Private tour · Fes round trip
3-Day Fes Desert Tour: Private Round Trip to Merzouga and Erg Chebbi
The 3-day Fes desert tour is a private round trip from Fes to Merzouga: one night in a hotel in Merzouga, a full day around the desert with a sunset camel ride and a night in nomad tents in the Erg Chebbi dunes, then the drive back to Fes on day three.
Private Desert Tour from Fes in 3 Days
This private desert tour from Fes lasts three days and two nights, with a hotel night in Merzouga, a night in nomad tents in the Erg Chebbi dunes, and a return to Fes.
Compared with a two-day trip, the middle day gives you time for meaningful stops around Merzouga: the village of Khamlia, the old Mifis mines and the Tisserdamine oasis, before a sunset camel ride to camp. Days one and three are long drives across the Middle Atlas, so it's a focused three-day desert itinerary rather than a relaxed one.
Three-Day Morocco Desert Itinerary: Jump to a Day
The three days are Fes to Merzouga, a day around Merzouga ending at the desert camp, and the return from Merzouga to Fes.
Book a 3-Day Fes Desert Tour
To book, send us your dates and group size through the form, and we'll reply with a private tour proposal and quote.
To check availability for your dates, please include:
- Your travel dates
- Number of travellers, and the ages of any children
- Your pickup point in Fes (hotel, airport or other)
- Your preferred accommodation, and any questions about the desert camp
- Your preferred endpoint and any changes to the route
You can also email culture.moroccotours@gmail.com, call/WhatsApp +212 662 178 227, or use our contact page.
Send your trip details
By sending the form you agree to our privacy policy and terms and conditions.
Fes to Merzouga Desert Tour: Day-by-Day Itinerary
The itinerary crosses the Middle Atlas from Fes to Merzouga on day one, explores the Merzouga area and spends the night in the dunes on day two, and returns to Fes on day three.
Fes to Merzouga via Ifrane, Azrou, Midelt, Errachidia and the Ziz Valley
Day 1 is the drive from Fes across the Middle Atlas to Merzouga, with lunch in Midelt and a hotel night in Merzouga.
You leave Fes, whose medina UNESCO says has kept its status as
"the country's cultural and spiritual centre."— UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Medina of Fez
The road climbs to Ifrane, which the Moroccan National Tourist Office says is
"aptly nicknamed ‘Little Moroccan Swiss’"— Moroccan National Tourist Office (Visit Morocco), See & Do: nature
then continues through Azrou to Midelt for lunch. In the afternoon you drive through Errachidia and the palm groves of the Ziz Valley to Erfoud and Merzouga.
Khamlia, Mifis, Tisserdamine and a night in the Erg Chebbi dunes
Day 2 is spent exploring the area around Merzouga, followed by a sunset camel ride into the Erg Chebbi dunes and a night in nomad tents.
The Moroccan National Tourist Office describes Merzouga as
"one of the gates of the Sahara"— Moroccan National Tourist Office (Visit Morocco), Errachidia-Midelt-Merzouga
You visit the village of Khamlia and small traditional settlements in remote spots, the old Mifis mines and the Tisserdamine oasis. Around 3 pm you reach the lodge at the edge of the dunes, then ride camels out to watch the sunset and spend the night at camp.
Merzouga to Fes via Rissani, the Ziz Gorges and the Tizi n'Talghemt pass
Day 3 is the drive back from Merzouga to Fes, after sunrise over the dunes and breakfast.
The route passes Rissani, Erfoud, the Ziz palm groves, Errachidia, the Ziz Gorges and the Tizi n'Talghemt pass before crossing the Middle Atlas to Fes, where the tour ends.
Merzouga Hotel and Erg Chebbi Desert Camp
You spend night one in a hotel in Merzouga and night two in nomad tents (khaima) at a desert camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes, with dinner and breakfast included.
The hotel and camp for your dates are confirmed with your quote; ask about desert-camp accommodation when you enquire. More about camps on our Merzouga desert page.
Fes Desert Tour Package: What's Included
The tour includes pickup in Fes, a private air-conditioned Toyota 4×4 with a Spanish-speaking driver and fuel, dinners and breakfasts, the camel ride and the night in nomad tents; lunches, drinks and monument entrance fees are not included.
Included
- Pickup in Fes at the airport or another point you indicate
- Private Toyota 4×4 with air conditioning, and fuel
- Driver who speaks Spanish
- Hotel night in Merzouga
- Night in nomad tents (khaima) in the dunes
- Camel ride in Merzouga
- Dinners and breakfasts
Not included
- Lunches
- Drinks
- Entrance fees to monuments
Why Choose This Three-Day Sahara Tour from Fes
This three-day Sahara tour from Fes adds a full day around Merzouga to the two-day trip, so you see more than the dunes at sunset.
A privately planned journey from Fes
Only your group in the 4×4, from pickup to return.
Cultural stops along the route
Khamlia, the Mifis mines and the Tisserdamine oasis.
An overnight experience near the dunes
Sunset by camel and sunrise from the camp.
Scenic travel through changing landscapes
Middle Atlas cedar forests, the Ziz Valley and the gorges.
From Fes to the desert landscapes
Back in Fes on day three, with no one-way transfer to arrange.
A flexible private desert trip
Customize your three-day desert tour when you request a quote.
Fes to Merzouga Round Trip: Driving and Pace
Days one and three are long drives between Fes and Merzouga; day two is spent around Merzouga with shorter distances.
Where does the tour end?
The tour ends back in Fes on day three; it does not continue to Marrakech.
How much driving is involved?
Days one and three each involve a long drive across the Middle Atlas, with stops for lunch and photos; exact times depend on roads and stops.
What should you pack?
Pack a small overnight bag for the camp, a warm layer for the desert night, and sun protection.
What if I want more time in the desert?
If you want more time in the desert, the 5-day Fes to Marrakech tour includes two nights in the dunes.
Sources and further reading
Destination facts on this page are supported by UNESCO and the Moroccan National Tourist Office, neither of which endorses any tour operator.
- Medina of Fez — UNESCO World Heritage Centre
- See & Do: picture-perfect nature (Ifrane) — Moroccan National Tourist Office
- Errachidia-Midelt-Merzouga, between Atlas and desert — Moroccan National Tourist Office
3-Day Fes Desert Tour FAQs
This tour is private, starts and ends in Fes, and includes a hotel night in Merzouga and a night in the Erg Chebbi dunes.
Is this a private tour?
Yes, this is a private tour. Only your group travels in the 4×4, with your own driver.
Where does the tour start and end?
The tour starts and ends in Fes. Pickup can be at Fes airport or another point you indicate.
Where do you spend the two nights?
Night one is in a hotel in Merzouga and night two is in nomad tents in the Erg Chebbi dunes.
What do you do on the desert day?
The desert day covers Khamlia, the Mifis mines and the Tisserdamine oasis, followed by a sunset camel ride to camp.
Which meals are included?
Dinners and breakfasts are included. Lunches and drinks are not.
What language does the driver speak?
The tour is listed with a Spanish-speaking driver. Tell us your preferred language when you request a quote.
Are entrance fees included?
No, entrance fees to monuments are not included.
How do I book this tour?
You book by sending the form with your dates and group size. You can also email or WhatsApp us; we'll reply with a quote.
More Private Desert Tours from Fes
If you have less time, want more nights in the desert, or need to finish in Marrakech, choose one of these tours.
Plan Your Private Fes Desert Journey
Send your travel dates, number of travellers, preferred accommodation, endpoint and any changes you'd like, and we'll send a quote for your private tour.