2Days Share Tour From Fes To Marrakech Or Fes Via Sahara & camel

The best part of this Fes to Marrakech desert journey is the sudden change of scenery: cool cedar forest in the morning, palm-filled valleys by afternoon, and golden Sahara dunes before sunset. You ride camels to a camp, eat dinner, and spend the night on the sand.

I like the chance to see Barbary macaques near Azrou, and I like that the route includes the Ziz Valley and Tizi n Tichka pass rather than treating the desert as a quick photo stop. The main drawback is the pace. Two days means long hours in a vehicle, a short stay in Merzouga, and no guarantee of a sunset or sunrise if wind, timing, or weather gets in the way.

Key points to know before you book

• A full day reaches Merzouga: Expect mountain roads, forest stops, lunch in Midelt, and several more hours before the camel ride.
• The camel trek lasts about 45 minutes to one hour: It is a memorable entrance to camp, but not a long desert expedition.
• Barbary macaques are a highlight: The cedar forest near Azrou offers a close look at Morocco’s native monkeys.
• Lunch costs extra: Breakfast and dinner are included, but both daytime meals are your responsibility.
• The second day is mostly a road journey: You return by camel, shower at a hotel, then cross the Rose Valley, Ouarzazate area, and High Atlas.
• The group can reach 15 people: That keeps the price low, though comfort and flexibility depend on the vehicle and driver.

From Fes to the cedar forests near Azrou

Pickup begins at Hotel Batha on Avenue de La Liberté in Fes. From there, you head toward Ifrane and the Middle Atlas Mountains, leaving the city behind for cooler air, wooded slopes, and small Berber communities.

Ifrane is often called the Switzerland of Morocco because of its climate and European-looking design. The more memorable stop comes nearby, in the cedar forest of Ifrane National Park. Here you may see Barbary macaques, Morocco’s native monkeys. They are known to approach people closely, and some visitors have fed them or had them climb onto their shoulders.

That close contact can be exciting, but use common sense. Keep food secure, avoid forcing contact, and give the animals space if they seem unsettled. The stop is free, and the two-hour estimate likely includes time around Ifrane and the forest rather than two hours watching monkeys.

The forest is valuable because it breaks up the long drive and gives you a taste of a very different Morocco. You are not yet in the desert, and that contrast is part of the appeal. Still, the morning can feel brisk, especially outside the warmer months, so carry an extra layer.

Midelt lunch and the long road south

After the forest, the route continues to Midelt, a city known as a practical stopping point between the Middle Atlas and the Sahara. Lunch is not included, and the stop is generally at a roadside restaurant.

I like this arrangement for one reason: it keeps the tour price down and lets the driver choose a convenient local place. You should still budget for lunch, drinks, and small purchases. The advertised price is $139.58 per person, so the extra meals and tips should be part of your calculation.

The timing matters here. The first day is not a relaxed transfer with occasional stops. It combines the drive from Fes, Ifrane, the cedar forest, lunch in Midelt, the Ziz Valley, and the final run to Merzouga. The published timing adds up to roughly nine hours of scheduled stops and driving, and the full day can feel longer once traffic, meal service, and photo breaks are included.

Bring water, snacks, a phone charger, and something warm. One driver, Yusef, was specifically helpful with charging phones, but you should not count on every vehicle having the same setup. A charged phone is useful for navigation, photos, and keeping in touch when the day stretches on.

The Ziz Valley and the first Sahara dunes

South of Midelt, the road passes through the Ziz Valley. This oasis cuts through an otherwise dry region, with tall palms and a ribbon of green below the surrounding hills. A panoramic viewpoint gives you the best chance to understand the valley’s shape before the road drops closer to the palms.

This is one of the trip’s most worthwhile stops because it shows how people live in a dry part of Morocco. The Sahara is not simply endless bare sand. Valleys, palms, villages, and old routes connect the desert to settled life.

By afternoon, you reach Merzouga, where the camel ride begins. The camels carry you across the dunes toward the desert camp, usually taking around 45 minutes to one hour. That is enough time to feel the slow rhythm of the desert and watch the light change, but it is not a long riding tour.

Camel saddles can be uncomfortable, especially if you are not used to them. Wear trousers, use sunscreen, and keep your belongings in a small secure bag. Loose items can be awkward to manage from the saddle. If you have back, hip, or knee concerns, ask how long you will be riding before you commit.

Sunset, dinner, and a night on the sand

The schedule aims to put you on a dune in time for sunset. From a high point, the sand takes on changing shades as the sun drops. It can be a beautiful moment, but desert weather is not controlled by the tour. Wind can obscure the view, and a late arrival can shorten the stop.

That is an important expectation to set. This is a two-day crossing, not a dedicated sunset-and-sunrise stay. You may see both, but the timing and weather can work against you. One account describes missing the sunset because of strong wind, and another found the camel ride shorter than expected. The desert itself remains striking, but the exact postcard moment is never guaranteed.

At camp, you are shown to a private tent, then served dinner. The evening includes a bonfire, Berber drumming, and singing. Breakfast is included the next morning, while lunch is not included on either day.

The camp is described as luxurious, but the supplied details do not specify the tent facilities, bedding, electricity, or bathroom arrangements. If those details matter to you, ask the provider before booking. A private tent sounds comfortable, but desert camps differ widely in what that means.

The night sky is one of the real rewards. Away from city lights, you can spend time outside after dinner and look up at the stars. Bring warm clothing. Desert nights can be very cold, and one poor experience involved severe cold during the return journey when the driver refused to raise the vehicle windows. Even if that was an isolated problem, a fleece or warm jacket is wise.

