Fes to Merzouga in 2 days: the plan at a glance
Merzouga lies about 470 km south of Fes, so this is an express trip: two long driving days around one unforgettable night in the dunes. The upside is that you return to the same hotel in Fes, which is ideal if you have left luggage there or have onward travel booked from the city.
| Day | Route | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fes – Ifrane – Azrou – Midelt – Ziz Valley – Merzouga | Alpine-style Ifrane, Barbary macaques, Ziz palm grove viewpoint, sunset camel trek | Desert camp in Erg Chebbi |
| 2 | Merzouga – Ziz Valley – Middle Atlas – Fes | Sahara sunrise, camel ride back, scenic return | Back in Fes, around 18:00 to 19:00 |
Expect a very early start on day 1 so that you reach the dunes in time for sunset. On day 2 the return follows the same road, but the light is different and there is time for lunch and coffee stops on the way back.
Is a 2 day Sahara tour from Fes right for you?
Choose this trip if Fes is your base, you have only two days to spare and seeing the dunes matters more than seeing the kasbah valleys of the south. It suits independent travellers between trains, couples on a city break and anyone who wants the camel ride, the camp and the sunrise without changing hotels.
It is less suitable if long car journeys tire you or if you are travelling with very young children, since you spend most of both days on the road. In that case, adding a day makes a big difference.
Other desert options from Fes
- 3 day desert tour from Fes to Marrakech: a one-way route that continues past the Todra Gorge, the Dadès Valley and Aït Benhaddou instead of returning.
- 4 day desert tour from Fes: the same direction at a gentler pace, with more time in the south.
See all options on our private tours from Fes page.
The Erg Chebbi camel trek and your night in the desert camp
On arrival in Merzouga you leave the vehicle and ride camels for around an hour to an hour and a half into the Erg Chebbi dunes, stopping on a crest for sunset. Take only a small overnight bag; the main luggage stays in the car. The camel ride depends on camel availability that day. If none are free, you are driven to the camp by 4x4 with a sunset stop on the dunes, and ride the camels the next morning on the way back.
The camps are in Erg Chebbi near Merzouga. In the comfort camp each tent is private, normally for two people, with its own bathroom and toilet. A partner camp with air-conditioned tents is also used. Evenings bring mint tea, a traditional dinner and drumming around the fire, followed by a sky full of stars. Our page on camel trekking in the Merzouga desert explains more about the ride itself.
Best time for a Fes desert tour and what to expect each season
- Spring (March to May): pleasant temperatures, green Middle Atlas valleys and warm desert evenings. A very popular time.
- Summer (June to August): the cedar forest and Ifrane are cool, but Merzouga often exceeds 40 °C in the afternoon. Camel rides happen at sunset and sunrise, and air-conditioned tents are worth requesting.
- Autumn (September to November): settled weather and comfortable nights; ideal for long drives.
- Winter (December to February): snow is possible around Ifrane and Azrou, and desert nights can drop close to freezing. Warm layers are essential.
Bring cash in dirhams (MAD), a closed currency you obtain in Morocco, for lunches, drinks and tips, which are not included. Mobile signal is generally good in towns but can drop in the mountains and dunes.
What the quick Sahara trip from Fes includes, and what it doesn't
The price covers pick-up and drop-off at your Fes accommodation, a private air-conditioned vehicle with your driver-guide, fuel, the sunset camel trek, one night in an Erg Chebbi desert camp, dinner on day 1 and breakfast on day 2. Lunches, drinks, any entrance fees, personal expenses and tips are not included, and international flights are never part of our packages.
- Bring: a small overnight bag, a warm layer for the night, a scarf against sun and sand, sunglasses, sun cream and a power bank.
- Budget for: two lunches on the road and drinks at the camp, plus tips for your driver and camp staff if you are happy with the service.
- Etiquette: ask before photographing people in villages, and keep a respectful distance from the macaques in the cedar forest.
If you are spending more time in Fes before or after, our guide to Fes and Meknes covers the medina and nearby sights.