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

The big draw is simple: in only two days, you cross Morocco from Fez to the Sahara, ride a camel into the Erg Chebbi dunes, and sleep beside a campfire under desert stars. I like the camel ride at sunset and the chance to stop at the cedar forest to feed Barbary monkeys.

I also like the practical comfort of a private luxury tent with its own bathroom and WC. Drivers such as Tarek and Pedro have been singled out for safe driving and friendly help, including during snowy conditions in the mountains. The catch is the road time: this is a fast, long out-and-back trip, and some tents may have cold showers.

Key points at a glance

• A full Fez to Sahara crossing in two days: You visit Ifrane, the cedar forest, Midelt, Erfoud, the Ziz Valley, and Rissani on a tight schedule.
• Sunset camel trekking: The ride into the Erg Chebbi dunes leads to the camp, with time for sandboarding and desert photos.
• Private tent comforts: Your tent includes a private bathroom and WC, with new beds and USB points reported on some departures.
• Campfire music and dinner: The evening includes a fire pit, Berber music, dancing, dinner, and breakfast.
• Helpful named drivers: Tarek and Pedro have been praised for careful driving, information at stops, and personal attention.
• A demanding return journey: The second day brings an early sunrise, breakfast, a possible camel or 4×4 transfer, and a long drive back to Fez.

The Fez to Merzouga road is the real first act

This tour is not a quick ride from Fez to nearby dunes. It is a long road crossing through the Middle Atlas and eastern Morocco, with several planned stops before you reach Merzouga.

Pickup is arranged at your Fez hotel or riad. The operator confirms the meeting point and time by WhatsApp or email, so keep an eye on both before departure. You travel in an air-conditioned vehicle with a professional driver, and the trip returns you to Fez rather than ending in the desert.

That return-to-Fez setup is useful if you have a short Morocco schedule. It also explains the pace. You spend much of the first and second days in the vehicle, with short breaks for views, food, toilets, and sightseeing. I would choose this trip for access to the desert, not for a slow, restful road holiday.

Drivers called Tarek and Pedro have been praised for safe driving, clear information, and extra help along the way. Tarek was also credited with handling snowy mountain conditions well. Driver quality matters here because the route is long, and a calm, helpful person behind the wheel can make a major difference.

Ifrane gives you an unexpected start

The first main stop is Ifrane, a mountain town known as a Moroccan ski resort. It can feel surprising after Fez. Instead of desert colors, you get a cooler Atlas setting and a planned pause early in the journey.

Ifrane is best treated as a brief orientation stop rather than the main event. You will not have a great deal of time here, but it breaks up the drive and shows how sharply Morocco changes from one region to the next.

If you travel in winter, bring layers. Snow has affected the mountain road on some departures, and temperatures can shift as you cross the Atlas. The desert camp may be warm enough in bed at night, but the journey begins in a very different climate.

Barbary monkeys at the cedar forest

The next stop takes you into a cedar forest, where you can meet and feed local Barbary monkeys. This is one of the most distinctive breaks on the route because it is more than a viewpoint or roadside café.

The monkeys are accustomed to people, but use common sense with food and phones. Keep a firm hold on your belongings, and follow the driver’s directions around the animals. The stop is short, yet it gives the first day some variety before the longer run toward the desert.

I like this part because it is easy to enjoy without special preparation. You can stretch your legs, see a very different Moroccan setting, and have a memorable family stop. For children and teenagers, the monkeys may be one of the morning’s highlights.

Midelt is your practical lunch break

Midelt is the main place to buy lunch during the outward journey. Lunch is not included in the $112 price, and mineral water is not included either, so plan to pay for food and drinks along the way.

The supplied experience does not specify a restaurant or fixed menu in Midelt. That is normal for a road trip of this sort, but it means you should keep your expectations practical. This is a scheduled meal break, not a carefully staged food tour.

I would buy water early rather than wait until the dunes. The first and second day lunches are both your own expense, so keep some Moroccan dirhams available. There are also toilet stops, and the route includes breaks chosen to make the long drive easier.

The Ziz Valley brings the big scenery

After Midelt, the road reaches the Ziz Valley, one of the most striking parts of the crossing. The valley creates a strong contrast with the dry country ahead, and the route gives you a chance to stop and take in the views.

The exact timing can shift with road conditions and the group’s pace. I would keep your camera ready, but I would not expect a long guided walk. The value here comes from seeing Morocco change by road, from mountain towns and cedar trees to valley views and desert edges.

A driver who explains the stops adds a lot to this section. Tarek, in particular, has been noted for sharing information throughout the journey. Still, a local guide is not included, so do not expect a dedicated guide at every site.

Erfoud marks the approach to the dunes

The route makes another stop in Erfoud before continuing to Merzouga. Erfoud is known as a gateway to the desert, and this is your last listed town stop before the camel section.

By this point, you will have spent many hours on the road. The stop is useful for a pause and a final change of pace before reaching the dunes. It also gives you a sense that the desert is not an isolated postcard setting. Towns, roads, farms, valleys, and desert camps all connect this part of Morocco.

The trip description does not promise a long visit or a specific workshop in Erfoud. Think of it as a scenic and practical stop, not a major sightseeing visit.

Camel trekking into Erg Chebbi

At Merzouga, camels wait to carry you across the dunes to the camp. The timing is arranged around sunset, which is the best part of the ride. As the light softens, the sand takes on changing shades, and the slow pace gives you time to look around.

Camel riding can be uncomfortable if you expect a gentle chair. The saddle is high, the animal’s movement is rolling, and getting on and off takes care. Wear trousers or other comfortable clothing, and keep your camera secure.

