PRIVATE TOUR — 2 DAYS FES PRIVATE DESERT TOUR TO MERZOUGA

OVERVIEW

If you’ve only got a couple of days to spare in Fes and still want to see the Sahara, this is the shortest trip that can do it. You leave Fes in the morning, drive south through the Middle Atlas and the Ziz Valley, ride camels into the Erg Chebbi dunes for sunset, sleep in a luxury desert camp, and head back to Fes the next day with a stop at the traditional market town of Rissani.

It involves a lot of driving — roughly seven and a half hours each way — so it suits travellers who are short on time and want one solid night in the desert rather than a slower trip. If you have the option, the longer 3 or 4 day versions give a much better balance.

Every itinerary is fully customisable to suit your preferences and pace.

DURATION: 2 DAYS / 1 NIGHT
START: FES
END: FES
TOUR STYLE: PRIVATE

HIGHLIGHTS

– Crossing the Middle Atlas Mountains
– Spotting Barbary macaques in the cedar forest near Azrou
– Panoramic views over the Ziz Valley
– A camel trek across the Erg Chebbi dunes
– Sunset and sunrise over the Sahara
– A night in a luxury desert camp
– The traditional Tuesday/Thursday/Sunday souk in Rissani

ITINERARY

DAY 1: FES → IFRANE → MIDDLE ATLAS → ZIZ VALLEY → MERZOUGA

Pick-up at your riad or hotel in Fes around 8:00 in the morning. The drive south starts with a coffee stop in Ifrane — a small mountain town often called the Switzerland of Morocco for its chalet-style houses and pine trees. From there, the road climbs into the cedar forest near Azrou, where Barbary macaques often appear at the roadside.

We continue south across the Middle Atlas to Midelt, the apple capital of Morocco, for lunch. Then over the Tizi-n-Talghemt pass (the “she-camel pass”) and down through the Ziz Valley — a long ribbon of palm groves and small Berber villages, with several scenic stops along the way.

Arrive in Merzouga in the late afternoon. Your camels and camel guide will be waiting to take you across the Erg Chebbi dunes to your luxury camp, with a stop on a high ridge for sunset. After settling into your private tent and a generous dinner, the evening ends around a campfire with Berber drumming and music — stars overhead.

Approximate driving distance/time: 500 km / 7 hours 30 minutes

DAY 2: MERZOUGA → RISSANI → ERFOUD → ZIZ VALLEY → FES

An early wake-up is recommended — sunrise over the dunes is the moment most people remember. After breakfast at camp, we head back through Merzouga to Rissani. If the day falls on a Tuesday, Thursday, or Sunday, you can wander through the traditional souk — Rissani was historically the founding place of the current ruling dynasty and is still one of the more authentic markets in the region.

From Rissani we drive back north via Erfoud and along the Ziz Valley again. Drop-off at your accommodation in Fes ends the tour.

Approximate driving distance/time: 473 km / 7 hours

IMPORTANT NOTES

– Driving times don’t include stops for lunch and sightseeing.
– Dietary preferences (vegetarian, vegan, allergies) can be accommodated — please mention this when booking.
– Your luggage is transported to the camp by 4×4 while you ride camels — you’ll only carry what you need for the ride.
– Prefer not to ride a camel? A 4×4 can take you into and out of the camp at no extra cost.
– Three luxury camp options are available — let us know your preference when booking.
– This tour can also end in Marrakech instead of Fes via the 2 Day Fes to Marrakech Desert Tour.
– Optional extras: Fes guided tour, day trip to Chefchaouen, day trip to Volubilis and Meknes, professional photographer, romantic desert dinner, desert proposal setup, quad biking, buggy driving.