2025 Fez to Fez Luxury Desert Trip: An Honest Review

So, the thought of a trip to the Sahara desert is, you know, one of those big bucket-list things for a lot of people. You basically picture huge golden dunes, maybe a line of camels walking into the sunset, and just stars like you have never seen them before. An overnight luxury trip from Fez is actually one of the best ways to experience this, I mean, without having to give up the comforts of a hot shower and a real bed. We looked at the 2025 offerings and, well, this is kind of our deep look into what you can really expect. It is, as a matter of fact, much more than just a simple camel ride; it’s a very long drive with some truly incredible sights along the way that, honestly, are just as memorable as the desert itself.

The Drive Out: From an Imperial City to the Atlas Mountains

Okay, so your day starts really early, leaving the lively, almost maze-like, streets of Fez behind you. The cool morning air is, you know, a very nice change as you start to climb into the Middle Atlas Mountains. This part of the drive is, like, shockingly green, and you’ll probably wonder if you’re even in Morocco anymore. You get to drive through Ifrane, a town that honestly feels like it was plucked right out of the Swiss Alps, with its triangle-roofed houses and very tidy parks. It is just a bit of a surreal and unexpected stop, to be honest.

Then, you know, you go deeper into the mountains and into the cedar forests. The big thing here, as a matter of fact, is the chance to see the Barbary macaque monkeys. Your driver will almost definitely pull over, and you can, like, watch them for a bit. They’re sort of just hanging out, totally used to people, and it’s a really charming little moment. It’s almost one of those experiences that breaks up the long drive in a perfect way, right? You just get to see a side of the country’s nature that you, well, weren’t really expecting to find on your way to a huge desert.

Across the Middle Atlas & The Ziz Valley Oasis

So after the forests, the landscape starts to, you know, change in a very big way. It gets more or less rocky and sparse as you go over the Tizi n’Talghamt pass. The views from up here are, well, really big and they give you a sense of how vast this part of Morocco truly is. You’ll likely stop for lunch in a town called Midelt, which is sort of known for its apples. The food is typically simple but good, maybe a tagine or some grilled meat, which is actually just what you need to keep going.

The next part of the trip is, honestly, my favorite section of the entire drive. You get to a viewpoint that looks out over the Ziz Valley, and it is, like, completely breathtaking. I mean, you see this massive green snake of millions of palm trees cutting through a huge canyon. It is, frankly, an incredible sight after hours of driving through more rocky terrain. Down in the valley, you’ll see old mud-brick villages, which they call ksars, and it feels like you’re sort of looking back in time. You just have to spend a little time here taking it all in, you know?

Arrival in Merzouga: First Look at the Sahara

Anyway, as you get closer to the town of Merzouga, you’ll start to see them. I mean, the dunes. The Erg Chebbi dunes. At first, they’re just, like, a hazy orange line on the horizon. But then they get bigger and bigger, and you start to get, you know, really excited. Their color is this sort of deep, warm orange that changes with the light, and their size is pretty much hard to describe. You finally arrive at an auberge, a small guesthouse at the edge of the sand sea. Here, you basically leave your bigger bags and just get ready for the next part of the adventure.

This is where you, like, meet your camel. Getting on one is, to be honest, a kind of funny and slightly clumsy experience as it lurches up, but your guide helps you out. Once you’re moving, you just fall into this peaceful rhythm. The only sounds are, you know, the soft padding of the camel’s feet on the sand and maybe some quiet chat. Riding through the towering dunes as the afternoon sun begins to lower is just a very, very special feeling. The world just seems to slow down, and it is pretty much you, your camel, and this massive ocean of sand. Seriously, it’s a picture that will stick with you.

The Luxury Desert Camp: Glamping Under a Blanket of Stars

So, after about an hour on the camel, you will see your camp for the night. And you know, when they say “luxury,” they actually mean it. These aren’t just some basic tents. They are, like, really big canvas tents with real beds, nice linens, and beautiful Moroccan rugs on the floor. The best part, honestly, is the private, attached bathroom with a flushing toilet and a hot shower. At the end of the day, having that little bit of comfort in the middle of the desert feels incredibly special. It’s a kind of ‘glamping’ that really works well.

I mean, sitting there, sipping sweet mint tea and watching the sun go down over the dunes was just one of those perfect moments. The colors of the sky changed from blue to pink to orange, and the whole world went totally quiet. It’s really, you know, magical.

As evening falls, they light lanterns all around the camp, and it looks just beautiful. Dinner is usually served in a larger main tent, and it’s a proper feast. You might get different salads, a hearty chicken or vegetable tagine, and fresh fruit. It’s just very impressive what they can prepare in such a remote place. The food is, like, a very authentic taste of local hospitality.

A Night in the Desert and the Long Ride Back

After you eat, the Berber guides often get a campfire going. They will, like, bring out their drums and play traditional music under the stars. The atmosphere is just incredibly relaxed and friendly, you know? But the real show is, as a matter of fact, above you. With zero light pollution, the night sky is absolutely unbelievable. You can clearly see the Milky Way, constellations, and just so many shooting stars. Just laying on the sand and looking up is an activity all by itself and is, well, pretty much unforgettable.

Waking up the next day is another early start, but it’s totally worth it. You have to climb a nearby dune to watch the sunrise. Watching the first light hit the tops of the dunes and slowly change the color of the whole landscape is, you know, a very powerful experience. It’s so quiet and peaceful. After that, you’ll have a good breakfast back at the camp before riding your camel back to the auberge. The journey back to Fez is, well, a very long one, pretty much a full day of driving. But somehow, seeing the landscapes again in the reverse direction gives you a new appreciation for the huge distance you’ve covered.

What You Should Pack and a Few Real Tips

Okay, so packing right can, like, make your trip a lot more comfortable. It is almost always a good idea to bring a few specific things with you. Here’s a quick list of what you should probably think about bringing:

Layers of Clothing: The desert gets surprisingly cold at night, you know, even in the summer. A warm jacket or fleece is basically a must.
Comfortable Pants: You’ll want something comfortable for the long car ride and, like, for riding the camel.
Sun Protection: I mean, this one is obvious. A sun hat, sunglasses, and a good sunscreen are absolutely necessary. The sun is really strong.
A Small Bag: Just pack a small overnight bag or backpack for the desert camp. Your main luggage can, you know, stay securely in the vehicle or at the auberge.
Camera & Power Bank: You are going to take a lot of photos, for sure. A portable power bank is a really good idea to keep your phone and camera charged, just in case.
A Little Cash: It is sort of a good idea to have some small bills for drinks, souvenirs, or for tipping your driver and camp staff.

Finally, just be prepared for the driving time. It is a long way from Fez to Merzouga and back. I mean, it is basically a major part of the experience. Just think of it as a road trip through some of Morocco’s most different and interesting landscapes. The views are just part of the whole package, so just sit back and enjoy the ride.

Read our full review: [2025 Overnight Luxury Desert Trip From Fez Full Review and Details]

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