3-Day Fes to Merzouga Desert Tour
and Back to Fes
Leave your riad in Fes for two nights beside Erg Chebbi. Follow the Ziz Valley south, spend a full day exploring the dunes with your driver-guide, then ride out to your camp as the sand turns gold. On the third evening, we bring you back to Fes.
From the Middle Atlas to the Erg Chebbi Dunes
Meet some of the travelers who have explored this part of Morocco with our team, from a stop in Ifrane to an evening on the sand.
Select a photo to enlarge it here. Use the viewer arrows or swipe between the photos.
Two nights in the Sahara, with a return to Fes
The road south from Fes changes character several times before you see the first dunes. Cedar gives way to open plateau, the Ziz cuts a green ribbon through the rock, and beyond Erfoud the horizon opens around the sand sea of Erg Chebbi. You travel with your own driver-guide and can stop along the way for a photograph, a coffee or simply a little mountain air.
Your first evening is in a hotel or riad on the Merzouga side of the dunes. After the long drive, dinner and a comfortable room are waiting. The next morning you have time for Khamlia and the desert tracks by 4×4 before the afternoon camel ride to your camp.
This round trip fits especially well between two stays in Fes. If you plan to continue south-west across Morocco, our three-day Fes to Marrakech itinerary follows a different route after the dunes.
- DAY 01 · FROM FESMiddle Atlas & Ziz ValleyIfrane · Azrou cedar forest · Ziz Valley
- NIGHT 01 · MERZOUGARiad or hotel by the dunesDinner and a private room near Erg Chebbi
- DAY 02 · ERG CHEBBIPrivate 4×4 day & camp nightKhamlia · sunset camel trek · camp dinner
- DAY 03 · RETURNSunrise and the road to FesMidelt · Azrou cedar forest · Ifrane
Your Fes to Merzouga itinerary, day by day
The two main road journeys are roughly 470 km each way. Between them is a day spent locally around Erg Chebbi, with time out of the vehicle for music, tea and the dunes.
Day 1 · Fes → Ifrane → Azrou → Midelt → Ziz Valley → Merzouga
We meet you at your Fes accommodation, or at the nearest point your driver can reach if you are staying inside the medina. As the road climbs into the Middle Atlas, tiled roofs and gardens mark your arrival in Ifrane. Near Azrou, step out among the cedars and listen to the forest. You may spot Barbary macaques in the branches before you continue across the plateau.
Near Midelt, pause for lunch and a break from the road. The most striking change comes farther south, where the Ziz Valley opens below you. From the lookout, you can trace the date palms along the riverbed and pick out the earthen villages at their edges. Beyond Erfoud the palms thin, the horizon widens and the first ridges of Erg Chebbi come into view.
Your first evening is deliberately simple. Settle into your room at a Merzouga hotel or riad, take a short walk near the sand if daylight allows, and enjoy dinner at your accommodation. Tomorrow you can explore the dunes after a full night’s rest.
Night 1 · Private en-suite room at a Merzouga hotel or riad. Dinner and breakfast included.
Approx. distance · About 470 km
Time on the road · About 7–8 hours at the wheel, plus lunch, visits and breaks.
Day 2 · Merzouga → Khamlia → Erg Chebbi by 4×4 → desert camp
Over breakfast you can already see what a second day in Merzouga gives you: there is no long transfer this morning. Head out by 4×4 to explore the edges of Erg Chebbi. At Khamlia, a stop with local Gnawa musicians offers a chance to hear the deep pulse of the guembri and the metallic rhythm of the qraqeb. Your guide arranges the visit around the musicians’ availability.
Beyond Khamlia, sandy tracks give way to open, stony ground around the old mining area of Mifis. There is time to get out, look back at the dunes from a different angle and pause for lunch. When hosts are available, your guide can arrange mint tea with a local family. The exact circuit follows the day’s track conditions and the pace you prefer.
Later in the afternoon, meet your camel guide for the journey toward camp. From the top of a low ridge you can watch the wind-drawn lines of the sand turn copper in the evening light. If you prefer to ride by 4×4, we can arrange the camp transfer that way. Your luggage travels separately, and dinner is served at camp after you settle into your private tent.
Night 2 · Private en-suite tent at an Erg Chebbi desert camp. Dinner and breakfast included.
Approx. distance · About 50–80 km on local tracks, depending on the circuit
Time on the road · Allow 4–6 hours for the 4×4 outing, including visits and breaks. The sunset camp transfer follows later.
Day 3 · Erg Chebbi → Ziz Valley → Midelt → Middle Atlas → Fes
If you would like to see sunrise, step outside your tent while the sand is still cool. You need only walk a short way to watch the light reach the highest ridges. Return to camp for breakfast, then meet your driver for the journey north. We agree the camp pickup and luggage arrangements with you the evening before.
