3 Days Desert Trip From Fes Back To Fes

Dunes, monkeys, and mountain roads in three days. I love how this Fez to Merzouga loop mixes big scenery with very human moments, from pickup from your riad to a guided day through Ifrane and Azrou. You also get the classic Merzouga reward, sunrise over the dunes, plus a calm Berber camp night that feels a long way from city noise.

My favorite part is the “all-in” feel of the planning. You are not left guessing about transport, where to sleep, or how the desert night works. One thing to plan for upfront though: lunch and drinks are not included, so keep a little budget for your midday meal.

This is built for comfort in motion. The air-conditioned minivan and professional driver take the stress out of the long road, and the group stays small, up to 17 people. And if you end up with a guide like Mohammed, you’ll likely appreciate his patience and how he makes sure questions get answered, not brushed off.

Key highlights you will actually feel

• Ifrane and Azrou in one morning: French-era Ifrane, cedar forests, and Azrou, known as The Rock
• Macaques at Azrou: see the famous monkeys during a lunch break in their natural area
• Ziz Valley viewpoint: palms, mountains, and the Ziz River view stop that resets your camera roll
• Merzouga includes dinner and a Kasbah stay: Saharan music in the evening, then sleep in a traditional setting
• Camel trek to a Berber camp: night in the dunes with traditional desert meals, including Madfona
• Two dune sunrises: one at Merzouga, then another before returning to Fez

Fez to Merzouga in 3 days, with a schedule that flows

This tour is a smooth back-and-forth loop from Fez. You start at 7:30 am at the Fontaine Batha meeting point, and you can also expect pickup offered from your hotel or riad. The ride is done in an air-conditioned minivan with a professional driver, which matters on a route that is mostly long, with a few key stops.

The small group size, maximum 17 travelers, helps a lot. It means you are less likely to feel lost in a crowd, and it is easier for your driver to manage timing. You also get a mobile ticket, which is handy if you hate paperwork and last-minute phone calls.

Time on this trip is spent in two modes. First, big driving days through the Middle Atlas and down toward the desert. Second, the Merzouga portion, where mornings and late afternoons are built around views, and the day shifts from sightseeing to desert time. If you like structure but not chaos, this works.

Morning in Ifrane and Azrou, where the day starts cool and scenic

Day 1 is your scenic warm-up. You head into the Middle Atlas Mountains and make a stop in Ifrane, a town built by the French in the 1930s and nicknamed Morocco’s Switzerland. Even if you do not chase museums here, the setting gives you that quick “I’m not in Fez anymore” feeling.

From Ifrane, you move into cedar forests around Azrou, locally known as The Rock. This is one of the best stops for people who like nature breaks without feeling like they need hiking gear. The tour includes time where you may spot the famous monkeys. It’s often described as Barbary apes, but they are macaque monkeys, and lunch is part of the timing.

A practical note: monkeys are wild. Keep food secured, do not reach for them, and watch your surroundings while you eat. You’ll get the fun part without the stressful part.

Midelt and Ziz Valley: the perfect breaks between mountains and dunes

After Azrou, the route brings you to Midelt, often called the City of Apples. This is a good change of pace from forest roads. Midelt sits around where the Middle Atlas meets the beginning of the High Atlas, so it feels like a natural pivot point in the journey.

Then comes the Ziz Valley viewpoint. This is where your eyes get a big “wow” moment: palms, mountains, and the Ziz River cutting through the view. The tour describes Ziz Valley as the largest oasis in Africa, and even if you think you’ve seen oases before, the scale here is impressive.

These stops also do something subtle. They help you tolerate the road time. When the trip includes a couple of view breaks, the long drive stops feeling like a bus ride and starts feeling like a journey with chapters. You are not just moving toward Merzouga, you’re collecting moments along the way.

Merzouga arrival: Kasbah night, Saharan music, and a real desert setup

You arrive in Merzouga in the afternoon. This timing is ideal because it lets you settle before the evening. One of the best included parts is that your evening has a desert flavor right away, with dinner and Saharan music.

You also get two nights accommodation, and the first night is in a traditional Kasbah. That matters for the vibe. You are not sleeping in a generic stopover. You’re starting to feel the desert rhythm while you still have daylight for orientation.

Evenings in Merzouga often mean temperature shifts. So bring a light layer for night air, especially if you expect to be outside for the sunset view. The tour includes sunset view, and you’ll likely want your camera ready, but with your eyes first. Desert colors can change fast once the sun starts to drop.

