Two days, one desert night, big sky. This route makes the long drive feel worth it with a small group (max 7), desert camp living, and real time in the dunes near Merzouga.

I like two things most. First, the camel ride at sunset and the morning return on camel make the desert feel slower and more personal than a quick photo stop. Second, you get classic Morocco road scenery on the way, including Ifrane and the cedar forests around Azrou.

One thing to plan for: the driving hours are substantial, and the “guide” experience may be more about transport and timing than constant commentary. If language matters to you, confirm what your driver will speak and what you can expect at stops.

Key highlights that matter

• Max 7 people means less crowding at the camp and on the dunes
• Camel time in the sand: a sunset trek plus a gentle return in the morning
• Desert camp dinner and sunrise: stars at night, breakfast after sunrise
• Extra 4×4 after sunrise the second day for a different desert angle
• Route stops that break up the drive: Ifrane, Azrou, cedar forests, Rissani area
• Lunch is not included, so you’ll want your own plan for daytime food

Fes to Merzouga: what this 2-day format really gives you

This is a classic “in, stay overnight, out” desert tour. You’re not trying to rush Morocco in every direction. You’re using two days to do one main thing well: reach the Sahara’s edge, sleep in a Berber camp by the dunes, and experience sunrise.

For the money, the value is the whole package. You’re paying for the transport from Fez, the evening meal, breakfast, camel riding, and a second-day 4×4 desert ride. And because the group is capped at seven, you avoid the chaos you can get on bigger tours when everyone is trying to climb on and off vehicles at the same time.

The trade-off is time. This is not a quick hop to the dunes. Expect a long road day with the main “wow” moments centered on sunset, the camp, and the next morning.

Day 1: From Fez through Ifrane and cedar forests (a road trip with built-in drama)

Your day starts with a pick-up from your hotel or riad, listed around 7:00 am, and the meeting point information also shows 7:30 am. That’s why I’d treat your exact pick-up time as a must-confirm detail.

Once you’re on the road, the itinerary is designed to break the trip into story beats:

Ifrane stop: chalet town vibes in the Middle Atlas

Ifrane is described as a town built by the French in the 1930s, with Alpine-style architecture. This stop helps you understand the altitude shift. You’re not driving into the Sahara from a flat plain. You’re dropping from mountains and forests down toward the desert.

Even if you only have a short window, it’s a useful pause. You get a change of scenery, plus a mental reset before the day gets long.

Azrou and the cedar forests: where the monkeys steal the show

Next comes Azrou, known as The Rock in local Berber dialect. The cedar forests around it are part of what makes this tour feel more real than a straight highway transfer.

And yes, the famous Barbary apes (macaque monkeys) are a big part of the stop. You’ll see them in their natural habitat area, and this is one of those moments that tends to keep kids happy and adults curious.

Quick reality check: your time here can make or break your mood. Some tours make the monkey stop the main event and move on quickly. If you want more “explanations on the drive,” this is a good place to ask your driver what you’ll cover, and what language they’ll use.

Atlas scenery all day: forests, streams, rock walls, and shifting light

The long stretch through the Atlas Mountains is described with a lot of variety: forested peaks, streams and springs, and jagged rock walls. You’re also looking for those big visual contrasts that Morocco does well—green-to-golden changes that happen before you even reach dunes.

This kind of road day is where comfort matters. You’ll be traveling in an air-conditioned vehicle, which helps when the heat ramps up later.

Rissani and the dunes near Erggbi: the Sahara edge moment

After the mountains, the route heads toward Rissani and then toward the dunes around Erggbi. This is where the day starts feeling like a different country. The dunes are described as huge—up to about 50 meters—and stretching toward the Algerian Sahara.

This is also where you’ll understand why the overnight matters. If you arrived late for a quick camel ride, you’d miss the magic. The point of this tour is that you don’t just pass through sand—you sleep beside it.

Sunset camel trek and the Berber camp: why this part feels worth the drive

The headline here is the camel ride into the sunset. The itinerary describes a trek of about 90 minutes before you reach camp. The tour overview also says you get about an hour of camel riding in the package, so think of it as roughly that range, with the sunset trek being the longer stretch.

Choosing your camel and getting comfortable

Before you move, you’ll pick your camel and get ready. This is simple, but it matters. If you get even a little uncomfortable on the saddle, the ride feels longer than it is.

My advice: wear something breathable and plan for sand. You’re going to be outside for hours when the temperature is cooling but the ground is still dry.

Dinner under the stars: the camp experience you actually remember

When you arrive at the desert camp, the evening includes a traditional Berber dinner and local traditional Berber music. Then comes the part people talk about for years: sleeping under a sky full of stars.

This is where you get that real contrast. In cities, darkness is rare. Here, it’s part of the experience, not just the backdrop.

One note on comfort expectations

The tour includes dinner and a night in a tent. That means you should expect camp life, not hotel life. If you’re the type who needs a lot of comfort details ironed out, you might want to bring realistic expectations about bathroom setup and bedding, since those aren’t specified in the tour info you have here.

Day 2: Sunrise on sand, breakfast, then the extra 4×4 ride

Day two starts early, with an awakening to watch the sun rise over the dunes.

Desert dawn: shifting shadows do the talking

Sunrise in the Sahara is about timing, not storytelling. The itinerary explains that you’ll notice how shadows on the dunes stretch and shrink as the light changes. That’s the sort of detail you can’t recreate in a city photo.

