From Fez: Sahara Desert 2-Day Tour with Merzouga Camp Stay

The best part of this trip is the sudden change from Fez’s city streets to the wide dunes of Erg Chebbi, reached by camel at sunset. I like the route through Ifran, the cedar forests, and the Ziz Valley, and I like that dinner, breakfast, sandboarding, camel rides, and a private-bathroom tent are included for $114.

The catch is the road time. Fez to Merzouga takes about seven hours without stops, and you make the return drive the next day. Nights can also be very cold, so pack warm layers, even if the daytime sun feels fierce.

Key points at a glance

• Seven hours each way: The long transfer is the price of reaching the Sahara from Fez in only two days.
• Camel ride at sunset: Ride from Merzouga toward the dunes, then wake early for an Erg Chebbi sunrise.
• Private camp facilities: Shared groups use shared transport, but the camp stay is private, with a bathroom and shower.
• A scenic route before the sand: Ifran, Middle Atlas cedar forests, Barbary monkeys, Midelt, Erfoud, and the Ziz Valley break up the drive.
• Strong driver service: Mounir, Imad14, Tarik, Pedro, Tarek, and others are repeatedly praised for safe driving and helpful local information.
• Cold desert nights: Blankets are provided, but you should bring extra clothes and water.

The real tradeoff: seven hours to reach the Sahara

This is a desert tour for people who want the big Merzouga moment but have only two days. From Fez, you cross the Middle Atlas and travel through several very different parts of Morocco before arriving at the dunes. It is a long haul, but it is not a dull one.

I like this route because the road itself becomes part of the trip. You move from the green and mountain air around Ifran to cedar woods, then through Midelt and the Ziz Valley before the dry eastern terrain takes over. The change is dramatic, and it gives you a better sense of Morocco than flying straight to a desert camp would.

Still, you need to be honest about the schedule. A seven-hour drive without stops is listed, and the actual day includes breaks for food, toilets, photos, and sightseeing. The return to Fez also takes most of a day. If you dislike long van journeys, this may feel rushed. If you have only two days, it is a practical way to fit Merzouga into a Fez itinerary.

The tour costs $114 per person. That covers pickup and drop-off, air-conditioned transport, a professional driver, the camel ride, sandboarding, dinner, breakfast, entertainment, and a camp with a private bathroom and shower. Lunch is extra, and a separate local guide is not included. For the number of major pieces bundled into the price, I consider it good value, particularly if you want transport arranged rather than piecing together trains, taxis, and a desert transfer yourself.

From Fez to Ifran and the Middle Atlas

Pickup is arranged at your Fez accommodation, with the operator contacting you to confirm the time and location. The vehicle is air-conditioned, and several recent trips used newer, clean vans with charging points. That matters on a full day in transit.

Your first stop is Ifran, an alpine-style town known for ski slopes. It feels unlike the Morocco many people picture, with a cooler mountain setting and, in winter, possible snow nearby. The stop gives you a quick change of pace before the longer road south.

Next comes the cedar forest in the Middle Atlas. This is a useful stop because you are not simply sitting in the vehicle all day. Barbary monkeys live in the area, and you can stop to observe and feed them. They are lively and mischievous, so keep food controlled and follow the driver’s directions.

The exact length of each stop is not specified, so do not expect a full guided visit at every place. Think of Ifran and the cedar forest as scenic breaks on the way to Merzouga, not separate day tours. You will get a taste of each area, then continue.

Drivers are an important part of this trip. Mounir is frequently praised for making the journey feel personal, explaining the region, stopping for tea, dates, coffee, or photographs, and checking that everyone is comfortable. Imad14, Tarik, Pedro, Tarek, Ismail, Karim, Hafid, and other drivers also receive strong praise for safe driving and helpful service. The assigned driver can vary, so you cannot book on the promise of one particular person unless the operator confirms it.

