2Days Desert Tour From Fez: Round-Trip with Luxury Camp stay

Merzouga is the star here: broad orange dunes, a 45-minute camel ride at sunset, dinner by the fire, and music under a clear desert sky. You also get a comfortable tent with a private bathroom and shower, a useful touch after a long day on the road.

I like the scenic route through Ifrane, the cedar forest monkeys, and the Ziz Valley. I also like that drivers such as Houcin, Tarek, Mounir, and Aziz have a reputation for stopping for photos, answering questions, and keeping the pace humane. The main drawback is simple: two days means a lot of driving, with the return to Fez taking much of the next day.

Key points to know before booking

• The camel ride reaches camp at sunset, so bring comfortable shoes and a warm layer for the evening.
• The route includes Ifrane, cedar forests, Midelt, the Ziz Valley, and Erfoud, not just a long highway transfer.
• The luxury camp has private bathrooms and showers, though hot water may be limited, especially in winter.
• Lunch is not included, and the organized lunch stops can cost more than the food seems worth.
• The journey can take about seven to eight hours each way, including stops, so the three-day version is easier if your schedule allows.
• A 4×4 transfer can replace the camel ride if you have a health concern.

The Fez to Merzouga route begins before breakfast

Pickup is at about 7:30 a.m. from your hotel or riad in Fez. That early start matters. Merzouga is far from Fez, and you need most of the day to cross the Middle Atlas and reach the dunes before sunset.

The drive is made more pleasant by several planned stops. You are not simply sealed inside a minibus until the desert appears. Still, this is a long road day, and you should treat it as a scenic transfer with good stops rather than a relaxed two-day holiday.

Transport is usually an air-conditioned minibus or minivan with a professional driver who may speak English, French, Spanish, or Arabic. The back row can be tight for tall passengers. One passenger who was 6 feet 3 inches found the legroom poor there, so ask for a better seat at the start if you need space.

The roads are generally good, though they can be winding. If you get motion sickness, carry whatever helps you and choose a seat toward the front. Drivers including Houcin, Tarek, Pedro, and Mounir have been singled out for careful driving, patience, and flexibility with photo stops.

Ifrane brings an alpine surprise in Morocco

Your first major stop is Ifrane, a town with an alpine feel and ski slopes. It is an amusing change of scene after leaving Fez. Morocco is not one single visual idea, and Ifrane makes that clear with its cooler mountain setting and European-style appearance.

The cedar forests of the Middle Atlas come next. The stop to see Barbary monkeys is one of the most memorable parts of the route, especially for families. You can observe them and feed them, but use care and follow the driver or local guidance around the animals.

This stop also gives you a break from sitting. A driver may adjust the timing to allow more time with the monkeys. One family had an extra stop added because their children enjoyed the experience so much.

Bad weather can affect this section. Heavy rain once closed the road toward Ifrane, forcing a change in the schedule. The monkeys were seen on the return instead. That is worth knowing if you have your heart set on a particular stop. Mountain weather can change the route.

Midelt is the practical lunch stop

Midelt is generally the lunch break. Lunch is paid separately, and the restaurant stop is not included in the tour price. Bring water and some snacks, since water is also your own expense and you purchase it during stops.

The lunch stop is useful, but it may not be the best value of the day. Some meals have been considered expensive for what was served. You may not have much choice if the group is traveling together, so keep your expectations modest and carry a little food of your own.

This is also a good place to stretch your legs. By Midelt, you have already spent several hours in the vehicle. The trip works better when you think of the stops as part of the experience, not as quick interruptions before the real tour begins.

The Ziz Valley changes the scenery again

After Midelt, the road passes through the Ziz Valley. The greenery is a welcome contrast to the dry mountain roads and later desert sands. The valley gives you a better feel for how water shapes life in southeastern Morocco.

The final named stop is Erfoud, a town associated with the approach to the desert. It marks the shift from mountain route to the hotter, drier region around Merzouga.

The total journey to Merzouga is advertised at roughly seven hours with stops. In practice, weather, traffic, road conditions, and the length of breaks can make the day longer. One return journey took more than eight hours. You should not schedule an evening activity in Fez after the return unless you have plenty of spare time.

Sunset by camel leads to the camp

When you reach Merzouga, your luggage is transferred to the camp by 4×4. You then meet the camels for a ride of about 45 minutes toward the tents.

The timing is the point. The ride is planned around sunset, so the dunes change color as the light drops. You have time for photographs and a quiet look around, but this is not a half-day camel expedition. It is a short, scenic transfer into camp.

You can choose a 4×4 transfer instead of riding a camel if you have a health problem. That option is especially useful for anyone with back, hip, or knee trouble. Comfortable shoes are a sensible choice for the sand and camp paths.

Camel riding can feel awkward at first, especially when the animal stands or kneels. Listen to the handlers and take your time. Keep your phone secure, and do not plan on carrying more than you need during the ride.

The luxury camp is comfortable, with one winter warning

The camp is described as a luxury option with a private bathroom and shower. The tents are spacious and more comfortable than a basic desert camp. After a long drive and a dusty camel ride, having your own bathroom makes a real difference.

Food is included at camp, with one dinner and one breakfast. Dinner is served beneath the stars, followed by Berber music around the fire pit. The music is not just background entertainment. You can sit with the group, listen, and join in if you feel like it.

The camp experience is friendly and social, but the schedule is tight. You arrive near sunset, settle in, ride the camels, eat, and take part in the evening program. There is not much spare time for sandboarding or a long private walk among the dunes. Sandboarding was one activity a family wished they had time to try.

The shower needs a practical footnote. Some stays have had a hot shower, while another winter visit found no heated water. Ask about current hot water arrangements if a warm shower is important to you, especially from December through February. A small towel and basic toiletries are sensible additions.

The desert can be cold at night, even after a warm day. Pack a fleece or light jacket. The phrase cool desert air is not just advertising language in winter.

Sunrise gives you one quiet desert moment

Day two starts early for sunrise over Erg Chebbi. This is the best reason to accept the early start. The dunes are quieter, the light is soft, and the desert feels much less busy than it did during the arrival rush.

After sunrise, you return to camp for breakfast and a shower. You then either ride the camels back or take the 4×4 to meet your driver. The camel return is practical, not a second major excursion.

Breakfast is included, but the information does not specify a full menu. If you need coffee or food early in the morning, check with camp staff rather than assuming every item will be available at a particular time.

The return to Fez is the hard part

Once you leave Merzouga, the same broad route carries you back toward Fez. There are breaks for lunch and stops along the way. The return may include the Ifrane and monkey stop if weather or timing changed the first day.

This is where the two-day format shows its limits. You get the desert, but the time between Fez and Merzouga is demanding. The first day is mostly driving with stops, and the second day combines sunrise, breakfast, departure, lunch, and another long drive.

I would choose the three-day version if you have the extra day. It gives you more breathing room and makes the desert feel like a place you visited, not simply a destination reached between two long minibus rides. If two days is all you have, the tour still delivers the central experiences at a low price, but you need to be comfortable with the pace.

What the $111 price really covers

At about $111 per person, the package offers strong value for the amount included. You receive air-conditioned transport, a professional driver, the camp, a 45-minute camel ride, dinner, breakfast, sunset and sunrise camel transfers, Berber music, and taxes.

The price does not cover lunch, bottled water, personal purchases, or a local guide. That distinction matters. The driver may explain places along the route, but this is not presented as a dedicated guided sightseeing tour at every stop.

The biggest saving is transport and accommodation bundled together. Booking separate transport from Fez, a desert transfer, camp accommodation, meals, and camel rides could be more complicated and might cost more. The tradeoff is less control over the schedule and the lunch stops.

The price is best for solo visitors, couples, and families who want a straightforward first desert trip without arranging every piece themselves. It is less appealing if you dislike long drives, fixed departure times, or group transport.

The drivers shape the experience

The strongest part of this tour is often the person behind the wheel. Houcin has been praised for patience, safe driving, flexibility, and thoughtful stops. Tarek has been described as attentive and informative. Mounir, Aziz, Pedro, Hafid, Hamsa, Omar, and Mohamed have also been associated with friendly service and care for passengers.

Your driver may be more than a driver, but do not assume the same person will lead every walking stop. The experience is supplied in several languages, and the assigned driver can vary.

Ask questions early. One useful lesson from the trip is that drivers can often arrange small changes when you explain what you need. This might include a comfort stop or help with timing. Communication about the exact schedule can sometimes be loose, so confirm the next departure and meeting point before leaving the camp.

Who should book this desert trip?

You should consider this tour if you have only two days, want a camp with a private bathroom, and prefer a package that includes transport, meals, camels, and evening entertainment.

It also suits families. The monkey stop, camel ride, camp music, and simple route make the experience easy to understand for children. Parents should still prepare for the long vehicle days and bring water, snacks, and entertainment.

You may want another option if you are tall and likely to be placed in the back row, prone to motion sickness, or hoping for a slow desert stay. People with mobility or health concerns can use the 4×4 instead of the camel, but the long minibus hours remain.

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, though you should confirm the exact vehicle and camp arrangements before booking if you need specific assistance.

Should you book the two-day Fez desert tour?

Book it if your schedule is tight and the essential Merzouga experience matters most: dunes, sunset camels, a comfortable tent, dinner, music, and sunrise. At $111, the combination is hard to fault, provided you budget extra for lunch and water.

Choose three days if you can. The extra time is worth more than another attraction because it reduces the strain of the road and gives you a better chance to enjoy the desert at its own pace.

Before leaving Fez, ask about your seat, the lunch arrangements, the return timing, and hot water at camp. With those details clear, this is a practical, good-value way to reach the Sahara from Fez, especially when you get a driver as considerate as Houcin, Tarek, or Mounir.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

Pickup begins at about 7:30 a.m. from your hotel or riad in Fez.

How long is the drive from Fez to Merzouga?

The drive takes approximately seven hours with stops, though actual travel can be longer because of weather, traffic, and the length of breaks. Some return journeys have taken more than eight hours.

Is transportation included?

Yes. The tour includes air-conditioned minibus or minivan transportation and a professional driver.

Which languages may the driver speak?

Drivers may speak English, French, Spanish, or Arabic.

Is the camel ride included?

Yes. A camel trek of about 45 minutes is included, with the ride timed around sunset. Camel transport is also arranged around sunrise and departure.

Can I avoid the camel ride?

Yes. If you have a health problem, you can use a 4×4 transfer instead of riding a camel.

What meals are included?

The package includes one dinner and one breakfast at Merzouga. Lunch is not included and is purchased separately during the stops.

Does the camp have private bathrooms and showers?

The luxury camp option includes a private bathroom and shower. Hot water may not always be available, particularly in winter, so confirm this if it is important to you.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The tour also allows you to reserve now and pay later.