The dye vats of the Chouara tannery surrounded by houses of the Fez medina

8 private tours

Fes to Merzouga desert tour

A Fes to Merzouga desert tour is the shortest way into the desert from any of Morocco’s big cities: in a single day you cross the Middle Atlas and reach the Erg Chebbi dunes in time for sunset.

The tours compared

DaysRouteEnds in
3 3 days from Fes to MerzougaCedar forests of the Middle Atlas · Ziz Valley · Erg Chebbi dunes · Gnawa music of Khamlia Round trip from Fes View
3 3 days from Fes to MarrakechCedar forests of the Middle Atlas · Ziz Valley · Erg Chebbi dunes · Rissani souk · Todra Gorge Marrakech View
4 4 days from Fes to MerzougaCedar forests of the Middle Atlas · Ziz Valley · Dades Valley · Todra Gorge · Erg Chebbi dunes Round trip from Fes View
4 4 days from Fes to MarrakechCedar forests of the Middle Atlas · Ziz Valley · Erg Chebbi dunes · Gnawa music of Khamlia · Rissani souk Marrakech View
5 5 days from Fes to MarrakechCedar forests of the Middle Atlas · Ziz Valley · Erg Chebbi dunes · Gnawa music of Khamlia · Rissani souk Marrakech View
6 6 days from Fes to MarrakechCedar forests of the Middle Atlas · Ziz Valley · Erg Chebbi dunes · Rissani souk · Todra Gorge Marrakech View
7 7-day Morocco tour from FesMeknes · Volubilis · Chefchaouen · Rabat · Hassan II Mosque Round trip from Fes View
10 10 days from Fes to TangierFes medina · Cedar forests of the Middle Atlas · Ziz Valley · Erg Chebbi dunes · Rissani souk Tangier View

The route from Fes to the desert

It’s about 470 kilometres, 8 to 10 hours with stops. You head into the Middle Atlas via Ifrane, nicknamed the Switzerland of Morocco, and the Azrou cedar forest, home to Barbary macaques. After Midelt, the road drops down the Ziz Valley, a canyon of palm trees, to Errachidia, Erfoud and Merzouga.

Back to Fes or on to Marrakech

The 3-day Merzouga tour from Fes goes there and back, with a full day in the desert. But most travellers don’t return: the Fes to Marrakech tours spend the night in the dunes and carry on through the Todra Gorge, the Dades Valley and Ait Ben Haddou. That way you see half of Morocco in a single trip.

With 6 days, the route also heads down to Erg Chigaga, far more remote dunes that can only be reached by track. And the 7-day tour is a loop through Chefchaouen, Rabat, Marrakech and the desert, back to Fes.

What the tours from Fes include

  • Private air-conditioned vehicle with a multilingual driver
  • Pick-up at your accommodation in Fes
  • Accommodation with breakfast every night
  • Dinner at the desert camp
  • Camel ride optional: the transfer to the camp can also be by 4x4
  • Not included: lunches, monument entrance fees and tips

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to get from Fes to Merzouga?

Between 8 and 10 hours by road with stops, for about 470 kilometres.

Can I do a Fes desert tour in 2 days?

We don’t offer it: it would mean two days of 8 to 10 hours in the car, with hardly any time on the dunes. The minimum is the 3-day tour, with a full day in the desert.

Can I do the Fes desert tour without riding a camel?

Yes. The camel ride is optional: if you prefer, the whole route is done by 4x4, including the transfer to the camp.

Can I finish the tour in Marrakech?

Yes. We have Fes to Marrakech tours via the desert from 3 to 6 days, and the 10-day tour ends in Tangier.

Will we see Barbary macaques?

Often, in the Azrou cedar forest beside the road. They’re wild animals, so it can’t be guaranteed.

Tassili Luxury Desert Camp at dusk, with the tents lit up
The tents of Tassili Luxury Desert Camp among the dunes

Where to sleep in the desert

A night in a private tent

If you want to stay longer in the desert, Tassili Luxury Desert Camp has ten tents with private bathrooms in Erg Znaigui, away from the main camp area.

  • Ten private tents
  • A private bathroom in every tent
  • In Erg Znaigui, away from the main camp area
See the tents
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