The desert from Fes and back to Fes — no one-way logistics. South through Ifrane, the Azrou cedars and the Ziz Valley to a night in the Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga, a relaxed day around the sand, then the return north over the Middle Atlas to Fes. A 3-day Erg Chebbi desert tour from Fes that starts and ends in the same city, ideal if your flights both run through Fes.
Day by day
Your 3-day plan
- 1
Day 1
Fes to Merzouga via Ifrane & the Ziz Valley
Leave Fes through Ifrane, the alpine 'Moroccan Switzerland', and the cedar forests of Azrou, home to troops of Barbary macaques. Cross the Middle Atlas via Midelt, then drop down the spectacular Ziz Gorges and the long palm canyon of the Ziz Valley through Errachidia and Erfoud to Merzouga. Camels carry you into the Erg Chebbi dunes for sunset and a night in a desert camp. A long day of roughly 7–8 hours on the road with stops at the Ziz viewpoints.
- Ifrane
- Azrou cedar forest & macaques
- Ziz Valley palm canyon
- Sunset camel trek
- Erg Chebbi camp
- 2
Day 2
A relaxed day in the Erg Chebbi dunes
No long drive today. Wake for sunrise over the dunes, then spend the day at desert pace around Merzouga: the Gnaoua musicians of Khamlia village, the nomad families of the reg, the seasonal Lake Dayet Srji, sandboarding the big dune and an optional 4x4 circuit of the erg. A second night deep in the sand under a brilliant desert sky, or a comfortable kasbah on the dune edge.
- Erg Chebbi sunrise
- Khamlia Gnaoua music
- Lake Dayet Srji
- Sandboarding
- Second desert night
- 3
Day 3
Return north to Fes over the Middle Atlas
Ride the camels back at sunrise, then retrace the route north: up the Ziz Valley and over the Middle Atlas through Midelt, the Azrou cedars and Ifrane, arriving back in Fes in the evening. It is the same scenic corridor as day one and another long driving day of roughly 7–8 hours, so it suits an unhurried morning in the dunes before setting off.
- Erg Chebbi sunrise
- Ziz Valley
- Midelt
- Return over the Middle Atlas
Good to know
Practical notes
- This is a there-and-back trip from Fes — you return to the same city, so it works when both your flights use Fes and you don't want one-way drop-off logistics.
- Days 1 and 3 are long on the road (roughly 7–8 hours each) over the same Middle Atlas and Ziz Valley corridor; a private 4x4 with a driver-guide keeps the distances comfortable and lets you stop freely.
- If you'd rather not double back, the one-way Fes to Merzouga 3-day tour finishes in Marrakech via the Todra and Dadès gorges instead of returning to Fes.
- Pack layers for the cool cedar country and Atlas passes, the hot dunes and the genuinely cold desert nights.
Frequently asked
Can you do a Sahara desert tour from Fes and return to Fes?
Yes — a 3-day Erg Chebbi round-trip runs south from Fes through Ifrane, the Azrou cedars and the Ziz Valley to a night in the dunes at Merzouga, a relaxed day around the sand, then back north over the Middle Atlas to Fes. You start and finish in the same city, which suits travellers whose flights both use Fes.
How far is Merzouga from Fes and how long is the drive?
About 470 km, or 7–8 hours each way, through Ifrane, the Azrou cedar forest, Midelt and the Ziz Valley. Because it is a round-trip the same corridor is driven in both directions, so days one and three are the long ones and day two is spent in the dunes.
Should I choose the Fes round-trip or the one-way crossing to Marrakech?
Choose the round-trip if you are based in Fes or fly in and out of it and don't want one-way logistics. Choose the one-way Fes to Marrakech crossing if you want to see the Todra and Dadès gorges and Aït Ben Haddou and finish in a different city, since that route does not double back.
Private & tailored
Want this Merzouga trip priced for you?
Every itinerary is private and fully adjustable — change the dates, pace, riads or length. Tell us your group and travel window and we'll send a written plan and an itemised quote within 24 hours.
Contact us for pricingMore itineraries