3-Day Tour to the Merzouga Desert from Fe

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3-Day Tour to the Merzouga Desert from Fez

Tour summary:

Duration

3 days - 2 nights

Arrival

Fez

Departure

Fez

Type of tour

Private or Shared

This 3-day tour from Fez is designed for travelers seeking a comprehensive Sahara experience without the logistical hassles. Starting and ending in the same city, the tour takes you through mountainous landscapes, southern villages, spectacular gorges, and fertile valleys before venturing into the dunes of Erg Chebbi.

A night in the desert with a camel ride, a visit to the majestic Todra Gorges, and the contrasting landscapes of the Dades Valley are woven into a leisurely itinerary that allows you to enjoy the highlights of southern Morocco at a relaxed pace. Ideal for those seeking an authentic Saharan experience while using Fez as both the starting and ending point.

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Highlights

Departure from Fez heading south: the adventure into the desert begins.
The Cedar Forests of Azrou: Encountering Barbary macaques in the wild.
Ziz Valley: endless palm groves on the way to the edge of the Sahara.
Arrival in Merzouga: the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi at the edge of the desert.
Camel ride at sunset: the magical light over the dunes of the Sahara.
A night at a Berber camp: traditional dinner and endless stars.
Sunrise in the desert: the first light on the dunes—an unforgettable moment.
Rissani and its traditional souk: living history at the gateway to the desert.
Todra Gorges: A 300-meter-deep vertical canyon flanked by dizzying cliffs.
Dades Valley: rock formations sculpted by nature.

Tour categories:

Tour Itinerary: 3 Days from Fez to Merzouga and Back

Day 1: Fez – Midelt – Merzouga – Erg Chebbi

We depart from Fez in the morning and head south, making our way into the Middle Atlas Mountains. The road winds through ever-changing landscapes: forested hills give way to vast plateaus until we reach Midelt, a town surrounded by mountains where we’ll take a short break.

We continue southeast, with the landscape gradually giving way to desert terrain. In the afternoon, we arrive in Merzouga, at the gateway to the Sahara. From here, we set out on a camel ride that takes us deep into the Erg Chebbi dunes, just in time to admire the desert’s colors at sunset. Dinner and overnight stay at a Berber camp or a hotel near the dunes.

🛣️ Distance	Approx. 460 km
⏱️ Driving time	Approx. 7–8 hours (including stops)
🌅 Main stops	Landscapes of the Middle Atlas, Midelt, arrival in Merzouga
🐪 Camel ride	Approx. 1.5 hours to the campsite

Day 2: Merzouga – Rissani – Erfoud – Todra Gorge – Dades Valley

After breakfast, we set off from Merzouga heading west. The route passes through Rissani, an important desert town with a long history of trade, and continues on to Erfoud, famous for its fossils and palm groves.

We continue on to Tinghir, where the imposing Todra Gorge awaits us. We’ll have time to walk through this canyon with its vertical walls, admiring its natural beauty. In the afternoon, we’ll head to the Dades Valley, known for its spectacular rock formations and picturesque mountain roads. Dinner and overnight stay.

🛣️ Distance	Approx. 270 km
⏱️ Driving time	Approx. 4–5 hours
🌅 Main stops	Rissani (souk), Erfoud (fossils), Todra Gorge
🏨 Accommodations	Riad or hotel in the Dades Valley (dinner and breakfast)

Day 3: Dades Valley – Rissani – Erfoud – Fez

After breakfast, we begin our return journey to Fez. We take the route through Rissani and Erfoud, crossing desert plains and mountainous landscapes that offer us a final glimpse of southern Morocco.

We’ll make stops to rest and take photos of the surroundings before continuing north through the Middle Atlas region. We’re scheduled to arrive in Fez in the late afternoon, marking the end of this 3-day tour of the Merzouga Desert.

🛣️ Distance	Approx. 460 km
⏱️ Driving time	Approx. 7–8 hours (including stops)
🌅 Main stops	Rissani, Erfoud, southern landscapes

100% Customizable Itinerary

This itinerary can be fully tailored to your preferences and travel style. The price varies depending on the accommodation category, the number of travelers, and the duration of the trip.
Contact us and we’ll send you a personalized proposal with no obligation.
If this itinerary doesn’t quite match what you’re looking for, our team will design a tailor-made trip through Morocco for you, taking care of every detail so you can enjoy a unique experience.

What's included:

Private transportation by 4x4, minivan, or minibus, including driver and fuel
Pickup from your accommodation in Fez
Spanish-speaking driver/guide
1 night at a Berber camp in Merzouga (dinner and breakfast)
1 night in a hotel or riad in the Dades Valley (dinner and breakfast)
Camel ride in Merzouga
Bottled water (one bottle per person per day)

Does not include:

Gallery

Tour Route:

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this tour depart from Fez and return to Fez?

Yes, the tour starts and ends in Fez. It’s perfect if you’re based in Fez and want to experience the desert without ending up in another city. We leave in the morning on Day 1 and return in the afternoon or evening on Day 3.

Is a 3-day desert tour worth it?

Absolutely. Three days gives you the perfect balance: time to enjoy the trip at a leisurely pace, a night in the desert, and visits to the Todra Gorge and the Dades Valley. It’s more comprehensive than the two-day itinerary, but doesn’t require a whole week.

Where do we sleep every night?

