How many days do I need for a Sahara desert tour from Fes?

Two days is the minimum and what this trip offers — one long drive day from Fes across the Middle Atlas to Merzouga, a night in a Berber camp on Erg Chebbi, and the return drive the next day. If your schedule allows, three days makes the experience much less rushed.

What is included in the 2-day Fes to Merzouga tour?

Private transport with English-speaking driver, all transfers, one night in a Berber desert camp at Erg Chebbi, a camel ride into the dunes at sunset, plus dinner and breakfast at the camp.

Is the desert camp comfortable?

Yes — Berber tents with proper beds, blankets, washbasins and shared dining. Premium luxury camps with en-suite tents and hot showers can also be arranged on request.

When is the best time to visit Merzouga from Fes?

October to April is most pleasant — warm days and cool, starry nights. Summer (June–August) is very hot in the dunes. Spring and autumn give the best photography light on Erg Chebbi.

2-Day Fes to Merzouga Desert Tour & Back

2 Days Fes to Sahara Desert & Back

English / French / Spanish Meet with guide 2 days

Fes, Morocco (96 Reviews)

2-day Sahara desert tour from Fes to Merzouga and back

Overview

Experience the beauty of the Erg Chebbi dunes on a 2-day morocco desert tour from Fes to Merzouga and back — one of our most popular morocco desert tours from the imperial north. We travel through the Middle Atlas and Berber villages, then ride camels into the dunes for an overnight stay in a Berber camp. Discover the best of the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara on this short sahara desert tour from fes with Local Morocco Tours, running private trips since 2012 — see also our other Fes tours or the equivalent 3-day Sahara desert tour from Marrakech.

Highlights

Erg Chebbi dunes Camel trek Middle Atlas & Ifrane Azrou cedar forest Desert camp & Berber music

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1

Fes to Merzouga via Midelt and Erfoud

After hotel pick-up we depart for Ifrane, known as the "Switzerland of Morocco", and admire its unique architecture. We then travel on to Azrou to see the Barbary macaques in the cedar forest, followed by a transfer to Midelt. After lunch we drive to Errachidia and Erfoud, arriving in Merzouga where you will explore the Erg Chebbi dunes on a 90-minute camel trek. Enjoy a magical desert sunset, and once we reach the nomad tents we prepare dinner around traditional Berber music. Overnight in the desert camp.

Day 2

Merzouga - Rissani - Ifrane - Fes

Wake up early to watch the sunrise from the top of the dunes. After breakfast we ride camels back to the hotel and travel on to Rissani, before transferring you back to Fes and dropping you at your hotel. We will be happy to arrange the perfect private tour from Fes for your friends, family or group with Local Morocco Tours.

What's included

All hotel pick-up and drop-off transfers
Comfortable private travel from Fes in an air-conditioned vehicle
Camel trek into the Erg Chebbi dunes
Overnight in a Sahara desert camp
Experienced local tour guide
Dinners and breakfasts

Not included

Lunches and soft drinks
Admission fees and gratuities

Guide languages

English, Spanish, French, and more languages are available upon request.

Departure

We depart from your hotel at your requested time — usually at 8:00 am. Let us know how many people are travelling, your travel date, and the accommodation category: standard or luxury, or request a quote.

Departing from Fes

Fes sits north of the Sahara, roughly equidistant from the Mediterranean coast and the Merzouga dunes — about four and a half hours south-east by private vehicle via the Middle Atlas and the Ziz Valley. Departing Fes early, the route climbs through the cedar forests of Azrou and Ifrane (Morocco’s alpine zone, complete with Barbary macaques and ski resorts) before descending to the desert plateau at Midelt and then the Tafilalt oasis.

The two-day format from Fes is efficient: Day 1 arrives at Merzouga in time for a sunset camel trek into Erg Chebbi and an overnight in a private desert camp. Day 2 offers a dawn walk in the dunes before returning to Fes via the same mountain route — a long day of driving (roughly 8 hours) but a complete Sahara experience. Because the route passes through the Middle Atlas forest twice, it feels like a journey through multiple Moroccos rather than just a transfer.

For travellers who have already explored Fes and need to reach the Sahara as efficiently as possible, this two-day tour works well. For more desert time, the 3-day version adds a night in Midelt or the Todra Gorge. Request a quote to confirm your dates.