morocco camel ride desert

3 Days Tour from Fes to Merzouga Desert

Three days between Fes and Merzouga give you time to cross the Middle Atlas, reach the Erg Chebbi dunes, ride camels into the Sahara and spend a full day exploring the desert around Khamlia and Merzouga before returning to Fes.

Departure city
Fes
Duration
3 Days / 2 Nights

Three Days from Fes to the Dunes of Merzouga

The road south from Fes changes character several times before the Sahara finally appears. Mountain towns and cedar forests come first, followed by rocky plateaus, palm-filled valleys and eventually the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi.

This 3 days tour from Fes to Merzouga gives you more than a quick night in the desert. The first day is dedicated to reaching Merzouga through Ifrane, the Middle Atlas and the Ziz Valley before leaving the road behind for a Morocco camel ride across the dunes.

Your first evening is spent in the Sahara, where sunset, dinner and the quiet atmosphere of the desert replace the long drive of the day.

The following morning is slower. Instead of immediately returning to Fes, you have a full day around Merzouga to explore desert tracks, Khamlia, Gnawa musical traditions and some of the more remote landscapes around Erg Chebbi.

When local circumstances allow, the day may also include a respectful visit with a nomadic family living in the desert region. These encounters depend on availability and are never treated as guaranteed tourist attractions.

A second evening near the dunes gives you another opportunity to enjoy the Sahara without rushing. Depending on the package selected, accommodation can be arranged in a comfortable camp or an upgraded luxury desert camp.

On the final day, the route turns north again toward Fes, retracing the changing landscapes of southeastern Morocco, the Ziz region and the Middle Atlas.

Journey experience

Tour highlights

  • Middle Atlas Mountains
  • Ifrane
  • Cedar forest landscapes
  • Barbary macaques when present
  • Ziz Valley
  • Merzouga
  • Erg Chebbi dunes
  • Morocco camel ride
  • Sahara sunset
  • Two nights near the desert
  • Full-day Merzouga 4x4 circuit
  • Khamlia village
  • Gnawa music when available
  • Respectful nomadic-family visit when possible
  • Sandboarding when available
  • Sahara sunrise
  • Luxury desert camp option

Day by day

Your itinerary

  1. The streets of Fes gradually disappear behind you as the road climbs toward the Middle Atlas. Within a few hours, the scenery changes from city surroundings to mountain towns, forests and long open roads heading toward southeastern Morocco.

    Morning — Ifrane and the Middle Atlas

    Pass through Ifrane before continuing toward the cedar landscapes around Azrou.

    Barbary macaques may sometimes be seen in the forested areas. Because they are wild animals, sightings are not guaranteed, and they should be observed without feeding or disturbing them.

    The journey then continues through the Middle Atlas toward Midelt, where there is usually time for lunch.

    Afternoon — Ziz Valley and the Road to Merzouga

    After leaving the mountains, the landscape becomes drier and more open. One of the biggest contrasts appears around the Ziz Valley, where long palm groves cut through the rocky surroundings.

    A panoramic stop can be made when timing permits before continuing toward Erfoud and Merzouga.

    Late Afternoon — Camel Ride in Erg Chebbi

    By late afternoon, the dunes of Erg Chebbi begin to fill the horizon.

    Meet the camel team and leave the vehicle behind for your Morocco camel ride into the Sahara.

    When weather and daylight allow, stop on the dunes for sunset before continuing toward the camp.

    Dinner is served in the evening. When arranged by the camp, traditional drums and music may follow around the fire before you settle into your private tent.

    Driving distance: approximately 500–550 km
    Driving time: approximately 7–8 hours, excluding lunch and longer stops.

The moments that define this journey

A shorter desert trip can bring you to Erg Chebbi and back, but the pace is very different. With 3 days from Fes to Merzouga, the Sahara is given an entire day rather than just one evening.

The first day still includes the classic landscapes of the Middle Atlas and Ziz Valley before the Morocco camel ride and first night beside the dunes.