In the opposite direction the Ziz Valley feels different. The palms sit below the road as you climb out of the desert basin and back toward Midelt. Stop for lunch en route. Your driver can vary the comfort breaks and viewpoints so you can stretch your legs or enjoy a place you passed on the first day.
As the cedars and open fields of the Middle Atlas give way to the outskirts of Fes, we take you back to your hotel or riad, or the agreed access point at the medina. Keep the evening free for dinner in the city. If you have a train or flight to catch, the following morning gives you a more comfortable margin.
End of service · Drop-off in Fes. Your accommodation in Fes is booked separately.
Approx. distance · About 470 km
Time on the road · About 7–8 hours at the wheel, plus lunch, breaks and the morning camp transfer.
View the Fes–Merzouga round-trip route map
Your Merzouga riad and desert camp options
Spend your first night in a private room at a hotel or riad beside Erg Chebbi and your second in a private en-suite tent. Dinner and breakfast are included at both. If you prefer two nights at camp, tell us when you enquire so we can check the camp, transfers and any difference in price.
Choose Standard Comfort, Mid-Range or Premium below. We can also quote a hotel from one option with a camp from another. We confirm your properties in writing. If a featured stay is full on your dates, we offer a similar property of the same standard.
Standard Comfort
Night 1 · Merzouga hotel or riad
Dar Morocco or similar
Night 2 · Erg Chebbi desert camp
Dihya Desert Luxury Camp or similar
Mid-Range
Night 1 · Merzouga hotel or riad
Riad Madu or similar
Night 2 · Erg Chebbi desert camp
Tawada Luxury Desert Camp or similar
Premium
Night 1 · Merzouga hotel or riad
Sahara Pearl Hotel or similar
Night 2 · Erg Chebbi desert camp
Tiziri Camp or similar
Choose the room and tent that suit you
Tell us whether you prefer a double, twin or family arrangement. If stairs, distance across the sand, heating or air-conditioning hours matter to you, we will check the details with the properties before you book. Your vehicle is reserved for your party. Other travelers may stay at the same riad or camp.
What your private desert tour includes
Included in Your Tour
- ✓ Private vehicle with driver-guide for your group, fuel and road expenses
- ✓ Pickup and drop-off at your Fes accommodation or the closest agreed accessible point
- ✓ Two nights in your chosen category, in a private room and a private en-suite tent
- ✓ Two dinners and two breakfasts
- ✓ Private 4×4 outing around Erg Chebbi on the second day
- ✓ Camel trek to camp or an arranged 4×4 alternative
- ✓ Luggage transfer to and from camp
Not Included
- × Lunches, drinks and bottled water
- × Tips and personal purchases
- × Optional quad biking or dune buggy rides
- × Any optional entrance fees or contributions during visits
- × Flights, Fes accommodation and travel insurance
Private tour price and accommodation quote
Your price depends on your travel dates, how many people share the vehicle, and the hotel and camp you choose. We send you a price per person and a total for your party in euros, with the two overnight stays and included activities listed together.
Choose your group size, then send your dates for an exact quote.
For 2 travelers · private tour
Your quote covers the private vehicle, driver-guide, both stays, meals listed above, the Erg Chebbi excursion and camp transfers.
| Your choice | What we check for you |
|---|---|
| Party size | The vehicle that fits your party and how the private transport cost is shared. |
| Room and tent | The accommodation tier, room layout and any single-room supplement. |
| Travel dates | Availability at your chosen hotel and camp, including seasonal rates. |
| Special requests | A second camp night, an optional activity or a specific property. |
If you are traveling as a family, include the children’s ages and your preferred room layout.
Before a deposit is due, you receive the total, the confirmed accommodation arrangements, the inclusions and the booking terms.
Two days or three days from Fes?
Both routes involve a long drive to the dunes and another back to Fes. The extra night changes what happens between those journeys.
| Your experience | 2 days · one night | 3 days · this tour |
|---|---|---|
| Overnight stays | One night at the desert camp | One riad or hotel night and one camp night |
| Time at Erg Chebbi | Arrive from Fes, stay at camp and begin the return journey the following morning | Spend the middle day exploring the Merzouga area |
| Private 4×4 exploration | No full day for a circuit | Time for Khamlia and the tracks around Erg Chebbi |
| Best fit | A short window between stays in Fes | A less hurried desert stay between the two long drives |
If you have just one night, ask us about the two-day return. If your next hotel is in Marrakech, explore the one-way Fes to Marrakech desert tour.
Before you leave Fes
Pickup in the medina. Tell us the name of your riad. If the lane is too narrow for a vehicle, we agree on an easy meeting point with you.
Plan the nights on either side. Stay in Fes the night before departure. Allow the final evening for the return from Merzouga.
Pack a small overnight bag. Keep your camera, a warm layer, toiletries and anything you need at camp within reach. Your guide will explain the luggage transfer before you head into the dunes.
Dress for two landscapes. Layers work well for a cool mountain stop and a warm afternoon in the Sahara. Closed shoes are useful on gravel and sand.
