2Days Share Tour From Fes To Marrakech Or Fes Via Sahara & camel

The star of this trip is the Sahara camp night, reached by camel as the sun drops behind Merzouga’s dunes. Before that, you pass cedar forests, Berber villages, the Ziz Valley, and Morocco’s high mountain roads. It is a lot of Morocco in only two days.

I like the chance to see Barbary macaques in Ifrane National Park, and I like that dinner, breakfast, a camel trek, and one night in a desert tent are included. The main catch is the distance: this is a hard-driving trip, not a relaxed desert holiday. Weather can also spoil the sunset, and the camel ride may be shorter than you expect.

Key points to know before booking

• About 10 hours to the desert: The first day is mostly road time, with stops in Ifrane, the cedar forest, Midelt, and the Ziz Valley.
• Camel ride into the dunes: The ride is described as roughly 45 minutes to one hour by some, though another account experienced only about 15 minutes. Ask about the expected riding time before you set out.
• One night in a desert tent: Dinner, breakfast, Berber drumming, and singing around a bonfire are included.
• A very long second day: You return by camel, shower at a hotel, then continue through the Rose Valley, Ouarzazate, the High Atlas, and Tizi n’Tichka to Marrakech.
• Small shared group: The maximum group size is 15 people, which is more manageable than a large coach.
• Good value, with extra costs: At $139.58 per person, the price covers the main desert experience, but lunch, tips, and likely personal purchases are extra.

The real appeal: crossing Morocco in one dramatic sweep

This trip links Fez and Marrakech by way of Merzouga, rather than taking the quicker route between the two cities. That detour gives you a taste of Morocco’s mountains, forests, oases, desert, and kasbah country in a very short time.

I like this kind of route when you have limited time. You see places that are difficult to reach by public transport, and the overnight stay gives you more than a roadside glimpse of the Sahara. You also avoid booking separate transport, desert lodging, camel rides, and transfers yourself.

The tradeoff is simple: you spend more time in the vehicle than on foot. On the first day, the drive from Fez to Merzouga takes much of the day. On the second, you cross the country again to Marrakech. If you want long walks, slow meals, or time to linger in villages, two days is too short.

Ifrane and the cedar forest: a cool start to a hot desert trip

Pickup begins at Hotel Batha on Avenue de La Liberté in Fez. The first major stop is Ifrane, a mountain town known for its cool climate and Alpine-style appearance. It feels quite different from the old streets of Fez, and it provides a useful change of pace before the long crossing.

From there, you head through Ifrane National Park and the Middle Atlas Mountains. The cedar forest is the most memorable part of this early section. Barbary macaques live here, and the supplied information notes that you may see them close up, sometimes feeding them or watching them climb onto shoulders.

I would keep your phone ready, but also treat the animals with care. Close contact can be fun, yet wild animals should not be encouraged to snatch food or depend on visitors. The stop is listed as about two hours, including the forest visit, so you should have time to stretch your legs and take photographs.

This is one of the tour’s best features because it breaks up the road journey with something genuinely different. You are not simply driving from one major city to another. You are moving through a mountain habitat before the scenery changes again.

Midelt lunch and the long road toward Merzouga

After the forest, the route continues to Midelt, where lunch is arranged at a roadside restaurant. Lunch is not included in the price, so bring Moroccan dirhams or confirm what payment is accepted before leaving Fez.

The food can be a pleasant surprise. One account specifically praised a local restaurant chosen by the driver and described the meal as very good. That is the sort of small choice that can make a long transfer feel more personal than a stop at a large tourist complex.

Still, keep your expectations practical. The plan gives Midelt roughly two hours, but this includes the meal and the break. You are not visiting the city in depth. Midelt is mainly a useful pause between the Middle Atlas and the desert road.

After lunch, the route follows the Ziz Valley. Watch for the contrast between dry hills and strips of green palm oasis. A panoramic viewpoint gives you a chance to see how water supports settlements and agriculture in an otherwise arid part of Morocco.

The road section here is scenic, but tiring. Bring water, snacks, a light layer, and something to occupy you during quiet stretches. A phone charger is useful. Yusef is specifically noted for helping with phone charging, but I would not assume every vehicle has the same setup.

Merzouga and the camel ride into the dunes

By late afternoon, you reach the Merzouga desert area, where the camel trek begins. The timing matters because the ride is designed to lead you toward the dunes around sunset.

The camel ride is the emotional center of the trip. You climb onto a camel, cross the sand, and watch the light change as the sun drops. Some accounts describe a comfortable ride lasting about 45 minutes to one hour. Another account expected more time but experienced only about 15 minutes, with windy conditions also affecting the sunset.

That difference is important. Ask your guide how long the camel ride is expected to last and where the sunset stop will be. Weather, daylight, and the condition of the route can change the plan. If sunset photography matters greatly to you, keep your expectations flexible. Wind can raise sand and block the horizon.

The ride itself is not strenuous in the way a hike is, but mounting and dismounting can be awkward. The camel’s first rise can surprise you, so hold on and follow the handler’s instructions. Wear trousers or other clothing that covers your legs, since the saddle and sand can rub.

Take only what you need for the camp. A small day bag is easier to manage than a large suitcase. The vehicle arrangements for luggage are not described in detail, so ask where your main bags will remain and what you should carry to the tent.

A night among the dunes, with dinner and Berber music

The overnight stay is in a tent over the sand dunes. The accommodation is described as a private tent, with dinner and breakfast included. That makes the $139.58 price more appealing, since the package combines transport, a camel trek, desert lodging, and two meals.

