5-Day Desert Tour from Fes to Merzouga and Back

A private 5-day (4-night) round trip from Fes to the Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga: a full day around the dunes with Rissani and Khamlia, a camel ride to a desert camp, the Todra Gorge, then back north through the Ziz Valley with a night in Midelt before Fes.

From Fes, five days is the shortest desert trip we run. Merzouga is about 460 km away, 8–9 hours with stops, and driving it twice in a short trip leaves you with a night in the dunes and very little else. This loop does the long drive once, on the way down, then gives you a day at the dunes and brings you back in two shorter stages.

Day one crosses the Middle Atlas via Ifrane and the Azrou cedar forest and follows the Ziz Valley to a guesthouse at the edge of Erg Chebbi. Day two takes in Rissani's market and ksar and Gnawa music in Khamlia, then a sunset camel ride to a camp among the dunes. Day three heads west to Tinghir and the Todra Gorge, about 200 km. Day four turns north through Goulmima, Errachidia and the Ziz gorges to Midelt, about 290 km, and day five is an easy 200 km back to Fes over the Middle Atlas.

Good to know

Length

5 days, 4 nights, Fes to Fes

Group

2–6 travellers, private: only the people you book with

Effort

Moderate

Languages

English, French, Spanish, Arabic

Booking

A written itinerary and a fixed price within 24 hours. A 30% deposit confirms; cancellation and refunds follow Serenity Morocco Tours' booking terms.

Highlights

• Four nights: Erg Chebbi guesthouse, desert camp, Todra Gorge and Midelt
• A full day at Merzouga: Rissani market and Gnawa music in Khamlia
• Sunset camel ride to camp and sunrise over the dunes
• Walk in the Todra Gorge between walls of around 300 m
• Ziz Valley palm groves and gorges
• Ifrane and the Azrou cedar forest, home to Barbary macaques

Not included: Lunches and drinks (budget about MAD 100–150 per lunch); Entrance fees and local guides at monuments unless noted; Travel insurance; Tips for the driver, guides and camp staff.

Every day in full

Day 1: Fes – Ifrane – Midelt – Merzouga

07:00 pickup in Fes. Ifrane, the Azrou cedar forest, lunch in Midelt and the Ziz gorges. About 460 km and 8–9 hours with stops, the longest day of the trip. Arrive at your guesthouse by the dunes in the late afternoon. Night: Guesthouse at the edge of Erg Chebbi. Meals: D.

Day 2: Rissani, Khamlia & the dunes

Morning at Rissani's market and ksar (busiest on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday), then Gnawa music and tea in Khamlia. Late-afternoon camel ride into the dunes for sunset and a night in camp. Night: Private tent, desert camp in Erg Chebbi. Meals: B · D.

Day 3: Merzouga – Tinghir – Todra Gorge

Sunrise over the dunes and breakfast, camel ride back, then west via Erfoud and Tinejdad to the Tinghir oasis (about 200 km). Afternoon walk in the Todra Gorge. Night: Hotel in the Todra Gorge or Tinghir. Meals: B · D.

Day 4: Todra – Errachidia – Ziz Valley – Midelt

East through Goulmima to Errachidia, then north up the Ziz gorges and over the Tizi n'Talghemt pass to Midelt (about 290 km, 5–6 hours with stops). Night: Hotel or guesthouse in Midelt. Meals: B · D.

Day 5: Midelt – Azrou – Ifrane – Fes

Across the Middle Atlas plateau to the Azrou cedar forest and Ifrane, about 200 km and 3–4 hours with stops. Back in Fes by mid-afternoon. Meals: B.

What to bring

• A small overnight bag — main luggage stays in the vehicle at the camel station
• Warm layers: desert nights drop close to freezing from December to February
• Scarf or cheche to cover your face against wind-blown sand
• Head torch, sunglasses and SPF 30+
• Closed shoes or sandals you don't mind filling with sand
• Cash in dirhams for lunches, drinks and tips