Choose how you reach the tent. You can take a 4×4 instead of a camel. Tell us if members of your party prefer different arrangements.
Share dietary or access needs early. We can discuss meals, walking distances and the approach to your tent with the hotel and camp while preparing your quote.
Keep your final evening flexible
Lunch stops, weather and mountain traffic affect your arrival time. A flight or train the following day leaves you time to settle back into Fes.
Reviews from Travelers Who Toured with Our Team
An exceptional trip from start to finish. Everything went really, really well and we couldn’t be happier with the experience. It’s wonderful to find professionals who care so much that everything goes well, and who rise to the occasion even when unexpected weather comes up.
An incredible, ten-out-of-ten experience in the desert and Marrakech thanks to these people. They didn’t just guide us flawlessly through the dunes and the souks; along the way they explained the history, customs and way of life of the Berbers in a really interesting way. Their warmth made the trip magical.
It was my first time in Morocco and my first time traveling alone, with girls I didn’t know, but they made sure we all felt comfortable at every moment. I felt accompanied, guided and safe. The team, the organization, the riads, the activities: everything went excellently!
This was my second time with them: the first to travel around northern Morocco, and this time to see the Merzouga desert. […] If winding roads worry you, there’s nothing to fear with Youssef. I’m sure he’s the best driver in all of Morocco.
Reviews translated from Spanish. Read the originals on Google.
Questions about the Fes desert round trip
Does the tour return to the same riad in Fes?
Yes. We can arrange pickup and drop-off at the same property, or a different Fes address you provide. For a riad on a pedestrian lane we agree on the closest practical place for the vehicle.
How long is the drive from Fes to Merzouga?
Allow about 470 km and 7–8 hours of driving each way. Sightseeing, lunch and comfort breaks add to the elapsed time. Day 2 stays around Merzouga, with time out of the vehicle.
What makes the three-day trip different from the overnight tour?
The middle day is yours at Erg Chebbi. You can explore by 4×4, stop in Khamlia, have lunch in the desert area and arrive at camp around sunset, with a full night’s rest either side of that day.
Can we spend both nights at the same desert camp?
Yes, you can request two nights at one camp. We check availability, meals, luggage and camp transfers and confirm any price difference before you book.
What are the hotel and camp choices?
Standard Comfort pairs Dar Morocco with Dihya Desert Luxury Camp. Mid-Range pairs Riad Madu with Tawada Luxury Desert Camp. Premium pairs Sahara Pearl Hotel with Tiziri Camp. Similar properties in the same category can be offered if needed.
Is the sunset camel ride optional?
Yes. Ask for the 4×4 camp transfer when you enquire. Camel-ride timing depends on the camp location, daylight and the conditions on the dunes.
What will we do on the private 4×4 day?
The circuit explores Erg Chebbi and the Khamlia area. Depending on local arrangements it can include music, a stop near Mifis or tea with a local family. Your guide confirms the stops available that day.
Which meals are included?
Dinner and breakfast at both overnight stops are included. Lunches and drinks are extra. Tell us about allergies or dietary preferences when requesting the quote so the hotels and camp can confirm arrangements.
Can children or older travelers do this tour?
You travel privately and can agree on breaks and the length of stops. The first and last days are long. Share children’s ages, room needs and any walking or vehicle access requirements so we can help you decide whether the route fits.
Can we continue to Marrakech instead of coming back to Fes?
Yes. Choose our Fes to Marrakech desert tour for an onward crossing through the southern valleys. This itinerary brings you back to Fes.
How do we book and what will it cost?
Send your dates, group size, room preferences and preferred accommodation tier. We will send your personal quote, payment arrangements and the cancellation terms before you confirm.
Book your private Fes to Merzouga round trip
Tell us your travel dates, the number of people joining you and where you are staying in Fes. Choose a hotel and camp combination, or ask us to compare two options. We will reply with availability, your overnight arrangements and the total for your group.
Include your dates, travelers and any preferences.
Confirm the route, accommodation and final price.
Pay the agreed deposit after confirming the details.
Prefer a conversation? WhatsApp +212 680-062039 or email info@completemorocco.com. Payments can be arranged by PayPal, bank transfer or Wise. Please review our cancellation policy before booking.
Your local operator
Complete Morocco is operated by Pro Morocco Tours SARL, a registered Moroccan tour operator and tourist transport company based near Merzouga. Founder and lead guide Hassan Mezane works with our reservations team and driver-guides to plan and operate your journey. You book directly with the local team arranging your transport and overnight stays.
Trade register no. 20253 (Errachidia)
Contact Complete Morocco
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For a closer look at where you will sleep, see our guide to Merzouga and Erg Chebbi.
Browse all Morocco desert tours or plan a little extra time with the Fes city guide.
Spend your next two nights beside Erg Chebbi.
Send your Fes pickup point, dates and choice of stays. We will check the rooms and tents for your party and send a private tour quote.
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