Fez to Merzouga: A 2-Day Desert Trip Review (2025)
You know, there’s this feeling you get when you think about the Sahara Desert. It’s kind of a mix of wonder and adventure, right? Honestly, spending a night out there, with nothing but sand dunes and a sky full of stars, is on a lot of people’s lists. The question is, can you actually pull off such a huge experience in just two days from Fez? Well, we looked into a popular small-group tour for 2025 that does just that. As a matter of fact, it’s an incredibly intense couple of days. So, if you’re curious about what it’s really like to go from the ancient city of Fez to the sands of Merzouga and back in a flash, you’ve come to the right place. We are going to walk through it, from the long car ride to that first moment you see the camels waiting.
Day One: The Big Drive from Fez’s Old Streets
An Early Start Through the Middle Atlas Mountains
Okay, so your day one starts really, really early. Your driver will likely pick you up from your riad or a nearby point, and frankly, you’re on the road before the city fully wakes up. The first part of the drive is, like, a total surprise. You leave the dusty feeling of Fez and you’re suddenly climbing into the Middle Atlas Mountains, which are honestly so green and cool. The air actually changes. You’ll make a stop in Ifrane, a town that feels more like a slice of Switzerland; it’s honestly a bit strange but very neat to see. Not long after, you will likely pause again in the cedar forests. And here, well, this is where you get to see the Barbary macaque monkeys. They’re just hanging out by the road, and you can, sort of, get pretty close to watch them. It’s a nice way to break up what is, at the end of the day, a very long drive.
The Long Afternoon Haul to the Desert’s Edge
After the monkeys and the mountains, the scenery begins to shift, you know? It gets a lot drier and more rugged as you head south. Pretty much the whole afternoon is dedicated to driving, so you will want to have a book or some music ready. The main highlight of this stretch, for sure, is the Ziz Valley. Your driver will almost certainly stop at a panoramic viewpoint, and it is just breathtaking. You look down and see this massive green river of palm trees cutting through a deep, orange canyon. It’s pretty much the first real taste of the oases you picture when you think of the desert. At the end of the day, this is a very long day in a minivan. It’s a means to an end, and that end is the absolutely spectacular Erg Chebbi dunes that await you in Merzouga.
Arriving in Merzouga: Where the Sand Beckons
Your Camel Ride into the Famous Erg Chebbi
So, you finally arrive at the edge of the desert in the late afternoon. Here, a building that’s part-guesthouse, part-staging area, is where you leave your main luggage. You just take a small overnight bag with you. And there they are, the camels, just waiting patiently. Honestly, getting on a camel is a sort of funny and clumsy experience, right? It lurches forward and then backward, but you’re up before you know it. Your caravan, led by a local guide, then starts its slow and steady walk into the sea of sand. The silence is the first thing that hits you, you know? It’s a very quiet world out there, with just the soft sound of camel feet on the sand. As the sun starts to dip lower, it casts these incredibly long shadows, and the color of the dunes changes from a pale yellow to a deep, fiery orange. It is completely beautiful.
A Magical Night at the Berber Camp
After about an hour or so on the camel, you’ll see your camp for the night. It is a collection of sturdy Berber tents arranged in a circle, looking pretty cozy. The tents themselves are more comfortable than you might think; they usually have proper beds and blankets, which is great. Shortly after you arrive and drop your things, dinner is served, usually in a larger dining tent. You can expect a delicious, hot tagine, some salads, and bread—really tasty home-cooked food. Later, the best part begins. The camp hosts will likely start a bonfire and bring out their drums. You can just sit back, listen to the traditional Berber music, and stare up at the sky. I mean, the number of stars you can see is just unbelievable. Without any city lights, the Milky Way is so clear it’s almost like a cloud. It’s a seriously special moment.
Day Two: A Spectacular Sunrise and the Road Back
Waking Up to an Unforgettable Desert Sunrise
Alright, so someone from the camp will gently wake you up when it’s still completely dark. It’s an early start, but you absolutely have to do it. You’ll clamber out of your tent and, to be honest, it’s probably a bit cold. The guides will lead you to a high dune nearby for the best view. Waiting there in the quiet, pre-dawn chill is, like, a really peaceful experience. Then, you start to see the first sliver of light on the horizon. The sky slowly turns from a deep indigo to soft shades of pink and purple. And then the sun appears over the dunes, bathing the entire desert in a warm, golden light. Seriously, it’s one of those views that just stays with you. You’ll have plenty of time to take pictures and just soak it all in before heading back down for some breakfast.
The Long Drive Back to the City of Fez
After breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye to the desert. You’ll ride your camel back to the edge of the dunes where your driver is waiting for you. It feels different riding back in the bright morning light, you know? You can see for miles. Once you’re back in the vehicle, you pretty much start the long drive all the way back to Fez. You will take the same road back, so you’ll see the Ziz Valley and the Middle Atlas Mountains again, but from a new perspective. Obviously, it’s another full day of driving, and you will most likely be quite tired. You’ll probably find yourself just looking out the window, replaying the images of the starry night and the beautiful sunrise in your mind. You should get back to Fez in the early evening, full of new memories.
Is This Quick 2-Day Desert Trip for You?
Some Pros and Cons to Think Over
So, the big question is whether this quick trip is the right choice. On the plus side, it’s basically the only way to get a real Sahara experience if you are very short on time. It covers all the big highlights: the camel ride, the desert camp, the sunset, and the sunrise. A small group setting is also really nice, you know, because it feels a little more personal than a big bus tour. On the other hand, the biggest drawback is, of course, the drive. It’s honestly a huge amount of time in a car—about 18-20 hours round trip. It definitely feels a bit rushed, so you don’t get a lot of time to just chill out and absorb the desert atmosphere. You sort of arrive, do all the activities, and then leave right away. It’s an amazing sampler, but not a deep immersion.
Helpful Ideas on What You Should Pack
If you decide this is the trip for you, packing smart will make a huge difference. Here is just a quick list of things you should definitely consider bringing along:
- Comfortable Clothes: You should have lightweight clothes for the day and, like, a warmer jacket or fleece for the chilly desert night.
- Sun Protection: A sun hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen are absolutely non-negotiable, seriously. The desert sun is very strong.
- A Scarf or Turban: A local guide can show you how to wrap it. It’s incredibly useful for protecting your face from both sun and any sand that might be blowing around.
- Practical Footwear: Just bring trainers or walking shoes. You do not really need heavy hiking boots.
- Camera and Power Bank: Of course, you’ll want to take a lot of photos. A portable power bank is a really good idea, as charging options at the camp can be limited.
- A Small Amount of Cash: It’s always good to have some dirhams on you for things like drinks, snacks on the road, or maybe a tip for your driver and desert guides.
“At the end of the day, it’s a huge amount of driving for a short amount of time in the desert. But that one night, with that sunset and that sunrise… well, it was absolutely worth every single minute in that van. Just an incredible little adventure.”
Read our full review: [2-day Fez Merzouga Trip Review Full Review and Details]
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