2 Days Desert Trip Back To Fes/ Or Marrakech

Two days can feel like a whole world. This Fes to Merzouga desert trip strings together desert camp magic with road-trip scenery, mint tea breaks, and Berber-style evenings, all in a tight 2-day loop.

I especially like two things: the camel ride at sunset over the erg-Chebbi dunes, and the way the night is handled with an authentic Berber-tent camp setup, dinner, and time under the sky.

One consideration: the driving days are long, and road conditions on mountain routes can feel like a lot when you are doing desert trekking on the schedule.

Key Points You Should Know

• Hotel pickup in Fes and a comfortable air-conditioned minivan make the start less stressful
• Ifrane stop gives you a Swiss-style detour (French-era ski town vibes)
• Azrou cedar forest is a great break, with the chance to see monkeys in the trees
• Merzouga arrives with palm-oasis views before you head into the dunes
• About an hour on camelback to reach the camp, with sunset built in
• Small group size (max 17) helps keep the day organized and manageable

Why This Fes to Merzouga Trip Works as a 2-Day Adventure

A lot of desert trips feel like one big ride, then a quick photo, then back in the van. This one is different because the day has structure. You get scenery, stops to stretch and reset, and then the desert becomes the main event when the light turns golden.

The real value is that you are not only paying for a night in the Sahara. You are also paying for the full transportation package from Fez, an on-road plan that includes mountain scenery, and a camp experience that is built around dinner and stargazing time. That’s why the timing matters. You will spend a good chunk of Day 1 on the road, but it sets you up for the desert payoff on Day 1 evening.

Also, the small group cap of up to 17 people is a practical detail. In a big group, stops get rushed. Here, you can usually keep the flow without feeling like you are being herded.

Starting in Fez el-Bali, Then Ifrane, Then Cedar Forest in Azrou

Day 1 begins with pickup from your hotel, right in Fes. If you have ever tried to coordinate transfers in an unfamiliar city, you know how much time that can steal. This pickup arrangement is the simple advantage: you start with a driver and a plan, not with guesswork.

From there, you swing toward a trio of stops that each serves a different purpose:

Medina of Fez: You begin in the Fes el-Bali area and keep it short at the start. The point is not an all-day medina tour. It’s a grounding moment so you feel like this is truly starting in Fez, before the long road pulls you south.

Ifrane: Next is Ifrane, a winter ski resort built by the French in the 1930s, made to resemble a Swiss village. Even if you only see it briefly, it is a memorable change of pace. You go from historic Fez energy to something that feels artificially alpine.

Azrou cedar forest: Then comes Azrou, in the cedar forest zone. This is where the day earns its breathing room. You may get monkey sightings, and the forest setting breaks up the travel monotony before the climb into the Middle Atlas.

Practical tip: this day is planned with short stops. You will move, look, and keep going. If you like slow travel, you might feel impatient here. But if you want a route that keeps you moving toward the dunes without spending days in transit, this format makes sense.

Middle Atlas to Midelt: Fossils, Rocks, and the Long Road Reality

After the cedar forest, you keep crossing the Middle Atlas toward the desert. The stops are designed around the idea that you need frequent breaks on a road day, especially when you are headed for a desert camp the same evening.

One highlight is the Midelt stop. You get a lunch break there in town, known for fossils and rocks. Even if you do not plan to purchase anything, that theme helps you understand why this stop exists: it is a regional waypoint, not just a random pause.

The drawback of any Fez to Merzouga itinerary is simple: distance eats time. On this kind of schedule, you should expect the driving to feel long, and road conditions can vary as you move across mountain terrain. Keep your expectations flexible and your mood light. The camp side of the trip is where the payoff lives.

Here’s what I recommend to make the long road day easier:

• Keep water handy for yourself since lunch and drinks are not included.
• Bring something to help you focus on the scenery. The Middle Atlas crossing is part of the experience, even if it is mostly through a window.

Arriving in Merzouga: Palm Oasis Views and Mint Tea Before the Dunes

Merzouga is where the trip starts to feel like it belongs to the desert. You arrive in the afternoon after a long drive through the Atlas region, and the timing is useful because you get views before the sun drops.

The itinerary builds in two emotional hits before you go out on the sand:

1. A panoramic view of the palm oasis area.
2. A mint tea break when you reach Merzouga.

That tea moment is more than a refreshment. It signals a shift from road travel to desert living. You are getting prepared for the style of evening ahead.

Then you head to the dunes area and mount camels for the ride. This is where the “desert trip” becomes real, not just a label. You ride over sand dunes in the erg-Chebbi area, and the sunset is part of the camel experience. The ride continues for about an hour, and you reach the camp afterward.

