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

The Sahara is worth the long road. This two-day trip from Fes packs the Middle Atlas, cedar forests, Berber villages, Merzouga dunes, a camel trek, and a night in a luxury desert camp into a very tight schedule. I especially like the dramatic change from cool mountain forests to the dry sands of Erg Chebbi, and the chance to watch sunset from a camel rather than from a roadside viewpoint.

The price, listed at $139.37 per person, includes transport, a professional driver, accommodation, dinner, breakfast, and the camel ride. That is strong value if your holiday is short. The trade-off is clear: you will spend a large part of both days in the vehicle, and the return journey to Fes leaves little room for a slow, relaxed visit.

The tour is limited to 17 people, with pickup available and group discounts offered. Drivers such as Zaki have been praised for safe driving, clean air-conditioned vehicles, local insight, and help with practical stops such as food and ATMs. Still, confirm who will drive your departure, since the named driver may vary.

Key points at a glance

• Cedar forest near Azrou: Stop for about 30 minutes to see the Middle Atlas cedars and the local monkeys.
• Mountain-to-desert transition: The route passes forests, springs, rock formations, villages, and palm-filled views before reaching Merzouga.
• Sunset camel trek: Ride for about an hour across the Erg Chebbi dunes to reach the desert camp.
• Luxury camp overnight: Dinner, breakfast, accommodation, mint tea, and a night beneath the stars are included.
• Early sunrise start: Walk over the dunes before breakfast, then return by camel to the hotel.
• A demanding two-day schedule: The tour gives you a Sahara taste quickly, but the road time is a major part of the trip.

Why this short Fes desert trip works

This is a route for people who want the Sahara but do not have several extra days. From Fes, the journey takes you across the Middle Atlas and into southeastern Morocco, where the scenery changes in broad stages rather than all at once.

You begin among higher, cooler mountain country. Forests and rocky slopes give way to dry valleys, scattered villages, and palm groves. By the time you reach Merzouga, the setting feels entirely different from Fes. That contrast is the real heart of the tour.

I like that the trip is not simply a transfer to the dunes. The stops at Azrou, Midelt, and the palm oasis break up the drive and show how varied Morocco can be within a single day. You get a quick look at several regions instead of seeing only the desert camp.

The drawback is the schedule. Two days is the minimum practical length for a Fes to Merzouga return by road. The itinerary gives you a memorable night in the desert, but not much spare time. If you dislike long drives, or want time for village walks and unhurried meals, a three-day route will suit you better.

Day one begins with the Middle Atlas

Departure is scheduled for 8:00 in the morning from Fes. The first stretch passes through Ifrane and toward Azrou, giving you a quick shift from city streets to mountain scenery.

The Middle Atlas section is one of the tour’s best features. You pass forests, springs, sharp rock faces, and Berber villages as the road climbs and then drops toward the dry country. The scenery changes often enough to keep the drive interesting, especially if you have a seat with a clear window view.

Your vehicle is described as comfortable, and the driver also serves as an important part of the trip. Drivers including Zaki have received strong praise for calm driving, clean air conditioning, friendliness, and useful information along the route. Some people also found the drivers helpful when choosing food stops or locating an ATM.

The group can reach a maximum of 17 people. That is small enough to feel more manageable than a large coach, but it is not a private tour. Departure times and stop lengths may be less flexible when a full group is involved.

Azrou’s cedar forest and the monkeys

The stop at Azrou Cedar Forest lasts about 30 minutes and has no separate admission charge. The plan is simple: pause among the cedars and see the monkeys.

This is a short stop, so treat it as a quick break rather than a forest walk. You will have time to stretch your legs, take photographs, and watch the animals before returning to the vehicle. Keep your expectations sensible. The value here is the setting and the change of pace, not a long nature visit.

The forest also helps you understand the first part of the route. You are still in mountain country, far from the dunes. Later that day, the dry desert will feel more dramatic because you have just passed through such a different environment.

Midelt brings a long mountain drive and a lunch break

The route continues across the Middle Atlas toward Midelt, a town associated with fossils and rocks. The planned stop lasts around three hours, including the lunch break and time on the road.

