Sahara stars start with a drive from Fez. In two days you’ll roll from Ifrane and the Cedre Gouraud forest monkeys toward Merzouga, then watch the dunes turn gold on a camel ride. I also really liked the luxury tent setup in the desert—with real bathroom basics—and the way the night is built around food, music, and sky-gazing.

One thing to consider: lunch isn’t included, so you’ll want to plan for extra meals. And if you’re the type who hates rushing, keep an eye on the short stops—especially the monkey break—because the schedule moves fast.

Key points

• Luxurious desert camp basics: dinner included, plus a tent with shower, washbasin, and toilet
• Sunset camel ride + star time: built-in viewing moments, not just a quick photo stop
• Ifrane and Cedre Gouraud timing: quick breaks for scenery and photos, including magot monkeys
• Real return trip rhythm: sunrise in Merzouga, then breakfast and the drive back to Fez
• Fossils Cooperative stop: a short, interesting break on the way through Midelt
• Small group size: up to 15 travelers, which helps the whole trip feel more manageable

How the Fez to Merzouga loop really feels (2 days, 1 night)

This isn’t a “stay in one place and relax” trip. It’s a classic Morocco sprint: cities, forests, mountains, desert, then back again. The upside is you get a quick-but-complete slice of Morocco without needing extra hotels or extra planning.

You’ll spend a lot of time in the vehicle, but the stops are designed to break it up: Ifrane, Cedre Gouraud Forest, a Middle Atlas photo moment, lunch breaks in small towns, and then the full Merzouga experience. The tradeoff is that you’ll rarely have long “wander on your own” time. If you want slow travel, pick a longer itinerary. If you want a lot of Morocco in two days, this works.

I like that the experience is built around actual moments—sunset camel ride, dinner in the camp, sunrise and breakfast, and a short educational stop on fossils—so it feels more than transportation with a photo at the end.

Hotel Bab Boujloud pickup and the drive comfort you’ll care about

Your day starts near Kasbah Boujloud Place at the meeting point near فندق باب بوجلود 49 in Fez. That’s a practical spot for getting going without a complicated transit plan. The tour also notes pickup is offered, and you’ll receive a mobile ticket, which reduces last-minute hassle.

This is run as a small group—up to 15 travelers—and the vehicle is described as comfortable in feedback. For a 2-day trip, comfort matters. You’re going to be sitting for stretches, so the ability to stretch your legs at the scheduled breaks makes a difference.

A smart move for this kind of route: dress in layers. Daytime can feel warm, and nights in the desert can turn cool quickly. Bring a small day bag for water and snacks (since lunch and drinks are not included).

Ifrane and Cedre Gouraud: quick stops, big character

Ifrane: the tidy mountain-town pause

The trip first moves toward Ifrane, a mountain town with a calm vibe and plenty of easy photo opportunities. There’s a short break—just enough to walk a bit and grab pictures—so you can take in the “cooler” side of Morocco without losing the day to sightseeing.

This is also a good moment to reset yourself mentally. You go from Fez’s energy to something quieter. Even if your time here is brief, it helps the whole trip feel less like nonstop driving.

Cedre Gouraud Forest: magot monkeys, human-friendly but chaotic

Next comes the Cedre Gouraud Forest, where you’ll have a stop to meet the magot monkeys. They’re described as a human-friendly kind of monkey, and in the best sense, it feels like a mini nature encounter rather than a formal zoo visit.

That said, this is the part where timing can feel tight. One piece of feedback flagged that the monkey stop felt rushed. Translation for you: treat it like a photo window. Keep your camera ready, stay alert around the ground (monkeys can be quick), and don’t expect deep hanging-out time.

If you’re traveling with kids, this stop is often a highlight because it’s lively and unexpected. If you prefer quiet, you may find the area a bit busy.

Middle Atlas mountain views: the photo stop that’s worth the effort

After Cedre Gouraud, you get a Middle Atlas mountain stop designed primarily for photos. It’s not long, but it’s timed for the kind of views you remember later. You’ll be in that “change of terrain” mood—trees, then open mountain air, then onward toward desert.

This is also a nice moment to look around and orient yourself. Morocco can feel geographically dramatic, and a short viewpoint stop helps you connect the dots between where you are now and where you’re heading.

If you get motion sick, plan ahead here too. Sitting toward the front can help, and having a break before longer road time is useful.

Zaida to Merzouga: where lunch choices can shape your day

On Day 1, you stop in Zaida for a lunch break. The big practical note: lunch isn’t included, and drinks are also not included. That means you’re choosing where to eat while the schedule moves on.

One review mentioned lunch was taken at very touristy cafes with prices higher than expected, and that there wasn’t an easy option to walk elsewhere. I can’t promise your exact experience will match that, but the lesson is clear: plan to either bring your own snacks for the road or decide in advance how picky you want to be about lunch.

If you want to keep costs down and taste more local food, ask your driver or guide what’s realistic for price before ordering. And if you’re given a short window, don’t wait until you’re starving to decide.

After lunch, the drive to Merzouga is a longer stretch. The itinerary estimates about 4 hours for that transfer, so the day becomes more about arriving than exploring en route.

Merzouga sunset camel ride: the fun part that needs a little control

The Merzouga Desert segment starts with a breathing moment, then you’re set up for the camel ride at sunset. This is the “bucket list” part: dunes, golden light, and the kind of photos people plan Morocco trips around.

You also get time to stop and take in the sunset and sand dunes along the way to the camp. In other words, it’s not just mount, ride, and done. The pace is designed to make the light work for you.

