4-Day Desert Tour from Fes to Merzouga
Overview 4-Day Desert Tour from Fes to Merzouga
This 4-day desert tour from Fes to Merzouga offers a perfectly balanced journey through Morocco’s most diverse landscapes, combining mountain scenery, cultural encounters, and an in-depth Sahara Desert experience. Traveling through the Middle Atlas Mountains, cedar forests, oasis valleys, and historic desert towns, the tour leads you to the majestic dunes of Erg Chebbi. A full day dedicated to exploring Merzouga allows travelers to truly experience desert life, from nomadic traditions and Gnawa music to dune activities and quiet moments in the sand. The adventure is completed with a sunset camel trek, overnight stays in the desert and mountains, and scenic drives back to Fes, making this itinerary ideal for travelers seeking both discovery and comfort.
Tour Highlights
- Scenic drive through the Middle Atlas Mountains
- Stop in Ifrane, the “Switzerland of Morocco,” with its alpine-style architecture
- Walk in the Cedar Forest of Azrou and encounter Barbary macaques
- Lunch stop in Midelt, surrounded by mountain landscapes
- Panoramic views along the lush Ziz Valley oasis
- Arrival in Merzouga, gateway to the Sahara Desert
- Sunset camel trek across the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi
- Overnight stay in a traditional Sahara desert camp under the stars
- Full-day Merzouga desert exploration by 4×4
- Visit to nomadic families and insight into desert life
- Experience Gnawa music in Khamlia village
- Optional activities such as sandboarding and dune walks
- Visit to Rissani, a historic desert trading town
- Stop in Erfoud, famous for fossils and desert stone
- Comfortable return to Fes through the Middle Atlas
Day 1: Fes – Ifrane – Cedar Forest – Midelt – Ziz Valley – Merzouga
The journey begins early in the morning as you depart from Fes and head south toward the Middle Atlas Mountains. Your first stop is Ifrane, often called the “Switzerland of Morocco,” where alpine-style architecture, clean streets, and fresh mountain air offer a refreshing start to the adventure. Continuing through the forests near Azrou, you’ll stop at the Cedar Forest, home to ancient cedar trees and wild Barbary macaques. Afterward, you travel to Midelt for lunch and a short break, surrounded by dramatic mountain scenery. In the afternoon, the landscapes gradually change as you pass through the magnificent Ziz Valley, with its endless palm groves and traditional villages. By late afternoon, you arrive in Merzouga, where the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi welcome you. A sunset camel trek takes you deep into the desert to your camp, where dinner, Berber music, and a star-filled sky complete the evening.
Day 2: Merzouga Desert Exploration – Nomads – Gnawa Music – Erg Chebbi
After waking early to witness the sunrise over the dunes, you enjoy breakfast at the camp before returning by camel to Merzouga village. Today is dedicated entirely to discovering the Merzouga desert region by 4×4. You’ll travel around the Erg Chebbi dunes, visiting nomadic families to learn about their traditional lifestyle and hospitality. The route continues to Khamlia village, famous for its Gnawa music and Sub-Saharan roots, where you’ll enjoy live rhythms and cultural insights. Throughout the day, you’ll explore desert plains, fossil areas, and remote landscapes, with time to relax, walk on the dunes, or try sandboarding. In the afternoon, you return to your hotel or desert lodge near the dunes for dinner and overnight stay in Merzouga.
Day 3: Merzouga – Rissani – Midelt – Fes
Following breakfast, you begin the return journey north. The first stop is Rissani, a historic desert town and former capital of the Tafilalt region, where traditional markets and local culture reflect the area’s trading past. The drive continues through changing landscapes toward Midelt, with time for lunch and a short break surrounded by mountain scenery. As the road climbs back into the Middle Atlas Mountains, the desert gradually gives way to forests and cooler air. With scenic stops along the way, you arrive back in Fes by late afternoon or early evening.
Day 4: Fes – Airport Transfer
After breakfast at your accommodation in Fes, enjoy a relaxed morning depending on your flight schedule. At the appropriate time, you’ll be transferred to Fes Airport, marking the end of your Sahara desert journey and services.
- What's Included
- Private Transport AC Minibus with English speaking guide/driver.
- Pick up & Drop off at your accommodation.
- 1 night at the desert camp (Private tents).
- Camel Trekking in the Sahara Merzouga.
- Dinner & Breakfast.
- What's Excluded
- Lunch.
- Drinks.
- Entrance fees, other personal expenses and gratuities.
