2Days Share Tour From Fes To Marrakech Or Fes Via Sahara & camel

Two days, and Morocco turns cinematic. You get a camel trek into the Merzouga dunes and a stop in Ifrane cedar forests where Barbary macaques can pop up like they own the place. One watch-out: if the day is windy, you may not catch the sunset or sunrise exactly as planned.

This is a fast, road-heavy sprint from Fes to Marrakech, with a small group (max 15) and pickup offered from the Hotel Batha area in Fes. You’ll use a mobile ticket, and the tour ends in a different location once you reach Marrakech.

The payoff is real: one night in a private tent on the sand dunes, with dinner, plus desert camp time under the stars. Still, pack for cold. Even when daytime feels fine, mornings near the dunes can get sharply chilly.

Key highlights to look for

• Camel trek into the Merzouga dunes for that classic Sahara feeling
• Barbary macaques in the Ifrane cedar forest stop (watch, don’t rush)
• Ziz Valley viewpoint breaks with palms and oasis scenery
• Dune-camp night with dinner and Berber drumming around camp
• High Atlas crossing via Tizi n Tichka (2260m) on the way to Marrakech

Why this 2-day Fes to Marrakech desert route works

This trip is built for people who want the Sahara without burning an entire week. In two days, you move through three very different moods: cool mountain towns, palm-dotted valleys, then the big open emptiness of Merzouga, finishing with a full-day push into Marrakech.

What I like is that the schedule doesn’t just jump straight to dunes and call it a day. You also get real driving variety: Middle Atlas cedar forest, monkey sightings, roadside lunch stops, and a mountain pass that actually feels like a “crossing,” not just a transfer.

The other big plus is value for time. You’re paying for transport across big distances, plus the core desert experience: camel ride + one night in a desert tent + dinner. Lunch is separate, but the essentials of the desert night are taken care of.

Starting in Fes: pickup, small group, and an early start mood

Your day begins in Fes at Hotel Batha (Avenue de La Liberté). The tour includes pickup offered, so you’re not trying to navigate the city on your own before the long drive starts.

This matters because Fes is a maze. A smooth pickup helps you start calm instead of stressed. And since the group max is 15 travelers, the pace feels more manageable than big bus tours, especially when you stop for viewpoints and short breaks.

One practical note: the tour ends in a different location. So it’s smart to plan your Marrakech night around being flexible with where you’ll land, rather than assuming you’ll end at a specific riad address.

Ifrane and the cedar-forest stop: cool air and macaques

Before you reach the desert, you head toward Ifrane National Park. Ifrane is often described as having a cooler climate, and it’s known for that “Switzerland of Morocco” vibe. If you’re coming from warmer cities, the temperature shift can feel noticeable.

Next, you pause in the cedar forest area with a chance to see Barbary macaques. This is one of the easiest, most fun stops on the route because it’s simple: walk around, look up, and keep your phone ready (but don’t act like a macaque is your personal entertainment system).

Timing here is built into the schedule, with about two hours flagged for the stop. It also helps break up the driving so day one doesn’t feel like nonstop road.

Midelt lunch and a quick reset before Merzouga

After the macaque stop, you drive toward Midelt. The main purpose of this part of the day is to give you a proper lunch break at a roadside restaurant.

Here’s the key practical detail: lunch is not included in the tour price, even though the route includes a lunch stop. So budget for it. The upside is you get a real reset break before the desert push.

If you’re sensitive to long drives, this is the moment to use the restroom, refill water, and snack in advance. The rest of the day gets more “experiential,” but less “easy to step out whenever you want.”

Ziz Valley to Merzouga: oasis views before the big open dunes

From Midelt, you continue through the Ziz Valley, an oasis corridor with palm scenery. You stop at a panoramic viewpoint, which is worth paying attention to. It’s the last stretch where the route still has greenery, water, and that “life in the valley” feeling.

Then you reach Merzouga, the gateway to the Sahara region for this kind of tour.

This handoff is important. The desert feels different the moment you arrive. The air changes. The roads feel emptier. And once you start thinking about dunes, the whole day shifts from sightseeing to actually preparing for the camel part.

The camel trek: what to expect and how to be comfortable

Camels are the headline here, and they’re the right kind of headline. After you arrive near the dunes, camels are waiting to guide you into the sand.

A realistic expectation: the camel ride can be roughly 45 minutes to 1 hour, though timing can be shorter in some situations. Either way, it’s long enough to feel like you’re traveling, not just doing a quick photo stop.

Your best comfort move:

• Wear shoes you don’t mind getting sandy.
• Expect the dunes to move your body in a way regular walking does not.
• Bring something to protect your legs from wind and grit.

You’ll also use camp time smartly. The plan is to watch the sun go down from a dune viewpoint, then move on to camp.

One small reality check: wind can interfere with sunset and sunrise views. If you’re trying to chase the perfect “golden hour,” the desert has its own opinions.

One night in the dune camp: dinner, drumming, and a real tent sleep

At the end of the camel trek, you reach a desert camp where you’re shown your private tent. The tent setup is part of the magic: you trade your normal bed comfort for the feeling of sleeping inside the Sahara.

