2 Days, 1 Night Luxury Desert Trip (Fes to Fes Or Marrakech)

Desert sunsets do not get much better. This fast-paced trip links Fes, the Atlas Mountains, and Erg Chebbi in two long days, with a camel ride, desert camp, dinner, breakfast, and possible drop-off in Marrakech. I like the stop at Azrou for Barbary macaques, and I like that the camp includes a private tent with an attached bathroom. The main concern is the schedule: you cover a huge distance in very little time, and the word luxury may promise more than the operation delivers.

The advertised price of $151.49 per person is appealing for transport, meals, a camel experience, and an overnight camp. Still, you should treat this as a scenic transport-and-desert sampler rather than a slow Sahara holiday. One important detail needs checking before you pay: the tour information refers to both Fes-to-Fes and Fes-to-Marrakech travel, while the listed route ends in Marrakech.

Key points to know before booking

• Erg Chebbi is the main event: The camel ride and sunset over the golden dunes are the strongest parts of the trip.
• Azrou adds a memorable wildlife stop: Barbary macaques live in the cedar forests near the town.
• Expect very long driving days: Day one runs from Fes to Merzouga, while day two includes the return route through southern Morocco.
• The tent has a private bathroom: That is a useful comfort upgrade over a basic desert camp.
• Lunch costs extra: Breakfast and dinner are included, but you need to budget for the midday meal.
• Confirm your final destination: The information names Marrakech as the last stop, but the tour title also mentions a return to Fes.

The real shape of this two-day Morocco trip

This is not a relaxed circuit through Morocco. It is a compressed run from Fes toward the Sahara, followed by a return route that may finish in Marrakech. You leave around 7:30 in the morning and spend much of the first day in an air-conditioned vehicle.

That makes the trip useful if you have limited time and want to add desert scenery to a Fes stay. It is less suitable if you dislike long drives, want generous time at each stop, or expect a quiet desert retreat.

The listed group limit is 50 people, so the word private needs careful reading. The tent is described as private, but the wider transport and camp operation may not be a private, one-party tour. Ask whether you will share the vehicle, how many people are in your group, and where the return journey ends.

Leaving Fes for Ifrane and Azrou

Your driver collects you from your hotel or riad in Fes in the morning. The first stretch takes you toward the Middle Atlas Mountains, with Ifrane as the opening stop.

Ifrane is known as Morocco’s Switzerland, a nickname linked to its alpine-style buildings and cooler mountain setting. The stop is brief, around 20 minutes, so think of it as a chance to stretch, take photographs, and see a very different side of Morocco. You will not have time for a full town visit.

The next stop is the cedar forest near Azrou. This is one of the most appealing details in the whole schedule. Barbary macaques live here, and you have a chance to see them in their natural setting. The stop lasts about 20 minutes, which is enough for a quick break and some photographs, but not a long forest walk.

I like this early section because it prevents the trip from becoming one endless road transfer. The mountains, cedar trees, and macaques give you small, distinct experiences before the desert. Keep your expectations measured, though. These are short roadside visits, not full excursions.

Midelt provides the practical lunch stop

The route continues to Midelt, known for apples as well as fossils and rocks. You have about an hour here for lunch and a rest before continuing south.

Lunch is not included, so plan to pay separately. The tour includes breakfast and dinner, but not the midday meal. Since you are on the road for long periods, lunch is not an afterthought. It is your main chance to sit down, eat properly, and break up the drive.

Midelt also marks a useful change in scenery. The route from Fes has moved through mountain country, and the journey now heads toward the more arid parts of Morocco. I would use this pause to refill water, check your phone, and prepare for a long final stretch to Merzouga.

The approach to Erg Chebbi and the Ziz Valley

The final portion of day one includes the Ziz Valley, with its palm groves and date production. This contrast is one of the pleasures of the route. Dry hills and open country give way to a narrow green strip where palms grow around water.

The schedule assigns about ten hours to the Erg Chebbi portion, which signals how much time is spent reaching the dunes, waiting, and completing the evening camp transfer. Do not read that figure as ten hours sitting on a camel. The camel ride itself is much shorter.

By the time you reach the Erg Chebbi dunes near Merzouga, the setting changes completely. The broad golden dunes are the visual high point of the trip, especially near sunset. The desert light softens the sand, and the open horizon gives you a strong sense of place that photographs only partly capture.

The camel experience is central to the package, but it comes with a practical warning. The promised ride may feel shorter than expected, with waiting time mixed into the process. If you want a long camel trek, ask for the approximate riding time rather than relying on a general description.

Camel riding can also be physically demanding. You need a moderate level of fitness, and mounting, dismounting, and sitting on the animal can be uncomfortable. Wear trousers, bring water, and keep your camera secure. Sand skiing is included as well, though no detailed information is provided about the equipment or time available for it.

A night in the luxury desert camp

Dinner is included at the camp, followed by an overnight stay in a luxury tent. The most useful comfort detail is the attached bathroom, which gives you more privacy than a basic camp arrangement.

That said, luxury means different things in the Sahara. A private tent and bathroom are valuable, especially after a full day in a vehicle and on the dunes. But you should not expect the same service or room finish you would receive at a high-end hotel in Fes or Marrakech.

The night sky is one of the best reasons to stay outside town. Away from city lights, the stars can be striking. The tour description promises a starlit desert setting, and that is the kind of simple pleasure that does not need extra entertainment.

