3-Day Sahara Desert Tour: Fez to Merzouga & Return

Day 1: Fez – Ifrane – Azrou – Middle Atlas – Ziz Valley – Merzouga

Depart from Fez in the morning and head south through the scenic Middle Atlas Mountains. Your first stop is Ifrane, a charming mountain town with European-style architecture, often called the “Switzerland of Morocco.”

Continue to the cedar forests of Azrou, where you may encounter Barbary macaques in their natural habitat. Travel through picturesque landscapes of mountain plateaus and Berber villages as you cross the Middle Atlas.

Admire the dramatic views of the Ziz Valley, known for its endless palm groves and rugged cliffs, before reaching Erfoud, a desert town famed for its fossils and prehistoric landscapes.

Arrive in Merzouga, at the edge of the mighty Erg Chebbi dunes. Settle into a welcoming hostel near the dunes and enjoy a delicious Moroccan dinner. Relax and take in the peaceful desert surroundings under the starlit sky.

Day 2: Merzouga – Erg Chebbi Excursion – Berber Desert Camp

After breakfast, embark on a full-day exploration of the Merzouga desert region. Visit the village of Khamlia, where you’ll enjoy a performance of Gnawa music, rooted in West African traditions.

Continue off-road to meet nomadic families living in the desert, learning about their resilient way of life. You’ll have a chance to share tea and hear stories from those who call the Sahara home.

In the late afternoon, ride a camel into the heart of the desert. Witness the spectacular colors of the sunset over the golden dunes, then arrive at a traditional Berber camp.

Enjoy an authentic Moroccan dinner, music around the fire, and an unforgettable night under the stars in your desert tent.

Day 3: Merzouga – Rissani – Ziz Valley – Middle Atlas – Fez

Rise early for a magical sunrise camel ride, then return to camp for breakfast. Begin your journey back to Fez with a stop in Rissani, the birthplace of the Alaouite dynasty and an important historic trading center.

Travel once again through Erfoud and the Ziz Valley, pausing to appreciate its palm-lined oases and breathtaking canyons. 

Cross the Tizi n-Talghomt Pass in the High Atlas, and return via Azrou and Ifrane.

Arrive in Fez by late afternoon, ending your journey with lasting memories of Morocco’s desert landscapes and nomadic culture.

Trip Highlights :

  • Discover Ifrane, Morocco’s alpine-style mountain town

  • Walk among cedar trees and spot monkeys in Azrou

  • Travel across the Middle Atlas Mountains and through the Ziz Valley

  • Explore the fossil-rich region of Erfoud

  • Ride camels across the dunes of Erg Chebbi

  • Enjoy live Gnawa music in Khamlia

  • Camp under the stars in a Sahara desert camp

  • Visit the historic town of Rissani, the cradle of Moroccan royalty

  • Return to Fez with unforgettable desert memories

✅ What’s Included

Accommodation

  • 1 night in a traditional hostel near the dunes (Merzouga – Day 1)

  • 1 night in a Berber desert camp with private tent (Day 2)

Meals

  • Dinner: Days 1 & 2

  • Breakfast: Days 2 & 3

Transportation

  • Private air-conditioned vehicle

  • Professional multilingual driver/guide

Guided Experiences

  • Camel ride at sunset and sunrise

  • Visit to Khamlia village and live Gnawa music

  • Excursion to nomadic desert communities

Additional Highlights

  • Visit to Erfoud and the Ziz Valley

  • Scenic stops through the Middle Atlas

  • Time to explore local villages and unique landscapes

❌ What’s Not Included

  • Lunches throughout the tour

  • Breakfast on Day 1 and dinner on Day 3

  • Personal expenses

  • Optional activities not mentioned

  • Entry fees to any sites not specified

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