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→ Overview: 3 Days Tour from Fes to Merzouga Desert
This 3 days Fes to Merzouga desert tour gives you a full day in the Sahara before your night in the dunes. First, you cross the Middle Atlas and sleep in a hotel in Merzouga. Then, you meet nomads, listen to Gnawa music in Khamlia and ride a camel to a desert camp. Finally, you return to Fes through the Ziz Valley and Ifrane.
Private tour · Daily departures · Pick-up at your riad. Request your free quote or message us on WhatsApp.
Languages
English, Spanish
Tour type
Private Tour
Availability
All year round, with daily departures
→ 3 Days Fes to Merzouga at a Glance
| Duration | 3 days / 2 nights |
|---|---|
| Start and end | Fes, with pick-up at your riad or hotel at 8:00 AM |
| Route | Fes – Ifrane – Azrou – Midelt – Ziz Valley – Merzouga – Khamlia – Fes |
| Nights | 1 hotel in Merzouga, 1 desert camp in Erg Chebbi |
| Meals | 2 dinners and 2 breakfasts |
| Camel ride | About 1 hour to the camp at sunset (a 4×4 transfer is possible) |
| Back in Fes | Around 5:30–6:00 PM on day 3 |
| Best season | March to May and September to November |
→ Why Choose This 3 Days Fes to Merzouga Tour
The extra day makes a big difference. Instead of driving straight back after the camp, you have a whole day to enjoy the desert.
- A relaxed first night. You rest in a hotel after the long drive from Fes.
- Desert culture. You visit nomads and listen to Gnawa music in Khamlia.
- Sunset and sunrise in the dunes. The camel ride and the camp come on day 2.
- Private from start to finish. Only your group travels with your driver.
Short on time? The 2-day Merzouga tour from Fes is the quickest option.
→ 3 Days Fes to Merzouga Highlights
- Cross the Middle Atlas and its cedar forests.
- See Barbary macaques near Azrou.
- Follow the palm groves of the Ziz Valley.
- Relax in a hotel at the edge of the dunes.
- Visit a nomad family in their tent.
- Listen to Gnawa music in Khamlia.
- Ride a camel at sunset across Erg Chebbi.
- Sleep under the stars in a desert camp.
→ 3 Days Fes to Merzouga Itinerary, Day by Day
Day 1: Fes – Ifrane – Azrou – Midelt – Ziz Valley – Merzouga
Your driver picks you up at your riad or hotel in Fes at 8:00 AM. First, we climb into the Middle Atlas and stop in Ifrane, often called the “Switzerland of Morocco”. Next, we cross the cedar forest near Azrou, where Barbary macaques often sit by the road; please watch them, but do not feed them.
Then, we stop for lunch in Midelt, between the Middle and High Atlas. Afterwards, the road follows the gorges and palm groves of the Ziz Valley to Erfoud. Finally, we reach Merzouga, at the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes, in the late afternoon.
On arrival, you check in at your hotel. If the weather is warm, you can enjoy the pool before dinner.
Overnight
Hotel in Merzouga, with dinner and breakfast. Driving time: about 7–8 hours with stops.
Day 2: A Day around Merzouga and a Night in the Dunes
After breakfast, we explore the area around Erg Chebbi by 4×4. First, we visit a nomad family in their goat-hair tent and share a mint tea. Then, we stop in Khamlia, a village known for its Gnawa music.
Depending on the season, we also see the lake of Dayet Srji, where flamingos sometimes stop. In the afternoon, you have free time to rest or climb the dunes.
Lunch is at Khamlia or back at the hotel. Afterwards, your camel trek in Merzouga begins, and you reach the camp at sunset. Later, you share a Berber dinner with drums under the stars.
Overnight
Private tent in a desert camp in Erg Chebbi, with dinner and breakfast.
Day 3: Merzouga – Ziz Valley – Midelt – Azrou – Ifrane – Fes
Wake up early to watch the sunrise over the dunes, then ride back to the hotel.
After breakfast, we drive north through Erfoud, Errachidia and the Ziz Valley. Then, we climb to Midelt and cross the Middle Atlas. On the way, we stop in the cedar forest near Azrou and in Ifrane. Finally, we reach Fes in the early evening and drop you at your accommodation.
Drop-off
At your accommodation in Fes, around 5:30–6:00 PM.
→ What’s Included and Not Included
Everything is clear from the start, so there are no surprise fees.