Night 1: Berber camp in Erg Chebbi (in the middle of the dunes) or a hotel near Merzouga. Includes dinner and breakfast.
Night 2: Riad or hotel in the Dades Valley, with dinner and breakfast included.

What is a night like at the desert camp?

You arrive by camel at sunset. A traditional Moroccan dinner awaits you, along with Berber music around the campfire and comfortable tents equipped with mattresses and blankets. The camp has shared bathrooms and hot showers. In the morning, the sunrise over the dunes is spectacular.

What will we see on Day 2?

Day 2 is packed with activities:

In the morning: Rissani (traditional souk) and Erfoud (fossil workshops).
Noon: Todra Gorge, a spectacular canyon with 300-meter-high walls.
Afternoon: Dades Valley and its rock formations (the “Monkey’s Fingers”).

How do I handle my luggage during the camel ride?

On Day 1, when you arrive in Merzouga, you’ll leave your large suitcase in the vehicle. You’ll only bring a small backpack with the essentials for the night at the camp. The vehicle will be waiting for you the next day with all your luggage.

Will we make it in time to catch our flight on the last day?

Arrival in Fez is between 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM on the 3rd. We recommend taking flights departing after 9:00 PM or, better yet, the following day. If you need to leave earlier, let us know so we can try to adjust the schedule.

Is this a private or shared tour

This is a 100% private tour. It’s just you, your family, or your group. There will be no other passengers in the vehicle. The driver-guide is at your disposal throughout the tour, adapting to your pace and interests.

How can I book the tour?

You can book directly through our website or by sending us a message on WhatsApp.
💬 Contact us on WhatsApp and we’ll send you all the information about availability, prices, and personalized options.

Request a Reservation

+212 658 860892

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What our customers say

excellent

We just got back from our trip, and we couldn't be happier with the experience. Everything was perfectly organized, which allowed us to enjoy ourselves to the fullest without worrying about a thing.

The dromedary excursions in the desert and the quad rides were among the most exciting and fun activities of the trip. In addition, the accommodations exceeded all our expectations: comfortable, clean, charming and located in spectacular locations.
The value for money was excellent. We felt we got much more than we expected.
But what really made this trip special was our guide, Hassan. From the very beginning, he was approachable, friendly, and very professional. He was always looking out for us, making sure we were comfortable, safe, and having a good time at all times. It was a real treat to have someone like him with us!

We recommend this experience 100%. Morocco is an incredible country, and living it with such a careful organization and with a guide like Hassan really makes the difference. Thank you for everything!

We had an unforgettable trip in Morocco with Hassan as our driver and guide. We were a group of five friends touring Tangier, Chefchaouen, Fez, Casablanca, Essaouira and Marrakech, and the whole experience was perfectly organized thanks to him. Hassan was much more than just a driver. He took us to excellent local restaurants, always negotiating fair prices on our behalf and making sure we enjoyed authentic Moroccan cuisine without worrying about overpaying. His knowledge of each city, its culture and history greatly enriched the trip, and he was always willing to explain details and answer all our questions. What we valued most was her flexibility and constant attention. She adapted the itinerary to our needs, to our rhythm and to the group dynamics, always with a professional and close attitude. At all times we felt safe, comfortable and very well cared for. If you are planning to travel Morocco and are looking for a reliable driver, an excellent guide and a person who really cares about making your trip a special experience, we can't recommend Hassan enough.

Hassan and his team are excellent. They were recommended to us by friends and were fantastic. Like all operators, they took a little while to resolve the problem, but Hassan was very flexible with his range of services. He accommodated my needs rather than insisting on doing everything on a high budget. This was very different from others and optimized my budget. The car and driver (Hamid) were first class and the accommodation in the riad and camp was very comfortable. 5 stars.

We have just returned from an incredible trip organized by Haya Viajes and we could not be more grateful for the unique experience we had in Morocco. From the very first moment, the organization was impeccable: every detail was carefully planned, which allowed us to enjoy ourselves to the fullest without worrying about anything. We traveled as a family—two couples with four children—and Hassan made sure that each of us felt comfortable and enjoyed every moment. We discovered the most authentic side of Morocco, exploring traditional villages, bustling markets, and spectacular landscapes. However, the most magical part was undoubtedly our experience in the desert dunes. Spending the night under a starry sky, riding a dromedary, and feeling the immensity of the Sahara was something we will never forget. The children were fascinated, and we were amazed by the beauty and tranquility of the place.

Hassan is not only an excellent organizer, but also a charming person, always willing to share his culture and make us feel at home. If you are looking for an authentic adventure in Morocco, we highly recommend trusting him, a trip that will remain forever in our hearts!

It was the first time my friend and I had traveled to Morocco, and we didn’t know where to start. We got Hassan’s contact information, and from the very beginning he helped us with everything. He picked us up at the airport and took us to our first riad, where we received a very warm and welcoming reception. The next morning we left for the desert with Hassan, who accompanied us throughout the tour, explaining each place and making us feel very comfortable at all times. We visited the kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, continued to the Dades Gorges, and ended the day in the desert of Merzouga with a camel ride and a magical night in a Berber camp under the stars. At dawn on the third day, we went on a quad bike excursion in the desert—an experience we highly recommend—and then continued on to Ouarzazate and finally Marrakech. With many meals included and others left to us to enjoy at the places where we stopped, it was one of the trips where I felt most relaxed, enjoying every moment without a care in the world. Undoubtedly, an unforgettable experience.