The available rating is 4.2 from 11 reviews, but the limited number means you should not treat that score as a guarantee. One detailed complaint focused on the gap between the advertised luxury and the actual experience, along with a camel ride that felt brief and included too much waiting. I would take that criticism seriously when setting expectations.

Sunrise, breakfast, and the return camel ride

Day two starts early with sunrise over Erg Chebbi. This is likely the most peaceful moment of the entire trip. The dunes change color as the sun rises, and the cooler air makes the desert feel calmer than it did the previous evening.

After sunrise, you take a camel ride back toward the hotel or camp area, followed by breakfast. The listed time for the camel and sunrise section is about two hours, while breakfast takes about an hour.

This timing means you should be ready for an early start. If you prefer a slow morning, the schedule may feel rushed. If you enjoy dawn scenery, the early alarm is worth it.

Breakfast is included, which helps after the long previous day. From Merzouga, the vehicle begins the return journey. At this point, the trip becomes a long scenic transfer with short stops rather than a series of full sightseeing visits.

Boumalne Dades, Ait Ben Haddou, and Ouarzazate

The route passes through the Boumalne Dades area, where you have about 20 minutes to take in the scenery and photograph the surroundings. This is a quick look, not a proper visit to the Dades Valley or its gorges.

The next named stop is Ait Ben Haddou, also scheduled for about 20 minutes. The purpose here is mainly photographs. The fortified earthen village is one of Morocco’s most recognizable sights, so even a short stop can be worthwhile. But 20 minutes is not enough for a thorough walk through the site, and you should not expect a guided visit.

Ouarzazate follows, again for roughly 20 minutes. The schedule says you are free to do anything there, but the short time limits what is practical. Treat it as a break and a quick look rather than a full town experience.

These stops add variety to the route, but they also show the tour’s main trade-off. You see several famous places, yet you spend little time at each one. If Ait Ben Haddou is a priority, a separate visit with more time would give you a better understanding of the site.

The final stop in Marrakech needs clarification

The listed route ends in Marrakech, with several brief stops along the way and about ten minutes assigned to the final destination. This can be useful if your Morocco plans continue in Marrakech, since the trip may save you from returning to Fes.

But the tour title also refers to Fes to Fes or Marrakech. That is not a minor wording issue. Fes and Marrakech are far apart, and your onward hotel, train, flight, and luggage plans depend on the correct endpoint.

Before booking, ask Fez Charm Tours to confirm the following in writing:

• Your exact drop-off city
• The expected arrival time
• Whether the route changes for a Fes return
• Whether the vehicle remains the same throughout
• The actual camel-riding time
• What the word private means for the tent and transport

The experience includes pickup, and confirmation is provided at booking. It is also near public transportation, though the information does not specify particular stations or routes. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Is $151.49 good value?

At $151.49 per person, the price is attractive for a package that includes an air-conditioned vehicle, breakfast, dinner, a night in a private tent with an attached bathroom, camel trekking, and sand skiing.

The value depends on what you want most. If your priority is reaching Erg Chebbi without arranging separate transport, accommodation, and camel logistics, the price is reasonable. You also get several mountain and southern Morocco stops folded into the route.

The price looks less impressive if you expect a long camel trek, polished luxury service, small-group attention, or plenty of time at Ait Ben Haddou and Ouarzazate. Lunch is extra, and the group limit can reach 50 people, so the experience may feel more like a shared transport package than an intimate private tour.

I would judge the price as fair for a fast desert sampler, not as a bargain luxury holiday. Ask clear questions before paying, especially about the endpoint and camel timing.

Who should book this desert trip?

I would recommend it to you if you have only two days, want a first taste of the Sahara, and are comfortable with long road journeys. It suits visitors who value variety: cedar forests in the morning, a desert sunset at night, and Ait Ben Haddou on the return route.

It is also a practical choice if you want a private bathroom at camp and do not want to organize the desert portion yourself. The included dinner, breakfast, vehicle, camel ride, and camp reduce the number of separate arrangements you need to make.

I would look elsewhere if you want leisurely sightseeing, a small personal group, or a clearly defined luxury standard. I would also avoid it if you have back or mobility problems, since the tour requires moderate fitness and includes camel riding.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if the dunes, sunset, sunrise, and simple desert camp are your main goals. The best moments are clear: Erg Chebbi at sunset, the early morning light, the cedar forest near Azrou, and the comfort of a tent with its own bathroom.

Do not book until Fez Charm Tours confirms Fes versus Marrakech, the group size, and the actual camel-riding time. Go in expecting long drives and short sightseeing stops. With those limits understood, this can be a useful, affordable way to add the Sahara to a short Morocco itinerary. If you expect polished luxury and an unhurried desert stay, the package may leave you disappointed.

FAQ

What is included in the 2-day desert trip?

The tour includes breakfast, dinner, an air-conditioned vehicle, sand skiing, a luxury private tent with an attached bathroom, and a camel trekking experience.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, so you should budget separately for the midday meal in Midelt or along the route.

What time does the tour start?

Pickup starts at 7:30 am from your hotel or riad in Fes.

Does the trip finish in Fes or Marrakech?

The information gives both options in the tour title, while the listed route ends in Marrakech. Confirm your exact final destination with Fez Charm Tours before booking.

How long is the tour?

The experience lasts approximately two days and includes one night at a desert camp.

Is the camel ride included?

Yes. Camel trekking is included on the journey to the desert camp and again after sunrise on the return toward the hotel area.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.