2-Day Fes to Merzouga Desert Tour
Reach the Erg Chebbi dunes from Fes in two days through the cedar forests and the Ziz Valley — for travellers short on time.
Introduction
The 2-day Fes to Merzouga tour is the express option for travellers based in Fes who want to reach the tall Erg Chebbi dunes without committing three days. You travel the scenic northern route — Ifrane, the Azrou cedars, the Ziz Valley — ride a camel into the dunes at sunset, sleep in our desert camp, and return after sunrise. Below is the full itinerary, pricing, the best time to travel and our tips.
Overview
If you're based in Fes and want the Sahara without a three-day trip, this 2-day tour takes you south through the Middle Atlas — Ifrane, the cedar forests and the Ziz Valley — to the Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga for a sunset camel trek and a night in our luxury camp, then back to Fes after sunrise. It's a long first day, but it reaches the big dunes.
Why choose this tour
- The big dunes from Fes, fast — Erg Chebbi in two days.
- The scenic northern route — cedars, apes and the Ziz Valley.
- Our own camp and camels at Merzouga.
- Private and flexible — finish in Fes or Marrakech.
Highlights
- Ifrane and the Azrou cedar forest
- The dramatic Ziz Valley and its palm groves
- The tall Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga
- Sunset camel trek to a luxury camp
- Sahara sunrise
- Can also finish in Marrakech
Itinerary
Day 1Day 1: Fes → Ifrane → Azrou → Ziz Valley → Merzouga → camel trek → camp
An early start (around 7:00 am) south to Ifrane and the cedar forest of Azrou with its Barbary apes, then Midelt and the Ziz Valley to Merzouga. A sunset camel trek to our luxury camp, dinner and music. Driving: ~7–8 hours · distance: ~470 km. Dinner and breakfast included.
Day 2Day 2: sunrise → Merzouga → return to Fes (or onward to Marrakech)
Sunrise over the dunes, breakfast at the camp, then the drive back to Fes via the Ziz Valley — or onward to Marrakech via the gorges. Breakfast included.
Tour route map
Accommodation
You sleep in comfortable hotels and riads on the route and one night in our own private luxury camp at Erg Chebbi — an en-suite tent with a real bed, hot shower and blankets. Family and honeymoon tents are available. See the luxury camp page.
Transport
Transport is by private air-conditioned 4x4 or minivan with fuel and an English-speaking driver-guide throughout, at a relaxed pace with stops for photos, tea and breaks.
Pick-up & meeting point
We collect you from your hotel, riad or the airport, with times confirmed by WhatsApp the evening before. airport transfer? We arrange those too.
Included & not included
- ✓Private 4x4 with fuel and driver-guide
- ✓Pickup and drop-off at your Fes hotel
- ✓1 night in our luxury Erg Chebbi camp
- ✓Sunset and sunrise camel trek
- ✓Dinner and breakfast (half board)
- ✓English-speaking driver
- ✓Bottled water
- ✗Lunches and drinks
- ✗Entrance fees
- ✗Tips
- ✗Travel insurance
Pricing
Per person for the private tour; the 3-day Fes tour is more relaxed for a small extra cost.
| Group size | Price per person | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| 2 people | €680 | Private tour |
| 3–4 people | €540 | Private tour |
| 5+ people | €450 | Private tour |
Best time to travel
These tours run all year. Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are the most comfortable. Desert nights are cold in winter; July–August are hot at midday, so we keep the camel trek to sunrise and sunset. See our best time guide.
What to pack
Bring light layers and a warm jacket for cold desert nights, a scarf, closed shoes, sun protection, a refillable bottle, a head-torch and a power bank. Full list: Morocco packing list.
Travel tips
What to expect: real driving distances on good but winding roads. Tips: carry small dirham notes for lunches, entry fees and tips, and keep onward flights to the evening of the final day or later.
How booking works
Tell us your dates, group size and starting city by the enquiry form or WhatsApp and you hear back personally, usually within a few hours, with a clear all-in price. A small deposit holds your dates and you pay the balance on arrival, so you never prepay in full. Free cancellation up to 7 days before departure, and we confirm your pickup by WhatsApp the night before.
Booking direct with our Berber family
Hotel Les Roches is our own — we were born at the foot of the Erg Chebbi dunes and have run it since 2004. You deal with the same family that owns the hotel, runs the desert camp and leads the camels, so there is no agency markup, nothing is subcontracted, and the price you are quoted is the price you pay.
What a night at our camp is like
After the sunset camel trek you reach our private camp as the sky turns from gold to deep blue. The tents are proper rooms — a real bed with warm blankets and an en-suite hot shower — and dinner is a home-cooked tagine under the stars, followed by Berber drums around the fire. With no light for a hundred kilometres the Milky Way is astonishing, and you wake early to climb a dune for sunrise.
What our guests say
★★★★★
The hotel backs onto the desert, which was stunning, and the room was spacious and clean. The hosts even packed us breakfast for our early bus. The nicest vegetable tajine we had so far.
Beck Fa'amausili · Google · 2024
★★★★★
Perhaps the greatest hotel in the area — literally in the desert, with a beautiful pool. The staff is dedicated to making your stay just what you expected. I will definitely return.
Rhonda Vasquez · Google · 2025
★★★★★
The hotel is lovely, next to the dunes. We stayed in a reasonably priced, lovely suite. Everything was beautiful and cosy.
JP and Maria · Tripadvisor · 2025
Related
LuxuryFrequently asked questions
Is two days enough from Fes?
It works, but day one is a long ~7–8 hour drive. The 3-day Fes tour is more relaxed if you can spare the time.
Does it visit the cedar forest and apes?
Yes — Ifrane and the Azrou cedar forest with its Barbary apes are on the route.
Is the luxury camp included?
Yes — one night in our private camp with camel trek and half board.
Can it finish in Marrakech?
Yes — many travellers carry on one-way to Marrakech via the gorges.
How far is Merzouga from Marrakech, and how long is the drive?
It's about 560 km and 8–9 hours over the Tizi n'Tichka pass, which is why the journey is spread over 2–3 days with stops at Aït Ben Haddou, the gorges and the Ziz Valley rather than driven in one go.
How comfortable is the desert camp?
Very — our private luxury camp at Erg Chebbi has en-suite tents with real beds, hot showers, private bathrooms, rugs and plenty of blankets for the cool desert night, plus a Berber dinner under the stars.
Are your tours private or shared?
Every tour is private by default — your own vehicle, driver-guide and flexible pace. Shared group departures are offered only on the Marrakech–Merzouga–Marrakech and Marrakech–Merzouga–Fes routes.
Is the tour suitable for families and older travellers?
Yes. The pace is gentle, the camel ride is optional (we can drive you to camp by 4x4 instead), and we adapt for children and any mobility needs — just tell us when you book.
When is the best time of year to travel?
Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are the most comfortable, with warm days and cool nights. Winter nights are cold and summer is hot at midday, so we run camel treks at sunrise and sunset.
Have a question before you book?
Message the team directly — we usually reply within a couple of hours.
⚡ Spring & autumn dates fill fast — book ahead. · ✓ Free cancellation up to 48h before arrival.