What is the typical duration of tours from Fes to the Sahara Desert?

The journey from Fes to the Sahara Desert spans 3-6 days with 4-day tours being the most common choice. The route takes travelers through the Middle Atlas Mountains to Merzouga making stops at notable sites. Visitors can explore Ifrane Morocco's "Switzerland" the cedar forests of Azrou and pass through the Ziz Valley before reaching the desert's edge. As one TourRadar traveler noted: "Had an amazing adventure experienced beautiful landscape wonderful food and amazing local cultures. Would recommend this tour to anyone wanting to experience Morocco away from the bustling Medinas."

Where can I expect to stay during a Fes to Sahara Desert tour?

Each night offers different accommodation experiences on the desert journey. The first nights are spent in traditional riads in Fes such as Riad Rcif or Riad Al Makan. As the tour progresses travelers stay in desert lodges near Merzouga like Kasbah Mohayut and local guesthouses in the Dades Valley including Kasbah Tizzarouine. The highlight for many is spending a night in a luxury desert camp among the Erg Chebbi dunes where guests enjoy traditional Berber meals and entertainment. A TourRadar traveler shared: "The accommodations were incredibly comfortable and authentic especially the luxury desert camp under the stars - it was truly magical."

What are the main highlights between Fes and the Sahara Desert?

The route connects several noteworthy destinations starting with Ifrane's Imperial city and the Azrou cedar forests home to Barbary apes. Travelers pass through the Ziz Valley known for its palm groves and visit Erfoud a town famous for its fossils. The journey includes time in Khamlia village to experience Gnawa music and explores the Todra Gorges. As one TourRadar traveler mentioned: "Every stop was incredible but seeing the sunset over the massive dunes of Erg Chebbi while riding camels was absolutely unforgettable."

How long is the drive from Fes to the Sahara Desert?

The drive takes 7-8 hours from Fes to Merzouga Desert. Tours break up this distance with rest stops and sightseeing including visits to Ifrane the Middle Atlas Mountains and the Ziz Valley. Many groups pause at Hotel Ramada By Wyndham Fes and other points of interest along the way. A TourRadar traveler shared "Though the drive was long the changing landscapes and frequent stops made it enjoyable."

What's the best time of year to take a tour from Fes to the Sahara?

October through April provides the most pleasant conditions for desert tours from Fes. The spring months of March through May and fall period of September through November offer comfortable temperatures for outdoor activities. Summer brings intense heat with desert temperatures often reaching above 40°C (104°F). As noted by a TourRadar traveler: "We went in October and the weather was perfect - warm during the day but cool enough at night to enjoy the campfire in the desert."

What meals are typically included in Fes to Sahara Desert tours?

Tour packages generally cover breakfast and dinner with an emphasis on local Moroccan dishes. Breakfast at locations like Dar Anebar in Fes serves fresh bread jams and mint tea. Desert camp dinners feature traditional dishes such as tagines and couscous served outdoors. Lunch stops happen in towns like Midelt or Rissani at extra cost. As one TourRadar traveler noted: "The food was exceptional throughout especially the traditional Berber dinner in the desert camp."

Sahara Desert Tours from Fes

Picture yourself riding camels across Merzouga's golden dunes, sleeping under Sahara stars in a Berber camp, then exploring Todra Gorge's massive cliffs. You'll discover Ait Benhaddou – that UNESCO spot from Game of Thrones – plus Ouarzazate's film studios and Ifrane (Morocco's little Switzerland). There's the Atlas Mountains crossing, Marrakech's chaos at Jemaa el-Fna, and those Barbary apes hanging out in Azrou's cedar forests.