After dinner, you gather around a bonfire for Berber drumming and singing. This is the part I would look forward to most after the long drive. The desert is quiet away from city lights, and the night sky can be spectacular when clouds, wind, and moonlight cooperate.

The word luxury should be treated lightly here. The tent may be comfortable, but this is still a desert camp, not a city hotel. Facilities are not described in detail, so do not assume a full hotel bathroom or the same level of heating and insulation you would have in Fez or Marrakech.

Pack for temperature changes. The desert can feel warm in the afternoon and very cold at night, especially when wind picks up. The Spanish-language account described severe cold during the return and complained that the driver would not raise the windows. That experience points to a useful rule: carry a fleece, scarf, and warm socks even if Fez feels mild when you leave.

The sunset and sunrise are both weather-dependent. The plan includes the sunset approach, but a clear sunrise is not guaranteed or clearly scheduled. Ask the camp staff what time you will leave in the morning if seeing dawn over the dunes is important to you.

The morning return to Merzouga

After breakfast, you ride the camels back to Merzouga. This return ride may be brief, depending on the camp location and the day’s timetable. Once back, you are taken to a hotel for a shower.

That shower is a small but valuable part of the plan. After a night in the sand and a long camel ride, you will appreciate a chance to wash before the next road section. The schedule then moves on toward the Rose Valley, so do not expect a leisurely morning at the hotel.

This is also where the pace becomes most demanding. You have already spent many hours reaching Merzouga, and the second day still includes the crossing to Marrakech. If you are prone to motion sickness, bring whatever works for you and sit where the road feels most comfortable.

Rose Valley, Ouarzazate, and the High Atlas crossing

The route continues to El Kelaa M’Gouna, known as the Rose Town. Lunch is taken in the area, again at your own expense. The stop adds a different rural setting after the desert, though the available time is about one hour, so this is not a full exploration of the town.

After lunch, the road continues toward Ouarzazate through Berber settlements and the Atlas Mountains. Ouarzazate is associated with desert routes, mountain scenery, and film production, but this trip gives you only a limited stop or pass-through visit. The schedule specifically highlights the Atlas views rather than a long city tour.

The final major crossing is the High Atlas via Tizi n’Tichka, at about 2,260 meters. This is one of the finest road sections of the journey. You see steep mountain slopes, distant ridges, and small Berber villages spread along difficult terrain.

The road is also winding. If you want to enjoy the views, try to sit by a window, but keep your attention on how you feel physically. The combination of bends, altitude, and fatigue can be rough for some people.

Arrival in Marrakech is expected in the evening. The exact end point is described separately from the Fez pickup, so confirm where you will be dropped off before departure, especially if you have an evening reservation or a train to catch.

What the $139.58 price really covers

At $139.58 per person, this is a low-cost way to connect Fez and Marrakech while adding the Sahara. The included elements are dinner, breakfast, the camel trek, and one night in a tent. You are also paying for the shared vehicle and the long-distance route.

That is good value if you already planned to travel between the two cities and want a desert stop without arranging each part yourself. The camel ride and camp night would cost more if booked as separate additions, though the exact comparison depends on the standard of camp and transport.

The price does not include lunch or tips. Plan for two lunches, plus drinks and any small purchases. Carry some cash in Moroccan dirhams, since roadside restaurants and local stops may not accept cards.

The low price also reflects the compressed schedule. You are not paying for a private vehicle or a slow, flexible route. The group can include up to 15 people, and the trip may involve changing drivers or vehicles between sections. That can work well, but it may feel less personal than a private tour.

Who should book this trip?

I would choose this trip if you want the Sahara experience but have only two days between Fez and Marrakech. It suits people who can handle long road transfers and who see the journey itself as part of the holiday.

It is also a good fit if you like variety: monkeys in a cedar forest, mountain roads, palm oases, dunes, a camp dinner, and a High Atlas crossing all appear in quick succession.

I would hesitate if your main goal is a long camel trek, a guaranteed sunset, or a quiet desert retreat. The schedule leaves little room for weather delays or missed views. Families and older visitors should think carefully about the vehicle time and the camel mounting process, even though most people can participate.

The experience has a high overall rating of 4.9 from 104 ratings, with 98 percent recommending it. That suggests the basic concept works well, but the practical details still matter. The mixed accounts of camel duration, wind, cold, and driver manner show why you should ask clear questions before setting out.

Final call: a strong bargain for a very tight schedule

Book it if your priority is seeing the Sahara while moving between Fez and Marrakech. The route gives you a real desert camp night, camel riding, mountain scenery, and a useful shower after the dunes at a modest price.

Skip it if you want comfort, spare time, or control over every stop. For the best chance of enjoying it, bring warm clothing, water, snacks, cash for lunch, and realistic expectations about the road. Confirm the camel ride length, luggage arrangements, sunset timing, and Marrakech drop-off point before departure. With that preparation, this is a memorable way to cover a remarkable amount of Morocco in two demanding days.

FAQ

Where does the tour start in Fez?

Pickup starts at Hotel Batha, Avenue de La Liberté, Fez 30000, Morocco.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends in Marrakech, at a different location from the Fez starting point. The exact drop-off details should be confirmed before departure.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, so you should budget for meals in Midelt and the Rose Town area, along with drinks and personal purchases.

What meals are included?

Dinner and breakfast are included during the desert camp stay.

Is the camel trek included?

Yes. The camel trek is included, with the ride taking you into the Merzouga dunes and back the next morning.

How large is the group?

The shared group can have a maximum of 15 people.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 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 for a refund.