3-Day Fes to Merzouga Desert Tour (Return to Fes)

Highlights

• Cedar forests and Barbary macaques near Azrou
• Ziz Valley gorges and palm oases
• Sunset camel trek and night in an Erg Chebbi camp
• Gnawa music in Khamlia village
• Rissani’s ksour and traditional souk
• A full day in the Merzouga area, not just a quick overnight

Fes → Ifrane → Azrou → Midelt → Ziz Valley → Merzouga → Khamlia & Rissani → Midelt → Fes

Best for: Travellers based in Fes with three days who want the high dunes and do not mind long drives.

Activities

• Camel trek at sunset
• Sunrise on the dunes
• Gnawa music in Khamlia
• Rissani market and ksar visit
• Optional sandboarding, quad or 4x4

Itinerary

Driving times are approximate and exclude long stops; they vary with weather, roads and traffic.

1. 1

   Fes – Middle Atlas – Ziz Valley – Merzouga

   approx. 7–8 h driving plus stops (≈ 470 km)

   We leave Fes early, climbing to the tidy alpine-style town of Ifrane and the cedar forest near Azrou, where Barbary macaques live wild (please do not feed them). Lunch is usually in Midelt, at the foot of the Eastern High Atlas. In the afternoon the road crosses the Tizi n’Talghemt pass and descends into the Ziz Valley, with viewpoints over long ribbons of palms. After Errachidia and Erfoud we reach Merzouga in the late afternoon. If time allows, you ride a camel into the dunes for sunset and on to camp; on short winter days the transfer may be by 4x4. Dinner and music follow under the stars.

   OvernightErg Chebbi – desert camp (category chosen at booking)

   MealsDinner (typical plan – to be confirmed)
2. 2

   Sunrise – Khamlia – Rissani – Merzouga Area

   approx. 2 h of local driving in total

   Wake early for sunrise on the dunes, then return to the village for breakfast and a shower. Late morning, visit Khamlia, a village whose families descend from people of sub-Saharan origin and who keep Gnawa music alive – a short performance is typical, with a contribution to the musicians. Continue to Rissani (about 45 minutes from Merzouga), historic gateway of the Tafilalt, to see an old ksar, the palm grove and, on market days, the busy souk with its donkey park and spice stalls. Optional afternoon activities include sandboarding, a quad session or a 4x4 loop. Tonight you can stay in a second camp night or a comfortable auberge at the edge of the dunes – your choice at booking.

   OvernightMerzouga – desert camp or auberge/hotel (chosen at booking)

   MealsBreakfast and dinner (typical plan – to be confirmed)
3. 3

   Merzouga – Ziz Valley – Midelt – Fes

   approx. 7–8 h driving plus stops (≈ 470 km)

   After breakfast we start the long return to Fes. The route retraces the Ziz Valley, with time for a photo stop at the Ziz gorges and the Hassan Addakhil reservoir, then climbs back through the arid plateaus to Midelt for lunch. In the afternoon the landscape turns greener as we cross the Middle Atlas via Azrou and Ifrane, where you may like a coffee stop. We expect to arrive in Fes in the early evening and drop you at your riad or hotel – in the medina this may mean a short walk from the nearest vehicle access point. If you would rather continue south or west instead of returning, ask about the 3-day Fes to Marrakech route.

   OvernightNot included – end of tour in Fes

   MealsBreakfast (typical plan – to be confirmed)

Inclusions & exclusions

Accommodation, meals & transport

Night one is in an Erg Chebbi desert camp. Night two can be a second camp night or a hotel or auberge at the edge of the dunes. Budget camps have shared bathrooms; standard and luxury camps usually offer private facilities. Exact camp and hotel are confirmed at booking according to your chosen level.

Breakfasts and dinners are part of the typical plan; lunches are taken at roadside restaurants at your own expense. Travel is in an air-conditioned vehicle with a driver; private tours run in a vehicle reserved for your group, shared departures in a minibus with other travellers.

Good to know

Departure

Fes

Finish

Fes

Possible departure cities

Fes, Meknes (on request)

Tour type

Private or Shared

Group size

Confirmed on request

Pickup & drop-off

Pickup from your riad/hotel in Fes (medina pickups may require a short walk to the nearest vehicle access point).

Shared departures run on selected dates and need a minimum number of guests — availability is confirmed before booking.

Safety, age & accessibility

Days 1 and 3 involve 7–8 hours of driving plus stops; travellers prone to motion sickness should bring remedies. The road crosses Middle Atlas passes that can see snow and ice in winter, which may slow the journey. Camel riding is not advised with back problems or during pregnancy – a 4x4 transfer is available. Quad and buggy sessions run only in designated areas with a briefing and protective gear; minimum ages are set by the operator (to be confirmed). Camps and sandy ground are difficult for wheelchair users; please tell us about any mobility needs.

Price

Contact us for a price. Every trip is priced for your dates, group size, tour type and accommodation level. Send us your plan on WhatsApp or by email and we will send you the price.

Payment & cancellation

[TO CONFIRM: payment method (e.g. bank transfer), deposit amount and balance deadline]. A booking is confirmed only after we confirm availability and payment arrangements in writing. We never ask for card details on this website.

[TO CONFIRM: cancellation windows and refund conditions]. See our Cancellation Policy. Read the policy, our booking terms and the Sahara tour FAQs.

Destinations you visit

• Fes travel guide
• Atlas Mountains travel guide
• Merzouga & Erg Chebbi travel guide
• Rissani travel guide

FAQs