The return to Merzouga and morning logistics

After breakfast, you ride the camels back to Merzouga. The return trip gives you another look at the dunes in morning light, but it also starts the second day with more riding and a tight schedule.

At Merzouga, you use a hotel for a shower before continuing. This is a useful practical detail. After a night in the desert and a camel ride, a shower can make the long second driving day much more comfortable.

The schedule then turns west toward the Rose Valley area for lunch. The wording of the route is not perfectly clear, and the stop at El Kelaa M’Gouna is described mainly as a lunch stop. The town is associated with Morocco’s rose-growing region, but you should not assume a formal rose-farm visit or a long sightseeing stop. The included details support lunch there, followed by the onward drive.

Again, lunch is at your own cost. Keep some Moroccan dirhams handy, since roadside stops may be easier with cash, though no specific payment method is promised.

Ouarzazate and the High Atlas crossing

After the Rose Valley area, the road passes through Berber settlements toward Ouarzazate. The route then crosses the High Atlas Mountains over Tizi n’Tichka, Morocco’s highest major road pass, at about 2,260 meters.

This is the second day’s strongest scenery. The road climbs through folds of bare mountain, villages, and broad views across the Atlas. It is a fine counterpoint to the desert: the first day gives you palms and dunes, while the second brings high passes and mountain towns.

The tradeoff is time. The drive from Merzouga to Marrakech is long, and this is not a leisurely mountain walk. Stops can be brief, especially if the group needs to reach Marrakech in the evening. Motion sickness is worth considering on the winding roads, and a front seat may help if the driver can arrange it.

The route description refers to visiting Ouarzazate and the Atlas Mountains, but it does not identify an admission-based attraction or a guaranteed stop at a particular film studio or kasbah. Think of Ouarzazate as part of the overland route, not a full sightseeing visit.

You arrive in Marrakech in the evening, ending the desert trip around Jemaa el-Fnaa. The activity begins at Hotel Batha in Fes and ends in a different location in Marrakech, so confirm the exact drop-off point before you set your next appointment.

What the $139.58 price really covers

At $139.58 per person, this is an inexpensive way to connect Fes, Merzouga, and Marrakech while adding a camel ride and one desert night. The price includes dinner, breakfast, the camel trek, and one night in a tent on the dunes.

It does not include lunch, tips, or any other personal spending. The low price also reflects the compressed schedule and shared transport. With a maximum of 15 people, you are buying a practical group transfer with sightseeing built in, not a private custom trip.

That can be excellent value if you want to cover a difficult route without arranging several separate buses, taxis, hotels, and desert services. It is less appealing if you want long walks, flexible photo stops, or time to explore each town.

The published rating is 4.9 from 104 ratings, with 98 percent recommending the experience. The strongest praise centers on the camel ride, the desert setting, kind drivers, the macaques, and the fact that the route generally moves efficiently. The weaker points concern the rushed schedule, missed sunset or sunrise, a short camel ride in at least one case, and an unpleasant return driver.

Those differences tell you exactly how to judge the tour: the main sights can be excellent, but the quality of the road days depends heavily on weather, vehicle conditions, and the individual driver.

Who should choose this two-day crossing?

I would choose this tour if you have limited time and want the classic Fes to Sahara to Marrakech route in one package. It suits first-time visitors who value variety: cedar forest, monkeys, oasis, dunes, a camp dinner, rose country, Ouarzazate, and High Atlas views.

It also suits people who see the desert night as the main goal and accept that the rest is a fast-moving road trip. The camel ride is long enough to feel special, and the camp gives you an evening away from city noise.

I would hesitate if you dislike long vehicle journeys or need a predictable schedule. You spend much of both days on the road, and the second day is especially demanding. I would also hesitate if sunrise and sunset are essential to your plans. The tour tries to include them, but wind and arrival times can change the result.

The maximum group size of 15 is another practical consideration. A smaller group may feel easier on winding roads and at meal stops, but no smaller group is promised here. Most people can participate, and the tour is near public transportation, but no detailed accessibility information is provided.

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.

My take: book it for the route, not the clock

Book this trip if your priority is seeing the Sahara and reaching Marrakech quickly from Fes. The macaque stop, Ziz Valley, camel ride, desert dinner, and Atlas crossing give you a lot for the money.

Do not book it expecting a slow desert retreat. Pack for cold nights, carry lunch money, charge your phone, and treat sunset and sunrise as possible bonuses rather than fixed promises. If you can accept long drives and a little uncertainty, this is a strong budget route across Morocco. If you want comfort, extra time, or reliable photography conditions, pay more for a longer desert itinerary.

FAQ

Where does the tour start in Fes?

Pickup starts at Hotel Batha, Avenue de La Liberté, Fes 30000, Morocco.

Where does the tour end?

The trip ends in Marrakech, at a different location from the Fes meeting point. The exact drop-off details should be checked before departure.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately two days.

Is the camel ride included?

Yes. The camel trek is included in the price and takes about 45 minutes to one hour in each direction according to the available details.

Is accommodation included?

Yes. One night in a tent over the sand dunes is included.

Are meals included?

Dinner and breakfast are included. Lunch is not included, so you should budget separately for both daytime meals.

How many people can join the group?

The activity can have a maximum of 15 participants.

Is hotel pickup offered?

Pickup is offered, with the stated starting point at Hotel Batha in Fes.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

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