10 best Sahara Desert tours from Fes

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In-depth Cultural
From Fes : 4-Days Private Merzouga Desert Tour To Marrakech
5.0 (1 traveler review)
Duration
4 days
Destinations
Fes, Ifrane, Azrou, Errachidia, Merzouga, Khamlia,Erg Chebbi,Rissani,Todra Gorge,Boumalne Dades,Kalaat M'Gouna,Ouarzazate,Ait Benhaddou,Marrakesh+8 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Sahara Desert
Operated in
English, French,Spanish+1 more
Operator
Come With Us Tours
30% Off
From $917
US$642per person
Price based on Private Double Room
- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
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Explorer
3 days 2 Nights Desert Tour from Fes via Desert to Marrakech
5.0 (10 traveler reviews)
"We got a long so well we even extended our tour with Discover Morocco Tours."
Karan, traveled in October
Duration
3 days
Destinations
Fes, Ifrane, Azrou, Midelt, Erfoud, Merzouga, Khamlia,Tinghir,Todra Gorge,Boumalne Dades,Kalaat M'Gouna,Skoura,Ouarzazate,Ait Benhaddou,Telouet,Marrakesh+9 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Sahara Desert
Operated in
English, French
Operator
Discover Morocco Tours
15% Off
From $557
US$473per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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In-depth Cultural
5-Day Private Sahara Desert Tour From Fes To Marrakesh
5.0 (3 traveler reviews)
"The quad trip was insane. The camel ride but it was so fun."
Jouzif, traveled in March
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Fes, Ifrane, Merzouga, Erg Chebbi, Khamlia, Rissani, Tinghir,Todra Gorge,Boumalne Dades,Kalaat M'Gouna,Skoura,Ouarzazate,Ait Benhaddou,Marrakesh+7 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Sahara Desert
Operated in
English, French,Spanish+1 more
Operator
Morocco Flawless Travels
10% Off
From $949
US$854per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
Totally Morocco Tour from Fez
5.0 (3 traveler reviews)
"Program, accomodation, guides, transportation all exceeded our expectations."
Miksa, traveled in March
Duration
10 days
Destinations
Fes, Merzouga, Erg Chebbi, Boumalne Dades, Todra Gorge,Ouarzazate,Ait Benhaddou,Marrakesh,Casablanca,Tangier,Chefchaouen,Rabat+7 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Regions
Sahara DesertNorthern MoroccoAtlas Mountains+2 more
Operated in
English, French
Operator
Discover Morocco
10% Off
From
US$1,033per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
Imperial Cities & Desert Tour
3.7 (3 traveler reviews)
"The pace was very fast but I enjoyed everything especially Ait Ben Haddou and watching the sunrise in the Sahara Desert."
Catherine, traveled in March
Duration
7 days
Destinations
Fes, Errachidia, Merzouga, Erg Chebbi, Erfoud, Tinghir,Todra Gorge,Boumalne Dades,Ouarzazate,Ait Benhaddou,Marrakesh,Casablanca+6 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Country Region
Sahara Desert
Operated in
English, French
Operator
Discover Morocco
10% Off
From
US$940per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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In-depth Cultural
3 Days Sahara Desert Tour from Fes to Marrakech
5.0 (1 traveler review)
"We were highly recommended to use tourradar only and very happy we did. It was extraordinary."
Basantee, traveled in October
Duration
3 days
Destinations
Fes, Ifrane, Merzouga, Tinghir, Boumalne Dades, Ouarzazate,Ait Benhaddou,Marrakesh+2 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Sahara Desert
Operated in
English
Operator
Guided Morocco Tours
10% Off
From
US$867per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
Premium 3-Day Fes to Marrakech Sahara Experience with Luxury Camp
5.0 (1 traveler review)
Duration
3 days
Destinations
Fes, Ifrane, Merzouga, Rissani, Todra Gorge, Boumalne Dades,Ouarzazate,Ait Benhaddou,Marrakesh+3 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Sahara Desert
Operated in
English, German,Italian,Portuguese,French,Spanish,Chinese,Dutch,Russian+7 more
Operator
Morocco Travel Experts LLC
10% Off
From
US$440per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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In-depth Cultural
4 Days 3 Overnights Desert Adventure from Fes to Marrakech
5.0 (1 traveler review)
Duration
4 days
Destinations
