Luxury 2-Days Desert Trip from Fes to.:( fes or marakech)

Erg Chebbi dawn is pure magic. I love the small-group cap of nine travelers, and I also love that you are built around sunset and sunrise in the dunes instead of just a quick look. The main thing to consider is simple: you spend a lot of time in the vehicle, so this is not a light, casual weekend drive.

This 2-day trip starts with pickup from your hotel or riad in Fez around 8:00am, then pushes you through mountain towns, gorges, and cedar forest before you settle into a Berber-style camp. You get dinner and breakfast in the dunes, a camel trek, and sandboarding, with a private tent and attached bathroom included.

Key things to know before you go

• Group size maxes at nine for a more relaxed feel on the desert side.
• Sunrise and sunset in Erg Chebbi means early starts, but you get the full light show.
• Door-to-door transfers help you skip the usual transport stress of arranging things on your own.
• Cedar forest stop at Azrou can be a great break, with a chance to see Barbary apes.
• Camp comfort is real, including a private tent and attached bathroom, though privacy can feel less than you expect depending on setup.
• Bring warm layers, because mornings in the desert can be cold even when the days feel mild.

Two days that feel big: why this route works

If you only have a short window in Morocco, this kind of overnight Sahara trip is one of the most efficient ways to get the classic desert experience without losing a full day to logistics. The value is not just that you reach the dunes. It is that the schedule is designed around the moments that actually matter: golden-hour rides, dinner in camp, and a sunrise you cannot recreate from a day tour.

You also get the payoff of variety. You are not only driving to sand. You are rolling through the Middle Atlas and High Atlas regions, changing elevation and scenery as you go. That makes the long drive feel less like punishment and more like a Morocco road trip with a strong finish.

Price and what you really get for $139.03

At $139.03 per person for roughly two days, this can be a solid deal if you care about the full package: transportation, meals, desert activities, and sleeping arrangements. You are not paying extra for dinner and breakfast, you are not paying extra for camel time, and sandboarding is included.

That said, this is not a luxury hotel weekend. You are paying for a functional, themed desert camp experience plus a lot of road time. Some expectations are worth setting early:

• The ride to the dunes is long, and the schedule includes frequent but short stops.
• Camel and sandboarding time can be shorter than you might hope, even when they are included.
• Camp comfort is good, but the desert is cold at night and you will feel it.

If your top priority is a relaxed pace, this may not be your match. If your top priority is squeezing in the Sahara properly, it often feels worth it.

Pickup in Fez at 8:00am, then straight into the mountains

The day begins with pickup from your hotel or riad in Fez at 8:00am. From there, the trip moves toward Ifran, a mountain village with a Switzerland of Morocco nickname. It is a good early reset, because it signals that you are not just doing a desert transfer. You are driving through Morocco’s changing altitude.

You then continue toward Midelt. Along the way, you get glimpses of the Middle Atlas and Higher Atlas mountain regions. In practical terms, this matters because it keeps the day visually interesting when the hours in the van add up.

One more timing thing you should know: the long drive is part of the experience. Many guests find the key to enjoying it is how the stops are spaced. There are photo opportunities and short breaks, but do not assume you will be stretching your legs for long.

The cedar forest break at Azrou and the Barbary ape chance

A major stop is Azrou, a Berber village in the cedar forest area, described as the largest cedar forest in Morocco. This stop is not only about scenery. It is about energy management. After hours of driving, a cedar forest pause gives you a chance to walk around and breathe easier.

There is also a chance to spot Barbary apes. You may see them right by the forest area, and they are often the most memorable wildlife moment for people who have not seen Barbary macaques before. If you want to be ready, keep an eye on your guide’s instructions about what is allowed near the animals.

A quick practical tip: bring small snacks if you want something to munch during breaks, but follow the guide’s cues about feeding animals.

Through the Atlas passes and Ziz Gorge photos

After Midelt, the route includes the Tiz Ntalghamt pass and then the Ziz Gorge. This is the part where Morocco starts to feel dramatically layered. You are looking out over plateaus and rocky cuts in the terrain, and the change from forest and hills to more open, rugged views can be striking.

In a lot of travel plans, these kinds of stops become filler. Here, they are part of the reason the trip does not feel like a straight line from Fez to sand. It feels more like a slow reveal.

Still, keep your expectations realistic. Most of these photo moments are brief. The big payoff is when you finally reach Erg Chebbi and the dunes take over the schedule.

Arriving at the dunes near Merzouga: timing that shapes the night

You head through regions like Rissani, Erfoud, Errachidia, and Midelt on the way back to Fez, and the same broad travel corridor shapes the approach toward Merzouga and the dunes area at the start of your overnight.

When you get to the Erg Chebbi area, your schedule turns practical fast:

• you get ready for camel riding,
• you head out for the sunset experience,
• and you then move into camp for dinner.

Many people love this part because sunset changes everything. The sand turns into layers of orange and gold, and the dunes look different every few minutes.

A key detail: even when your group is small, the desert area can have multiple groups moving through similar activities. So the exact flow of camel pickup can feel crowded at peak moments. The best antidote is patience and going with the timing your guide sets.

