3-Day Private Desert Tour from Fes to Merzouga
Starts inFesEnds inFes
The sounds of Gnawa music in Khamlia, the market traditions of Rissani and the sweeping dunes of Erg Chebbi give this private 3-day desert tour from Fes to Merzouga its distinctive character. Travel through the Middle Atlas and Ziz Valley for a sunset camel trek and overnight Sahara camp stay, followed by a full-day 4×4 excursion and a night in a Merzouga riad before returning to Fes.
For your own party · Flexible departure dates
01 / Overview
Your tour at a glance
The Merzouga region offers an inviting combination of Sahara landscapes, traditional music and local desert communities. This private 3-day round trip from Fes begins with a scenic journey through Ifrane, the cedar forests near Azrou and the Ziz Valley before reaching Erg Chebbi for a sunset camel trek and overnight desert camp experience.
On day 2, explore Khamlia, fossil-rich landscapes and Rissani during a private 4×4 excursion, with locally arranged nomadic-family encounters when available. Spend the night in a Merzouga riad before returning to Fes through Midelt and the Middle Atlas. The itinerary includes substantial driving on days 1 and 3.
- Tour type
- Private · your own party
- Departures
- On request, subject to availability
- Transport
- Private A/C vehicle & desert 4×4
- Local guides
- Local sightseeing guides as specified in your quotation
- Accommodation
- Desert camp · Riads
- Included meals
- 3 breakfasts · 2 dinners
Your route
- Fes
- Ifrane & Azrou cedar forest
- Midelt & Ziz Valley
- Merzouga & Erg Chebbi
- Khamlia
- Nomadic encounters & fossil landscapes
- Rissani
- Merzouga
- Ziz Valley & Midelt
- Middle Atlas & Ifrane
- Fes
Tour highlights
- Ifrane & Azrou cedar forests
- Midelt & the Ziz Valley
- Sunset camel trek & camp night
- A full day exploring by 4×4
- Khamlia & Rissani
- Two nights in the Sahara region
Like all our private Morocco tours, this journey can be adapted to your interests and preferred pace.
02 / Day by day
Your 3-day itinerary
Open each day for the full program, accommodation and included meals.
Distances & driving times: All driving figures are approximate and refer to time in the vehicle, not the length of the day’s visit. Sightseeing, meals, rest stops, camel rides, and camp transfers take additional time.
Fes → Ifrane → Cedar Forest → Ziz Valley → Merzouga Desert
We arrange an early pickup and breakfast before the long drive from Fes to Merzouga. Stop in Ifrane and the cedar forest near Azrou, where Barbary macaques may be seen, then continue through Midelt and the Ziz Valley’s palm groves. Reach Erg Chebbi for a camel trek timed around sunset, weather, and your arrival. Settle into your tent at your camp near Merzouga and enjoy a Moroccan dinner, with Berber music around the campfire when conditions allow.
- Distance
- Approx. 460–480 km
- Driving time
- Approx. 7–8 hours
- Accommodation
- Sahara Desert Camp or similar · Erg Chebbi, Merzouga
- Included meals
- Breakfast & Dinner
Merzouga → Khamlia → Desert Exploration → Rissani → Merzouga
Watch sunrise over Erg Chebbi if the weather is clear, then have breakfast at camp before a private 4×4 excursion. Visit Khamlia for Gnawa music, explore fossil-rich areas and desert viewpoints, and share mint tea with a nomadic family when the hosts are available and welcome guests. Continue to Rissani, where market activity varies by day. Your driver adapts the circuit to track conditions. Return to your riad in Merzouga in the afternoon and enjoy dinner there.
- Distance
- Approx. 80–110 km
- Driving time
- Approx. 2–3 hours
- Accommodation
- Riad Azawad or similar · Merzouga
- Included meals
- Breakfast & Dinner
Merzouga → Ziz Valley → Midelt → Middle Atlas → Fes
Leave Merzouga early after breakfast at your riad and follow the Ziz Valley north, pausing for views of its palm groves and rocky hillsides. Continue through Midelt and the Middle Atlas, with time for lunch, rest stops, and photographs before passing Ifrane on the approach to Fes. Expect a late-afternoon or evening arrival. Your tour ends at your Fes accommodation or agreed meeting point; share onward travel plans before booking so we can check the timing.
- Distance
- Approx. 460–480 km
- Driving time
- Approx. 7–8 hours
- Accommodation
- None — tour ends today
- Included meals
- Breakfast
03 / Accommodation
Where You’ll Stay
Two nights in the Merzouga region: one at a Sahara desert camp in Erg Chebbi, followed by one in a riad in Merzouga.
| Nights | Destination | Accommodation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Erg Chebbi, Merzouga |
Sahara Desert Campor similar |
| 2 |  Merzouga |
Riad Azawador similar |
| Total | 2 NightsCheck-out on day 3. | |
Your written proposal confirms the camp, Merzouga riad, room and tent categories before you book. The tour returns to Fes on day 3; no overnight stay there is included.
