Camel tracks and cedar monkeys in two days. This Fes to Merzouga route strings together Ifrane and Midelt mountain breaks, Barbary monkeys in the Middle Atlas, and real Erg Chebbi dune time with a camel trek and overnight desert camp. I especially love the mix: wildlife and mountain towns on Day 1, then the desert rhythm of sunset, stars, and a camel sunrise.

One possible drawback: you’re spending serious hours in the car, and lunches (and drinks) aren’t included, so you’ll want to budget and be ready for long road stretches plus an early next-day wake-up.

Key things to know before you go

• Middle Atlas cedar forest + Barbary monkeys: a standout wildlife stop with a chance to observe and feed them (guide-led).
• Camel trekking (about 45 minutes): planned for sunset, then again for the morning timing from the dunes.
• Erg Chebbi sunrise walk: an early stroll across the dunes, described as about 50 km behind the Algerian border.
• Nomad-style desert camp stay: dinner under the stars with an overnight in a standard camp, plus a shower in Merzouga is included.
• Sandboarding included: you’ll get this activity as part of the desert experience, not as an add-on.
• Small-group feel with flexibility: private or small groups are available, up to 17 people, with a professional English/French-speaking driver.

How the 2 days from Fes to Merzouga actually feel

This tour is built for a specific vibe: you want to see more than just dunes, but you also want a genuine desert night—not a quick in-and-out. The driving route is half the story. You start in Fes at 7:30 am, then gradually move from mountain scenery (Ifrane and the Middle Atlas) into the drier, sandier world of Erfoud and Merzouga.

By the time you reach Erg Chebbi, the logistics become simple: luggage gets stored, camels are ready, and you shift from road travel to slow walking over dunes. The best part is that it’s paced for first-timers. The tour is described as easy going and suitable for all ages, and if you can’t ride the camel, you can go by 4×4 to the campsite.

Day 1: The Middle Atlas road trip starts with Ifrane and Midelt

You leave Fes in an air-conditioned vehicle, with stops that break up the day so you don’t feel like you’re stuck in transit the whole time. The first notable stop is Ifrane, an alpine-style town with ski slopes. Even if you’ve never skied, the contrast is the point: you’re moving from typical Moroccan city life toward cooler mountain air and a totally different look.

After Ifrane comes Midelt, another practical pause where you get lunch. Midelt is a good mid-route reset: stretch your legs, eat, use the bathroom, and shake off the road. This matters more than you might think. Desert tours can feel rushed if your first day’s breaks are too short.

From Midelt, the route continues toward Merzouga via changing scenery—more valleys and finally the Ziz Valley—so you gradually build to the desert moment instead of getting dropped into sand out of nowhere.

Cedar forest wildlife in the Middle Atlas (and how to do it right)

One of the most memorable stops is the cedar forests in the Middle Atlas where you’ll see the Barbary monkeys. This is also the stop where the tour becomes more than scenic driving. You’re not just passing through; you’re watching animals in their environment.

A key detail: the tour mentions you can observe and feed the monkeys. That’s a great experience when it’s handled responsibly by your guide, but it’s also why you should follow instructions closely—don’t reach suddenly, don’t try to do your own feeding rules, and keep your hands close. Cedar forests can also be cooler than the desert later, so wear layers you can adjust.

If you’re traveling with kids or someone who gets bored on long drives, this stop usually does the job. It’s quick, interesting, and different from anything you’ll do around dunes.

The Ziz Valley and Erfoud: why this drive matters before Merzouga

As you head toward Merzouga, you’ll pass through the Ziz Valley, described as lush and green in parts. Even if your eyes are already thinking about dunes, the valley break is useful. It gives you a sense of how Morocco’s interior works: water, greenery, and road life that make the desert feel less like an empty stage and more like a whole region.

You’ll also stop at Erfoud, another familiar pitstop on many routes into this corner of the country. Think of Erfoud as a staging point where the road shifts again. You start noticing how the air feels, how the colors change, and how quickly the world goes from green hints to desert tones.

This is also where good driving and timing make a difference. If your driver is efficient (and that’s part of why people rate this tour highly), you arrive ready rather than tired.

The Merzouga transfer: storing luggage and switching modes

When you reach Merzouga, you don’t immediately go straight into dunes. You’ll be transferred to a place to store your luggage, which keeps things comfortable and avoids carrying bags on camelback. Then the camels are ready, and the rhythm shifts from vehicle travel to slow movement across sand.

The camel trek is described as around 45 minutes, timed for sunset. That duration is long enough to feel like a real trek, but not so long that you’re wrecked afterward. You’ll get the classic desert view from camel height: dunes stretching out, sky colors shifting, and the sense of space that only happens when you’re away from roads and buildings.

And yes, if you can’t ride the camel, the tour notes you can be transported by 4×4 to the campsite. That’s a big quality-of-life detail, especially for older travelers or anyone recovering from an injury.

Camel trek at sunset: what you should pay attention to

Sunset on camelback is where the experience becomes emotional. It’s not just scenery—it’s timing. You’re usually moving into cooler air, and the light softens the edges of the dunes. Erg Chebbi is famous for its dune shapes, and at this hour, the sand looks almost sculpted.

Practical advice: wear comfortable clothing that doesn’t mind sand. A hat and sunscreen are essential because you’re out before sunset light fully fades. Also, remember that camel time can mean sitting a bit awkwardly for a short window—comfortable shoes and clothing help more than you’d expect.

