A 3 day Fes to Merzouga desert tour is the round trip we suggest first to most travellers staying in Fes. This 3-day Fes to Merzouga desert tour gives you two nights near the Sahara and a whole day to enjoy it, with no more driving than the 2-day version. You travel from Fes to Merzouga on day one and sleep in a kasbah-style hotel facing the dunes.
Day two is yours in the desert: villages, a market town, a nomad family, then a camel trek to a private tent for the night. On day three you drive back to Fes. It’s a private tour with your own vehicle and English-speaking driver, run by a team from Merzouga.
Before or after the desert, give yourself time for the Medina of Fez, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the largest car-free old cities in the world.
3 day Fes to Merzouga desert tour at a glance
| Duration | 3 days, 2 nights |
| Start | Your accommodation in Fes |
| Finish | Your accommodation in Fes |
| Style | Private |
| Transport | Air-conditioned 4×4 or comfortable minibus |
| Overnights | Night 1: kasbah hotel in Merzouga · Night 2: private tent at Mouhou Luxury Camp, Erg Chebbi |
| Meals | 2 breakfasts and 2 dinners |
| Main experiences | A slow day around Erg Chebbi, Gnawa music in Khamlia, Rissani, a nomad family visit, sunset camel trek, sunrise in the dunes |
| Driving | Approx. 460 km on day 1 and again on day 3; day 2 has only short local drives |
| Pick-up / drop-off | Included, at your Fes accommodation |
| Price | €380 per person for 2 travellers (€760 in total) — less per person in larger groups |
Why a 3 day Fes to Merzouga desert tour is the comfortable choice
From Fes, every Sahara round trip includes the same long road: about 460 km to Merzouga and 460 km back. A 2-day trip puts those two long drives back to back, with only one night between them. This trip puts a full rest day in the middle.
That changes the experience a lot. You arrive in Merzouga, check in, shower and sleep in a real bed. The next morning you’re not in a hurry. You see how people actually live around the dunes, have lunch at your own pace, and ride out to camp in the late afternoon when the light is soft. You still see sunset and sunrise in the dunes, but you are rested enough to enjoy them.
In short: the same road, one more night, and a much calmer trip.
Highlights
- A full local day around Erg Chebbi with a driver who grew up here.
- Khamlia, a village known for Gnawa music, where families of musicians keep alive a tradition with West African roots.
- Rissani, the old market town of the Tafilalt, with its souk and date sellers.
- A visit to a nomad family living on the desert plain [CONFIRM how this visit is arranged].
- A kasbah-style hotel night with a view of the dunes before your camp night.
- Camel trek at sunset to a private tent with its own shower and toilet.
- Sunrise from the dunes before the drive home.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Fes – Ifrane – Middle Atlas – Midelt – Ziz Valley – Merzouga (hotel)
Approx. driving: 460 km, about 7.5–8.5 hours of pure driving, plus stops.
Your driver meets you at your riad or hotel in Fes in the morning, at around [CONFIRM PICK-UP TIME]. The road climbs through the Middle Atlas, with a short stop in Ifrane and a stop in the cedar forest near Azrou, where Barbary macaques are often seen. They are an endangered species, so please don’t feed them.
Lunch is in Midelt (not included; your driver will suggest a place). In the afternoon you follow the Ziz Gorges and the long palm groves of the Ziz Valley, with photo stops at the viewpoints. You pass through Errachidia and Erfoud.
Because you are not riding to camp today, there’s no race against sunset. You arrive in Merzouga in the late afternoon or early evening and check in at your hotel. Dinner is at the hotel.
- Overnight: Kasbah-style hotel in Merzouga, such as Kasbah Le Berger or Riad Madu, or similar [CONFIRM]
- Meals: Dinner
- Visit / stop / pass: Ifrane (short stop), cedar forest (stop), Midelt (lunch), Ziz viewpoints (photo stops), Errachidia and Erfoud (pass through)
Day 2: Full desert day — Khamlia, Rissani, nomad family, camel trek to camp
Approx. driving: short local drives only; [CONFIRM approx. km for the day].
After breakfast you set out to explore the area around the dunes. The exact order depends on the day of the week and the heat; your driver plans it with you. A typical day includes:
- Khamlia — a small village south of Merzouga where you can listen to Gnawa music and learn a little about its history. Tips for the musicians are welcome. [CONFIRM whether a music session is included or by donation.]
- Rissani — the historic market town of the Tafilalt. On market days (traditionally Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday [CONFIRM]) the souk is busiest; on other days you can still see the town and its date and spice sellers.
- A nomad family — a visit to a family who live with their animals on the plains around Erg Chebbi, usually with tea. [CONFIRM how this is arranged and whether a contribution is expected.]
Lunch is at a local restaurant (not included). Rissani is known for its local “medfouna”, a stuffed flatbread sometimes called “Berber pizza” [CONFIRM availability].