Camel ride and sandboarding: fun, but plan for limited time

Camel riding is included, and you ride to your camp area as part of the overnight experience. This is one of those Morocco moments where you do not just visit, you slow down and let the environment do the talking.

Sandboarding is also included. Here is the balanced truth you should plan around: sandboarding time may be brief. One session can cover the basics for many people, and there may be limited equipment or a quick turnover.

If sandboarding is a must-do for you, go in with the mindset of getting a try and enjoying the dunes, not expecting an hour-long coaching session. The dunes themselves are the main event.

If you care about comfort, remember that sand can be fine and slippery. Wear shoes or boots you trust for uneven ground, and bring something to protect your legs from rubbing on your ride.

Your luxury desert camp tent with attached bathroom

The camp setup is a major selling point. Your stay includes a private tent with an attached bathroom, and it is described as a luxury desert camp. In real-world terms, that means you are not sleeping out in the open with zero facilities.

That said, some travelers found privacy more complicated than they expected. The bathroom setup may be close to the sleeping space, sometimes separated by a thick fabric divider. If you need strong privacy, plan mentally for a more shared feel even within a private tent option.

Electricity is mentioned in feedback, which helps with charging and comfort. Still, desert nights cool down quickly. If you are tempted to pack lightly, this is your reminder to bring warm clothes.

A specific comfort note from feedback: heaters can have an extra fee (150DH per person was reported). Even with blankets, you will want layers.

Dinner, music, and why the night feels different than you expect

Dinner in camp is included, and it is served in the desert atmosphere you came for. Many people highlight two things here: the camp vibe and the way the evening turns into a social moment without needing to plan anything.

Music and firelight also play a part in the experience. Whether you are into music or not, it is one of the ways the night becomes memorable beyond just eating.

And then there is the star moment. The night sky can be a genuine highlight, with stargazing becoming a long, quiet activity for people who enjoy it. If you are hoping for photos, bring a warm layer, and consider keeping your phone settings ready for low-light shots. It is dark out there, and you will want to avoid fumbling.

Sunrise in Erg Chebbi: the early part you will thank yourself for

Day 2 centers on sunrise in the dunes of Erg Chebbi. Yes, this means an early start, but this is the part that makes the overnight portion worth the effort.

Sunrise light creates texture. The sand ridges sharpen, shadows move fast, and the whole area feels like a living painting. If you love photography, this is your best time window.

After the sunrise, you ride camels back to the hotel area. Then you shower and eat breakfast before returning toward Fez.

The desert morning can be cold, so keep warm clothes accessible. Even if you feel fine in the evening, morning air is usually different.

The return to Fez (and sometimes onward): expect the drive

After breakfast and shower time, you leave the dunes region for Fez. The schedule includes stopping again along the route, with mentions of passing through Rissani, Erfoud, Errachidia, and Midelt, plus picture stops and a lunch stop along the way.

You should expect a long ride back. The provided timing indicates arrival back in Fez around 18:30, with an additional note of Marrakech around 19:30. So if you are stitching together other plans, build in buffer time.

Practical advice that helps the return day:

• Bring a snack you actually like, not just whatever is left in your bag.
• Use bathroom stops when offered, even if you do not feel desperate. The van schedule is not always forgiving.
• Keep your charger and a power bank ready if you use your phone heavily for photos.

What I’d bring and how to make the experience smoother

This is one of those trips where small packing choices matter more than people expect.

Bring warm layers. Desert mornings and nights can feel sharply cold. Even if the daytime sun is pleasant, you will want something to stay comfortable during early dunes time.

Pack practical shoes. Camel areas involve walking on uneven ground. Sand gets everywhere, so pick something you can handle and that offers grip.

Have some cash. Feedback mentions cash being useful for things like toilet access, tips, and small souvenirs. The exact setup can vary by camp and stops, so having a bit helps.

Snacks can save you. Road time is long, and while breaks happen, they can be quick. Bringing fruit or small snacks can also make you feel more human during the drive.

And one last mindset tip: the schedule is designed for the desert moments. The vehicle hours are the price of admission, so settle in and use stops strategically.

Is it worth it? When you should book, and when you should skip

This tour is a strong match if you want:

• Sunset and sunrise in Erg Chebbi rather than a quick visit
• a small group experience (max nine travelers)
• a real overnight camp with dinner, breakfast, camel riding, and sandboarding included
• a route that also shows more of Morocco than just the dunes

You might skip it if:

• You hate long vehicle days and want a lighter pace.
• You require strict privacy in sleeping and bathroom areas.
• You expect long, uninterrupted adventure time on camels or sandboards.

If you do book, go in prepared: layers for the cold, patience for the road time, and realistic expectations about activity durations. With that, it can feel like Morocco’s desert page turned in exactly two days.

FAQ

What time is pickup in Fez?

Pickup is scheduled for 8:00am from your hotel or riad.

How long is the desert trip?

The trip is approximately 2 days.

Does the tour include dinner and breakfast?

Yes. Dinner and breakfast are included.

Is lunch included?

No, lunch is not included.

How many people are in the group?

The tour has a maximum of 9 travelers.

Do I get a private tent and bathroom?

Yes. You get a private tent with an attached bathroom in a luxury desert camp.

What time do we return to Fez?

The tour notes back to Fez at about 18:30, with a note of Marrakech at about 19:30.