2-Day Desert Tour from Fez

Overview

Not everyone visiting Fez has a week to spare, and this round-trip desert escape is built for exactly that. In two days, it takes you out of the medina and across the Middle Atlas to the dunes of Erg Chebbi, delivers one full night in the Sahara, and brings you back to Fez in time for whatever comes next on your trip.

It's an intense route by the numbers — roughly a thousand kilometers of driving over two days — but the payoff is real: a camel ride into the dunes at sunset, dinner and Berber drumming around a campfire, and a genuinely dark sky overhead. For travelers who'd otherwise skip the desert entirely for lack of time, this tour closes that gap.

Think of it as a concentrated dose of the Sahara rather than a leisurely exploration — if your schedule allows for more, a longer route lets you spread the driving out and add extra desert time. But if two days is what you have, this covers the essentials.

Tour Highlights

• Cross the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas Mountains
• Spot wild Barbary macaques near Azrou
• Take in panoramic views of the palm-lined Ziz Valley
• Ride a camel into the dunes of Erg Chebbi
• Watch a striking sunset and sunrise over the Sahara
• Spend a starry night at a desert camp

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Fez - Ifrane - Middle Atlas - Ziz Valley - Merzouga

Departure from Fez at around 8:00 AM, heading south toward Merzouga. The first stop is Ifrane, an orderly alpine-style town often nicknamed Morocco's "Little Switzerland" for its stone chalets and pine-covered hills — a good spot for a coffee before continuing. From there, we climb into the cedar forest near Azrou, where wild Barbary macaques are often seen foraging along the roadside.

We continue across the Middle Atlas to Midelt, known locally as Morocco's apple-growing capital, for a lunch stop. The road then climbs through the Tizi n'Talghemt pass — sometimes called the camel pass — before descending into the Ziz Valley, a ribbon of palm oases and small traditional villages threading through otherwise barren terrain, with several stops along the way to take in the scenery.

Arriving in Merzouga by afternoon, camels and their handlers are waiting to lead you across the dunes of Erg Chebbi to the desert camp. From a high dune, you'll watch the sunset turn the sand a deep orange before a delicious dinner and an evening around the campfire, with Berber music under a sky thick with stars.

Driving distance: Approximately 500 km Driving time: Approximately 7 hours 30 minutes Meals: Dinner

Day 2: Merzouga - Rissani - Fez

Waking early for sunrise over the dunes is highly recommended — the shifting light across Erg Chebbi is one of the trip's defining moments. After breakfast at the camp, we head to Rissani, considered the ancestral home of Morocco's current royal family.

If the day falls on Tuesday, Thursday, or Sunday, we'll have the chance to wander one of its genuinely local souks. From there, the journey back to Fez passes through Erfoud and retraces the Ziz Valley, arriving with a transfer directly to your accommodation.

Driving distance: Approximately 473 km Driving time: Approximately 7 hours Meals: Breakfast

What's Included

Included Services

• Pickup from your hotel or riad in Fez
• Modern air-conditioned vehicle: 4x4, van, or minibus
• Spanish-speaking driver, or driver with Spanish-speaking guide (other languages available on request)
• One night in a luxury desert camp
• 1 breakfast and 1 dinner
• Camel ride
• Sandboarding
• Return transfer to your hotel or riad in Fez

What's Not Included

Excluded Services

• Lunches
• Drinks
• Optional tips

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this tour depart from and return to Fez?

Yes, it's a round-trip route that starts and ends in Fez, with one night away in the desert.

Can you really experience the Sahara properly in just two days?

Yes, though it's an intense route with many hours on the road. It works well for travelers with limited time who still don't want to miss Merzouga.

Is the camel ride included?

Yes, along with the sandboarding activity at the camp.

What kind of accommodation is included?

One night in a luxury desert camp, including dinner and breakfast.

Is the Rissani market included?

Yes, provided the tour falls on a market day — typically Tuesday, Thursday, or Sunday.

What should I pack?

Comfortable clothing, sunglasses, sunscreen, a warm layer for cold desert nights, sturdy shoes, and a small daypack.

Is this tour suitable for couples or families?

Yes, though the long driving days are worth keeping in mind. It can be arranged for couples, families, or small groups.

When is the best time of year for this route?

Spring and autumn tend to be the most comfortable seasons, though the tour can run for much of the year.

Important Notes

• It's a short tour with long driving days, so it's worth preparing for an intense pace.
• Barbary macaque sightings depend on the day's conditions and aren't guaranteed.
• The Rissani market can only be visited if the day matches a market day.

Looking for a quick Sahara escape from Fez? Contact Maroccodeserttours and we'll set up your 2-day desert tour.