Yes, a 2-day desert tour from Fez to Merzouga is a popular option. The route passes through Ifrane, the cedar forests of Azrou, and the Ziz Valley before arriving at the Erg Chebbi dunes for a camel ride and overnight camp experience.
Overview
Disconnect Completely on a 5-Day Lost in the Sands Adventure
For those who want to truly unplug, escape the modern world, and surrender to the rhythm of the desert, our 5-day lost in the sands adventure is the perfect escape. By extending your time in the south, this itinerary allows you to explore the Sahara at a much slower, more contemplative pace, traveling deeper into the dunes than standard overnight tours allow.
Exploring the Route of a Thousand Kasbahs
Before reaching the deep sands, the journey takes you through the most spectacular landscapes of southern Morocco. You will cross the High Atlas Mountains and spend ample time exploring the architectural wonders along the Route of a Thousand Kasbahs, including the Skoura Oasis and the magnificent Amridil Kasbah. The 5-day lost in the sands adventure also gives you a full day to hike and explore the breathtaking, towering limestone cliffs of the Todra Gorges, which you can learn more about on Wikipedia.
Deep Desert Immersion
The true focus of this tour is the Sahara. Instead of a quick overnight stay, you will spend several days exploring the vast dune seas. You will trek with camels deeper into Erg Chebbi, visiting remote nomadic families and learning about their resilient way of life. The 5-day lost in the sands adventure gives you the time to witness multiple sunrises and sunsets, truly absorbing the profound silence, shifting colors, and spiritual tranquility that only the deep desert can provide.
Sahara desert
1 nightsDay 1: Fez - Ifrane - Azrou - Midelt - Ziz Valley - Merzouga -Sahara desert
Lunch, Dinner
Our desert trip from Fez commences with the pick up from your hotel in Fez at 8 am and depart for the South of Morocco. You will have a stop in Ifrane, known as the Switzerland of Morocco to enjoy its beauty and to have some memorable photos. After that, you will head toward Azrou to see the monkeys in the cedar forest. Continuing to Midelt for a lunch meal in a restaurant. In the afternoon, we will cross the pass of Tizi N Talghamt to reach Errachidia while admiring the views of Ziz Gorges. Later you will have a stop for a panoramic view of Ziz valley.
The drive continues to Erg Chebbi Dunes passing by Aoufous and Erfoud (the last is famous for fossils and dates) where you may want to visit a local fossil craft workshop. After that, you will continue to the captivating dunes of Erg Chebbi. These dunes are called also Merzouga Dunes. On arrival, you will get ready for a camel trek for an hour and a half to enjoy the sunset. While on the back of your dromedary, you will continue to the camp for an overnight in a desert camp. Dinner and spend the night in a bivouac in the middle of the dunes with a spectacle of Sahara music.
Fez
Day 2: Sahara desert - Rissani - Ziz Valley - Azrou - Ifrane - Fez
Breakfast, Lunch
Very early in the morning, we have a “Date with the sunrise”. In the middle of the desert, waking up early is a “must-do” to contemplate the most spectacular sunrise you´ve ever seen at the top of a dune close to the camp. After having breakfast, we return to Merzouga on the camels and we start our trip to the north, through the Tafilalet palm grove, the biggest in the world. You´ll see thousands of palm trees along the 20km of road. This way leads us to the Ziz Valley, where the river comes down from the high Atlas and feeds the palm grove. Here we make a stop and from this high viewpoint, enjoy a magnificent view of the valley and the town of Aoufous.
We make another stop in Midelt, just in the heart of the Atlas where you´ll have free time for lunch and rest for a while. In the afternoon we continue our way through the Cedar Forest where, if we are lucky, we´ll see some monkeys. The next place we´ll visit is the city of Ifrane, situated on the northwestern slope of the Middle Atlas at 1630 meters above the water level. Its broad avenues, urban development with perfect cleanness, gardens, green areas, and architecture make this city look like a Swiss town. Ifrane feels misplaced in Morocco. That’s why it´s named Moroccan Switzerland, and if that´s not enough it has an important ski resort, Michlifen. At about 6 pm we will arrive at Fez the driver will drop you off in your accommodation at the end of our desert trip from Fez.
Details
Departure Time 8 AM
Price Includes
- Private transportation during the excursion with 4×4 air-conditioning car or minibus
- 1 nights accommodation in a luxury desert camp with private bathroom
- 1dinner and 1 breakfast
- Professional English-speaking driver
- Camel Trip in the Sahara Desert and camel guide
Price Excludes
- Drinks and lunches
- Tickets to the sites
- Any Private Expenses
- Travel insurance
FAQ
The best time to visit is during spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November), when temperatures are pleasant. Summer can be extremely hot, while winter nights in the desert can be very cold, though the daytime weather is often enjoyable.
The Ziz Valley is one of the largest oases in Morocco, stretching for kilometres along the Ziz River. It is known for its stunning panoramic viewpoints, lush palm groves, and dramatic gorges carved through the Atlas Mountains.
Yes, Barbary macaques live in the cedar forests near Azrou in the Middle Atlas Mountains. Many desert tours from Fez include a stop here so visitors can observe these playful primates in their natural habitat.
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