In summer, we plan the visits for the morning and rest at the hotel during the hottest hours.
In the late afternoon you return to the edge of the dunes. Your main luggage stays in the vehicle; take a small overnight bag. Then you ride a camel to the camp across Erg Chebbi, timed for sunset. The ride lasts about [CONFIRM camel ride duration]. If you prefer, or if you have back or knee problems, you can go to camp by 4×4.
At camp: mint tea, dinner, and a campfire with Berber drum music.
- Overnight: Mouhou Luxury Camp, Erg Chebbi (private tent with own shower and toilet)
- Meals: Breakfast and dinner
- Visit / stop / pass: Khamlia (visit), Rissani (visit), nomad family (visit), Erg Chebbi (camel trek)
Want to see more of the desert by vehicle on this day? Ask about adding a 4×4 desert tour around Erg Chebbi, or browse other things to do in Merzouga [CONFIRM which activities are operated and their prices].
Day 3: Sunrise – Erfoud – Ziz Valley – Midelt – Fes
Approx. driving: 460 km, about 7.5–8.5 hours of pure driving, plus stops.
Wake early to watch the sunrise from the dunes. Ride back by camel (or 4×4), then have breakfast [CONFIRM — at camp or at the hotel] and take a shower if you need one [CONFIRM where].
The drive home goes north through Erfoud (pass through), along the Ziz Valley and Ziz Gorges, and up to Midelt for lunch (not included). In the afternoon you cross the Middle Atlas and arrive in Fes in the evening, around [CONFIRM ARRIVAL TIME RANGE].
- Overnight: Not included (back to your own accommodation in Fes)
- Meals: Breakfast
- Visit / stop / pass: Erfoud (pass through), Ziz Gorges (photo stop if time allows), Midelt (lunch)
Route note: same road out and back
This is a round trip on the main road between Fes and Merzouga. You see the Middle Atlas and the Ziz Valley on the way down and again on the way back. Places like Todra Gorge, the Dades Valley and Aït Ben Haddou are not on this route. If you want Todra Gorge but still need to return to Fes, look at the 4-day Fes to Merzouga desert tour via Todra Gorge.
[MAP PLACEHOLDER — Fes → Ifrane → Midelt → Errachidia → Merzouga; local loop Khamlia / Rissani; return same road]
Where you sleep
| Night | Place | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Merzouga, at the edge of the dunes | Kasbah-style hotel, such as Kasbah Le Berger or Riad Madu, or similar [CONFIRM] |
| 2 | Erg Chebbi dunes | Private tent with own shower and toilet at Mouhou Luxury Camp |
Why hotel first, camp second? You arrive tired after the long drive, so a hotel room is easier on night one. Your camp night is the last one before the drive home, so you get sunset and sunrise in the dunes without having to repack twice. [CONFIRM — some departures may reverse the order depending on availability.]
We don’t use basic camps with shared bathrooms. To see the tents and the evening in detail, read our Merzouga desert camp: what your night in the Sahara looks like.
Price and how it is calculated
Your private quote depends on:
- Group size — vehicle and driver costs are shared, so it’s cheaper per person for 4 than for 2.
- Vehicle — 4×4 or minibus.
- Hotel choice for night 1 — the hotel options can differ in price [CONFIRM].
- Season — busy periods may cost more [CONFIRM].
- Extras — a 4×4 tour, sandboarding or other activities on day 2.
| Group size | Private, price per person |
|---|---|
| 2 travellers | €380 |
| 3–4 travellers | €230–€280 |
| 5–6 travellers | €180–€200 |
| 7+ travellers | On request |
| Children | [CONFIRM CHILD PRICING] |
| Single room/tent supplement | [CONFIRM SINGLE SUPPLEMENT] |
Deposit [CONFIRM DEPOSIT %], payment methods [CONFIRM PAYMENT METHODS] and cancellation terms [CONFIRM CANCELLATION POLICY] are explained in our booking terms and conditions.
Included
- Pick-up and drop-off at your Fes accommodation
- Private air-conditioned 4×4 or minibus, fuel and road taxes
- English-speaking driver throughout
- 1 night in a kasbah-style hotel in Merzouga
- 1 night in a private tent with own shower and toilet at Mouhou Luxury Camp
- 2 breakfasts and 2 dinners
- Camel trek to and from camp (or 4×4 transfer)
- Desert day visits by vehicle: Khamlia, Rissani, nomad family
- Campfire with Berber drum music
Not included
- Lunches (3 days)
- Drinks other than water and tea [CONFIRM]
- Tips for musicians, the nomad family [CONFIRM], your driver and camp team
- Optional activities (4×4 tour, sandboarding, quad biking) [CONFIRM]
- Travel insurance (recommended)
Who is this tour for?
A good choice if you: – Are staying in Fes and want a relaxed desert trip. – Want to understand the region, not just photograph the dunes. – Are travelling with children or older relatives and want a rest day between long drives.