One review specifically advised watching out for hard marketing by camel herdsmen. That’s useful advice even if you don’t plan to argue. My take: be polite, but stay in charge. If you’re offered extra services or upsells, ask for the price first and don’t let the moment rush you into saying yes.

If you want the best photos, bring a small lens cloth (sand happens). And if you’re prone to getting sore, consider bringing something thin to sit on during the ride.

Luxury tent night in the desert: dinner, music, and real bathroom basics

Once you reach the camp, you get a full evening rhythm: break time, then dinner included, plus campfire music and dance. There’s also time described for meditation by staring at the stars, which turns the evening into more than a meal stop.

What I found especially valuable is the camp’s “luxury” details: each tent is said to have a shower, washbasin, and toilet. That’s a big deal in the desert, and it can make the whole night feel comfortable instead of stressful.

Your tent situation is also noted clearly: the camp is set up so your tent is private if you’re two people or more. If you’re traveling solo, expect sharing within a group setting as described. Either way, you should pack for cool nights—stars are great, but cold weather can surprise you.

As for expectations: the night is structured. You can enjoy it, but you’re not running around the dunes like you’re on a free-form adventure. That’s actually a strength of this tour—less uncertainty, more planned wonder.

Day 2 sunrise and breakfast: the calm payoff

Day 2 begins with sunrise in Merzouga, then you’ll have a shower and breakfast included. This is one of those parts that feels worth the early start. You get the desert at its quietest, when the sky looks different from the heat of sunset.

The camp experience gives you a soft landing back into comfort before the driving starts again. Sunrise is short, but it’s usually the moment people remember because it’s slower than the rest of the trip.

Then you head out toward Fes, with stops designed to break the day up into manageable chunks.

Fossils Cooperative and Midelt: a learning stop with practical timing

On the way back, you’ll visit a Fossils Cooperative. The visit is short—about 15 minutes—but it’s a nice contrast to the desert. Fossils feel like science in a place that otherwise feels purely scenic.

Then you drive to Midelt for a lunch break (again, lunch isn’t included). Midelt gives you a chance to reset and eat something more substantial before the final push back to Fez, which is about 3 hours.

Because lunch is not covered, this is another spot where prices can vary. If you care about meal quality and cost, use the time to scan options quickly. You don’t need to be picky—just avoid ordering immediately at the first place you see if it looks like a tourist trap.

Price and logistics: is $141.52 good value?

At about $141.52 per person, this trip sits in the “mid-budget, high-impact” zone. You’re paying for a full round-trip experience: multiple paid moments (even though stops list free admission for several sites), transportation, dinner + breakfast, and the overnight camp with bathroom facilities.

Where you can feel value clearly:

• Meals included: dinner and breakfast reduce your on-the-road expense
• Camp setup: having a tent with shower and toilet is a real differentiator
• Time efficiency: you get desert + multiple culture/nature stops in just two days

Where cost planning matters:

• Lunch and drinks aren’t included on both days
• If you’re sensitive to pricing, you may want to handle lunch independently rather than defaulting to whatever is closest

Group size is capped at 15 travelers, which usually helps with comfort and coordination. One more note: the trip is often booked about 21 days in advance, which can be a clue that dates can fill up during popular seasons. If you want a specific departure window, don’t leave it too late.

Provider-wise, it’s run by TARBOOSH TRAVEL, and the format is built for a smooth handoff between stops—meeting point, car transfers, camp logistics.

Who should book this Fez–Merzouga–Fez desert trip

This is a great fit if you want:

• A first Sahara experience without adding extra nights
• A structured route with clear highlights
• Comfort upgrades in the desert (that camp bathroom detail matters)
• A small group feel, not a giant bus chaos vibe

I’d be a bit cautious if you:

• Hate rushed stops and prefer slower exploration
• Strongly prefer controlling where you eat (since lunch isn’t included and choices may be limited)
• Really dislike any kind of marketing pressure at camel encounters (use the “be polite, be firm” approach)

If you’re the kind of traveler who likes a tight itinerary and remembers moments more than wandering, you’ll probably feel happy with this plan.

Should you book this 2 Days/1 Night Sahara trip?

If your goal is a classic Fez to Merzouga adventure with camel sunset, a real-star desert night, and sunrise breakfast, then yes, this is worth booking. The included dinner and breakfast, plus the camp’s shower/toilet details, do a lot of heavy lifting for comfort.

Just go in with the right mindset: plan to pay for lunch and drinks, and accept that some stops are quick. If you can handle that, you’ll get a compact, memorable Morocco run that hits the desert payoff without making you arrange everything yourself.

FAQ

What’s included in the price for this Fez to Merzouga desert trip?

Dinner and breakfast are included. Lunches and drinks are not included.

Where do you meet for the tour in Fez?

The start meeting point is near فندق باب بوجلود 49, Kasbat Boujloud Place Boujloud, Fez, Morocco.

What happens on Day 1 during the Merzouga Desert experience?

You’ll have time before the camel ride for sunset and sand dune photos, then you’ll have dinner in the luxury tent camp with campfire music and dance, followed by sleep in a luxury tent with shower, washbasin, and toilet.

Is lunch included on either day?

No. Lunch breaks are listed for Zaida and Midelt, but lunch is not included in the price.

What meals do you get on Day 2?

You’ll have breakfast included after sunrise in Merzouga, and a shower is also mentioned before breakfast.

How many people are in the group?

The tour has a maximum of 15 travelers.

Is pickup offered and will I get a ticket on my phone?

Pickup is offered, and the tour uses a mobile ticket.

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