This is also one reason I like that the camp includes breakfast after sunrise. You’re not rushing to leave before the best light is done.

Camel back to breakfast, then return toward Fez

After sunrise, you’ll ride your camel back to a hotel for breakfast. Then the journey goes back through the Middle Atlas Mountains toward Fez.

This “camel then car” rhythm is smart. You’re not only using camel to get into the dunes; you also experience the desert from another angle on the way out.

Extra 4×4 after sunrise: a different view of the dunes

The standout bonus is the additional 4×4 desert ride after sunrise. That’s valuable because it adds a second mode of desert travel. On camel you feel every shift in sand under you. In a 4×4 you see more of the dune pattern and movement from a faster perspective.

If you love views and quick perspective changes, this is the moment that adds extra satisfaction without adding another day.

Price and value: is $116.32 a good deal?

At $116.32 per person for roughly two days, the key question is what you’re actually buying.

You’re getting:

• round-trip transfers from Fez (pick-up from your hotel/riad)
• an overnight in a Berber desert camp
• dinner and breakfast
• camel ride(s)
• bottled water
• an air-conditioned vehicle
• an extra 4×4 ride after sunrise

What you’re not getting:

• lunch

So the value is strongest if you want one organized trip that handles the logistics end-to-end and still gives you proper desert time. If you’re the kind of traveler who enjoys planning your own transfers and knows the right contacts, you might be able to build something cheaper. But if you want fewer moving parts, this package has the right “bundle” shape.

Just don’t ignore the trade-offs. The reviews you’ve seen suggest that some days can feel heavy on driving, and meal quality can vary (hard bread and basic coffee are mentioned). That doesn’t mean the tour is bad. It means you should treat this as a desert experience first, and a refined culinary experience second.

Logistics to get right before you go (so the desert stays fun)

A smooth experience depends on a few practical details that aren’t always obvious from the brochure.

Confirm start city: Fez vs Marrakesh

Your tour info shows Fez in the title and itinerary, but it also lists a meeting point starting in Marrakesh at 7:30 am. That mismatch is not something to ignore.

Before you commit, confirm:

• where the pick-up really happens for your booking
• your exact pick-up time
• the final drop-off location (it says return toward Fez)

Language expectations

Some reports mention the driver spoke French while the tour was booked in Spanish. That matters because if you can’t understand the narration, stops can feel rushed and less meaningful.

If you prefer commentary, ask ahead:

• what language the driver will use
• whether there’s any guide commentary at each stop

Food reality: lunch not included

Lunch is not included, and you’ll want a plan. Even if dinner and breakfast are provided, daytime hunger can add stress if the driving schedule runs long.

Bring:

• snacks you like
• your own water if you’re sensitive to heat
• anything you need to avoid getting cranky before the dunes

Heat and pacing

One review mentions long hours in a van passing heat for limited desert time. Whether that happens to you depends on timing and route conditions, but it’s a good clue: the desert is the payoff, not the roadside scenery.

If you hate long rides, consider this a “big payoff” trip and plan to rest your body before the camel and camp night.

Who should book this tour from Fez (and who should think twice)

This fits best if you want a simple, organized way to get from Fez to Merzouga and experience a real overnight desert camp with camel riding and sunrise.

It’s also a decent option for families, since one example you saw included a child (age 9) who enjoyed the camel and desert atmosphere.

Think twice if:

• you need lots of guided explanation at every stop
• your language needs are very specific
• you dislike long driving days

The desert part is strong. The overall experience is only as satisfying as the way the transport and stops are handled on your particular day.

Quick tip list before you go

• Pack snacks for lunch, since lunch is not included
• Confirm pick-up timing (7:00 am vs 7:30 am) and the correct start city
• If language matters, ask what your driver speaks
• Wear layers: desert nights can feel cooler than you expect
• Plan for sand: footwear that can handle it makes life easier

Should you book the Fes to Merzouga Desert Tour & Back in 2 Days?

I’d say yes if you want an organized, small-group desert overnight with camel riding, dinner under the stars, sunrise, and that extra 4×4 ride. It’s good value for getting the big pieces without arranging transport yourself.

I’d say proceed carefully if you’re sensitive to long driving, you expect constant guiding, or you want dependable meal details beyond dinner and breakfast. In that case, the best move is simple: confirm start location, language, and timing before you go, and bring a few comfort helpers like snacks.

If everything lines up for you, you end up with exactly what the desert tours should deliver: less planning stress, more time under stars.

FAQ

How long is the Fes to Merzouga Desert Tour & Back?

It’s listed as a 2-day tour, approximately.

What is the price per person?

The price is $116.32 per person.

How many people are in the group?

The tour has a maximum of 7 travelers.

Is hotel or riad pickup included?

Yes. Pickup is offered from your hotel or riad.

What time does the tour start?

Your pick-up is described around 7:00 am, and the meeting point info also lists 7:30 am. Confirm your exact time with the provider.

What transport options are included in the desert?

You get camel riding, plus a 4×4 ride after sunrise (and breakfast in the camp is included).

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included.

What meals are included?

Dinner and breakfast are included, and bottled water is also included.

Is there a mobile ticket?

Yes, the tour offers a mobile ticket.

What is the cancellation policy?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid is not refunded.

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