One small but important note: camel rides are not always comfortable if you are expecting a smooth cruise. You are sitting on an animal that moves in sand. If you have any back issues, go slowly with your expectations and listen to your guide about how to adjust your position.

The Sunset-to-Stars Night: Berber Tent Camp, Dinner, and Stargazing

The overnight stop is an authentic Berber tent desert camp. This is the heart of the whole experience. After you arrive, the camels are secured, and you get mint tea again. That repetition matters. It creates a rhythm: arrive, settle, drink, eat, relax, then watch the sky.

Dinner is included, and there is also time for stargazing before sleep. In desert country, the sky is the main event. This tour is built around that, not around an early exit.

What makes this camp part stand out is that it is presented as an evening experience, not only a place to park for a night. You’re not just sleeping. You’re eating, relaxing, and using the night hours for the desert atmosphere.

If you are the type who loves photos, this is a solid moment to slow down. The dunes glow at sunset, and later the camp gives you a chance to look upward when you would normally be sitting in a hotel room.

Day 2 Sunrise and Your Choice: Fez or Marrakech

Day 2 starts early with sunrise, then breakfast at camp. After you finish, you begin the return drive.

This is one of the nicest practical features of the trip: you can choose your drop-off city. You either go back toward Fez or continue to Marrakech. The travel time listed is about 8 hours for the ride, and it’s the kind of time you should plan for as a proper travel day, not a day for wandering.

Since lunch and drinks are not included, you will want to manage your expectations for eating on the road. The included breakfast handles you for the early part of the day, but you will still need to plan for the rest.

Also, because this is desert camp logistics, the timing can feel compressed. You should expect to have less flexibility than a fully independent itinerary. The trade-off is that you get the desert night without needing to organize a camp and transport yourself.

Price and Logistics: Is $139.37 Good Value for Two Days?

The price is $139.37 per person, and it includes a lot of “hard” items that are often the most expensive when booked separately.

Here’s what is included:

• Breakfast and dinner
• One night accommodation
• Camel ride (about an hour)
• Air-conditioned minivan with a professional driver
• Sunset view
• Pickup is offered

What is not included:

• Lunch
• Drinks

When I judge value, I look at whether the included items reduce your work and risk. In this case, you are buying:

• A full transport plan from Fes, with an air-conditioned vehicle
• Camel logistics to and from the camp
• Camp lodging and meals

That combination is the value. You are not just paying for a view. You are paying to have the desert segment organized end-to-end.

Price-wise, it also helps that the group is capped at 17 travelers. Small-group desert experiences can cost more because planning and camp space are limited. This one keeps that group size in check.

Who This Trip Is Best For (and When to Skip It)

This is a good fit if you want:

• A true desert night, not just a quick dune stop
• A guided route that moves efficiently from Fez toward Merzouga
• A mix of mountain scenery and desert atmosphere in two days
• A camp experience with dinner and stargazing time

It may be less ideal if you:

• Hate long road days and prefer to stay put
• Expect a leisurely pace with frequent long breaks
• Have mobility limits that make transfers and camel riding harder

Because the tour depends on good weather, it is also smart to book with some flexibility in your overall schedule. If weather cancels the experience, you should be ready to shift dates or accept a refund option.

Should You Book Desert Smile Tours for This Desert Night?

If your goal is a classic Sahara experience with a real overnight camp, this is a strong choice. You get the big moments you came for: sunset on camelback, a Berber tent night, dinner, and stargazing, plus a Day 2 morning sunrise and breakfast.

I would book it if you:

• Want the transport handled, starting with pickup in Fes
• Like itineraries that keep momentum without requiring you to plan everything
• Prefer a small group size rather than a crowd

I would think twice if you are highly sensitive to long drive time or you expect calm, slow travel. This trip is adventure with a schedule, and the road is part of the deal.

If you want, tell me your travel dates and whether you prefer ending in Fez or Marrakech, and I’ll help you decide if this timing will feel smooth with your other plans.

FAQ

How long is the camel ride?

The camel ride to reach the desert camp is about an hour.

What meals are included in the tour?

Breakfast and dinner are included. Lunch and drinks are not included.

Do I get pickup from my hotel?

Yes, pickup is offered from your hotel in Fes.

Do I have a choice of where to end on Day 2?

Yes. After sunrise and breakfast on Day 2, you can head to Fez or Marrakech.

What is the maximum group size?

The tour has a maximum of 17 travelers.

Is cancellation possible, and what if weather is poor?

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 will be offered a different date or a full refund.