2 Days luxury desert tour from Fes

The Sahara is a long road from Fez. This private two-day trip makes the journey memorable with Middle Atlas scenery, Berber towns, and Erg Chebbi’s dunes, rather than treating the desert as a quick photo stop. I like the private air-conditioned vehicle and the overnight luxury camp, where a camel ride, dinner, breakfast, and open skies are included. The main concern is time: reaching the dunes and returning in only two days means long hours on the road.

I also like the personal feel. Only your group takes part, and the company provides an experienced driver rather than placing you on a large coach. The drawback is that lunch, drinks, and some monument fees cost extra, and the published schedule contains an unclear Marrakech stop that you should confirm before paying.

Key points to know before booking

• A private two-day journey: Your group has its own air-conditioned vehicle and driver, with pickup offered from Fez at 8:00 a.m.
• Middle Atlas stops included: The route passes Ifrane, Azrou, Midelt, and the Cedar forest near Ifrane.
• Erg Chebbi overnight: You ride camels to a luxury desert camp, with dinner and breakfast included.
• A very full schedule: The desert is far from Fez, so this trip favors efficiency over a slow, relaxed pace.
• Strong driver praise: Mustapha and Driss are among the drivers connected with the company, though your assigned driver is not specified.
• $302.09 per person: The price has good value for a private vehicle, overnight camp, meals, and camel ride, but extras are not covered.

Why this Fez to Sahara route works

Fez is a fine starting point for Morocco’s eastern desert route. You leave the old imperial city behind and cross the Middle Atlas before reaching the drier country around Erfoud and Erg Chebbi.

That change happens in stages. You begin among cooler mountain towns and cedar trees, then pass through broad valleys and increasingly dry terrain. The road itself becomes part of the experience. You are not simply being delivered to a camp at the end of the day.

This is a private activity, so your schedule has more flexibility than a shared bus trip. You can discuss stops with your driver, take photos, and travel at your own group’s pace within the fixed route. Past arrangements from the same company have featured drivers named Mustapha and Driss, both praised for steady driving, care, punctuality, and clean vehicles. Your confirmation should identify who will drive your group.

The practical catch is distance. Fez to Erg Chebbi is not a short transfer. A two-day version is useful if your Morocco plans are tight, but you should expect substantial driving on both days. If you want more time for the dunes, a three-day or four-day desert trip would be easier on the body, though that option is not this package.

8:00 a.m. departure from Fez

Pickup begins at 8:00 a.m. The vehicle is private, air-conditioned, and driven by a professional driver. That matters on a route with long stretches between towns, especially if you value a quiet ride and do not want to coordinate with a bus full of strangers.

The tour is suitable for most participants, and public transportation is nearby. Since the activity is private, only your group takes part. Group discounts are available, which may make the per-person price more attractive for families or friends traveling together.

Bring water for the road. Drinks are not included, and lunch is also your responsibility. A small day bag is useful because you will want easy access to personal items during roadside stops and the overnight camp.

Ifrane, Morocco’s cool mountain stop

After leaving Fez, you pass through Ifrane, described as Morocco’s coldest city. Its mountain setting gives the first part of the trip a very different feel from the Sahara later in the day.

Ifrane helps you understand Morocco’s variety. Fez can feel warm and dense, while Ifrane is associated with cool weather and mountain surroundings. The stop is part of the route rather than a full sightseeing program, so do not expect a long guided visit unless you arrange extra time with the driver.

This is also a reminder to dress in layers. Temperatures can differ sharply between the mountain section and the desert, though the tour information does not provide seasonal temperature advice.

Azrou and the Berber communities of the Middle Atlas

The road continues through Azrou, identified as a center of the Berber community in the Middle Atlas. This gives the journey cultural value beyond the scenery.

Azrou is not presented as a long formal tour stop. Instead, you see it as part of the road across the mountains. Your driver can offer context and help you understand the region, but the precise sightseeing time is not stated.

I like this part of the route because it connects the desert with living communities. The Sahara is not an isolated attraction at the end of a highway. The villages, towns, and mountain roads along the way help place it within Morocco’s wider culture.

Midelt lunch stop and the cost of eating on the road

Midelt is the planned lunch stop, with about one hour set aside. Admission is free, but lunch is not included in the tour price.

This is a straightforward arrangement. You have a set break rather than trying to eat in the vehicle, and the stop divides the long drive into manageable sections. Since the tour does not specify a restaurant or menu, you should ask the driver about the available choices when you arrive.

Budget for lunch and drinks separately. That sounds minor, but on a private two-day trip, extra meals and beverages can add to the final cost. The included dinner and breakfast help offset this, but they do not cover every meal.

Errachidia, the first real hint of the desert

Errachidia marks the entrance to the desert region. You have some time to see the city with your driver, although the exact length of the stop is not given.

This is a useful transition point. The route has already crossed the Middle Atlas, and Errachidia signals that the scenery and pace are changing. I would use this stop to stretch your legs, ask questions about the area, and prepare for the final run toward the dunes.

Because the schedule is tight, do not assume every stop will become a full city tour. The driver’s role is mainly transport and practical assistance, with sightseeing added along the route.

Erfoud markets, monuments, and the road to Erg Chebbi

Erfoud is the central town near the Erg Chebbi dunes. The tour allows about one hour to visit local markets and monuments before continuing to the desert.

This is one of the more useful stops for seeing everyday commerce before the remote camp experience. Markets give you a sense of the region beyond sand and sunsets. The tour does not state which monuments you will enter, and fees for some monuments are not included, so ask before accepting any paid visit.