Rooms that suit your party
Tell us if you need double, twin, single or family rooms. Connecting rooms and particular room preferences depend on availability. We show any single-room supplement in your quote.
Your Sahara camp stay
We confirm your tent category, bathroom facilities and agreed camp transfers in your proposal. Tell us about your preferred comfort level and ask about heating or air-conditioning for your dates; facilities depend on the selected camp and tent category.
For a journey with upgraded accommodation, explore our Morocco luxury tours and discuss your preferred stays with our team.
04 / What your tour covers
Included & not included
Included
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Fes pickup & drop-offPrivate pickup from your Fes accommodation or agreed meeting point on day 1 and return to Fes on day 3.
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Private transport & driverAir-conditioned road transport with an experienced professional driver and a private 4×4 for the day 2 desert excursion.
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2 nights’ accommodation1 night at a Sahara desert camp in Erg Chebbi and 1 night in a riad in Merzouga.
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3 breakfasts & 2 dinnersBreakfast on days 1–3 and dinner on days 1–2. Day 1 breakfast is coordinated with your Fes pickup.
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Camel trek & camp arrangementsA sunset camel ride across the Erg Chebbi dunes on day 1 and the agreed return from camp on day 2.
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Full-day private 4×4 excursionDay 2 exploration around Merzouga, including Khamlia, fossil landscapes, locally arranged nomadic encounters and Rissani.
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Licensed local guidesLocal sightseeing guides for the visits specified in your written quotation. Your private driver handles road transport; a stop in a town or city does not by itself include a guided city tour.
Not included
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FlightsInternational and domestic flights.
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Lunches & drinksAll lunches and drinks with meals or during the journey.
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Entrance ticketsPaid monument admission, unless expressly included in your proposal.
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Travel insurance
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Personal expenses & tipsIncluding shopping and gratuities.
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Optional activities & extra nightsQuad biking, additional visits, dinner after the tour on day 3, Fes accommodation before or after the tour, and changes outside the agreed proposal.
Visits & admission tickets. The camel trek, agreed camp transfers and day 2 private 4×4 excursion are included. Paid monument admission is extra unless stated in your proposal. Family visits and music encounters are arranged locally, with the hosts’ agreement and availability.
05 / Price & booking
Your price & how to book
Price on request
We price this private tour for your own party. Share your dates, number of adults and children, preferred rooms and accommodation style, and we will prepare an itemized proposal.
- Your price is based on
- Group size, children’s ages, travel season, room occupancy, chosen accommodation and any itinerary changes.
- Single rooms & supplements
- Single-room costs, peak-season supplements and optional extras are shown separately when they apply.
- Before you confirm
- We state the total price, currency, inclusions and any payment fees in writing. Availability is checked for your dates.
Booking in 3 steps
- Tell us your plansSend your dates, number of travelers and room preferences. We prepare your personalized proposal.
- Agree the details & make your paymentReview the itinerary, stays, total price and conditions. Pay a 30% deposit when booking more than 30 days before the tour begins, or 100% when booking within 30 days of arrival. Reservations are subject to availability and our written confirmation after payment.
- Pay the remaining 70%If you paid a deposit, the remaining 70% is due at least 15 days before arrival. Bookings within 30 days of arrival require full payment at confirmation. Your written quotation states the exact payment due dates.
Payment options: credit/debit card, PayPal or bank transfer. See our booking guide for the complete process.
Changes & cancellation
Email us to request a change or cancellation. Changes are subject to availability; we explain additional costs before making changes. Cancellation charges depend on when we receive your email. See our cancellation policy for the rates, refund calculation and group-size changes. If we must cancel your tour, you can choose a full refund or an alternative date, subject to your agreement.
06 / Before you travel
Essential travel information
Airport transfers, vehicle & driver
A round trip from Fes
Your driver collects you from your Fes accommodation or agreed meeting point early on day 1. The tour returns to Fes in the late afternoon or evening on day 3. Send your accommodation and onward travel details so we can confirm the pickup, first-day breakfast and final drop-off arrangements.
Your vehicle & driver
Travel in a private air-conditioned vehicle selected for your party and luggage, with a private 4×4 for the Merzouga excursion. Your proposal confirms the driver’s language, camp transfers and local arrangements. Request child seats or a vehicle alternative to the camel ride before booking. Your driver handles road transport. Your written quotation identifies the visits with an included local sightseeing guide.
The daily figures show approximate distances and time in the vehicle, excluding visits and other stops. Days 1 and 3 each involve approximately 7–8 hours of road driving and need early departures. Day 2 is a full-day desert excursion with approximately 2–3 hours spent driving between visits. Expect a late-afternoon or evening return to Fes.