You can also try sandboarding. The experience does not specify how long you have for it, so fit it around the camp transfer and sunset. The activity adds a playful side to the desert, though it may feel like too much if you want silence and empty space.

A 4×4 transfer is available for the morning connection back to the driver, according to the stated plan. One departure also included a lively 4×4 ride through the dunes. Ask at the time of booking or departure how your camel and vehicle transfers will work, since the exact order can vary.

What the luxury tent really means

The camp provides a private luxury tent with a private bathroom and WC. That is a major comfort upgrade over a basic shared camp, especially after a full day on the road.

Some tents have included new beds, tiled floors, and a USB point for each person. Those details matter. You can charge a phone, sleep off the road, and avoid the rougher feel of a simple floor tent.

Do keep the word luxury in proportion. The tent is comfortable, but it is still a desert camp. A reported problem was a shower that would not produce hot water, and another departure had a cold shower. The private bathroom is useful, but you should not count on hotel-style water pressure or hot water.

The desert can turn cold at night, especially in winter. One January departure found the bed warm even though the shower was cold. Bring a warm layer for the fire and early sunrise, and pack a small wash kit in your day bag rather than burying it in luggage.

Dinner, firelight, and Berber music

Dinner and breakfast are included at the Merzouga camp. The evening meal has been described as basic but satisfying, with chicken and fruit noted on one departure. I would see it as welcome camp food after the camel ride, not a reason to book the trip on its own.

After dinner, you gather around the fire pit for live music, dancing, and a Berber show. This is the social center of the night. You can warm up, listen to traditional rhythms, and enjoy the setting without needing extra planning.

The atmosphere may not be quiet. Music, other camp activity, and dune recreation can make the desert feel more like a destination playground than a remote wilderness. One person wanted more stillness and less fooling around with quad bikes nearby. If peace and silence are your main goal, ask about the camp setting and accept that the evening has an entertainment program.

For most people, the fire and music are a fair trade. They give the short trip a clear evening focus, and they make the desert stay feel like more than a place to sleep.

Sunrise starts a very early second day

You get up early for the Erg Chebbi sunrise. This is the moment to protect in your schedule. The dunes look different in the first light, and the early start gives you one quiet desert scene before the return drive begins.

Breakfast follows at camp, and you have access to a shower before leaving. The plan then allows for camel trekking or a 4×4 transfer to meet the driver. Because the trip back to Fez is long, do not linger over the morning.

The return route passes through Rissani, where you visit the Zawiya Moulay Ali Ash-Sharif. The route also includes the Ziz Valley again and Dam Hassan Adakhal, with a lunch break along the way. Lunch is not included on this day, so keep money and water with you.

This second day is mainly a return journey with sightseeing pauses. It is not a relaxed desert morning followed by an easy transfer. You should expect another substantial stretch in the vehicle before final drop-off at your Fez hotel or riad.

Is $112 good value?

At $112 per person, the package covers a surprising amount: hotel pickup and drop-off, air-conditioned transport, a professional driver, camel trekking, a private tent with private bathroom and WC, dinner, breakfast, campfire entertainment, and live music.

The price looks strongest if you specifically want a Sahara overnight but have only two days. Booking transport, a camel ride, a camp, meals, and the return to Fez separately would take more planning and could cost more. The private bathroom also gives this option an edge over the cheapest desert camps.

The value is weaker if you dislike long drives or want a slow visit. Your lunches, mineral water, personal items, and any local guide cost extra. The experience also does not include a dedicated local guide, so the cultural context may depend largely on your driver.

I would budget beyond the advertised price for two lunches, drinks, and personal spending. The reserve-now-and-pay-later option keeps your plans flexible, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, according to the booking terms.

Who should book this desert trip?

I would recommend it to you if you have limited time in Fez and want to reach Merzouga without arranging a complicated private route. Families may like the mix of monkeys, camel riding, sandboarding, camp music, and 4×4 activity. Teenagers in particular have several chances to stay active.

It also suits you if a private tent and private bathroom matter, but you still want a campfire evening rather than a standard hotel. The air-conditioned vehicle, regular stops, and helpful driver can make the long crossing manageable.

I would hesitate if you have only one free day after arrival, if you find long road journeys tiring, or if your ideal desert visit means solitude and no organized entertainment. A two-day Fez-to-Fez trip gives you access, but not much spare time.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if your priority is seeing the Sahara from Fez in the shortest practical time. The strongest pieces are the sunset camel ride, the private tent, the sunrise, and the human touch of drivers such as Tarek and Pedro.

Go in with clear expectations: the road is long, lunches are extra, the camp meal is simple, and hot water may not be reliable. With those limits understood, $112 is a solid package for a fast desert introduction that returns you to Fez.

FAQ

How long is the Fez to Merzouga desert experience?

The experience lasts two days and returns you to Fez.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup is from your hotel or riad in Fez. The operator confirms the exact point and time by WhatsApp or email.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Air-conditioned transportation and hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

Is a professional driver included?

Yes. A professional driver is included. Drivers named Tarek and Pedro have operated departures of this experience.

What places do you visit on the way to Merzouga?

The route includes Ifrane, the cedar forest, Midelt, the Ziz Valley, and Erfoud. The return route includes Rissani, Zawiya Moulay Ali Ash-Sharif, the Ziz Valley, and Dam Hassan Adakhal.

Is camel trekking included?

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

Is the desert camp tent private?

Yes. The package includes a private luxury tent with a private bathroom and WC.

Are dinner and breakfast included?

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

Are lunches and mineral water included?

No. Lunch on both days and mineral water are not included. Personal items are also your own expense.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now-and-pay-later option lets you book without paying immediately.