3 days · 2 nights
Private tours from Fes
3-Day Fes to Merzouga Desert Tour
A round trip from Fes to the Sahara with a night in a luxury desert camp and a full day exploring Merzouga — nomads, Gnawa music in Khamlia, palm groves and the seasonal lake.
- Duration
- 3 days · 2 nights
- Departure
- Fes
- Destination
- Merzouga (Erg Chebbi dunes)
- Ends in
- Fes
Overview
Three days is enough to reach the Sahara from Fes and still have time to enjoy it. Rather than driving straight back after the camp, this round trip spends a whole day exploring the Merzouga region.
The drive south crosses the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas and follows the Ziz Valley to the dunes, where a sunset camel trek leads to your camp. The next day you meet a nomad family, hear Gnawa music in Khamlia and visit the palm groves and seasonal lake before a night in a hotel. The final day returns to Fes via Rissani and Erfoud.
Route
- Fes
- Ifrane
- Midelt
- Ziz Valley
- Merzouga
- Khamlia
- Rissani
- Erfoud
- Fes
Highlights
- Ifrane, the cedar forest and Barbary macaques
- The Tizi n'Talghemt pass and the Ziz Valley
- Sunset camel trek and a night in a luxury camp
- Visit a nomad family and share Berber tea
- Gnawa music in Khamlia
- Rissani market and a fossil workshop in Erfoud
Photo gallery
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1
Fes – Ifrane – cedar forest – Midelt – Ziz Valley – Merzouga
Early pick-up from the airport or your accommodation in Fes. We drive south through Imouzzer to Ifrane, known for its cool climate, winter snow and alpine-style houses, then into the cedar forest where Barbary macaques live. Lunch is in Midelt before we cross the Tizi n'Talghemt pass and follow the Ziz river south. In the afternoon we reach Merzouga, where you switch to camels and ride into the dunes for sunset. At the luxury camp, enjoy Berber drums around the campfire, dinner and a night under the stars.
- Overnight:
- Luxury desert camp, Erg Chebbi
Day 2
Exploring the Merzouga region – nomads, Khamlia, lake and palm grove
Watch the sunrise from the dunes, have breakfast and return by camel to meet your driver. The day is dedicated to the Merzouga region, with its dunes, oases, old mines and fossil areas. We drive off-road to an old kohl (eyeliner) mine, visit a nomad family in their woven tent for Berber tea, and continue to Khamlia, where the Gnawa community — with roots in sub-Saharan Africa — shares its music. After lunch, walk in a palm grove and visit Merzouga's seasonal lake, known for flamingos when there is water. Dinner and the night at a hotel.
- Overnight:
- Hotel in Merzouga
Day 3
Merzouga – Rissani – Erfoud – Ziz Valley – Ifrane – Fes
After breakfast we leave the desert for Rissani, the historic capital of the Tafilalet, whose large market is busiest on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, and visit a fossil-marble workshop in Erfoud. We follow the Ziz river, stopping for a panoramic view of the valley, then drive back through the cedar forest and Ifrane to Fes, where we drop you at your accommodation or the airport.
What's included
- Pick-up and drop-off at your accommodation or the airport
- Private transport in an air-conditioned 4×4, including fuel
- English-speaking driver
- 1 night in a hotel or riad
- 1 night in a luxury desert camp with private bathrooms
- Camel ride (one camel per person)
- Sandboards available at the camp
- Breakfasts and dinners
- Stops at points of interest along the route
- Berber drumming evening at the camp
What's not included
- Lunches
- Drinks
- Entrance and activity fees
- Flights
Accommodation
- Night 1: luxury desert camp with private bathrooms
- Night 2: hotel in Merzouga
Practical information
- Tour type
- Private round trip from Fes
- Pick-up
- Your accommodation or the airport in Fes
- Route
- Fes – Ifrane – Erfoud – Merzouga – Fes
Frequently asked questions
Is this a private tour?
Yes. Our tours are private: you travel only with your own group, with a dedicated driver and vehicle. You will not be joined by other travellers.
Where does the tour start and finish?
The tour starts in Fes, with pick-up from your accommodation or the airport, and finishes in Fes. If you would like to start or finish somewhere else, let us know — the starting and end points can be adapted.
How much does this tour cost?
The price depends on the number of travellers, your travel dates and your choice of accommodation. Send us your dates and group size by WhatsApp or email and we will reply with a personal quote.
Can the itinerary be changed?
Yes. Every itinerary can be adapted to your pace, interests and budget — you can add nights, skip stops or combine routes. Tell us what you have in mind when you enquire.
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Tell us when you would like to travel and who is coming. We will reply personally with ideas, availability and a quote.
WhatsApp +212 633 136 786 · greatmoroccoexperience@gmail.com