If you want to experience the Sahara in a short time, this 3-day desert tour from Fes to Merzouga is one of the best ways to reach the Erg Chebbi dunes. The journey takes you through the Middle Atlas Mountains, Ifrane, the Azrou cedar forest and the scenic Ziz Valley before arriving in Merzouga. Here, you will enjoy a sunset camel ride, spend the night in a traditional Berber desert camp and experience the peaceful landscapes of the Sahara.
Travelers with less time can choose the shorter 2-day Fes to Merzouga desert tour. Those who want to continue their journey to Marrakech can book the 4-day Fes to Marrakech desert tour, which includes Merzouga, Todra Gorge, the Dades Valley and Ait Ben Haddou.
Travel from Fes to the Erg Chebbi dunes on a private 3-day desert tour with scenic stops, a camel trek and an overnight stay in the Sahara. Tell us your travel date and group size, and we will send you the best available price.
This 3-day desert tour from Fes to Merzouga offers a more relaxed way to experience the Sahara than the shorter 2-day itinerary. Travel through the Middle Atlas Mountains, stop in Ifrane and the Azrou cedar forest, cross the scenic Ziz Valley, and continue through Erfoud before reaching the Erg Chebbi dunes.
During your stay in Merzouga, you will have more time to explore the desert surroundings, visit local villages, and enjoy the peaceful landscapes around the dunes. The experience includes a sunset camel trek, an overnight stay in a Sahara Desert camp, dinner, and traditional music beneath the stars.
The tour ends with the return journey to Fes, with stops for panoramic views, refreshments, and lunch along the way. This private itinerary is ideal for travelers who want to experience the Sahara without feeling as rushed as on a 2-day tour.
Prices vary depending on group size, travel season and accommodation category. This is a private tour, and the price per person becomes lower when more travelers share the vehicle.
The price includes private transportation in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle, an experienced driver, pickup and drop-off in Fes, two nights of accommodation, dinners, breakfasts, a sunset camel trek and an overnight stay in a Merzouga desert camp near the Erg Chebbi dunes.
A luxury desert camp or upgraded accommodation is available on request. Lunches, drinks, entrance fees, tips, quad biking, buggy tours and other optional activities are not included unless confirmed in your quotation.
This private tour gives you more time to experience the Sahara than a 2-day trip while keeping the itinerary comfortable and well organised. You will travel with an experienced local driver, enjoy flexible stops and spend two nights near the Erg Chebbi dunes.
Your 3-day desert tour from Fes to Merzouga starts with morning pickup from your hotel or riad in Fes. You will travel south through the Middle Atlas Mountains, with several stops along the way for photographs, refreshments and panoramic views.
Your first stop will be in Ifrane, a mountain town known for its European-style architecture and clean streets. After a short visit, you will continue to the cedar forest near Azrou, where you may see Barbary macaques living among the trees.
The journey then continues toward Midelt, where you will stop for lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, you will cross the mountain roads and reach the Ziz Valley, one of the most scenic parts of the route. A panoramic stop allows you to see the palm groves, traditional villages and the valley stretching below.
You will arrive in Merzouga in the late afternoon. At the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes, you will meet your camel guide and begin the sunset camel trek to the desert camp.
After arriving at the camp, you will have time to settle into your tent before dinner. The evening usually includes traditional music around the fire, followed by free time to enjoy the quiet desert surroundings.
Accommodation: Desert camp near the Erg Chebbi dunes
Meals included: Dinner and breakfast
Wake up early to watch the sunrise over the Erg Chebbi dunes before returning to the camp for breakfast. Afterward, you will begin a 4×4 excursion around Merzouga to discover the villages, desert landscapes and communities surrounding the dunes.
The journey may include a visit to a nomadic family living outside Merzouga. You will have the opportunity to learn about their daily life and share a glass of traditional Moroccan tea. You will then continue across the desert tracks toward old mining areas and panoramic viewpoints overlooking Erg Chebbi.
Later, visit Khamlia, a small village known for its Gnawa musical traditions. Local musicians will perform traditional songs and explain the cultural history of the community. Lunch can be enjoyed at a local restaurant, where you may try Berber pizza, a regional speciality.
In the afternoon, return to your accommodation near the dunes. The rest of the day is free to relax, walk around Merzouga or choose an optional activity such as quad biking, buggy riding or sandboarding.
Depending on your accommodation arrangement, you can watch another desert sunset before enjoying dinner and your second night near Erg Chebbi.
Accommodation: Selected hotel, riad or desert camp near the Erg Chebbi dunes
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner
After breakfast, you will leave Merzouga and begin the return journey to Fes. Depending on the schedule, there may be a short stop in Rissani, a traditional market town known for its local souk and its historical importance in the Tafilalt region.
The drive continues through Erfoud and along the Ziz Valley, with time to stop at a panoramic viewpoint overlooking the palm groves and villages below. You will then cross the mountain landscapes toward Midelt, where you can stop for lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, travel through the Middle Atlas Mountains and pass the cedar forest near Azrou. Additional stops can be made for refreshments, photographs or a short break in Ifrane before continuing to Fes.
You will arrive in Fes in the evening, where your driver will drop you off at your hotel, riad or another agreed location. This marks the end of your 3-day desert tour from Fes to Merzouga.
Meals included: Breakfast
Drop-off: Your accommodation in Fes
Driving times are approximate and may vary depending on traffic, weather, road conditions and the number of stops made during the journey. Days 1 and 3 include long driving distances between Fes and Merzouga, but the private itinerary allows time for rest breaks, photographs, lunch and panoramic stops along the route.
Departure times may also be adjusted according to the season and sunset time. Your driver will organise the journey carefully to keep the tour comfortable while allowing you to enjoy the main stops without feeling rushed.
This 3-day Fes to Merzouga desert tour includes two nights of accommodation near the Erg Chebbi dunes.
On the first night, you will stay in a Sahara desert camp after the sunset camel trek. Standard accommodation may be arranged at Merzouga Glamping Camp, while a luxury option may be provided at Merzouga Dunes Luxury Camp or a similar camp near Erg Chebbi. Your stay includes a private tent, dinner and breakfast. Private bathroom facilities and air conditioning are available with selected upgraded options.
The second night is usually spent in a hotel or riad near Merzouga. Depending on the accommodation category selected, you may stay at Riad Merzouga Dunes, Dar Morocco, Chez Tonton or a similar property near the dunes.
The exact hotel and camp will be confirmed before booking according to your selected package and availability.
Night 1: Merzouga Glamping Camp, Merzouga Dunes Luxury Camp or similar
Night 2: Riad Merzouga Dunes, Dar Morocco, Chez Tonton or similar
Meals included: Dinner and breakfast on both nights
8:00 AM
This 3-day desert tour from Fes to Merzouga is organized as a private journey, so you will travel only with your own group and driver. Unlike a shared tour, the itinerary can be adjusted to suit your pace, interests, and comfort.
You can stop for photographs, refreshments, short walks and panoramic views along the route. More time can also be spent in places such as Ifrane, the Azrou cedar forest, the Ziz Valley or Merzouga, depending on the day’s schedule.
Your driver can adapt departure times and rest breaks when possible, making the tour suitable for couples, families, friends and small private groups. The main route and overnight stays remain planned in advance, while reasonable changes can be made during the journey to create a more personal Sahara experience.
The best times to take this 3-day desert tour from Fes to Merzouga are spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). During these months, daytime temperatures are usually comfortable for sightseeing, camel trekking, and exploring the Erg Chebbi dunes.
Summer, especially July and August, can be extremely hot in Merzouga. Tours still operate, but departure times and desert activities may be adjusted to avoid the hottest part of the day.
Winter, from December to February, offers pleasant daytime weather and clear desert views, although mornings and nights can be very cold. Warm clothing is essential, particularly for the overnight stay in the desert camp.
The tour is available throughout the year. The best time to visit depends on whether you want mild temperatures, fewer crowds, or warmer desert nights.
The drive between Fes and Merzouga is long, especially on the first and last days. We make regular stops for lunch, coffee, photographs and panoramic views, but you should still be comfortable spending several hours in the vehicle.
Bring comfortable clothes, walking shoes, sunscreen, sunglasses and a warm jacket for the evening. Even when the days are warm, temperatures can drop quickly after sunset, and winter nights in Merzouga can be very cold.
For the desert camp, it is easier to take a small overnight bag. Your larger luggage can stay safely in the vehicle or at your hotel. Guests who do not want to ride a camel can travel to the camp by 4×4 instead.
Please tell us before the tour if you need vegetarian meals, a child seat, a special room arrangement or help with walking. These requests can usually be arranged when we know in advance.
Lunches, drinks and optional activities are paid separately, so it is useful to carry some Moroccan dirhams during the journey. Travel insurance is also recommended.
Pack light and bring clothes that are comfortable for both warm days and cooler evenings. A small overnight bag is usually easier to take to the desert camp than a large suitcase.
Bring comfortable walking shoes, lightweight clothing, sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat for protection from the sun. A scarf can also be useful during the camel trek, especially if it is windy.
Temperatures can drop quickly after sunset, so pack a warm jacket, sweater or fleece. In winter, you may also need a heavier coat, warm socks and a hat for the night in Merzouga.
It is also helpful to bring:
Large luggage can normally remain safely in the vehicle or at your accommodation while you travel to the desert camp.
To book the 3-day Fes to Merzouga desert tour, send us your preferred travel date, number of travelers, pickup accommodation in Fes and your chosen accommodation category.
We will confirm availability and send you the final price based on your group size and travel requirements. Your reservation is confirmed once the agreed deposit has been received.
Please also tell us in advance about children, dietary requirements, room preferences, mobility needs or any optional activities you would like to add.
A deposit of €100–€200 is required to confirm the booking. The exact deposit amount depends on the group size and total tour price.
The deposit can be paid securely through PayPal. The remaining balance is normally paid in cash to your driver at the beginning of the tour.
Card payment may also be available, with an additional 5% processing fee. Full payment instructions will be included in your booking confirmation.
We understand that travel plans can change. Our cancellation conditions are:
Changing your travel date is usually possible without losing your deposit, subject to availability. Please contact us as early as possible if you need to change or cancel your booking
Looking for a shorter Sahara trip, a longer desert journey or a tour that finishes in Marrakech? Explore these private Morocco tours from Fes:
Reach the Erg Chebbi dunes on a short private tour from Fes, including scenic stops, a sunset camel trek and one night in a Sahara desert camp.
Travel from Fes to Marrakech through the Middle Atlas Mountains and Merzouga, with a camel trek and an overnight stay in the desert.
Enjoy a more comfortable journey from Fes to Marrakech through Merzouga, Todra Gorge, the Dades Valley and the High Atlas Mountains.
Discover Merzouga, Todra Gorge, the Dades Valley, Ouarzazate and Ait Ben Haddou before crossing the High Atlas Mountains to Marrakech.
Choose a slower private itinerary with more time in the Sahara, traditional villages, valleys and kasbahs between Fes and Marrakech.
