Fes 3 Days Desert Tour 2025: An Honest Review for First-Timers

So, you are probably thinking about that three-day trip from Fes out to the desert, right? It’s literally one of those things you see in pictures, you know, the huge orange dunes and the camels. To be honest, I had looked at this exact tour for a very long time before I actually went. There are a ton of options out there, and frankly, it can get a little confusing. This review is basically my way of sharing what my experience was really like, sort of cutting through the noise. What you get here are just my honest thoughts, with no sugarcoating, so you can figure out if this short, intense adventure is actually the right fit for your own trip to Morocco. It’s really more than just seeing the desert; it’s a bit of a full-on cultural deep-dive that is packed into 72 hours.

Day 1: From the Winding Streets of Fes to the High Atlas

Okay, so that first morning starts pretty early, I mean, really early. Your driver, who you’ll get to know quite well, usually picks you up right from your riad or a nearby point. The car is typically a fairly comfortable 4×4, which you will be very grateful for later. First, you just kind of get out of the city, and the landscape, well, it changes almost immediately. You start climbing up, you know, into the Middle Atlas Mountains. The air gets a bit cooler, which is a nice change from the city’s warmth. One of the first main stops is often Ifrane, a town that honestly looks like it was dropped right out of Switzerland. It is so very strange to see these pointy-roofed houses in Morocco, but that’s what makes it kind of interesting. You probably won’t stay long, just long enough to stretch your legs and snap a few pictures.

After that, as a matter of fact, the drive continues into the cedar forests. This part was actually a big surprise for me. Here you get to see the Barbary macaque monkeys, and they are literally just hanging out on the side of the road. Your driver will stop, and you can watch them, you know, do their thing. They’re sort of wild but pretty used to people. It’s a very sweet, simple moment. I mean, the rest of the day is a lot of time in the car, frankly. We stopped for lunch somewhere in Midelt, which is famous for its apples, and the food was simple but good. You see so much of the country this way, just watching the world go by from your window. The scenery shifts from green forests to a much more rocky, stark sort of appearance as you get closer to the Sahara. Honestly, just be ready for a day of sitting, but with views that are pretty much always changing.

The Camel Ride and an Unforgettable Night in Merzouga

So, you’ll finally arrive at the edge of the desert, near a town called Merzouga, in the late afternoon. This is basically where the road ends and the giant sand sea of Erg Chebbi begins. And right there, your camels are just sort of waiting for you. To be honest, this part feels a little bit like a movie scene. Getting on the camel is, well, an experience in itself, sort of a clumsy but fun affair. Then you are off, moving in a slow line with your fellow travelers into the heart of the dunes. The silence is the first thing you really notice; it’s almost absolute. The only sounds are the soft steps of the camels on the sand and the quiet chatter of your guide. The sun starts to set, and honestly, the colors are something you can’t quite capture on a camera. The dunes seem to glow, shifting from a bright orange to a soft pink and purple. It is incredibly peaceful, you know?

After about an hour or so, you see it: your desert camp for the night. It is surprisingly cozy, with a big central area and a circle of heavy canvas tents. The Berber people who run the camp are incredibly welcoming; they greet you with mint tea, a true symbol of Moroccan hospitality. Dinner is typically served in a large tent, a delicious tagine that has been slow-cooking all day. But at the end of the day, the real magic happens after dinner. They light a bonfire, and the guides bring out their drums. They play traditional Berber music, and the whole atmosphere is just completely amazing. When the music stops, you just have to step away from the fire and look up. The number of stars you can see, with no city lights to interfere, is absolutely mind-blowing. I just laid on the sand for what felt like hours, spotting shooting stars. Seriously, that night in the desert camp is a core memory for a reason.

Day 2: Waking Up in the Sahara and Exploring the Region

Waking up for the sunrise is, pretty much, non-negotiable. One of the camp guides will gently wake everyone up before dawn. You just sort of climb up the nearest high dune in the chilly morning air, and then you wait. Watching the sun appear over the horizon, lighting up the endless dunes, is genuinely one of the most beautiful sights. It is quiet and just a bit reflective. After that, you have a simple breakfast back at the camp and then ride the camels back out of the dunes to your driver. But the day is, like, far from over. Today, you actually get to explore the area around the desert a little more.

