2-Days Desert Tours from Fes with Overnight in Luxury Camp

Camel rides and desert stars in two days.

This trip is interesting because you go from Ifrane and cedar forests to the Sahara fast, with camel trekking at Erg-Chebbi and an overnight camp that keeps the experience simple and memorable. I especially like the way the long drive feels like a moving road movie, with real stops like Azrou for monkeys and Midelt for fossil country. One thing to consider, you spend a lot of time in the vehicle, so pack patience (and snacks if you think you’ll need them since lunches and drinks are not included).

I also like that the desert part is not rushed. You arrive in the late afternoon, ride out to camp, get dinner, and then do that quiet star-watching moment you came for. If you are lucky with your driver, names like Zaki and Hassan show up again and again for safe, friendly driving and clear explanations at the stops, which really helps when you are moving through multiple regions in a short time. This tour runs with a group size capped at 17, which tends to feel organized without getting too crowded.

Key highlights worth planning around

• Azrou Cedar Forest stop for monkeys right at the start of your day
• Midelt fossils and Berber village views during the Middle Atlas drive
• Panoramic palm oasis viewing around Errachidia on the way to Merzouga
• Erg-Chebbi camel trek at sunset (about one hour on the dunes)
• Overnight in a clean Berber tent setup with dinner and mint tea
• Sunrise near the Algerian border plus Rissani souk time in the morning

From Fes to the desert edge: why this 2-day route works

If you have only a short window, this is one of the smarter ways to do the Sahara. You do not just “go to the dunes.” You cross the Middle Atlas first, so the scenery changes for a reason. Forest gives way to mountain towns. Then the road begins to hint at desert. By the time you reach Merzouga, you feel like you traveled somewhere real, not just far.

The drive is a big chunk of the experience. That is not a complaint, it is the backbone of the value. In a single day you pass through multiple regions, with planned stops that break the ride into manageable pieces. Your professional driver is also part of the comfort factor, and air conditioning is mentioned by past guests, which matters when the day is long.

The tradeoff is obvious. Two days feels quick, and the schedule is structured. If you hate car time, this trip might not be your style.

Morning start in Fes: Ifrane and Azrou before the Sahara switch flips

You start at 8:00 am from Fes, then head toward Ifrane and the cedar forest area. This early start is not random. It gives you the best chance to enjoy the first stops before the day heats up too much.

Ifrane is your first big “setting change” moment. Even if you only glimpse it from the road, it signals that you are going up into a more alpine-feeling world before you descend toward the desert.

Then you land at Azrou Cedar Forest, where the main event is the monkeys. The stop is short, about 30 minutes, but it is a great reset. You stretch, take photos, and watch the monkeys do their thing in a very natural setting. Admission is free for that stop, so you are not paying extra just to enjoy it.

Practical note: this is a stop that rewards quick, flexible attention. If you want perfect photos, you need to move with the group and be ready when the animals get active.

Midelt: the Middle Atlas drive and why the lunch stop matters

From Azrou, the route heads through the Middle Atlas Mountains, and a big portion of Day 1 is spent winding through forests, springs, jagged rock faces, and Berber villages. This is the part that turns the trip into more than a desert photo tour.

Halfway through you stop in Midelt for lunch. Midelt is known for fossils and rocks, so even if you do not buy anything, it helps to know you are in a place with a geology story. You get about three hours there, which gives you time to eat, use facilities, and take a breath before continuing.

Important for planning: lunch is not included. You will likely be able to find something simple during the stop, but budgeting for lunch matters. If you already know you get hungry easily, it is worth grabbing a small snack before you leave in the morning, so you are not stuck deciding late.

Errachidia panoramic pause: the oasis view that foreshadows Merzouga

As the drive continues toward Merzouga, there is a stop near Errachidia for panoramic views. The highlight described on this route is a huge oasis of palm trees.

This pause is useful because it bridges the mental gap between mountain travel and desert travel. Palm oasis means water exists here, and that changes how you picture the next day. It is also a nice moment to slow down. You might not get the time to linger everywhere, but a planned viewpoint stop is exactly what you want when you are traveling for only two days.

That stop is shorter, around two hours total in the area timing you are given, so it is not an all-day detour. It is a “set the stage” stop.

Merzouga arrival around 5 pm: the desert rhythm starts

You typically reach Merzouga in the late afternoon, around 5:00 pm. This timing is good because it sets you up for the camel ride when the light turns golden.

At Merzouga, your guide and camels are waiting after a rest. Then you head out toward the dunes of Erg-Chebbi. The camel trek is described as about one hour across the sandy dunes, ending with the arrival at the desert camp.

What I like about this setup is that it feels purposeful. You ride, you watch the sunset from the dunes, then you arrive at camp when it is time to settle in for the night. You do not spend your evening searching for where to be.

If you are prone to motion discomfort, keep your expectations clear. Camel riding is not the same as walking, and it is still a ride on uneven sand.

Sunset on Erg-Chebbi: what the one-hour trek gives you

The desert portion here is short enough to be accessible, but long enough to give you real moments. On the camel ride you get the feel of the dunes, and you get that classic sunset time when the light makes everything look softer.

You also reach camp and stay in a Berber tent overnight. Past guests highlight details like mint tea being served at the shelter and camels being hobbled, which means you get to slow down and focus on your surroundings instead of wondering what comes next.

This is also where the experience becomes “yours” for a bit. Dinner happens after you settle in, then you can watch the stars.

