2-Days Desert Tours from Fes with Overnight in Luxury Camp

The best part of this trip is the sharp change from Middle Atlas forests to the Sahara in a single day. You leave Fes at 8 a.m., pass through Ifrane and Azrou, then trade cedar trees and mountain villages for the wide dunes of Erg Chebbi.

I like the camel ride at sunset and the overnight camp, where dinner, breakfast, mint tea, and a star-filled sky turn a long transfer into a real desert experience. I also like having drivers such as Zaki and Hassan, who are praised for safe driving, patience, clean air-conditioned vehicles, and useful stops along the way.

The catch is simple: this is a very ambitious two-day schedule. You will spend many hours in the vehicle, with roughly seven hours on the first day and a long return drive on the second. If you want time for quiet desert wandering, this tour moves too quickly. If you have limited time in Morocco, it gives you a lot for the price.

Key points to know before booking

• The route covers Fes, Azrou, Midelt, Errachidia, Merzouga, and Rissani in only two days, so expect a road-heavy trip.
• Azrou’s cedar forest includes a 30-minute stop where you can see the local monkeys.
• The Erg Chebbi camel ride begins around 5 p.m. and lasts about an hour, timed for sunset.
• The overnight camp includes dinner, breakfast, accommodation, and mint tea, with some accommodation described as spacious, clean, and ensuite.
• The vehicle is comfortable and air-conditioned, with a maximum group size of 17 people.
• Lunch, drinks, and travel insurance cost extra, so bring cash and plan for meal stops.

From Fes to the cedar forests of Azrou

Your pickup begins at 8 a.m. in Fes. The early start matters because Merzouga is far away, and the first day packs a full cross-country journey into the schedule.

The opening section takes you toward Ifrane, a mountain town known for its cooler setting and European-style appearance. From there, the road climbs through the Middle Atlas. This is not a quick shuttle through empty country. You pass forests, springs, exposed rock, and Berber villages as the scenery changes mile by mile.

The 30-minute stop in Azrou Cedar Forest gives you a welcome break from the vehicle. The main attraction is the Barbary macaques, often called the forest monkeys. You can watch them around the trees and take photographs, but use common sense with food and keep a little distance. The stop is free, though any snacks or purchases are your own responsibility.

I like this early stop because it gives the day some variety right away. You are not simply waiting for the desert to appear. You get mountain air, tall cedars, and a chance to stretch your legs before the long drive continues.

Midelt and the long Middle Atlas crossing

The route then heads toward Midelt, with about three hours allocated to the stop and surrounding drive. Midelt is known for fossils and rocks, and it serves as the main halfway point before the road drops toward the Sahara.

Lunch is not included, so this is one of the places where you will pay separately for food and drinks. That arrangement gives the driver room to choose a practical stop, but you should not treat the tour price as an all-meals price. Carry some Moroccan dirhams for lunch, drinks, and small purchases.

The road through the Middle Atlas is one of the strongest parts of the trip for anyone who enjoys seeing how quickly Morocco changes. Forest gives way to drier hills, then to more open country. You may pass springs, villages, and jagged rock faces before reaching the warmer, more arid region around Errachidia.

This portion can also feel long. A comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle helps, and the driver makes a major difference. Several guests specifically praised Zaki for calm driving, patience, cultural explanations, and knowing useful places for food and ATMs. Hassan is also praised for professionalism, safety, and making the long road section feel manageable. Driver assignment can vary, so consider those names useful context rather than a promise that one particular person will drive your trip.

Errachidia and the first view of the Sahara

After Midelt, the road continues toward Errachidia and then Merzouga. The itinerary allows about two hours for this section, including a panoramic stop near a large palm oasis.

This is where the journey begins to feel properly southern. Palm trees gather around water and settlements, while the land around them becomes much drier. The contrast is valuable because it shows you that the Sahara is not just endless sand. People, farms, palms, roads, and villages all depend on small pockets of water.

Take advantage of every planned photo stop. The first day is long, and you may be tempted to sleep in the vehicle, but the change in scenery is the reason to choose this route instead of flying or taking a faster transfer. Your driver may also provide information about the places you pass, a detail that can make the road feel less like dead time.

The schedule is not built for a slow cultural tour. Stops are short or tightly timed, and the goal is to reach Merzouga in the afternoon. That trade-off is worth understanding before you pay.

Camel trekking into Erg Chebbi at sunset

You reach Merzouga at about 5 p.m. After a rest, your guide and camels meet you for the crossing into the sandy dunes of Erg Chebbi.

The camel ride lasts about an hour. It is not a full-day expedition, but it gives you the classic desert arrival: the settlement falls behind, the dunes open around you, and the evening light changes the color of the sand. The ride is timed for sunset, which is the most atmospheric part of the schedule.

A camel trek is also a physical experience. You climb up and down from the animal, and the rolling motion can be tiring, especially after a full day in the vehicle. Wear practical clothing, bring water, and keep your camera secure. Lunch and drinks are not included, but dinner and breakfast are covered.

At the camp, the camels are hobbled and mint tea is served. Dinner follows, and you spend the night in a Berber tent. The word luxury can mean different things in the desert, so keep your expectations sensible. The supplied details describe comfortable accommodation, and one stay was praised for a spacious, clean tent with an ensuite bathroom. Exact camp layout and amenities may vary, but this is more than simply sleeping outdoors with no shelter.

The best reason to stay overnight is the night sky. Far from city lights, the desert can offer a clear view of the stars. Music may also be part of the camp atmosphere, with Amazigh musicians mentioned in the supplied trip details. The evening is less about a packed entertainment program and more about tea, food, conversation, and looking up.