Midelt, the Ziz Valley, and Erfoud

The group stops in Midelt for lunch at your own expense. This is not included in the tour price, so keep Moroccan dirhams available. Some trips use a buffet or a suggested eating place, while the exact lunch arrangement can vary.

After Midelt, the road passes through the Ziz Valley. This is one of the most rewarding parts of the transfer, since the scenery shifts again into a greener valley setting surrounded by dry hills and canyons. You might find the contrast more memorable than the individual town stops.

Erfoud comes next, with a short stop in this small town before the final run to Merzouga. Again, the stop is brief. The value here is not a long cultural visit but a chance to stretch your legs and see how the built environment changes as you near the Sahara.

This route is the reason I would not treat the seven-hour drive as wasted time. You pass mountain country, greenery, dry valleys, and finally dunes. The road gives you a strong visual sense of Morocco’s regional changes, though you still need patience and a comfortable pair of shoes.

Arriving in Merzouga and leaving for the dunes

Once you reach Merzouga, you transfer to a hotel or staging point to store your luggage. You then set out on camelback toward the camp. The supplied information describes the ride as relaxing, but camel riding is still a physical activity: you climb up and down, sit high above the sand, and spend time in the saddle.

The timing is the star. The ride is planned around sunset, when the dunes take on warmer colors and the light softens. This is the classic Merzouga scene, and it is the part of the trip most people picture when they book a Sahara tour.

Sandboarding is included, which gives you another way to enjoy the dunes. No equipment details or instruction time are specified, so treat it as a casual extra rather than a full lesson. You may also find quad biking available for an additional fee. One traveler considered the optional quad ride well worth the cost, but it is not part of the $114 package.

The camel handlers can help with photographs. Mohammed is specifically praised for making sure guests got good pictures during the sunrise ride. Bring your own phone or camera, protect it from sand, and wear shoes that can handle loose ground.

Dinner, music, and a night in the camp

After the camel ride, you reach the nomad-style tents for dinner. The meal is included, as is breakfast the next morning. You can expect an evening around a fire pit with live Berber folklore and music rather than a quiet night under a blanket of total silence.

That entertainment gives the overnight stay a social feel. You may dance, listen to music, and spend time outside looking at the stars. The desert sky is one of the strongest reasons to stay overnight instead of visiting the dunes only for a sunset photo.

The camp includes private bathroom and shower facilities, which is a meaningful comfort at this price. Shared transport does not mean you share the tent arrangement: the tour information says that shared groups have shared transportation but a private camp. The exact room setup is not explained, so confirm the sleeping arrangement if you are particular about tent type or occupancy.

Night temperatures deserve serious attention. Several winter visitors found the camp cold, including one who described the night as very cold despite blankets. Bring a fleece, warm socks, long trousers, and an extra layer for sitting outside. Comfortable shoes are also recommended, and bottles of water are specifically advised for the overnight stay.

There is one point to keep in mind about camp service. One recent account praised the company and driver but found the camp manager unpleasant during a safety-related issue. That does not cancel out the many positive reports about clean tents and friendly camp staff, but it shows why the driver matters. If a problem comes up, contact the driver promptly rather than trying to sort everything out alone.

Sunrise at Erg Chebbi

You rise early for sunrise over Erg Chebbi, followed by breakfast. This is the emotional high point of the trip for me. The evening sunset is beautiful, but dawn gives you cooler air, longer shadows, and a quieter feeling before the day’s heat and driving begin.

The camel ride at sunrise is part of the appeal. You do not simply wake, eat, and leave in a vehicle. You have another chance to see the dunes from the saddle and take photographs in softer light.

The schedule is tight, so prepare the night before. Keep warm clothes and your camera where you can reach them, and do not bury your shoes and water deep in your luggage. After breakfast, you return to Merzouga, collect your bags, and begin the drive back to Fez.