The hour can pass quickly. If you want to shop, inspect local goods, and see a monument, keep an eye on the clock. You still need to reach the dunes for the camel transfer and camp check-in.

Camel riding into the Erg Chebbi dunes

The camel ride is the emotional center of the trip. From the edge of Erg Chebbi, you travel by camel to the luxury camp, with the dunes providing the setting for the final part of the day.

A camel ride is not just transport. It changes your speed and viewpoint. You move slowly across the sand rather than watching it through a car window. The timing of the ride is not specified, so ask whether it is planned around sunset or another part of the day.

One useful detail from the company’s past arrangements is that some groups have ridden in the morning, finding the cooler hours more comfortable. That does not appear to be guaranteed on this two-day schedule, but it is worth asking about if heat or camel comfort matters to you.

The tour includes the camel ride, which is important when considering the price. You are not paying separately for one of the main desert activities.

A night in the luxury desert camp

At the camp, dinner is included and you spend the night beneath the stars. The camp is described as luxury accommodation, though the supplied information does not list the tent layout, bathroom facilities, bedding, entertainment, or exact dining menu.

That lack of detail is worth noting. Luxury camps can vary, and the word alone does not tell you whether you will have a private bathroom, electricity, or a particular level of comfort. Ask the operator for those details if they matter to you.

Still, the overnight stay gives this trip much more value than a simple dune excursion. You have time to settle in, eat dinner, and experience the desert after dark. The stars are part of the appeal, especially because the dunes offer a setting far removed from city streets.

Breakfast is included the next morning. Drinks are not, so keep some money available for beverages at the camp or along the route.

Rissani market time and the return journey

On the second day, you may visit the local markets in Rissani. The information does not specify how long this stop lasts, but it offers another chance to see a traditional commercial center rather than rushing directly back to Fez.

Rissani is particularly useful after the desert night because it reconnects the dunes with daily life. You can browse, observe local trade, and take a break from the vehicle before the return drive.

The route then passes through Midelt again. This repeated section is a practical consequence of returning to Fez by road. It is not a new sightseeing stop, but the changing light and weather may make familiar scenery look different.

Cedar forest and Barbary macaques near Ifrane

The final named stop is the Cedar forest near Ifrane, in Ifrane National Park. You have about one hour to stop and feed the Barbary Macaque monkeys, which are special to the forest.

This is a memorable contrast to Erg Chebbi. Within the same two-day journey, you move from sand dunes to cedar trees and wild macaques. The stop adds wildlife and mountain scenery to a route that could otherwise feel focused only on transport.

Use care around the animals and follow the driver’s directions. The tour specifically mentions feeding them, but it does not provide rules about what food is appropriate or how close you may stand. Ask before offering anything.

The schedule needs clarification

There is one important planning problem. The published route places a brief Marrakech hotel drop-off on Day 1, then describes a Day 2 route through Rissani, Midelt, and Ifrane. That does not form a clear Fez to desert and back schedule.

It may be a scheduling error, a transfer detail, or information carried over from another route. Do not ignore it. Before booking, ask three direct questions:

• Does the trip return to Fez or finish in Marrakech?
• Is the Marrakech hotel drop-off actually part of this two-day departure?
• Where does the second day end, and at what approximate time?

The tour does not provide a final arrival time. Since this is a private trip, the operator should be able to explain the route clearly before you commit.

Is $302.09 per person fair?

At $302.09 per person, the price is reasonable if you want a private desert experience and have only two days available. It includes private transport, an air-conditioned vehicle, an experienced driver, a camel ride, dinner, breakfast, and a night at a luxury camp.

The value depends on group size and your priorities. A couple pays more per person than a larger private group, but you also avoid a shared vehicle and gain a more personal schedule. Group discounts may improve the price for families and friends.

Remember the additions: lunch, drinks, and fees for some monuments are not included. The price also buys convenience more than leisurely sightseeing. You are covering a large distance in a short period, so the trip is efficient rather than slow.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not accepted, and poor weather may lead to a different date or a full refund.

Who should choose this two-day desert trip?

I would recommend it to you if:

• You are starting in Fez and have only two days for the Sahara.
• You prefer a private vehicle to a large group tour.
• You want the classic camel and desert camp experience.
• You like adding mountain towns, markets, and a monkey forest to the route.
• You are comfortable with long road days.
• You want dinner and breakfast included at the camp.

I would suggest a longer desert journey if you want unhurried time in the dunes, more stops, or a gentler driving pace. The supplied company information includes praise for longer three-day and four-day arrangements, including a three-day, two-night trip that worked well for a family with a 20-month-old child. That does not prove this two-day route will suit every family, but it shows that the operator also handles more extended private trips.

Families should confirm the vehicle setup, camp facilities, and daily driving times before booking. Most people can participate, but the camel ride and long hours in the car may not suit everyone.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if your Morocco schedule is tight and you want the main Sahara experience without joining a large group. The private vehicle, knowledgeable company staff, included camel ride, overnight luxury camp, dinner, and breakfast create solid value at $302.09 per person.

Before paying, get the route ending in writing. The unexplained Marrakech reference is the one serious concern. If the operator confirms the departure, overnight camp, return point, and second-day timing clearly, this is a practical way to connect Fez with Erg Chebbi in two days.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts in Fez, with pickup offered at 8:00 a.m.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates, and private transportation is included.

What is included in the price?

The price includes dinner, breakfast, private transportation, an air-conditioned vehicle, a professional experienced driver, and the camel ride to the desert camp.

Are lunch and drinks included?

No. Lunch and drinks are not included. Some monument entrance fees are also extra.

Will I spend the night in the Sahara?

Yes. You ride camels to a luxury camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes and spend the night there.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded.