2 Days from Fes to Merzouga and the Sahara
Programme checked
Overview
In short: Private tour · 2 days / 1 night, starting and ending in Fes — about 925 km and 10 places, including 1 night in the desert.
- Duration
- 2 days / 1 night
- Starts
- Fes
- Ends
- Fes
- Tour type
- Private tour
- Group size
- Up to 50 travellers
- Language
- Flexible, on request
- Distance
- ≈ 925 km in total
- Stops
- 10 places
A quick adventure from Fes into the Sahara: some of the Middle Atlas's finest scenery, a night in a dune camp with Amazigh folklore, then a return via Rissani and the Ziz gorges.
Suited to travellers with limited time in Fes who want dunes, camels and nomad life without a long tour.
Highlights
- Crossing the Merzouga landscape by camel
- The top sights and activities of the Sahara
- Living like a nomad for a night
- Middle Atlas wonders: Imouzzer, Ifrane, the Azrou cedar forest
Route
- Day 1
- Day 2
Lines join the stops in order; they are not the exact roads. Distances are road estimates. Open the route in Google Maps
All 10 stops · ≈ 925 km
| # | Stop | Day | From previous stop |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fes | Day 1 | — |
| 2 | Imouzzer Kandar | Day 1 | ≈ 40 km |
| 3 | Ifrane | Day 1 | ≈ 30 km |
| 4 | Azrou | Day 1 | ≈ 20 km |
| 5 | Midelt | Day 1 | ≈ 125 km |
| 6 | Ziz Gorges | Day 1 | ≈ 65 km |
| 7 | Errachidia / Ziz | Day 1 | ≈ 50 km |
| 8 | Erfoud | Day 1 | ≈ 75 km |
| 9 | Merzouga | Day 1 | ≈ 60 km |
| 10 | Rissani | Day 2 | ≈ 40 km |
| 8 | Erfoud | Day 2 | ≈ 25 km |
| 7 | Errachidia / Ziz | Day 2 | ≈ 75 km |
| 6 | Ziz Gorges | Day 2 | ≈ 50 km |
| 5 | Midelt | Day 2 | ≈ 65 km |
| 3 | Ifrane | Day 2 | ≈ 130 km |
| 1 | Fes | Day 2 | ≈ 75 km |
Day by day
Day 1Fes – Imouzzer – Ifrane – Azrou – Midelt – Merzouga
FesImouzzer KandarIfraneAzrouMideltZiz GorgesErrachidia / ZizErfoudMerzougaPick-up from your Fes hotel or riad, then a stop in Imouzzer Kandar, a French-style town.
Ifrane, 'Morocco's little Switzerland', then Azrou to meet the macaques of the cedar forest and learn about Amazigh heritage.
Lunch (Amazigh tagine) in Midelt, then Merzouga, 'the golden gate of the Sahara': camel trek and a camp among the dunes with a campfire and folklore show under the stars.
Day 2Merzouga – Rissani – Ziz Gorges – Back to Fes
MerzougaRissaniErfoudErrachidia / ZizZiz GorgesMideltIfraneFesEarly wake-up for dawn over the dunes, then breakfast and a hot shower at a Merzouga hotel.
Rissani's souks and history (cradle of the ruling Alaouite dynasty), then the Ziz gorges and lunch in an Amazigh village.
Return across the Middle Atlas to your hotel in Fes.
What’s included
Included
- Air-conditioned minibus or 4×4
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
- Qualified multilingual driver
- Bottled water
- Photo stops whenever you like
- Camel ride
- Accommodation (hotel, riad or desert camp)
- Two meals a day (lunch and dinner)
Not included
- Soft drinks
- Tips
- Travel medical insurance
- Optional activities
- Personal spending
Good to know
- Best season for the desert: October to April. In summer daytime heat often exceeds 40°C; in winter nights at camp can drop close to freezing.
- The Tizi n'Tichka pass (about 2,260 m) can get snow or brief closures in winter; the driver adjusts timings to road conditions.
- Pack a small daypack for the camp night (water, charger, warm layer, toiletries). Large luggage stays in the vehicle or hotel.
- Essentials: sunscreen, sunglasses, a scarf/cheche against sand, comfortable shoes and a warm jacket for the evening.
- Mountain roads are winding; bring motion-sickness medication if you need it.
- Carry small dirham notes for tips, purchases and meals that are not included; ATMs are scarce in villages and in the desert.
- Always ask before photographing people, especially women, children and nomad families.
- Fes → Merzouga is about 470 km (7–8 hours) each way; the trip is very intense and leaves limited time in the desert.
Guided visits on this route
Our local guides also lead these walks and day trips in towns this tour passes through. Ask us to add one.
Read before you go
Questions about this trip
How long is this trip, and where does it start and end?
It lasts 2 days / 1 night, starting in Fes and returning there. The whole route covers about 925 km.
Is it a private tour?
Yes. You travel only with your own companions, with your own vehicle and driver-guide.
How much driving is there each day?
Approximate road distances: Day 1 about 465 km, Day 2 about 460 km. Your driver stops for photos, breaks and lunch along the way, and the pace can be adjusted.
Where do we sleep?
Night 1: Camp in Erg Chebbi.
Which meals are included?
Day 1: lunch + dinner; day 2: breakfast + lunch. Other meals and drinks are paid locally.
What is included in the price?
Air-conditioned minibus or 4×4; Hotel pick-up and drop-off; Qualified multilingual driver; Bottled water; Photo stops whenever you like; Camel ride; Accommodation (hotel, riad or desert camp); Two meals a day (lunch and dinner).
What is not included?
Soft drinks; Tips; Travel medical insurance; Optional activities; Personal spending.
When is the best time for this trip?
October to April is the most comfortable period for the desert. In summer, daytime temperatures often pass 40°C; in winter the days are sunny but nights at camp can drop close to freezing, so bring a warm layer.
Can the programme be adapted?
Yes. Dates, pace, stops and accommodation can be adjusted — tell us what you would like when you ask for a quote.
How do I book?
Send us your dates and the number of travellers on WhatsApp (+212 663-102827) or by email (marocservicetours@gmail.com). We reply within 48 hours with a personalised quote.
100 more questions about travelling in Morocco →
Compare with similar trips
How this trip compares with the two closest alternatives.
| Criteria | This trip2 Days from Fes to Merzouga and the Sahara | 3 Days from Fes to Marrakech via Merzouga | 4 Days from Fes to Marrakech via Erg Chebbi |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 2 days / 1 night | 3 days / 2 nights | 4 days / 3 nights |
| Route | Fes (round trip) | Fes → Marrakech | Fes → Marrakech |
| Distance | ≈ 925 km | ≈ 1,065 km | ≈ 1,095 km |
| Places visited | 10 | 18 | 20 |
| Nights in the desert | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Type | Private tour | Private tour | Private tour |
| Highlights |
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| Price | On request | On request | On request |
| Links | View this trip | View this trip |