Dinner under the stars and desert camp basics

After the camel trek, you head to the nomad tents for dinner and overnight desert camp. The included setup is straightforward: dinner plus an overnight stay in a standard camp, and there’s also a shower included (the tour specifically lists breakfast–dinner–shower in Merzouga).

This is not about luxury. It’s about function and atmosphere. You’ll likely spend your evening settling in, eating, and looking up. That’s why the camp works: it slows the night down so you can actually enjoy being far from city light.

If you like having an informal night plan, this tour gives it to you. You don’t have to figure out where to go for dinner or what to do after sunset—your next steps are already arranged.

Day 2: sunrise from the dunes near the Algerian border

Day 2 starts with an early wake-up, followed by a walk across the dunes to watch sunrise. The timing point is described as around 50 kilometers away from Merzouga, from a location just behind the Algerian border.

Here’s why this matters: sunrise isn’t just a photo moment. Walking on sand in low light changes your sense of distance and scale. Your footsteps shape the moment, and the dunes gradually come into view as the sky brightens.

If you’re worried about cold mornings, plan for it. Desert mornings can feel chilly compared with the afternoon heat. Wear something you can sleep in and then put on quickly.

After sunrise, the tour heads back toward Fez with a dramatic stop in the Ziz Valley plus a lunch break before the final drop-off.

Sandboarding: the included activity people tend to remember

The tour includes sandboarding. That’s a smart inclusion for first-timers because it gives you a hands-on “desert activity” that isn’t only about riding a camel. It also works well if you’re traveling with people who don’t want another long sitting moment.

Practical tip: you’ll want comfortable layers that can handle sand. And you’ll probably want to protect your eyes from grit, even if things feel calm. If you’re unsure, ask your guide before you start so you know how long you’ll get and what safety approach they use.

Who tends to love this tour (and who should think twice)

This experience is a strong fit if you want:

• a 2-day desert trip from Fes without the complexity of multiple transfers
• a mix of mountain stops and desert time (not just dunes)
• a calmer pace with easy going logistics
• a camel experience plus an included activity like sandboarding

It’s also a good match for families, since the tour notes it’s suitable for all ages and includes the 4×4 option if you can’t camel ride.

Who might think twice? If you hate early starts or you’re not a fan of long car days, this route can feel demanding. Also, since lunches and drinks aren’t included, you’ll want to plan for that—especially on the driving-heavy Day 1.

Price and value: is $108 a fair deal for two days?

At $108 per person for 2 days, the value is mostly about how much you get without extra fees: air-conditioned transport, a professional driver, meals (breakfast and dinner), camp overnight, a camel trek for sunset and sunrise timing, sandboarding, and a shower in the Merzouga portion.

Where the value can break down is in personal spending. Since lunches and drinks aren’t included, you’ll need to budget for that yourself. If you’re someone who always buys bottled drinks or snacks at stops, your total trip cost will creep up.

Still, compared with “desert camp only” options that often add camel and activities separately, this package is built to reduce decision fatigue. It’s basically one set plan from Fes to the dunes and back—plus enough stops to keep it interesting.

The human factor: drivers and guides make it smoother

The tour experience is heavily shaped by the driver/guide because you’re spending long hours together. In the feedback you shared, the names Ali and Hassan Amiri come up as helpful and friendly, with a focus on making things easy. That matches the reality of a good desert trip: when someone is on top of timing, you spend more of your energy on the view instead of the schedule.

If you care about communication, this tour lists live guidance and driver language skills (English, French, Spanish). That helps when you want clarity about camel handling, timing for sunrise, or what to wear.

Packing tips that actually matter for camels and dunes

You’ll get more comfortable if you bring the basics the tour recommends:

• comfortable shoes (you’ll walk in sand)
• sun hat and sunscreen
• comfortable clothes for temperature swings
• a backup layer for early mornings

Also, think about sand. Bring something that keeps sand out of your eyes and in general makes it easier to tolerate the desert texture on skin and fabric. You don’t need special gear, but you do want to avoid anything delicate.

Should you book this Fes to Merzouga 2-day desert tour?

Book it if you want a straightforward desert overnight with the right extras: camel time, included sandboarding, camp dinner, and a proper sunrise dune moment—while still getting mountain-country stops like Ifrane and the cedar forest with Barbary monkeys.

Skip it or choose a different style if you dislike long drives, want more meals included (especially lunch and drinks), or you want a slower pace with more free time on the ground. In this format, you’re trading flexibility for smooth organization.

If you’re aiming for a high-value, first-time desert introduction from Fes, this itinerary has a good balance of nature stops and desert payoff.

FAQ

What is included in the 2-day tour?

It includes comfortable air-conditioned transportation, a professional driver, breakfast and dinner, a shower (in the Merzouga portion), one night in a standard desert camp, camel ride for sunset and sunrise, and sandboarding.

Are lunches and drinks included?

No. Lunches and drinks aren’t included, so you’ll need to plan for them during the travel breaks.

How long is the camel ride, and when do you ride?

The camel trekking is described as about 45 minutes, timed for the sunset experience. The tour also includes sunrise camel-related timing from the dune area on Day 2.

What if I cannot ride the camel?

If you can’t ride the camels, the tour notes you can be transported by a 4×4 vehicle to the campsite instead.

Where and when do I get picked up in Fes?

Pickup is at 7:30 am from your hotel/riad or from the nearest accessible place for the transport vehicle.

What should I bring for the desert and sunrise?

Bring comfortable shoes, a sun hat, sunscreen, a hat, and comfortable clothes. You’ll also want to be ready for an early morning due to the sunrise timing.

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