Camels and stars in the Sahara start fast. This 2-day Fez-to-desert trip strings together mountain towns, Erg Chebbi dunes, and a real night in a private Berber camp with hot water after the ride. I especially liked how the timing sets you up for sunset and then sunrise out on the sand.

My second big win was the human side. The camp staff I encountered felt genuinely welcoming, and our driver Mohammed kept things smooth and easy, with practical help all along the way. One consideration: the day starts early at 7:00 am and the schedule is fairly tight, so you should be ready for long road time plus camel-trek time.

Key things you’ll notice on this trip

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned vehicle with on-board Wi‑Fi
• Sunset and sunrise camel trekking in the Erg Chebbi area
• Sandboarding included at Erg Chebbi
• Overnight in a private tent with a private bathroom, hot shower, and toilet
• Small group size (maximum 18 travelers)
• Friendly camp vibe plus driver support from Mohammed

From Fez To Erg Chebbi: What This 2-Day Sahara Trip Really Delivers

This is the kind of Sahara outing that works because it’s structured. You don’t just get driven out and back. You actually spend real time in the Middle Atlas and then get pulled into the dunes the way most people picture it.

The heart of the trip is simple: camel trek at sunset, then an overnight in the desert camp, then another camel trek at sunrise. That rhythm matters. It means your best dune moments aren’t squeezed into a single photo stop. You also get time back in camp afterward, including a shower and breakfast, before heading back toward Fez.

And because this tour is built as a two-day loop, it’s also convenient for planning. You’re not stuck trying to coordinate multiple pieces on your own, especially the parts that are hardest to DIY: desert transport, camp night logistics, and getting you to the right dune area for sunset/sunrise timing.

One more detail I liked: the ride includes Wi‑Fi and the vehicle is air-conditioned. That’s not glamorous, but it helps a lot when the day is long and you’re doing a lot of sitting.

Day 1: Ifrane, Azrou Cedar Forest, Midelt Break, Then Into Erg Chebbi

Day 1 starts at 7:00 am, with you picked up from your riad or hotel. From there, the route moves you from culture and mountains into the desert zone without wasting time.

Ifrane: a quick stop with Moroccan Switzerland vibes

Your first stop is Ifrane, described as Moroccan Switzerland. It’s a short 10-minute break with a free admission ticket. This is less about a deep visit and more about changing scenery fast—especially if you’re coming from Fez and want a first taste of a different side of Morocco.

Azrou Cedar Forest: monkeys and a short stretch of nature

Next is Azrou Cedar Forest for another 10-minute stop. The big draw here is the chance to see monkeys, and this stop includes admission. The time is brief, so don’t expect a long nature walk. Instead, think of it as a quick reset—legs stretching, camera ready—before the desert part starts to take over the schedule.

Midelt: 1-hour breathing room for lunch and breaks

Then you reach Midelt for about an hour. This is your break for lunch (lunch isn’t included, but you do get time), plus a chance to use facilities and regroup. I like this kind of stop because camel treks and desert camps can be mentally draining. Having an hour in a town keeps you from feeling rushed later.

Erg Chebbi arrival: camel trek with a guide and overnight in the dunes

The big shift happens when you reach the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes. At that point, you switch from vehicle travel to camel trekking with a guide. From there, you’re set up for sunset and then an overnight “in the middle of the dunes,” not just at the closest roadside camp.

This is the part that feels most magical—but it’s also the part that asks for comfort with the pace. Camel treks aren’t a slow stroll. You’ll want to sit back and accept that you’re moving across sand at a different speed than roads.

Sunset Camel Trek And Your Desert Camp Night: Comfort That Helps

The tour includes sunset camel trek and the camp overnight at Erg Chebbi, with private tent accommodations.

Why the sunset trek is the main event

Sunset in the Erg Chebbi area is built into the experience, not tacked on. That’s valuable because the best light is time-sensitive. If you show up late or miss the timing, you lose the whole point of the dunes.

Also, doing this as part of an organized trek means you’re not trying to locate the right dune stretches on your own. Your guide handles the navigation and pacing.

Sandboarding: included, and it changes your perspective

A standout included activity here is sandboarding in Erg Chebbi. Even if you’ve never stood on a board on sand, this is one of those activities that turns the experience from scenic into active. It also gives you a different feel for the steepness and texture of the dunes—information your photos can’t really show.

Private tent with a real bathroom (hot shower and toilet)

This tour isn’t stingy on comfort for the desert night. Your overnight is in a private tent and includes a private bathroom with a hot shower and toilet.

That matters more than many people expect. When you’re leaving dust behind and cooling down after time outside, having hot water and a toilet you don’t have to share makes the night easier to enjoy. You can focus on relaxing and taking in the stars, not figuring out how to “make do.”

The camp atmosphere: friendly and welcoming

From the experience I took in, the camp staff were friendly and welcoming. It’s the kind of detail that can make a big difference when you arrive tired from the road and the camel trek. When people are kind and organized, your whole desert night feels calmer.

Day 2: Sunrise, Shower and Berber Breakfast, Then The High Atlas Return To Fez

Day 2 starts with one of the most important cues on the whole tour: early wake-up is recommended to assist sunrise on the dunes.

