Your desert weekend starts with a long, scenic drive. This 2-day Fes to Merzouga trip is built for real desert time plus mountain views and Berber village stops along the way. I like that it includes dinner and breakfast so you spend less time hunting food, and the English-speaking driver keeps the journey easy to follow. The main thing to consider is simple: you are trading extra sleep for an early start, then spending a full day on the road.

Because it is private for your group, you can set the pace and ask questions without feeling rushed. I also like the classic pairing here, tent camp overnight near Merzouga followed by a sunrise camel experience. If you want a more relaxed pace with fewer long drives, this might feel like a packed two days.

Key things I think are worth getting excited about

• Early desert sunrise with a camel driver to catch the light over the dunes
• Middle Atlas to Sahara contrast, including Ifran, Azrou cedar forest, and the Ziz Valley
• A tent camp night with dinner included, so you get the desert atmosphere without extra logistics
• Camel ride included, not just a quick stop, and timed for the best moment
• English-speaking professional driver plus pick up and drop off from your Fes hotel
• Guides named in real-life experiences, including Sadik and Fouad, which tells you they are used to hosting groups

Fes to Merzouga in two days: what you’re really buying

This is not a “drive-by desert” stop. You are planning a full sightseeing day out of Fes, then spending the night in a tent camp, and then returning the next day with a sunrise camel ride and more chances to enjoy the changing scenery. That structure matters because Morocco’s beauty is not only in the dunes. It is also in the Middle Atlas forests, oasis country, and the long valleys that make the Sahara feel closer.

You also get a practical tradeoff: a lot of time behind the wheel, yes, but less time planning. With air-conditioned transport, bottled water, professional English driving, and hotel pick up and drop off, you can focus on the views and the experience instead of logistics.

Pickup, private transport, and the driver you’ll rely on

The tour includes pick up and drop off from your Fes hotel, which is exactly what you want for a two-day desert plan. You avoid the stress of finding meeting points or negotiating taxis after a long day of travel. The vehicle is air-conditioned, and bottled water is included, which is a small detail that helps a lot in warmer months.

Your driver is described as professional and English-speaking. In plain terms, that means you can ask about what you are seeing, and you are less likely to miss the story behind each stop. In real experiences linked to this style of tour, drivers like Sadik have been praised for keeping the drive enjoyable through conversation and guidance, not just navigation.

Tip for you: if you have any mobility limits or you get tired easily on long road days, tell the driver early. Even with a set route, your comfort needs can shape how often you stop for short breaks.

Day 1 from Fes through Ifran, Azrou cedar forest, and Midelt

Day one starts early from Fes. The first big win is that you leave the city behind fast and get pulled into Morocco’s mountain face. This is where the trip becomes more than “getting to the desert.” It becomes about watching climates change as you go.

Ifran: the mountain town feel

One stop is Ifran, described as Moroccan Switzerland. You are not going to an old medina here. You are getting a different vibe, cooler mountain air, and a feel for how the country changes as you climb away from the plains. If you are arriving in Morocco expecting desert only, Ifran helps reset your expectations.

A small drawback: if you are the type who wants to minimize stop duration, this kind of town stop can feel quick. The upside is you’re not stuck waiting around, you’re moving toward bigger scenery.

Azrou cedar forest: tall cedars and forest atmosphere

Next comes Azrou and the famous cedar forest where you can see huge, tall cedar trees. The cedars are the headline, but what matters for your experience is the shift in air and texture. You go from urban or semi-urban travel into a more forested feel, which makes later desert conditions even more dramatic.

If you stop in cooler months, dress in layers. Forest air can feel cooler than you expect compared to the hotter valleys.

Midelt: a chance to eat Amazigh food

Midelt is a key break point. You get lunch time there with an Amazigh meal option mentioned as part of the experience. This is one of those moments that makes long road travel feel worthwhile. Food is not an add-on here, it is part of the cultural rhythm of the route.

Practical note: lunches are not included in the tour price. So you should plan for spending here, and think of it as your one meal to budget for during day one.

Day 1 continues with Erfoud and Ziz Valley oasis views

After Midelt, the route continues south toward Arfoud (Erfoud). This is followed by travel through the Ziz Valley, where you get panoramic views and the feel of oasis country. The Ziz Valley stretch is where many people start to understand why the Sahara is not just sand dunes. It is also survival, water, and human settlement shaped by geography.

The value of these stops is timing. You are not waiting until the end of day one to start seeing variety. You are getting the mountain to valley transition as you go, so by the time Merzouga is on the horizon, the trip makes emotional sense.

Merzouga tent camp overnight: included dinner and the desert mood

Once you reach the Merzouga area, you shift from daytime touring into nighttime atmosphere. The tour includes dinner at the overnight stop and breakfast the next morning, which is a big deal because it removes two common hassles on desert trips.

A tent camp overnight is also a mindset change. You might not have city comforts, but you are gaining the feeling of being far from normal routines. That is the core reason these trips work. Even if you are not sleeping perfectly, you still get the atmosphere, the quiet, and the sense that the desert is the main character.

