2 Day Luxury Desert Tour from Fes to Fes or Marrakech
From the Alpine peaks of the Middle Atlas to the golden dunes of the Sahara, two days that span worlds.
This 2-day luxury desert tour from Fes takes you through the striking contrasts of Morocco, from the cedar-forested Atlas Mountains to the vast, wind-sculpted dunes of Erg Chebbi. Traveling in a private 4x4 or minibus with an experienced driver-guide, you move comfortably between landscapes that few visitors see in a single journey.
Along the route, you pass through Ifrane, Morocco's alpine-style town built during the French Protectorate era, and into the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas where Barbary Macaques roam freely. The descent toward the Sahara reveals the Ziz Valley, a ribbon of green palm groves winding through ochre cliffs, before the dunes of Merzouga rise dramatically on the horizon.
Your night in a luxury desert camp is spent beneath a canopy of stars, with Berber music drifting from a campfire and the silence of the desert surrounding the camp. The following morning, a camel ride at sunrise over the dunes marks the return journey north, with stops at Erfoud's fossil marble workshops and the ancient market town of Rissani before arriving at your final destination.
Tour Highlights
Walk through the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas and encounter wild Barbary Macaques in their natural habitat near Azrou.
Visit Ifrane, a town of European alpine architecture set at altitude in the heart of Morocco, unlike anywhere else in the country.
Travel the length of the Ziz Valley, following the river through dramatic gorges and lush palmeries toward the desert edge.
Explore Rissani's traditional souk, one of the most authentic markets in southern Morocco, located at the gateway to the Sahara.
Watch the sun rise over the Erg Chebbi dunes from camelback, with the shifting light turning the sands from violet to gold.
Spend the night in a luxury desert camp with a private tent and bathroom, Berber music, and a campfire under the stars.
Discover the fossilized marble craftsmanship of Erfoud, where ancient marine fossils are polished into art and architecture.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Departing from your hotel or riad in Fes, the route climbs into the Middle Atlas, passing through Ifrane and the cedar forests where Barbary Macaques gather along the roadside near Azrou. The landscape shifts from forested highland to high desert plateau as you cross toward Midelt, a natural stopping point for lunch.
After Midelt, the road descends into the Ziz Valley, following the river south through striking gorge scenery and palm-lined oases. You arrive at Rissani as the desert begins, then continue to Merzouga, where the towering dunes of Erg Chebbi come into view. A camel trek carries you into the dunes for sunset, arriving at your luxury desert camp for dinner, Berber music, and an overnight stay under the stars.
The morning begins with a camel ride at sunrise through the Erg Chebbi dunes, returning to your camp for a shower and breakfast before departing Merzouga. The return route passes through Rissani and Erfoud, where a stop at a fossil marble workshop reveals the ancient craft of shaping trilobite-embedded stone.
Continuing north through Errachidia and Midelt, the route returns to the cedar forests of Azrou for a lunch stop and a final encounter with the resident Barbary Macaques. The journey concludes with drop-off at your riad or hotel in Fes, or continues toward Marrakech depending on your chosen option.
What Is Included
Included
- Private 4x4 vehicle or minibus transport throughout
- English and Spanish-speaking driver-guide
- Camel trekking at Erg Chebbi (sunset and sunrise)
- One night in a luxury desert camp with private tent and private bathroom
- Dinner and breakfast at the desert camp
- Lunch stop on Day 1 in Midelt
- Hotel and riad pickup and drop-off in Fes or Marrakech
Not Included
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Drinks beyond what is specified in meals
- Optional activities not listed in the itinerary
- Entry fees to any sites visited along the route
Important Information
Ready to Cross the Atlas and Sleep in the Sahara?
This two-day circuit from Fes covers more Moroccan terrain than most travelers see in a week. Secure your private desert experience today.
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