Think again if you: – Only have 48 hours — the 2-day Fes to Merzouga desert tour is the short version (expect two very long days). – Want gorges and canyons too — the 4-day tour adds a night at Todra Gorge. – Are continuing to Marrakech — see our Fes desert tours, round trip and one-way for the one-way options.
Practical tips
- Travel light for the camp night. Bring a small backpack: warm layer, toiletries, phone charger, torch, any medication. Big suitcases stay in the vehicle or at the hotel [CONFIRM].
- Plan the desert day around the heat. From June to August, temperatures in Merzouga often pass 40 °C. Morning visits and an afternoon rest work best.
- Winter nights are cold. From December to February desert nights can fall close to freezing. Pack a fleece, hat and warm socks.
- Cash in dirhams for lunches, tips and market shopping.
- Respect photos. Ask before photographing people in Khamlia, Rissani or at the nomad family’s tent.
- Kids: children usually love the camel ride and the dunes. Tell us their ages so we can plan the vehicle and tent [CONFIRM family tents].
FAQs
What do we actually do on the full desert day? You visit Khamlia for Gnawa music, Rissani’s market town and a nomad family, with lunch at a local restaurant. In the late afternoon you ride camels to camp. The order can change with the weather and market days.
Is there more driving than on the 2-day tour? No. The long drives are the same: Fes to Merzouga on day 1 and back on day 3. Day 2 only has short local drives around Erg Chebbi.
Why do we sleep in a hotel first and the camp second? After 8 or more hours on the road, a hotel room with a proper bathroom helps you recover. Keeping the camp for night two means you go straight from sunrise in the dunes to the road home.
Can we sleep both nights in the desert camp? Usually yes, on request [CONFIRM]. Tell us when you ask for a quote and we’ll adjust the plan.
Is Rissani market open every day? The town is open every day, but the big souk is held on certain days (traditionally Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday [CONFIRM]). If your desert day falls on another day, you still visit the town, just a quieter version.
Can we add sandboarding or a 4×4 tour? Sandboarding is often possible at camp [CONFIRM]. A 4×4 tour around Erg Chebbi can replace or extend the village visits on day 2. Ask when you book.
Is this a good desert trip for families? Yes, more than the 2-day version. The rest day in the middle helps children cope with the long drives.
Related tours
- 2-Day Fes to Merzouga Desert Tour (Return to Fes) — the shortest round trip.
- 4-Day Fes to Merzouga Desert Tour via Todra Gorge — adds Todra Gorge before the dunes.
- Merzouga 4×4 desert tour around Erg Chebbi — a possible add-on for your desert day.
- Compare all Fes desert tours to Merzouga
Before you go: planning notes
Choosing your dates
Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for a 3 day Fes to Merzouga desert tour. If you want Rissani’s busiest souk, start your trip so that day 2 falls on a market day [CONFIRM souk days].
In winter the Middle Atlas can see snow. If you have an onward flight or train, keep a spare day after your 3 day Fes to Merzouga desert tour in case the road is slow.
Using your free day well
The desert day is the heart of a 3 day Fes to Merzouga desert tour, and it is flexible. You can keep the village visits short and rest at the hotel, or add a 4×4 tour around Erg Chebbi [CONFIRM PRICE].
What to bring in your small bag
- A warm layer and hat for the evening
- Toiletries, a torch and a phone charger
- A scarf and sunglasses for wind and sand
- Any medication you need
After the tour
You arrive back in Fes in the evening, so plan medina sightseeing for the next day. Many guests book one extra night in their riad after a 3 day Fes to Merzouga desert tour.
More questions
Can we leave our big suitcase in Fes?
Yes, most riads will keep it for you. On a 3 day Fes to Merzouga desert tour you only need a small bag for the hotel and camp nights.
Is the tour suitable for older travellers?
Yes. The rest day helps a lot, the walks are short and the camel ride can be replaced by a 4×4. Tell us about any mobility needs and we will plan the stops around them.
Does the tour run during Ramadan?
Yes, a 3 day Fes to Merzouga desert tour runs as normal in Ramadan [CONFIRM]. Some roadside cafés close during the day, so bring water and snacks.
Can we end in Marrakech instead?
Not on the 3 day Fes to Merzouga desert tour, which returns to Fes. If Marrakech is your next stop, see the 3-day Fes to Marrakech desert tour.
Ask for your 3-day itinerary and quote
Send us your dates, the number of travellers and your accommodation in Fes. We’ll reply with a personal plan and a clear price.
- WhatsApp or call: +212 667 850 421 (8:30–20:00 Morocco time)
- Email: [EMAIL ADDRESS]
- Contact form: contact form
How it works: tell us your plans → get your itinerary and quote → confirm → travel. We don’t take online payments on this website.
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A Merzouga team, not a Fes call centre
Morocco Desert Excursions was started by Sahara natives from Merzouga. On your desert day, you’re in our home area: we know the families, the villages and the camp.
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