One consideration: desert nights can feel cool, especially if you are traveling outside peak heat. Bring something warm for evenings, even if your daytime clothing feels fine.

Day 2 sunrise camel ride over Erg Chebbi dunes

Day two starts early. You wake up early in the morning, and then your camel driver takes you to enjoy sunrise and the pure air of the famous Moroccan Sahara. This is where the experience earns its reputation, because sunrise is not just for photos. It changes how the dunes feel, how quiet the world gets, and how the colors shift as daylight returns.

The camel ride is included, and the timing is important. Going for sunrise means you avoid harsh midday heat and you get the dramatic dune light when the desert looks more sculpted than flat.

Riding, then crossing Erg Chebbi dunes back

After sunrise, you return toward the camp or auberge. The route mentions crossing spectacular Erg Chebbi sand dunes on the way back. Then you enjoy breakfast, and you start heading back toward Fes.

In a practical sense, this keeps the desert portion concentrated. You get the highlight twice: first with the sunrise experience, then again with the return drive across dune terrain.

The return drive back to Fes: more stops, more context

You leave Merzouga back to Fes after breakfast, with several road stops to discover parts of Moroccan nature. The exact stops are not spelled out beyond what is already listed for day one and the general description of discovering parts of the country on the way back, but the structure is consistent with day one: travel through regions and viewpoints that help you understand the geography behind the dunes.

This second driving day is long. The silver lining is that you are already in the rhythm. You know what the vehicle setup is like, you have the included meals handled, and you are not starting from zero.

Price and value: is $234.75 per person a fair deal?

At $234.75 per person for around two days, the biggest value question is what you get for the time and the transport. Here, the tour includes air-conditioned vehicle transport, bottled water, a professional English driver, pickup and drop off in Fes, camel ride, dinner, and breakfast. Lunches and drinks are not included, so you should budget for those separately.

To make the price feel worth it, you need to be someone who values convenience. If you were to plan this yourself, you would still pay for transport, guide services, and meals, and you would likely spend extra effort just coordinating timing.

Also, the tour is described as private for your group. That can be a big advantage for comfort, questions, and pace. Even though group discounts are mentioned, the private feel matters more than the discount if you want a smooth, guided experience.

What it feels like to ride the route: where the day can lag

This tour’s rhythm is clear: early starts, lots of scenery, and a full day of driving. That means the only real drawback is fatigue risk. If you are sensitive to long road days, plan for rest on both ends. Try to keep your first night in Fes light, and do not schedule another major activity right after you return.

Also, you might feel like you are seeing many places quickly. That can be a downside if you like lingering in one stop for hours. The tour is built for variety and for making the most of a short timeframe.

Who this tour fits best, and who should rethink it

I think this is a strong match if you:

• Want camel ride time plus an overnight desert experience in a short window
• Like road trips where you see Middle Atlas forests, valleys, and oasis views in one go
• Appreciate a guided plan with hotel pickup, included meals, and minimal hassle

This might be less ideal if you:

• Want minimal driving and slow travel
• Are trying to maximize restful sleep over scenery
• Don’t like early mornings, since day two is sunrise-focused

Practical tips to make your desert weekend smoother

A few things I’d plan around so you are comfortable and not scrambling:

• Pack warm layers for early mornings and possible cool desert evenings.
• Bring a refillable water bottle only if you like having one, since bottled water is included already.
• Budget for lunches and any drinks not covered by the tour.
• Wear shoes that work on uneven, sandy ground if you will walk around dunes or camp areas.
• If your phone battery matters for sunrise, charge it fully the night before. Cold mornings can drain batteries faster.

And here is a small confidence boost: real experiences connected to this kind of tour mention named drivers like Sadik and Fouad. That suggests the hosting team is used to guiding people through the long drive with a friendly, prepared approach.

Should you book Fes Desert Tours 2 Days to Merzouga?

Book it if you want a well-paced two-day desert plan that does not cut out the best parts. The included dinner and breakfast, plus the camel ride and sunrise focus, make it easier to justify the price. You also get a strong sense of Morocco’s variety, not just sand dunes.

Skip it or choose a different option if your top priority is comfort over early starts and long travel time. Also consider your tolerance for road hours. Two days is short, so this tour fills it.

If you are traveling from Fes and want the Merzouga desert highlight without heavy planning, this is a solid bet.

FAQ

Is hotel pickup and drop off included?

Yes. Pickup and drop off are included from your hotel in Fes.

Does the price include camel riding?

Yes. A camel ride is included.

What meals are included, and what should I pay for?

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

How long is the tour?

It is approximately 2 days.

Is there a camel ride and sunrise experience?

Yes. The second day includes an early morning sunrise experience with your camel driver, and you also return crossing Erg Chebbi sand dunes.

Is the driver English-speaking?

Yes. The driver is listed as professional English.

What is the cancellation policy if weather affects the trip?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. The experience requires good weather, and if it is canceled due to poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.