Dinner is included. After eating, the camp experience typically includes a bonfire atmosphere and Berber drumming and singing. This is where the trip shifts from “travel day” into “story day.”

Then you sleep.

And yes, you should plan for cold. Desert nights can turn surprisingly sharp, and one passenger noted how cold it was. Even if you dress for warm days earlier, bring a layer for nighttime.

Also, if you rely on phone battery, think ahead. One guide named Yusef helped a passenger with phone charging on a prior trip, which is a good reminder that you might ask if you need help, rather than waiting until you’re at 2 percent.

Day two: back to Merzouga, a hotel shower, and more mountain road time

After breakfast, you head back on the camels to Merzouga. This is not just a “return trip.” It resets you before the long drive back toward city life.

Once you’re back, you get a shower in a hotel, which is a huge quality-of-life upgrade. After one night in sand and cold air, it feels like a small luxury that makes the second day easier.

Next, you start moving again, including a lunch stop in the route plan around Ross Valley. Since lunch is not included, you’ll still need to pay for it yourself.

This day is about transitions: dunes to towns, quiet to busy streets, and road scenery that gradually turns from empty to lived-in.

El Kelaa M’gouna and the road to Marrakech via Ouarzazate

You’ll stop in El Kelaa M’gouna, often called the Rose town. The schedule includes lunch here as well, though you’ll still handle the meal cost yourself since lunch isn’t included.

From there, you continue toward Marrakech via the Berber townlets of the Atlas Mountains and toward Ouarzazate. This stretch is more than scenery. It’s where you see how the Atlas region is actually structured, with settlements tucked into mountain routes rather than isolated “viewpoints only.”

Crossing the High Atlas: Tizi n Tichka (2260m) day highlight

The biggest visual payoff of day two is the High Atlas crossing via Tizi n Tichka, at 2260m. If you’ve never ridden over a major mountain pass in Morocco, this is the part that makes the “route” feel like a route.

You’ll see denser mountain views, more roads winding, and more sense of distance. It’s also one of the moments where you’ll want to put your phone away for a bit and just watch.

Then you arrive in the evening in Marrakech, finishing your desert portion and landing you ready for souk time.

Price and logistics: what you’re really paying for

At $139.58 per person for about two days, this isn’t a “luxury only” package, but it also doesn’t feel like a stripped-down scam. You get:

• Camel trek
• One night in a tent over sand dunes
• Dinner and breakfast
• Transport across the major stretch from Fes to Merzouga to Marrakech
• A manageable group size (max 15)

You don’t get:

• Lunch
• Tips

So the value hinges on whether you want the Sahara night as part of your trip. If your main goal is the desert, this is priced in a sensible middle zone for what you get. If you’re only after a quick taste of dunes, you might find you’re paying for more drive time than experience time.

Who this tour suits best, and who should look elsewhere

This tour fits best if you:

• Want a Sahara night without a multi-day desert trek
• Like road travel with planned stops, not pure hiking
• Don’t mind early mornings and travel-heavy days
• Enjoy the mix of mountains, valley views, dunes, then city arrival

It’s less ideal if you:

• Are very weather-sensitive (wind can mess with sunset and sunrise timing)
• Want lots of free time in Marrakech (you arrive in the evening)
• Hate cold night conditions (pack layers)

If you’re traveling as a couple, friends, or solo, the small group helps. Families might be fine too, but you should be honest with yourselves about cold nights and long drive days.

Should you book this Fes to Marrakech desert tour?

I’d book it if you want the Sahara to be the main character of your trip, not a side quest. The combination of camel ride + private tent night + dinner is the heart of it, and the route does a good job building up to Merzouga rather than dropping you there cold.

I’d hesitate if you’re chasing a specific sunset photo and nothing else. The desert can be unpredictable, and wind has the power to ruin your timing. I’d also think twice if you dislike long, scheduled days. This is two days of movement, not two days of wandering slowly.

If you do book, pack smart for temperature swings, plan for lunch costs on the road, and keep your expectations aligned with a “fast but full” desert weekend. That’s the sweet spot for this tour.

FAQ

How much does the 2-day tour cost?

The price is $139.58 per person.

What is the duration?

The tour is listed as approximately 2 days.

Where does the tour start in Fes?

It starts at Hotel Batha, Avenue de La Liberté, Fes 30000, Morocco.

Does the tour include pickup?

Yes, pickup is offered, and the tour meeting point is near public transportation.

What is included for the desert night?

Dinner and breakfast are included, along with a camel trek and 1 night in a tent over the sand dunes.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is not included.

How long is the camel trek?

The camel trek portion is not given as a fixed number of minutes in the main details, but it can vary. You should expect it to be a noticeable ride into the dunes rather than just a short photo stop.

What happens after returning to Merzouga on day two?

After breakfast, you return by camel to Merzouga and take a shower in a hotel, then you continue toward Marrakech.

Can I cancel and get a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.