So, the second day often includes a 4×4 tour of the desert region. For example, we went to visit a nomadic family. It was just a little glimpse into a way of life that is so different from mine. They offered us tea, and our guide helped translate as we learned about their lives. Another stop is usually Khamlia village, a place famous for its Gnawa music. The people there are descendants of people from sub-Saharan Africa, and their music is this hypnotic, rhythmic thing that you just sort of feel in your chest. It’s an incredibly powerful performance. This day feels a bit less structured, more about small, authentic encounters. For the second night, you don’t stay in the deep desert camp again. Instead, you’ll check into a hotel or a kasbah at the edge of the dunes. It is quite nice to have a real shower and a proper bed after the camp experience, I mean, let’s be honest. You still have the view of the dunes, sometimes even from a swimming pool, which is a pretty surreal combination.

Day 3: The Long Road Back to Fes

So, you need to be prepared for the fact that the last day is, basically, just a long travel day. There’s really no getting around it; it’s about a seven or eight-hour drive to get back to Fes from Merzouga. You have a good breakfast at your hotel, say goodbye to the Sahara, and get back in the 4×4 for the long haul. The route back is more or less the same one you took to get there, but seeing it again gives you a different perspective. You tend to notice different things, you know?

Frankly, the main highlight of the return trip is the stop at the Ziz Valley. It’s this absolutely huge gorge with a massive river of palm trees running through it. The viewpoint from the road is just incredible and provides a great photo opportunity. Your driver will stop for lunch again at some point along the way. I mean, my best advice for this day is to just lean into it. Bring a book, have a good playlist, or just chat with your driver and fellow travelers. Use the time to sort of process everything you’ve seen over the last two days. You will be quite tired by the time you pull back into Fes in the early evening. Your driver drops you off at your riad, and just like that, the whirlwind desert adventure is over.

Is This Fes Desert Tour Right for You? Honest Recommendations

So, at the end of the day, is this trip worth it? I honestly think so, but it’s not for everyone. You will absolutely love this tour if you have a sense of adventure and are okay with giving up some creature comforts for a really authentic experience. It’s perfect for people who don’t mind long car rides and see them as part of the exploration. Photographers, obviously, will be in heaven. It is also great for solo travelers; you get to meet new people in a small group setting. However, if you are someone who really needs five-star luxury or has serious back issues, the long drives and camel ride might be a bit too much. If you have very young children, that could be another consideration.

Here are just a few practical things to think about to make your trip better. Honestly, packing smart is key. You really don’t need a lot of stuff.

• Layers of Clothing: Seriously, the desert is hot during the day but gets surprisingly cold at night. A warm fleece or jacket is a must.
• Sun Protection: A hat, sunglasses, and high-SPF sunscreen are, you know, absolutely necessary. A headscarf is also a good idea for the camel ride to protect from sun and sand.
• Comfortable Pants: For the camel ride, you will be much more comfortable in long, loose pants than in shorts or a skirt.
• Cash: You’ll need small amounts of cash for things like tips for the guides, drinks, and maybe some souvenirs. You can’t just rely on cards out there.
• Portable Charger: Keeping your phone and camera charged is obviously a good idea, as power outlets in the desert camp might be limited.

To put it simply, this three-day tour is a very efficient, action-packed way to see a side of Morocco that is totally different from the cities. It is a bit of a whirlwind, but the payoff—the sunset over the dunes, the incredible stars, and the warmth of the Berber people—is more or less an experience that will stick with you for a very, very long time.

Key Takeaways from the Tour

• Be ready for long hours spent traveling in a vehicle on the first and third days.
• The night in the desert camp, with the camel ride and stargazing, is a genuine highlight.
• Packing layers is your best strategy for the changing desert temperatures.
• Day two offers unique cultural moments, like listening to Gnawa music.
• The trip provides an incredible value for the experiences packed into just three days.

Read our full review: Fes 3 Days Desert Tour 2025 Full Review and Details
See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Fes to Merzouga Tour 2025)