Desert Tour from Fes: the Road to Merzouga
Fes is one of the best starting points for the Sahara: the Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga are a day's drive away across the Middle Atlas. The most popular option then crosses the south to Marrakech, so you never retrace your steps. Here are the routes, durations and our tips.
From Fes, the most accessible desert is the Erg Chebbi at Merzouga, about 470 km or 7 to 8 hours' drive via Ifrane, the Azrou cedar forest, Midelt and the Ziz Valley. The most popular tour lasts 3 days: day 1 Fes to Merzouga, a sunset camel ride and a night in a desert camp; day 2 in the dunes; day 3 across to Marrakech via the Todra Gorge, the Dades Valley, Ouarzazate and the Tizi n'Tichka pass. A 2-day version exists but means a lot of driving; the 4-day version adds a night in the Dades for a gentler pace. You can also loop back to Fes. Book a tour with a comfortable camp, or rent a car if you want to stop freely.
Tour Options from Fes
| Format | Route | Nights in the desert | For whom |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 days | Fes, Merzouga, back or onwards | 1 | Travellers in a hurry |
| 3 days (most popular) | Fes, Merzouga, Todra, Dades, Marrakech | 1 | First trip, best balance |
| 3-day loop | Fes, Merzouga, Fes | 1 | Flying home from Fes |
| 4 days | Fes, Merzouga, Dades, Ouarzazate, Marrakech | 1 to 2 | Gentler pace, more photo stops |
Experiences to Book
| Experience | Rating | Reviews | Duration | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Desert night in a heated tent with camel ride | 4.8 | 267 | 2 days | €62 |
| Quad safari and sandboarding in the dunes | 5.0 | 130 | 1 h | €47 |
| Fes: 2-day Merzouga desert to Marrakech, luxury camp | 5.0 | 1 | 2 days | €78 |
| 4-day private tour: Marrakech, Merzouga and Fes | — | new | 4 days | €479 |
Ratings, reviews and prices taken from GetYourGuide; they vary with the season. Tours from Fes still have few reviews: read the camp details carefully.
See desert tours from Fes· GetYourGuideFree cancellation up to 24h before on most activities · the best time slots sell out first in high seasonReserve now, pay later on many activities
Day 1: Fes to Merzouga
The road climbs to Ifrane, a mountain town with pitched roofs, then crosses the Azrou cedar forest, home to Barbary macaques. After Midelt and the Tizi n'Talghemt pass, the Ziz Valley unrolls its palm groves down to Erfoud and Rissani. You reach Merzouga in the late afternoon for the camel ride and sunset over the dunes. See Ifrane and Azrou and Rissani and Erfoud.
The Night in the Erg Chebbi
Dinner, music around the fire and a starry sky: the camp night is the heart of the trip. Comfort varies a lot between camps, from simple tents to tents with private bathrooms. See the best desert camps in Merzouga and a night in a desert camp.
See camps and hotels in Merzouga· Booking.comFree cancellation on many properties · the best-rated places fill up firstNo prepayment needed on many offers: lock in your room now
Day 2 or 3: to Marrakech via the Gorges
The drive to Marrakech passes through the Todra Gorge, the Dades Valley and its kasbahs, Ouarzazate and then the Tizi n'Tichka pass in the High Atlas. It is a long day, but one of the most beautiful roads in Morocco. See the Todra and Dades gorges.
Guided Tour or Rental Car?
A guided tour handles the driving, the camp and meals; it suits most travellers. A rental car gives more freedom to stop, but the drive is long and the last stretch to the camp is by 4x4 or camel. See renting a car in Morocco.
Compare rental cars in Fes· Discover CarsDozens of rental companies compared · free cancellation on most offersSmall car categories go fast in high season: compare early
Unsure which desert? See Merzouga or Erg Chigaga and which desert to choose in Morocco. From Marrakech, see the 3-day desert tour from Marrakech.
See activities in Merzouga· GetYourGuideFree cancellation up to 24h before on most activities · the best time slots sell out first in high seasonReserve now, pay later on many activities
FAQ — Desert Tour from Fes
How long does it take to get from Fes to the desert?
Can you do a desert tour from Fes in 2 days?
Is it better to go to the desert from Fes or from Marrakech?
Which desert is closest to Fes?
When is the best time for a desert tour from Fes?
In Short
- Distance → about 470 km and 7 to 8 hours to Merzouga.
- Ideal format → 3 days ending in Marrakech.
- Highlight → sunset camel ride and a night in a desert camp.