What changes is Day 2. Instead of packing immediately after breakfast, you stay around Merzouga and explore the region by 4x4, with time for Khamlia, Gnawa music, desert landscapes and a possible respectful encounter with a nomadic family.

The second night also makes the experience feel less rushed. There is time to walk on the dunes, enjoy another sunset and simply spend an evening in the Sahara without thinking about the return road.

For travelers comparing different Fes desert tours, this itinerary works particularly well when the desert itself is the priority rather than using Merzouga only as a stop on the way to Marrakech.

Tour details

What's included in your experience

What's included

Included in your journey

  • Pickup and drop-off at your hotel, riad or agreed accessible point in Fes
  • Private air-conditioned 4x4 vehicle or comfortable minivan
  • Professional private driver throughout the three-day tour
  • Two nights in a private tent in the Merzouga desert region
  • Breakfasts and dinners according to the confirmed accommodation package
  • Full-day 4x4 exploration around Merzouga and Erg Chebbi
  • Camel ride across part of the Erg Chebbi dunes
  • Sunset and sunrise experiences when weather conditions allow
Not included

What to plan separately

  • Lunches
  • Drinks
  • Entrance fees to paid attractions
  • Optional local guides
  • Optional quad bike or buggy activities
  • Personal expenses and souvenirs
  • Travel insurance
  • Tips and gratuities

Tour gallery

Picture yourself on this journey

Tour photos

3 Days Tour from Fes to Merzouga Desert

0 / 3

Your route on the map

Before you book

Frequently asked questions

Yes. Three days gives you enough time to reach Merzouga, spend two nights near Erg Chebbi and dedicate a full day to exploring the desert before returning to Fes.

The journey usually takes around 7 to 8 hours of driving, excluding lunch and longer stops. The route passes through Ifrane, the Middle Atlas and the Ziz Valley, so the drive is broken up with several scenic stops.

Yes. A camel ride across part of the Erg Chebbi dunes is included for the journey toward the desert camp. The exact timing depends on daylight, weather and your arrival time in Merzouga.

A desert camp is included, while the precise category depends on the package booked. Travelers who prefer more comfort can request a luxury desert camp with upgraded facilities and a private tent.

A respectful visit may be possible during the full desert day when local families are available and circumstances are appropriate. Because these are real communities rather than tourist attractions, the visit cannot be guaranteed.

The day normally includes a 4x4 circuit around Erg Chebbi, a visit to Khamlia when available, Gnawa music, desert landscapes and time around the dunes. The exact route can change according to weather and local conditions.

You may also like

Continue exploring Morocco with a few journeys that connect naturally with this route.

Guest Reviews

What Our Travelers Say

“This was my first time in Morocco and Zaid and Hassan made it amazing. They chose great places to stay, restaurants with very tasty food, and cared for us very well. When I come back to Morocco, I will definitely use their services again!”

Krasito

View on Tripadvisor

“I had an amazing experience with this travel agency on my trip to Morocco! Everything was perfectly organized, from the accommodations to the guided tours. The team was friendly, professional, and always available to help, which made the whole journey stress-free. Morocco itself was beautiful, and thanks to their planning, I got to experience so much of the culture and scenery. I’d definitely recommend them to anyone looking for a memorable and well-organized trip!”

Boiana S

View on Tripadvisor

“We had an incredible experience on our tour, thanks entirely to our guide Hassan. He was a fantastic driver, extremely knowledgeable about the area, and super friendly throughout the trip. His excellent English made communication effortless, and he shared fascinating insights that truly enriched our experience. The trip would not have been the same without him — we couldn’t recommend him more highly!”

Getaway

View on Tripadvisor

Follow Our Journey

Follow Luxury Morocco Destinations for a closer look at Morocco — Sahara sunsets, Marrakech streets, Atlas landscapes, coastal escapes, and moments from our private luxury tours.

Moroccan desert host wearing a traditional blue turban inside a Sahara camp
Travelers enjoying a guided Morocco experience near a palm valley and traditional village
Guests sharing traditional Moroccan tea with local hosts during a desert experience
Follow us on Instagram