Walking & accessibility
Walking in the dunes involves soft sand, and market lanes can have uneven surfaces. The desert excursion includes rough tracks. Tell us about mobility needs before booking so we can assess the route, stays, camp access and suitable alternatives together.
Weather & packing
Bring comfortable shoes, sun protection and layers for the Atlas Mountains and desert evenings. Sahara nights can be cold, especially in winter. Discuss your tent facilities with us and check the forecast close to departure.
Meals & special requests
Breakfast is included on days 1–3 and dinner on days 1–2. Day 1 breakfast is arranged around the Fes pickup. Lunches, drinks and dinner after the tour on day 3 are separate. Tell us about allergies or dietary needs before booking.
Visits & local arrangements
Monument admission is extra unless listed in your proposal. Family and music encounters depend on local availability, while Rissani’s market activity varies by day. Camp music, sunrise, sunset and wildlife sightings depend on conditions.
Documents & insurance
Check passport, visa and entry requirements with the appropriate official government or consular service. Travel insurance is excluded; consider suitable cancellation, medical and baggage cover.
Help during your tour
Keep our telephone and WhatsApp details with you. Tell your driver and our local team promptly if a problem arises or your travel plans change, so we can review the arrangements with you.
Personalize the route, stays & guide language
Add a night, choose a different riad or slow down the city visits. Tell us your interests and preferred pace so we can explain the options and any price difference.
Local guides can be requested in English, Italian, French or Spanish, subject to availability. We agree language requirements before confirmation.
For a shorter journey focused on the Sahara, browse our Morocco desert tours.
For currency, clothing and connectivity, read our Morocco travel preparation advice.
07 / Frequently asked questions
Questions about this tour
Is the Fes to Merzouga Desert Tour private?
Yes. Your road transport, itinerary and day 2 desert excursion are arranged for your own party. You will not join a scheduled shared tour. The hotel and Sahara camp may host other guests. Your driver handles road transport. Your written quotation identifies the visits with an included local sightseeing guide.
Does this tour start and finish in Fes?
Yes. The three-day program begins with pickup from your Fes accommodation or agreed meeting point and returns to Fes on day 3. Expect a late-afternoon or evening arrival. Share your accommodation and onward travel details before booking.
How are the two nights arranged?
Night 1 is at a Sahara desert camp in Erg Chebbi after the sunset camel trek. Night 2 is in a riad in Merzouga after the full-day 4×4 excursion. Your proposal confirms the camp, riad and room or tent categories. No Fes accommodation is included.
Do the distances and driving times include visits?
No. They show approximate distances and time in the vehicle. Visits, meals, breaks, camel rides and camp transfers are additional. Days 1 and 3 each involve around 7–8 hours of road driving. Day 2’s 2–3-hour estimate is the driving portion of a full-day excursion.
What does the Merzouga 4×4 excursion include?
Explore Khamlia’s Gnawa music traditions, desert viewpoints, fossil-rich landscapes and Rissani’s traditional market. Nomadic-family encounters are arranged locally with the hosts’ agreement. The circuit depends on track conditions, local availability and market activity. Return to your Merzouga riad for the night.
Which meals and entrance fees are included?
Breakfast on days 1–3 and dinner on days 1–2 are included. Day 1 breakfast is coordinated with pickup. The camel trek, agreed camp transfers and private 4×4 excursion are included. Lunches, drinks and monument admission are extra unless stated in your proposal.
What is the price of this private tour?
The price is on request. We calculate your quote from your dates, number of adults and children, room arrangements, camp category and any changes to the program. Your proposal states the total price, currency and supplements before you confirm.
Can I choose a vehicle transfer instead of the camel ride?
Yes. Tell us before confirmation if you prefer a vehicle transfer to the camp. We will explain the arrangements and any price difference in your proposal. You can still enjoy the camp overnight, desert scenery and the next day’s excursion. Your quotation confirms the approximate camel-riding time, separately from preparation and any vehicle transfers.
Can this tour be shortened to two days?
A two-day version can be requested, with travel from Fes to Merzouga, one camp night and a return to Fes the following day. Both days involve long drives, and the full-day 4×4 exploration is omitted. Accommodation, meals, transfers and the price are confirmed in a separate proposal.
How do the deposit and remaining balance work?
For bookings made more than 30 days before the tour begins, a 30% deposit is required; the remaining 70% is due at least 15 days before arrival. Bookings within 30 days of arrival require full payment at confirmation. We accept credit/debit cards, PayPal and bank transfers. Your reservation is subject to availability and is confirmed only after we receive the required payment and issue written confirmation. Your written quotation states the exact payment due dates.
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3-Day Private Desert Tour from Fes to Merzouga
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