Lunch is not included in the tour price, so budget separately for your meal and drinks. This is one of the few extra costs clearly identified in the plan. Dinner and breakfast at the camp are included, but lunches are not.

Midelt is useful as a practical pause as much as a sightseeing stop. After several hours in the vehicle, you will want food, a bathroom break, and a chance to walk. The town’s connection with fossils and rocks also gives the stop a local character beyond being a convenient place to eat.

Do not expect a long guided visit through town. The main attraction is the route through the mountains and the chance to see how the road gradually leaves the forested highlands behind.

Errachidia and the first palm-filled views

After Midelt, the road continues toward Errachidia and then on to Merzouga. The itinerary includes a stop at a panoramic viewpoint overlooking a large palm oasis.

This is a useful visual marker. The palms signal that you are moving into a much drier region where water and cultivation shape the scenery. After the cedar forest and rocky mountain passes, the oasis offers a softer burst of green before the sand dunes appear.

The stated time for this part is about two hours, but the full road journey is much longer. The itinerary descriptions make clear that the drive itself is a major part of day one. Bring water, keep a light layer handy, and save some phone battery for photographs.

Merzouga, camels, and sunset over Erg Chebbi

Arrival in Merzouga is expected in the afternoon, around 5:00 p.m. After a short rest, your guide and camels meet you for the ride toward the desert camp.

The camel trek lasts about one hour. This is not a long expedition, but it gives you enough time to cross the sandy dunes and watch the light change near sunset. For many people, this will be the emotional high point of the trip.

Camel riding can be less comfortable than it looks in photographs. Mounting and dismounting are the awkward parts, and the rocking motion can be tiring. Wear loose clothing, use sun protection, and keep your valuables secure. If you are worried about the ride, tell the camel handlers and driver before setting out.

The route takes you across the Erg Chebbi dunes to a Berber-style tented camp. On arrival, the camels are hobbled, mint tea is served, and dinner follows. The camp is described as spacious and clean, with some accommodation offering an ensuite bathroom. Since camp arrangements can vary, confirm the exact tent setup before booking if a private bathroom matters to you.

A night beneath the stars

The overnight stay is one reason the price makes sense. Instead of returning to town after sunset, you remain among the dunes for dinner and the evening.

The desert sky is a major part of the appeal. Away from city lights, you have a good chance to sit outside and look at the stars. The quiet after the drive, with sand around the camp and no urban noise, gives the trip its strongest sense of place.

Dinner and breakfast are included. The food has been described as generous and enjoyable, though the supplied details do not specify a fixed menu. Drinks are not included, so bring money for them. Mint tea is part of the arrival welcome, but do not assume that every other beverage is covered.

The camp is called luxury, but keep the label in context. You are still sleeping in a desert tent, not a city hotel. The charm comes from the setting, the comfort of the tent, the meal, and the night sky. If you need full hotel-style facilities and a slow morning, this may feel too basic despite the upgraded camp description.

Sunrise, breakfast, and the ride back

Day two begins early. You can walk over the dunes and watch sunrise from the desert, with the Algerian border described as roughly 50 kilometers from Merzouga.

The early start is worth accepting. Sunrise gives you cooler air, softer light, and a quiet view of the dunes before the day becomes hot. You should not expect a long independent hike. The schedule moves quickly, and the planned desert portion lasts about two hours.

After sunrise and breakfast, you return by camel to the hotel. This second camel section means the ride is not limited to the previous evening. If you enjoyed the trek, it gives you another look at the dunes. If you found the first ride uncomfortable, you may be glad it is relatively short.

The return to the hotel also marks the shift from desert activity to road travel. There is no second night in Merzouga, so pack your day bag before leaving the camp and keep anything you need for the vehicle within easy reach.

Rissani adds a market-town stop

After breakfast and the return from the dunes, the route continues to Rissani. The stop lasts about one hour and is intended for its monuments and colorful souk.

Rissani is a welcome change from the open desert. A souk gives you a chance to see a more everyday side of the region, with local commerce replacing the camp’s tourist setting. One hour is brief, so focus on the atmosphere and the main sights rather than trying to cover the whole town.