Sunrise, breakfast, and the ride back to Merzouga

Day two starts early if you want the full desert effect. You can walk over the dunes and watch the sunrise from the area behind the Algerian border, described as about 50 kilometers from Merzouga.

Sunrise is optional in spirit but highly worthwhile. The desert is cooler and quieter in the morning, and the low light reveals the shape of the dunes before the heat builds. If you need sleep more than photographs, the itinerary still allows you to begin with breakfast and the return camel ride, but missing sunrise would remove one of the most memorable parts of this short trip.

After breakfast, you take the camels back to the hotel area. The desert portion is brief, roughly two hours in total, so do not book this expecting a multi-day trekking trip. You get a concentrated introduction: sunset, camp, stars, sunrise, and a return ride.

The limited time is the central compromise. I like the efficiency for a short holiday, but I would choose a longer desert itinerary if you want dune walks, a second night, or a slower connection with the area.

Rissani’s souk and monuments

The drive then continues to Rissani, with about one hour set aside to explore its monuments and colorful souk.

Rissani is a useful stop because it brings you back into the settled world after the camp. The souk offers a look at local commerce, and the monuments add some historical and cultural interest to the return route. The stop is not presented as a long guided visit, so keep your expectations focused on a short introduction rather than an extended town tour.

This is also a good place to ask your driver for help with practical needs. Zaki is specifically praised for knowing good food stops and ATM locations. Since lunch and drinks are not included, local advice can save time and reduce hassle.

The return to Fes: the price of seeing the desert quickly

After Rissani, you begin the long drive back toward Fes, with a lunch break in or near Midelt before continuing.

This is the hardest part for many people. The excitement of the dunes is behind you, and the road back takes up much of the second day. The comfortable vehicle and air conditioning matter here. So does a driver who keeps a safe pace and helps the group stay organized.

The trip costs $139.37 per person, which is a strong price for transportation, a professional driver, accommodation, camel rides, dinner, and breakfast. The value is especially good if you would otherwise need to arrange a separate transfer to Merzouga, a camp stay, and a camel excursion.

Still, the low price reflects the compressed format. Lunches, drinks, and travel insurance are not included. You also have limited control over the timing in a group capped at 17 people. Group discounts may be available, which can make the trip even more appealing for friends or family traveling together.

I would compare this price with the cost of a private car and separate camp booking, but I would also compare the amount of time you want in the desert. A cheaper, faster trip is not always the better trip if you have several days available.

Comfort, group size, and the role of the driver

The tour includes a comfortable vehicle and a professional driver. The maximum group size is 17, which is small enough to keep the experience organized but large enough that it may not feel personal.

The driver is central to this experience. On the first day, you spend hours on the road. A good driver does more than steer. The strongest feedback centers on Zaki’s friendly manner, safe driving, patience, clean vehicle, air conditioning, and ability to explain places along the route. Hassan receives similar praise for safety, punctuality, care, and local guidance.

That does not mean every departure will have the same driver, and you should not assume that a named driver is guaranteed. It does mean you should pay attention to the driver’s local advice, especially at lunch stops, viewpoints, and practical breaks.

Most people can participate, and the tour is near public transportation. Pickup is offered. Confirmation is received at booking, and the experience is subject to good weather.

Who should book this two-day desert trip

I would recommend this tour to you if you have only a short stay in Morocco and want to include the Sahara without planning a complicated route. It suits first-time visitors who want the main desert moments, a reliable vehicle, and a camp night bundled into one booking.

It is also a good fit for people who enjoy scenery from the road. The Middle Atlas, cedar forest, villages, oases, and dunes create a varied route, even though the driving is substantial.

I would hesitate if you dislike long vehicle journeys, have mobility concerns related to mounting a camel, or want a quiet, unhurried desert stay. The itinerary is demanding, and the camel ride is not a substitute for several days among the dunes.

Bring layered clothing, sun protection, water money, and a phone or camera with space for photographs. Mountain mornings and desert evenings can feel very different, so avoid packing only for heat.

Booking and cancellation details

The tour is offered by 3T Travel and has a 98 percent recommendation rate with a five-star rating shown from 54 reviews. Those figures suggest strong satisfaction, especially with the drivers and overall organization, but the schedule itself remains intense.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the 8 a.m. start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours ahead are not refunded or accepted. The local time cut-off applies, and poor weather can lead to a different date or a full refund.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if your priority is reaching the Sahara from Fes in only two days and experiencing the essentials: Middle Atlas scenery, a camel ride, sunset, a desert camp, dinner, stars, and sunrise.

Skip it if you can spare more time and want the desert to feel less like a destination reached between long drives. At $139.37, the tour offers impressive value, but you pay for that value with a fast pace. For a short Moroccan holiday, I think the trade is fair. Just board the vehicle knowing that the road is half the adventure, and half the work.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

Pickup and departure from Fes begin at 8:00 a.m.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately two days.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes dinner, breakfast, a comfortable vehicle, a professional driver, accommodation, and a camel ride.

Are lunch and drinks included?

No. Lunches and drinks are not included, so you should budget separately for them.

How large can the group be?

The activity has a maximum group size of 17 people.

Where does the camel ride take place?

The camel ride begins in Merzouga and crosses the sandy dunes of Erg Chebbi. It begins in the afternoon, around 5 p.m., and lasts about one hour.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded. If poor weather causes the tour to be canceled, you will be offered another date or a full refund.