Star-watching sounds simple, but it is one of the most memorable parts people mention. If you have ever tried to find a clear sky at home, you know the difference when the view is wide open. It is often the moment that makes the whole trip feel worth it.

Overnight at camp: comfort basics, dinner, and the star field

The overnight stay is in a tent camp setup, and comfort is a big part of whether this kind of trip feels like a good deal. One review notes that the tent was spacious and clean, and that it had ensuite. That is not something I would assume for every camp on every trip, but it is exactly the kind of detail that tells you they care about practical comfort.

Dinner is included, and breakfast is included too. Reviews describe the meals as delicious and generous, which matters because you have already been traveling all day. A lot of desert trips fail when dinner is rushed or bland, so this included meal piece helps protect the experience.

After dinner, the schedule gives you time to watch the stars. If you want to maximize that, bring something small you can do in the dark, like an easy headlamp for your way around. That way you can get back to the tent smoothly without fumbling.

Day 2 sunrise behind the border: early start, big payoff

Day 2 begins with a chance to get up early. You can walk over the sand dunes and watch the sunrise from just behind the Algerian border, described as about 50 km from Merzouga.

This is the classic Sahara moment, and the reason it works on a two-day schedule is that it is not a long excursion. You get the payoff early, then you transition back toward town without dragging the day out.

After the sunrise walk, you take the camel back to the hotel. Then breakfast happens before you head out again. Past guests seem to like this rhythm because it keeps the day moving, but you are not forced to rush the most photogenic moment.

If you dislike early mornings, plan for that reality. Sunrise is not optional here if you want the full effect.

Rissani souk and monuments: morning culture stop

Once breakfast is done, the route goes to Rissani. The stop is about one hour, with time to explore monuments and a colorful souq.

This is the cultural counterbalance to the sand dunes. The dunes are big visuals. The souk is where you see daily life, trade, and local energy up close. Even with only an hour, it is enough to give you texture beyond what you see at camp.

Because lunch is not included, this is also the part where you might think about timing. If you eat a bigger breakfast, you will feel better later when the return drive includes a lunch break.

Return drive toward Fes: Midelt lunch break and finishing strong

After Rissani, you drive back toward Fes, with a stop in Midelt for a lunch break. That stop is described with roughly 3 hours for the break and continuing the route.

Then it is onward to Fes. This is where the earlier organized pace helps. You already know you are heading toward a comfortable finish, not getting stuck making decisions on the road.

On the way back, try to keep some energy for the last stretches. The route includes mountain views earlier in the day and it helps to know your eyes will get rewarded again as you descend.

Price and what you truly get for $139.37

At $139.37 per person, the value hinges on what is included versus what you pay for yourself.

Included:

• Comfortable vehicle and a professional driver
• Accommodation in the desert camp
• Camel ride
• Dinner and breakfast

Not included:

• Lunches and drinks
• Travel insurance

For many people, the money feels fair because you are not just buying transport. You are buying the setup around the desert night. That means you get dinner and breakfast without negotiating where to eat, and you get your camp stay without having to find one last minute.

You also get structure. Group size is capped at 17, which usually means less chaos than larger buses. Pickup is offered too, and there are notes about mobile ticketing and group discounts. Those details matter because they reduce friction.

One caution on value: because lunches and drinks are not included, your total cost can creep up if you buy drinks frequently or eat more than expected at lunch stops. It is easy to underestimate that part when the main headline price looks so clear.

Comfort, timing, and group size: who this tour fits best

This tour suits you if:

• You want Sahara dunes and a camp night but only have two days
• You like a guided road trip with stops, not a DIY scramble
• You want the desert experience without giving up all meals and logistics

This is also a good match if you feel more comfortable with a driver who explains what you are seeing along the way. Names like Zaki and Hassan show up in past guest feedback for being friendly and for safe driving. That matters because it lowers the stress of being on unfamiliar roads for long stretches.

If you are traveling with someone who loves photos, you will have multiple “pause moments” to capture scenes: Azrou monkeys, Midelt, the palm oasis viewpoint, the sunset dunes, and sunrise.

If you are traveling with kids or anyone sensitive to travel time, remember you will be in the vehicle for much of Day 1 and parts of Day 2. The schedule is fixed, so it is not the best choice for families who need flexible stops.

Weather and what can change

This experience requires good weather, and there is a note that if it is canceled due to poor weather, you can choose a different date or get a full refund.

In practice, desert travel is always subject to conditions. So if your trip is time-sensitive, it helps to keep an extra day or two in your back pocket, even if the tour runs smoothly most of the time.

Should you book this Fes to Merzouga desert tour?

I would book it if you want a first taste of the Sahara with a proper overnight camp, and you are okay with a long but scenic drive. The price makes sense for what you receive: transport, a camel ride, camp lodging, and included dinner plus breakfast. You also get sunrise and souk time, so your two days are not only about dunes.

I would pause before booking if:

• You hate being in a vehicle for hours
• You are sensitive to early starts, since sunrise is a key moment
• You do not want to pay extra for lunches and drinks

If you want a structured, classic Morocco desert experience from Fes, this is a strong option.

FAQ

What time does the tour start in Fes?

The tour starts at 8:00 am.

How long is the 2-day desert tour?

It runs for 2 days (approx.).

What is included in the price?

The tour includes dinner, breakfast, comfortable vehicle, professional driver, accommodation, and camel ride.

Are lunch and drinks included?

No. Lunches and drinks are not included.

How much is the tour per person?

The price is $139.37 per person.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. The experience requires good weather, and if it is canceled due to poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.