This is also a good point to spend any remaining cash on small purchases or refreshments, though the tour information does not promise specific shopping opportunities. Keep purchases modest. The rest of the day is spent on the road, and you do not want fragile items buried under luggage.

The long road back through Midelt

The return journey heads toward Fes, with another stop in Midelt for lunch. The listed time is about three hours for this portion, followed by the continuing drive to Fes.

This is where the limits of a two-day schedule become most obvious. You have had the sunrise, breakfast, and Rissani, but much of the day remains inside the vehicle. The scenery is still worthwhile, and the route gives you a second look at the mountain country, but you should not plan an evening activity in Fes unless you are comfortable with possible fatigue or a late arrival.

The driving is more enjoyable when you treat it as part of the trip rather than dead time. Watch the scenery change, listen to the driver’s explanations, and use the lunch stop to stretch properly. People who enjoyed the tour most seemed to appreciate both the destination and the road itself.

What the $139.37 price includes

At $139.37 per person, the package covers several costly pieces of a desert trip:

• Comfortable vehicle
• Professional driver
• Accommodation in the desert camp
• Dinner
• Breakfast
• Camel ride
• Pickup

That makes the price appealing, especially if you are traveling alone or in a small group and would otherwise need to arrange transport, lodging, meals, and the camel trek separately.

You still need to pay for lunch, drinks, and travel insurance. Those extras are easy to overlook because the main price looks inclusive. I would set aside cash for at least two lunches and drinks, plus any personal spending at the souk.

The group discount may improve the value for families or friends traveling together. With a maximum of 17 people, the tour is not fully private, but it remains smaller than a large sightseeing coach.

Who should book this desert trip?

I would choose this tour if you have only two days available and the Sahara is a priority. It gives you the main desert moments: camel trekking, sunset, a tented camp, dinner, sunrise, and a second camel ride.

It also suits first-time visitors who want transport arranged from Fes. The route is complicated to organize independently in such a short window, and a reliable driver can make the long road far less stressful. Zaki is repeatedly praised for safe driving, patience, local information, and a clean air-conditioned vehicle, though your assigned driver may be different.

I would hesitate if you want slow travel. The itinerary includes several hours of driving each day, short stops, and little room for unexpected delays. Families with very young children, people with back problems, and anyone who dislikes camel riding should think carefully about the pace and seating.

The tour also works well for people who value the night sky and desert atmosphere more than a long list of attractions. The camp stay is brief, but it gives you the essential Sahara setting without requiring a week of travel.

Booking details worth knowing

Pickup is offered, the start time is 8:00 a.m., and confirmation is provided when you book. Most people can participate, and the tour is near public transportation.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded or accepted. The trip requires good weather, and a weather cancellation brings the choice of another date or a full refund.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a fast, affordable introduction to the Moroccan Sahara from Fes. The best parts are the sharp change from cedar forest to dunes, the sunset camel trek, the luxury-style camp, the included meals, and the chance to see the stars far from city lights.

Skip it if you have enough time for a slower three-day route. Two days gives you the desert, but the road takes up much of the trip. For a short holiday, though, this is a sensible way to reach Merzouga without giving up the essential camel, sunset, camp, and sunrise moments.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

The tour begins in Fes, with pickup offered. The scheduled start time is 8:00 a.m.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately two days and includes a return journey between Fes and the Merzouga desert.

Is the camel ride included?

Yes. A camel ride is included, with a trek of about one hour toward the desert camp on the first afternoon and a camel ride back to the hotel after sunrise.

What meals are included?

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

Is accommodation included?

Yes. Overnight accommodation in the desert camp is included. The camp uses Berber-style tents and is presented as a luxury camp.

How many people can join the tour?

The tour has a maximum group size of 17 people.

What happens at Azrou Cedar Forest?

The tour stops for about 30 minutes at Azrou Cedar Forest, where you can see the cedar trees and local monkeys. There is no separate admission charge listed.

Can I cancel the tour for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded. If poor weather cancels the tour, you are offered another date or a full refund.