What's Included
Covered from start to finish
- Private tour and transport in an air-conditioned vehicle with seat belts.
- Pick-up and drop-off at your accommodation in Fes.
- 1 night in a hotel in Merzouga.
- 1 night in a desert camp in Erg Chebbi.
- 2 dinners and 2 breakfasts (vegetarians welcome).
- Experienced English-speaking driver-guide.
- Fuel, tolls and all vehicle costs.
- Camel handler and camel ride of about 1 hour (or a 4×4 transfer to the camp if you prefer).
- Sandboards, free to use at the camp.
What's not Included
Extra costs to plan for
- Flights.
- Lunches (picnic or restaurant stops).
- Drinks with meals.
- Tips and personal expenses.
- Entrance fees to monuments and museums.
- Travel insurance.
- Anything not listed under “Included”.
→ 3 Days Fes to Merzouga Route Map
→ Photo Gallery
→ Good to Know: 3 Days Fes to Merzouga
- Private & door to doorPrivate tour: only your group, with your own driver and vehicle. Pick-up at your riad or hotel in Fes; drop-off in Fes.
- Driving timeDays 1 and 3 are long drives (about 7–8 hours each); day 2 is spent around Merzouga with short 4×4 trips.
- AltitudeIfrane and Azrou in the Middle Atlas sit at about 1,600 m – mornings and evenings are fresh even in spring.
- Desert night1 night in a desert camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes and 1 night in a hotel in Merzouga; the camel ride to camp usually takes about an hour. From November to March desert nights can drop close to 0 °C – bring a warm layer.
- Best seasonBest months: March to May and September to November. In July and August the desert passes 40 °C, so activities are planned early in the morning and at sunset.
- What to bringBring cash in dirhams for lunches, drinks and tips, plus sunglasses, sunscreen and a scarf for sun and sand.
Local Expert Tip
Climb the highest dune near your camp for sunset on day 2: it takes about 40 minutes on foot in soft sand, so set off early and carry water.
→ 3 Days Fes to Merzouga: Frequently Asked Questions
Why choose 3 days instead of 2?
You get a full day in the desert and a hotel night after the long drive. As a result, the trip is far more relaxing.
Do we carry our luggage on the camels?
No. Our team takes your main bags to your tent by 4×4, so you only need a small backpack.
Are the hotel and the camp private?
Yes. You have a private room in the Merzouga hotel and a private tent in the camp.
What time do we get back to Fes?
Usually around 5:30–6:00 PM on day 3.
What should I pack?
Warm layers for the night and sun protection for the day. See what to pack for the Sahara desert.
Can we finish in Marrakech?
Yes. Choose a Fes to Marrakech desert tour instead.
→ Customize Your 3 Days Fes to Merzouga Tour
Because this is a private tour, you can adapt it. For example, travellers often ask us to:
- Add the Todra Gorge with the 4-day Merzouga tour from Fes.
- Finish in Marrakech instead of Fes.
- Add a Chefchaouen day trip before or after the desert.
- Travel with children at a slower pace on Morocco family tours.
Have something else in mind? Then let us plan a tailor-made Morocco tour.
→ Book Your 3 Days Fes to Merzouga Tour
Ask us for the price
This 3 days tour from Fes to Merzouga is private, so the price depends on your group size, travel dates and the riad or camp category you choose. Send us your dates and number of travellers and we will reply with a clear quote, with no hidden costs.
- Private driver & vehicle
- Built around your dates
- Free, no-obligation quote
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→ What Our Travelers Say
“My mom and I had a great trip! Abdul Abderrahim guided our group of 22 for 10 days all around the country. He always a delight and informative. He was very attentive to any needs or wishes of the group and made the trip seamless. Thank you!”
Chip S
Traveled with family
“The entire adventure was marvelous. There was a lot of driving but our driver was very safe and he made frequent stops and showed us many landmarks and cultural treasures. Our visit to the desert was our highlight of the trip. I can highly recommend.”
Evita M
Traveled with friends
“Just returned from a fascinating 12 day Morocco group tour with guide Abdul. We had an amazing, immersive, super fun experience. Abdul was incredibly knowledgeable, kind, funny, patient, and pleasant. He shared personal memories of growing up Berber…”
Maria R
Traveled with friends
“We had a two week tour through Morocco and it was excellent. We visited many different locations, including the big city medina’s of Marrakech and Fez, the lovely coastal city of Essaouira, the fabulous desert area…”
Catherina2015