Dinner is included for this night, so you’re covered for at least one big meal after a long travel day. Lunch is not included, but dinner being provided helps keep the trip from becoming a constant “spend money every hour” situation.

Day 2 dunes: sunrise options, Gnawa music in Khamlia, and camel trek

Day 2 starts with breakfast in Merzouga. Then you have a real choice: you can sleep in or follow the suggestion to rise early for sunrise over the dunes. Either way, the day gives you space to shape your desert time.

If you want culture, the tour points you toward options around the Tafilalt Oasis, including towns such as Rissani and the Merzouga palm groves. If music is more your thing, there is also a mention of Gnawa music in Khamlia village. This is a great angle because it reminds you that the desert is not only dunes and silence. It’s people, sound, and daily life.

As the day cools, you head into the main act: a camel trek to a Berber campsite in the dunes. The camp is where the trip becomes very different from the road portion. Your Berber hosts prepare traditional desert meals, including Madfona, and the tour includes cultural insights along the way.

A good way to think about this day: it’s not just transportation from A to B. It’s a full shift into slower time. Even if you are tired from driving, the camel trek and camp meals turn the experience into something memorable, not just scenic.

Day 3: second dune sunrise, camp morning refresh, then back to Fez

You get another shot at sunrise. The tour specifically suggests waking early and enjoying the sunrise over the sand dunes again, described as one of the best in the world. Even if you catch sunrise the day before, there’s value in seeing how the dunes look in a different light and mood.

After the morning, you return to the camp, and you can refresh with a bath before packing up. This is a nice practical detail, especially on a trip that includes two mornings and a camel trek.

Then it’s time to head back. You start the return journey to Fez with your driver after the camp morning routine. Expect most of the day for the drive, with the trip ending back at the meeting point area.

If you’re the type who hates ending trips “late and tired,” plan your Fez day accordingly. You’ll likely come back with a long day behind you, so keep your evening flexible. The upside is that you return with that desert feeling still on you, not overwritten by another busy activity.

Price and value: what you pay, what you get, and what to budget

The price is $197.73 per person for about 3 days. That sounds reasonable only if you look at what’s included, not just the headline number.

Here’s what you are getting as part of the package:

• 2 nights accommodation
• Camel ride
• Air-conditioned minivan with a professional driver
• Dinner (2) and breakfast (2)
• Sunset view

What is not included:

• Lunch and drinks

So the value question becomes simple. Are you comfortable paying extra for lunch, or would you rather build your own food stops? For many people, this package is cost-efficient because it covers the most expensive parts: transport over long distance and the desert sleep and camel time.

Also, the group size max of 17 helps keep the experience coordinated, which is part of why the tour works. You are not squeezed into a huge crowd, and you’re not chasing strangers for pickup timing.

If you want to budget, think of this like: dinner and breakfast are covered, lunch is your responsibility. Add water and drinks, and you’ll avoid stress. Keep some cash available for meals, since that’s the easiest way to handle lunch when plans change slightly in the field.

Should you book this Fez to Merzouga desert trip?

I think this tour is a strong fit if you want a guided, not overwhelming desert experience with real variety. You get city-and-mountain stops (Ifrane, Azrou, Midelt), a big view moment (Ziz Valley), and then the desert centerpiece (Merzouga, camp, camel trek, dune sunrises). It’s the kind of itinerary that keeps you interested on both long driving days and the desert nights.

You should pay attention if you dislike early starts. Sunrise is part of the plan on both desert mornings, and even if you choose not to go both times, the early desert vibe is still the core idea here. And since lunch and drinks are not included, bring a small food budget so you do not end up waiting around for the next meal.

If you value safety, comfort, and a guide who actually answers questions, this is the style of trip you’ll like. Desert Smile Tours also offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start, which gives you flexibility if your plans shift.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 7:30 am.

Where is the meeting point in Fez?

The meeting point is Fontaine Batha in Fez, Morocco.

Is pickup from hotels or riads included?

Yes, pickup is offered from your hotel or riad.

How long is the tour?

It runs for 3 days (approx.).

What’s included for meals?

The tour includes breakfast (2) and dinner (2). Lunch and drinks are not included.

Do I get a camel ride?

Yes, the tour includes a camel ride.

How many nights will I stay in accommodations?

You get 2 nights accommodation.

Is this tour free to cancel close to the date?

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, it is not refunded.