3-Day Tour from Fes to the Sahara Desert – Two Nights Under the Stars

Your driver will pick you up in the morning from your riad or hotel in Fes. The adventure begins by heading south through the Middle Atlas Mountains.

Our first stop is Ifrane, often called the “Switzerland of Morocco,” where you’ll enjoy a coffee break and take a photo with the famous stone lion statue, a tribute to the extinct Atlas lion.

Next, we visit the Cedar Forest of Ifrane National Park, home to the endangered Barbary macaques. You’ll have the chance to feed the monkeys and snap a few fun photos. Depending on the season, we may pass snow-covered landscapes as we continue through the mountains.

We stop for lunch in the mountain town of Midelt, known for its apple orchards and fresh mountain air. After lunch, the scenery begins to shift—you’ll notice the lush palm groves of the Ziz Valley, signaling our approach to the desert.

By late afternoon, we reach Erfoud, known for its fossils and date production. Soon after, we arrive at Merzouga, where a 4x4 vehicle will take you across the dunes to your luxury desert camp. Settle into your tent, relax with a warm shower, and enjoy dinner under the stars, followed by a campfire and traditional drumming.

Overnight: Luxury desert camp in Erg Chebbi
Driving time: Approx. 7 hours (including scenic stops)

After breakfast in camp, your second day is dedicated to a full desert excursion around the dunes of Erg Chebbi.

You’ll travel by 4x4 to:
•    Search for fossils in the desert plains
•    Visit nomadic families and enjoy tea in their tents
•    Enjoy a live performance of Gnawa music in Khamliya village
•    Explore the local market in Rissani, rich with spices, fabrics, and local crafts

For lunch, we’ll visit a local Berber family, where you’ll:
•    Learn how to bake traditional bread in a clay oven
•    Discover the local style of dress (and try it on for photos!)
•    Share a delicious meal of madfouna (Berber stuffed pizza) and other local dishes

In the afternoon, you’ll return to the edge of the dunes and ride camels into the desert. Climb a high dune to watch the sun set over the golden sands, then ride back to your camp for another peaceful night under the stars.

Overnight: Luxury desert camp in Erg Chebbi
Driving time: Approx. 2–3 hours (local desert exploration)

After a final breakfast in the desert, we begin our journey back to Fes, following a different rhythm but the same scenic route.

We’ll drive north through the Ziz Valley, cross the Middle Atlas Mountains again, and stop in Midelt for lunch. In the afternoon, we’ll pass once more through the cedar forests, perhaps catching sight of the monkeys again, and pause briefly in Ifrane for a coffee or stretch.

We arrive back in Fes in the early afternoon, where we’ll drop you off at your hotel or riad—marking the end of your unforgettable Sahara Desert journey.

End of tour.
Driving time: Approx. 7 hours