Sunrise timing: do it even if you’d rather sleep

The tour is designed so you can catch sunrise. This is one of those moments that you can’t easily recreate later in your trip. Sunrise light changes the dunes quickly, and the experience is built around that window.

After the sunrise, you return by camel to the departure point where you’ll meet your driver.

Shower and Berber breakfast at the Merzouga desert camp

Once you’re back, you get a shower and enjoy a Berber breakfast served by friendly Berber people at the Merzouga desert camp. This included meal is a practical reset after sand, wind, and a chilly early morning wake-up.

You’re not just dropped off at the camp and left to fend for yourself. You’re walked through a sequence that gets you clean, fed, and ready for the long drive back.

The drive back: High Atlas route and several picture stops

After breakfast, it’s back into the vehicle for the return to Fez via the High Atlas Mountains. On the way, you pass through Rissani, Erfoud, Errachidia, and Midelt.

There’s also a lunch/date stop for photos, and you’ll make time to visit the Cedar forests of Azrou again for pictures of the monkeys. In other words, you get a second chance for those quick scenery moments without having to add extra days.

Finally, you arrive back in Fez and are dropped at your riad or hotel.

Included Extras That Add Real Value (Not Just Checkboxes)

Here’s what you actually get for the price, and why it’s meaningful.

Meals: dinner and breakfast are included

The tour includes dinner and breakfast. That reduces friction. Desert days can blow up your budget if you’re constantly buying food, so having meals planned helps.

Lunch isn’t included, so you’ll want to budget for it during the Midelt break and the lunch stop during the return day. Drinks are also not included, so keep that in mind when you price it against cheaper tours.

Transport: pickup, drop-off, air-conditioning, and Wi‑Fi

This is the practical backbone of the trip. You get hotel pickup and drop-off, an air-conditioned vehicle, and on-board Wi‑Fi. That’s a real perk for a two-day schedule where you’re moving through multiple regions.

Activities: camel trek at sunset and sunrise plus sandboarding

You’re not just watching dunes from a seat. You’ll do sunset and sunrise camel treks, and you’ll also have sandboarding at Erg Chebbi. Those are the experiences you remember later, not just the driving portion.

Camp setup: private tent with private facilities

The private tent with hot shower and toilet is one of the biggest value drivers. A desert night is easier to enjoy when you can wash up properly afterward.

Price and Value: Is $134.39 Worth It?

At $134.39 per person, this tour sits in the “budget-friendly for what you get” zone rather than the “luxury splurge” zone.

What makes it feel like decent value is the bundle of costly-to-organize parts:

• Round-trip transport with pickup and drop-off
• Camel treks for sunset and sunrise
• Sandboarding
• Dinner and breakfast
• Overnight in a private tent
• Private bathroom with hot shower and toilet

If you try to piece together transport to the dunes, camp overnight, and camel trekking on your own, those pieces tend to turn into a coordination headache quickly. Here, they’re packaged into a single schedule, with an English-speaking driver/guide included during the tour.

Where you need to be honest with yourself: lunch, drinks, and tips aren’t included. So the final cost will rise a bit depending on what you choose to eat and whether you tip.

My advice is to compare total trip cost, not just the base price.

Group Size and Timing: The Two Things That Affect Your Comfort

This tour has a maximum of 18 travelers, which is a sweet spot. It’s small enough that the day doesn’t feel chaotic, but big enough that you’re not on a single-person private schedule with a huge markup.

The biggest timing pressure is that the tour starts at 7:00 am. That early start is normal for desert sunrise experiences. If you hate early mornings, this is the one part you should seriously consider before booking.

Also, the itinerary includes short stops (Ifrane and Azrou Cedar Forest) and then longer desert segments. That means you’ll experience a mix of quick viewpoints and big-event moments. It’s a good structure if you want variety in just two days.

Who Should Book This Sahara Tour From Fez?

I’d point you toward this tour if you want a classic Sahara experience but don’t want to stress about logistics.

You’ll likely be happiest here if:

• You want both sunset and sunrise camel treks
• You care about having a private tent and hot shower
• You want sandboarding included
• You prefer a small group size (max 18)
• You’re okay with an early start and a packed schedule

You might skip it if you want a slower, more relaxed pace with lots of unplanned downtime. This is a structured two-day loop with built-in stops and set desert moments.

Should You Book This Fes to Sahara 2-Day Tour?

If your goal is to get from Fez to the Sahara in a way that feels organized, memorable, and comfortable enough to enjoy, I think this is a solid choice.

Book it if you like the sound of a real desert night with private facilities, you want the key dune moments (sunset and sunrise), and you’re happy with the idea that you’ll spend most of your day in motion—plus a camel trek and sandboarding.

I’d pause before booking if you dislike early mornings or you’re expecting a long, leisurely exploration of towns like Ifrane and Midelt. The town stops are short by design, and the emphasis is clearly on the desert experience.

FAQ

How long is the tour from Fez to the Sahara Desert?

It runs for about 2 days.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 7:00 am.

Are pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

What desert activities are included?

You’ll do a sunset camel trek and sunrise camel trek, plus sandboarding in Erg Chebbi.

What are the camp facilities like for the overnight?

You’ll sleep in a private tent and have a private bathroom with a hot shower and toilet.

Are meals included, and what about lunch?

Dinner and breakfast are included. Lunch is not included.

What happens if the weather is poor or you need to cancel?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If the experience is canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

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