Fes, Midelt, Erfoud, Ifrane, Rissani, Erg Chebbi, Ouarzazate,Todra Gorge,Skoura,Ait Benhaddou,Marrakesh+4 more
Age Range
Ages 14+
Country Region
Sahara Desert
Operated in
English
Operator
3T Travel
10% Off
From
US$330per person
Price based on Shared Room
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Explorer
4 Days Desert Tour From Fes To Marrakech Via Merzouga Dunes
5.0 (1 traveler review)
"All of our dealings with Morocco Flawless Tours were excellent. The camel ride to the desert camp was a once in a lifetime experience."
Elizabeth, traveled in January
Duration
4 days
Destinations
Fes, Ifrane, Merzouga, Erg Chebbi, Khamlia, Todra Gorge,Boumalne Dades,Ait Benhaddou,Ouarzazate,Marrakesh+4 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Sahara Desert
Operated in
English, French,Spanish+1 more
Operator
Morocco Flawless Travels
10% Off
From $890
US$801per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Active
4 Days Desert Tour from Fes to Marrakech
5.0 (1 traveler review)
"The journey was made even more memorable by the kindness and hospitality of the locals we encountered along the way."
Jessica, traveled in February
Duration
4 days
Destinations
Fes, Ifrane, Merzouga, Khamlia, Todra Gorge, Boumalne Dades,Ouarzazate,Ait Benhaddou,Marrakesh+3 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Sahara Desert
Operated in
English
Operator
Guided Morocco Tours
10% Off
From
US$1,249per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Active
3 Days Sahara Adventure (Fes / Marrakech)
5.0 (4 traveler reviews)
"Stunning countryside, warm and welcoming people and lots of things we learned along the way!"
Till, traveled in March
Duration
3 days
Destinations
Fes, Ifrane, Azrou, Midelt, Merzouga, Erg Chebbi, Khamlia,Rissani,Todra Gorge,Boumalne Dades,Kalaat M'Gouna,Ouarzazate,Ait Benhaddou,Marrakesh+7 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Sahara Desert
Operated in
English, Spanish
Operator
Morocco Joy Travel
10% Off
From
US$499per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
4 Day Desert Tour from Fes to Marrakech
5.0 (1 traveler review)
"Highly, highly recommend Discover Morocco tours and especially Rashid Aghad, who was so kind to us."
Jamil, traveled in January
Duration
4 days
Destinations
Fes, Ifrane, Azrou, Rissani, Erg Chebbi, Merzouga, Khamlia,Todra Gorge,Skoura,Ouarzazate,Ait Benhaddou,Marrakesh+5 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Sahara Desert
Operated in
English, French
Operator
Discover Morocco Tours
10% Off
From
US$835per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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In-depth Cultural
Fes to Fes Desert Tour 3 Days / 2 Nights
4.0 (1 traveler review)
"The camel ride and experience in the Sahara were unforgettable though and our guide was excellent."
Stephanie, traveled in March
Duration
3 days
Destinations
Fes, Erg Chebbi
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Sahara DesertErg Chebbi+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Across Africa Tours & Travel
10% Off
From
US$507per person
Price based on Private Double Room
- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
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Explorer
Fes To Marrakech Via Merzouga Desert
5.0 (4 traveler reviews)
"Highly recommended taster of Morocco including the absolute Must See's of Marrakech and the Sahara."
Nick, traveled in May
Duration
4 days
Destinations
Fes, Ifrane, Midelt, Merzouga, Erg Chebbi, Khamlia, Rissani,Todra Gorge,Boumalne Dades,Kalaat M'Gouna,Ouarzazate,Ait Benhaddou,Marrakesh+6 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Sahara Desert
Operated in
English, French,Spanish+1 more
Operator
Best Tours Morocco
10% Off
From
US$1,270per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
The Saharan Grandeur: 4-Day Desert Tour from Fes to Marrakech
5.0 (1 traveler review)
"The Mercedes van was perfect and comfortable and clean, and Aziz was friendly and cooperating."
Sara, traveled in May
Duration
4 days
Destinations
Fes, Ifrane, Erfoud, Merzouga, Khamlia, Rissani, Tinghir,Todra Gorge,Boumalne Dades,Kalaat M'Gouna,Skoura,Ouarzazate,Ait Benhaddou,Marrakesh+7 more
Age Range
Ages 13+
Country Region
Sahara Desert
Operated in
English, French,Spanish+1 more
Operator
Perfectly Morocco Tours
5% Off
From $811
US$771per person
Price based on Private Double Room
- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
View tour