What the $114 price really covers

At $114 per person, this is a low-cost way to arrange a major Moroccan excursion. You receive the expensive practical parts: a vehicle for the long route, pickup and drop-off, a driver, the camel transfer, a camp bed, dinner, breakfast, entertainment, and sandboarding.

The price does not cover lunch, so budget for two meals during the transfer. It also does not include a local guide. Your professional driver may explain places along the route, and several drivers are praised for doing exactly that, but a dedicated guide is not part of the formal package.

A private-group option is available if you want more control over stops and company. The shared option is likely the better value for solo visitors and couples on a budget. The camp remains private for shared groups, which helps preserve the overnight desert setting without requiring you to pay for a fully private vehicle.

The biggest cost is not money but time. You are trading roughly two long road days for one night in Merzouga. I would pay that price if the Sahara is a priority and your Morocco schedule is short. If you have several extra days, a slower route with more time in the desert would be less tiring.

Who should book this Fez desert trip?

I would recommend it to you if you:

• Have two days available and want to see Merzouga from Fez.
• Want the main desert activities arranged in one package.
• Are comfortable with long road transfers.
• Like scenic stops, photography, camel riding, and a lively camp evening.
• Prefer a private bathroom and shower at the camp.
• Want the option to travel in a shared vehicle while keeping a private camp stay.

I would think twice if you need a slow pace, dislike sitting in a vehicle, or want extensive time in Ifran, Midelt, Erfoud, or the Ziz Valley. None of those stops is presented as a full guided visit. The trip is built around getting you to the dunes and back, with worthwhile views along the way.

It is also less suitable if you plan to travel in winter without warm clothes. The desert sun can fool you into packing for heat, but the night can be bitterly cold. Water, comfortable shoes, and layers are simple additions that make the overnight stay much easier.

The tour is listed as wheelchair accessible, but the camel ride and sandy camp involve uneven ground. If you use a wheelchair, confirm the practical arrangements with the operator before booking, especially for transfers between the vehicle, camels, and tents.

Booking details worth knowing

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which is useful when your Fez plans may shift.

Pickup is included, and the operator contacts you to confirm the pickup point and time. Drivers speak Spanish, English, and French. Since departure times depend on availability, check the schedule for your chosen date.

The overall rating is 4.8 from 1,716 ratings, and the strongest pattern is clear: driver service is a major strength. Mounir, Imad14, Tarik, Pedro, Tarek, and others are repeatedly praised for punctuality, safe driving, explanations, flexibility, and small thoughtful gestures. That personal care matters during such a long transfer.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if your goal is simple: reach the Merzouga Sahara from Fez, ride camels at sunset, sleep in a desert camp, watch sunrise, and return within two days. At $114, the package covers a lot, and the route through the Middle Atlas gives the long transfer real sightseeing value.

Do not book it expecting a leisurely desert holiday. The drive is demanding, lunch costs extra, the formal package has no local guide, and winter nights can be cold. Pack warm clothes, water, sturdy shoes, and patience. With those expectations, this is a practical and memorable short route to the dunes.

FAQ

How long is the drive from Fez to Merzouga?

The drive takes around seven hours without stops. The tour includes breaks and sightseeing, so the full travel day can take longer.

What places do you visit on the way to Merzouga?

The route includes Ifran, the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas, Midelt, the Ziz Valley, and Erfoud before reaching Merzouga.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

No. Lunch is not included, and you purchase it during the journey at your own expense.

Are camel rides included?

Yes. Camel rides are included, with the main ride taking place around sunset and another opportunity connected with the early morning sunrise experience.

Is sandboarding included?

Yes. Sandboarding is listed as an included activity.

Does the desert camp have a private bathroom?

Yes. The camp accommodation includes a private bathroom and shower.

Is the camp private if I choose shared transportation?

Yes. The shared group option uses shared transportation, but the camp is private.

What languages do the drivers speak?

Drivers speak Spanish, English, and French.

Can I cancel the tour or pay later?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The tour also offers a reserve-now, pay-later option.