one of the strongest reasons to stay in the desert rather than return to Merzouga after the camel ride. With less artificial light around you, the stars can be striking. Keep your expectations practical, though. Weather, moonlight, and camp activity all affect what you see.

Dinner is included, and portions have been described as generous. Breakfast is also provided before the morning return. Drinks beyond the included mint tea are not listed, so bring cash or confirm what is available at camp.

Some desert camps include music or evening entertainment, but that is not guaranteed in the details provided for this tour. The safest expectation is dinner, tea, a tent, and time beneath the night sky.

Sunrise Over Erg Chebbi and the Return by Camel

Day two begins early if you want to walk over the dunes and watch sunrise. The schedule allows about two hours in the desert before you return by camel to the hotel area.

The sunrise walk is optional in spirit, but it is the best use of your final desert morning. Sand dunes change color quickly as the light rises, and the cooler air makes walking easier than it would be later in the day. The route is described as reaching a point behind the Algerian border, about 50 kilometers from Merzouga, though you should follow the guide’s directions and remain within the permitted area.

After breakfast, you take the camels back toward the hotel. If you found the first ride uncomfortable, this second ride may feel long. You can ask the local camel handlers about the exact arrangement on arrival.

Rissani’s Souk and the Long Road Back to Fes

The next stop is Rissani, with about an hour for its monuments and colorful souk. This is a welcome change from the dunes. You will see a town linked to the desert trade routes and get a short look at local commerce, food, and crafts.

The stop is brief, so do not expect a full market tour. If you want to buy something, look first and bargain politely. Keep your purchases small because you still have a long drive ahead.

After Rissani, the route heads back toward Fes, with another lunch stop in Midelt. Lunch remains your own expense. The return section is listed at about three hours from Midelt, but the complete journey from the desert takes most of the day.

This is the main weakness of the two-day format. You get the memorable pieces, but there is little room for detours, long village visits, or extra time at viewpoints. If you dislike long drives, consider a longer desert route instead.

The Driver Can Make or Break the Journey

On a trip with so much time in a vehicle, the driver matters almost as much as the destination. Drivers connected with this service include Zaki and Hassan. Zaki has been praised for clean, air-conditioned vehicles, safe driving, patience, language skills, and practical help along the route. Hassan is also described as friendly, punctual, professional, and attentive to comfort and safety.

You should not assume a particular driver is guaranteed unless the company confirms it. Still, these names give you useful points to ask about when booking.

A good driver adds cultural context at stops, keeps the group moving without rushing people, and knows where to stop for food or cash. The vehicle is listed as comfortable, and the maximum group size is 17. That is not a private-tour setup, but it is smaller and easier to manage than a large coach.

What the $139.37 Price Really Covers

The price includes the basic pieces you need for the desert:

• Comfortable vehicle
• Professional driver
• Accommodation
• Camel ride
• Dinner
• Breakfast

You pay separately for lunches, drinks, and travel insurance. That distinction matters because both days involve long stretches on the road. Carrying some cash for meals and drinks will make the trip easier.

At this price, the tour offers strong value for a short visit. A private vehicle, more flexible stops, or extra nights would cost more. Here, you are paying for a shared, tightly scheduled route that covers the major desert highlights quickly.

The luxury label should also be read carefully. It appears to refer to a comfortable desert camp, with spacious tents and possible ensuite bathrooms, not a full hotel with a wide range of services. Confirm the tent details before booking if comfort is a major priority.

Who Should Book This Two-Day Sahara Trip?

I would recommend it to you if you have only a few days in Morocco and want the desert without giving up the rest of your Fes visit. It suits people who enjoy scenic road trips, do not mind early starts, and want the main Sahara moments in a compact package.

It also works well for couples, friends, and small groups looking for an affordable shared trip. The camel ride, sunset, dinner, sunrise, and starry sky give you a real taste of desert travel rather than a quick photo stop.

I would hesitate if you want long hikes, quiet time at camp, detailed visits in every town, or a private schedule. The drive is the price of reaching Merzouga from Fes in only two days. You will spend many hours in the vehicle, and that should be clear before you pay.

The tour has free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted, and poor weather may lead to a new date or a full refund.

Should You Book It?

Book this tour if the desert is a must-see and your schedule is tight. The camel ride at sunset and overnight camp deliver the main Sahara experience, while the Middle Atlas and oasis stops make the long drive more interesting.

Skip it if you want a relaxed desert holiday. In that case, spend more time in the south and travel at a slower pace. For a budget-conscious two-day escape from Fes, though, this is a practical way to reach Erg Chebbi, sleep in a comfortable camp, and return with Morocco’s forests, mountains, oases, and dunes in one compact trip.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts approximately two days, starting at 8 a.m. from Fes on the first day and returning after the desert, Rissani, and the drive back toward Fes on the second day.

What time does the tour leave Fes?

Departure is scheduled for 8 a.m.

Is pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is offered, and the tour starts in Fes.

How many people can join the group?

The maximum group size is 17 people.

Is the camel ride included?

Yes. A camel ride is included, with a sunset ride to the desert camp and a camel return the following morning.

Is dinner included?

Yes. Dinner at the desert camp is included.

Is breakfast included?

Yes. Breakfast is included on the morning after the overnight stay.

Are lunches and drinks included?

No. Lunches and drinks are not included in the tour price.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience starts for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted. If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund.