From Fes: 2-Day Merzouga Desert Trip(Luxury Tent & Dinner)

The best part of this two-day Fes to Merzouga trip is the sudden change from mountain roads to open Sahara dunes. You pass snowy Atlas scenery, cedar trees, rocky valleys, and fossil country before reaching Erg Chebbi, where camels carry you to camp at sunset. I especially like the private tent with its own bathroom and the live music around the fire.

I also like the way the route includes more than a quick desert photo stop. You see Ifrane, feed Barbary monkeys in the cedar forest, cross the Ziz Valley, and stop in Rissani on the way back. Drivers such as Tarek and Pedro have earned strong praise for safe driving and steady help. The catch is simple: two days means a great deal of road time, and the desert stay may feel rushed.

Key points at a glance

• A long but rewarding route: Cross the Middle Atlas Mountains, cedar forest, Midelt, Ziz Valley, Erfoud, and Rissani in two days.
• Private luxury tent: Sleep in a tent with a private bathroom and toilet, plus beds and USB points in some tents.
• Camel ride at sunset: Travel by camel across the Erg Chebbi dunes, with sandboarding included.
• Campfire entertainment: Expect dinner, Berber music, dancing, and a fire pit beneath the desert sky.
• Cold shower risk: The tent is comfortable, but hot water is not guaranteed.
• Strong driver service: Tarek and Pedro are specifically praised for safe driving, information, and personal help.

The long road from Fes to the Sahara

This is not a short transfer with a desert add-on. You spend much of the first day crossing Morocco, moving from Fes toward the Sahara by way of the Middle Atlas Mountains. That long drive is the price of reaching Merzouga in only two days.

You are picked up at your hotel or riad in Fes and travel in an air-conditioned vehicle. The transport has been praised for being spacious and comfortable, and the driver stops for toilets, lunch, and viewpoints. Still, plan for a full road day. If you dislike sitting in a vehicle for long stretches, this schedule may test your patience.

The route works because each stop breaks up the journey. You do not simply watch the road pass by. You move through mountain towns, forest, valley, and desert-edge settlements, seeing how quickly Morocco’s scenery changes.

Drivers make a real difference here. Tarek is praised for safe driving in difficult mountain weather and for helping people throughout the day. Pedro is also singled out for making the long ride pleasant. Your assigned driver may differ, but the service depends heavily on who is behind the wheel.

Ifrane and the Middle Atlas Mountains

The first notable stop is Ifrane, a mountain town known as a Moroccan ski resort. It feels quite different from the Fes you have just left, with a cooler mountain setting and a more orderly resort-town character.

Ifrane is a short stop rather than a full tour. Use it to stretch your legs, take a few photographs, and get ready for the higher mountain roads. In winter, conditions can change quickly. One February trip encountered snow in the mountains, so warm layers are sensible even if Fes was mild when you left.

The road through the Middle Atlas is one of the most scenic parts of the journey. You trade city streets for broad views, high ground, and mountain villages. This is also where the drive can slow down, especially in poor weather. A careful driver matters more than speed, and the praise for safe driving is worth noting.

Meeting the Barbary monkeys in the cedar forest

The next stop brings you into a cedar forest, where you can meet and feed the local Barbary monkeys. This is a simple, lively break from the vehicle, and it gives families a welcome change of pace.

The monkey stop is not a wildlife safari. You have a short visit, a chance to observe the animals, and time for photographs. Keep your belongings close and follow the driver’s instructions around the animals. The appeal is the contrast: one moment you are on a high mountain road, and the next you are among cedar trees with monkeys nearby.

For families with older children or teenagers, this stop adds variety. A family of four with two teenage daughters found the entire trip more enjoyable than expected, helped by the mix of monkeys, camels, music, and sandboarding.

Midelt lunch and the road toward Ziz Valley

Midelt is the practical halfway point for lunch. Lunch is not included, so you should budget for food on both days. The town gives you a chance to eat, use the toilet, and reset before the next stretch of driving.

The route then heads toward the Ziz Valley. The valley provides a strong visual change from the Atlas Mountains, with a more open, dry setting and dramatic cuts through the terrain. You will want your camera ready, but do not expect a long guided visit at every viewpoint. These are road-trip stops, not full excursions.

The cost of lunch is a small extra, but it matters when you compare the total price. At $112 per person, the tour includes transport, the driver, camel trekking, dinner, breakfast, and the overnight camp. You still pay for two lunches, drinks, and personal items, so the final cost will be higher than the headline price.

Erfoud, fossils, and the approach to Merzouga

Erfoud is the final listed stop before Merzouga. It is known for fossils and sits on the edge of the desert region, making it a natural transition point between valley roads and sand dunes.

The stop is brief, but it helps you understand the route. You are no longer crossing the green and cooler parts of the Atlas. The air, colors, and ground begin to look unmistakably desert-bound.

By the time you reach Merzouga, the journey has already given you a broad view of southeastern Morocco. The desert is not presented in isolation. It arrives as the final act of a changing route.

Camel trekking into Erg Chebbi

At Merzouga, camels are waiting to carry you across the dunes to camp. The ride is timed for sunset, giving you warm light and long shadows across Erg Chebbi. For many people, this is the defining moment of the trip.

A camel ride is not especially fast or smooth. You sit high above the sand, and the animal’s movement can feel awkward at first. Take your time mounting and dismounting, and listen to the handlers. The ride is best treated as a slow way to watch the desert change rather than as a transport shortcut.

Sandboarding is also included. You can try it on the dunes before continuing to camp. This adds a playful side to the desert, especially for families and teenagers. If you prefer quiet, keep in mind that the dune area may include other activities and vehicles. One particularly honest assessment found the desert a little too busy with quad-bike activity for someone seeking complete stillness.

The camel ride itself receives some of the strongest praise. One rating described it as 10 out of 10, and another called it unforgettable. That enthusiasm makes sense: the ride, sunset, and camp arrival create a clear sense of occasion even though the visit is short.

What the private luxury tent really offers

The camp provides a private luxury tent with a private bathroom and toilet. That is a major comfort upgrade over a basic desert camp, especially after a long road journey and a camel ride.

The tents have been described as spacious and new in some cases, with tiled floors, fresh beds, and USB charging points. Those details matter. You can charge a phone, sleep off the road, and use your own bathroom rather than relying on shared facilities.

Do not read luxury as a full hotel substitute. Dinner and breakfast are described as basic, and hot water may be unreliable. A shower was cold during several stays, despite the private bathroom. Bring wipes, a small towel if useful, and a backup layer for the night.

The beds can still be warm even in January, but desert temperatures drop after dark. Pack a fleece or warm jacket, especially if you plan to sit by the fire or watch the sky outside the tent.

Dinner, music, and the campfire

Dinner is included at the desert camp, followed by a fire pit and live music. The evening usually includes Berber music and dancing, giving the camp a social, festive mood rather than a silent wilderness feel.

The meal is described as basic but satisfying, with chicken and fruit noted during one stay. Breakfast is also included and simple. You should not book this for elaborate dining. The value is having food served at camp after the camel ride, not receiving a fine-dining menu.

The music is one of the most memorable parts of the overnight stay. Drums, singing, and dancing around the fire turn the camp into a shared evening. If you want to photograph the fire and tents, arrive with enough battery power. The USB points in some tents are useful, but do not rely on them as your only charging plan.

After the entertainment, the desert can become calm. The schedule, other camp activities, and nearby vehicles may affect how quiet it feels. You will get a taste of desert night, but not always total solitude.

Sunrise, breakfast, and the return to Fes

The second day starts early for sunrise over Erg Chebbi. This is worth the early alarm. The dunes look completely different in the first light, and sunrise gives you one more strong desert moment before the return journey.

After breakfast and a shower, you either ride camels again or take a 4×4 transfer to meet the driver. The 4×4 option is useful if your legs are sore or you simply prefer a quicker exit from the dunes. One family also enjoyed a lively 4×4 ride through the desert, so the transfer can be part of the fun.

The return route passes through Rissani, where you visit the Zawiya Moulay Ali Ash-Sharif. The trip also includes the dramatic Ziz Valley again and a stop connected with the Hassan Adakhil Dam. Lunch is not included, so plan for another paid meal.

Eventually, you return to Fes for drop-off at your hotel or riad. This is another long driving day. You should not schedule an important evening activity immediately afterward, since road conditions, stops, and mountain weather can affect arrival time.

Who gets the best value from $112

At $112 per person, the price is strong for what is included. You receive air-conditioned transport from Fes and back, a professional driver, camel trekking, a private tent with bathroom, dinner, breakfast, campfire entertainment, and live music.

The value comes from combining transport and overnight arrangements in one package. Organizing the same route independently would mean arranging a driver, camp, camel ride, meals, and return transport separately. The tour also removes much of the route planning from you.

The price looks less generous if you expect a relaxed desert retreat. You pay with time as much as money. The tour covers a huge distance in two days, and some stops are short. Lunch, mineral water, and personal items are extra, and no local guide is included.

I would view it as a good first taste of the Sahara, not a slow desert stay. If you have only two days available from Fes, it gives you the main sights. If you have more time, a longer desert itinerary would allow more rest and fewer hours on the road.

Practical advice before you book

Wear layers. The mountains may be cold, especially in winter, while the desert can feel warm in the sun and cold after dark.

Bring water money and snacks, since mineral water is not included. You also need to pay for lunch on both days.

Charge your phone before leaving Fes. Some tents have USB points, but you should not assume every charging point will work perfectly.

Choose comfortable trousers for the camel ride. You will be sitting for a while, and loose, practical clothing is better than anything restrictive.

Expect a social camp, not guaranteed silence. Music and dancing are part of the evening, and nearby dune activities may include quad bikes or other vehicles.

Keep your schedule open after returning to Fes. The road crosses mountain areas, and the second day is long.

The provider offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and allows you to reserve now and pay later. Pickup time and location are confirmed through WhatsApp or email, so watch for that message before the trip.

Should you book this Fes desert trip?

Book it if you want the main Merzouga highlights in a tight two-day schedule: mountain villages, cedar forest monkeys, the Ziz Valley, camel trekking, sandboarding, a private tent, dinner, music, and sunrise.

I would especially recommend it to first-time visitors, families with older children, and anyone who values a private bathroom after a day on the road. The drivers praised by name, including Tarek and Pedro, also add confidence to a demanding route.

Think twice if your priority is silence, slow travel, or a high-end food experience. The drive is long, meals are basic, hot water can fail, and the desert may feel active rather than empty. For a compact and reasonably priced introduction to the Sahara from Fes, though, this is a practical choice with plenty of memorable moments.

FAQ

How long is the Fes to Merzouga desert trip?

The trip lasts two days and returns to Fes.

What places are visited on the way from Fes to Merzouga?

The route includes Ifrane, the cedar forest, Midelt, the Ziz Valley, and Erfoud before reaching Merzouga.

Is camel trekking included?

Yes. Camel trekking is included, including the ride toward the desert camp.

Is sandboarding included?

Yes. You can try sandboarding in the Merzouga dunes.

What type of accommodation is provided?

You stay in a private luxury tent with a private bathroom and toilet.

Are dinner and breakfast included?

Yes. Dinner and breakfast at the Merzouga desert camp are included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch on both the first and second days is not included.

Is drinking water included?

No. Mineral water is not included, so you should budget for it separately.

Does the camp have live entertainment?

Yes. The evening includes a campfire with live music and Berber music and dancing.

How is pickup arranged?

Pickup is from your hotel or riad in Fes. The provider confirms the meeting point and time by WhatsApp or email.