Short on time and looking for a 2 day tour from Fes? Two days is the fastest way to sleep in the Sahara from Fes. You cross the Middle Atlas, watch the sunset from the Erg Chebbi dunes and spend the night in a camp. However, it is a demanding trip, and the two 2-day routes are very different on the second day. This guide explains both honestly, so you know what to expect.
Quick answer: if you must return to Fes, book the 2-day Merzouga desert tour from Fes. If you are traveling on to Marrakech anyway, the 2-day desert tour from Fes to Marrakech combines the desert with your transfer, but day 2 is very long. If you can add one more day, a 3 day tour from Fes is much more comfortable.
2 Day Tour from Fes: The Two Routes Compared
| Book | Merzouga round trip | Fes to Marrakech |
|---|---|---|
| Start and end | Fes → Fes | Fes → Marrakech |
| Night | Desert camp | Desert camp |
| Day 1 | About 7.5 hours to Merzouga | About 7.5 hours to Merzouga |
| Day 2 | Return via Rissani, Erfoud and the Ziz Valley | Todra Gorge, Ait Ben Haddou and the High Atlas |
| Day 2 driving | About 7.5 hours | About 10 hours |
| Best for | Travelers based in Fes | Travelers continuing to Marrakech |
Both routes share the same first day and the same night in the dunes. The difference is the return: back north to Fes, or west across the High Atlas to Marrakech.
Day 1 on Both Routes: Fes to the Merzouga Camp
Ifrane, the cedar forest and Midelt
You leave Fes early and pass Ifrane, often called the “Switzerland of Morocco”. Next, you stop in the cedar forest of Azrou to watch wild Barbary macaques, without feeding them. After lunch in Midelt, you cross the Tizi n’Talghemt pass at 1,907 meters.
The Ziz Valley and the Erg Chebbi dunes
Then, you follow the Ziz Valley, full of date palms, to Merzouga. A camel takes you into the dunes for sunset, followed by dinner and Berber drums at the camp. About 7.5 hours of driving in total.
Day 2: The Two Ways Back
Option A: Rissani, Erfoud and back to Fes
After sunrise, you visit the souk town of Rissani and a fossil workshop in Erfoud. Then, you drive north through the Ziz Valley and the Middle Atlas and reach Fes in the evening. Read about this road in our guide from Fes to Merzouga.
Option B: Todra Gorge, Ait Ben Haddou and Marrakech
Alternatively, you drive west past Tinjdad to Todra Gorge, then continue to the kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou and cross the High Atlas to Marrakech. It is a beautiful but very long day of about 10 hours on the road.
Is a 2 Day Tour from Fes Worth It?
Yes, if two days is truly all you have, because a night in the dunes is unforgettable. However, you spend most of the trip in the car. Therefore, we usually recommend three days: the 3 day tour from Fes adds Todra Gorge and the Dades Valley, or a full desert day. With four days, read our 4 day tour from Fes guide.
Which 2 Day Tour Should You Choose?
- Staying in Fes? The round trip brings you back to your riad.
- Moving on to Marrakech? The one-way route replaces a separate transfer, but accept a long second day.
- Traveling with children? Two days is tiring for kids, so consider three. Read our tips for Morocco with kids.
Why Not Zagora?
From Fes, Zagora is much farther than Merzouga, so it is not realistic in two days. The 2-day Zagora desert tour only makes sense from Marrakech. Compare both deserts in Merzouga vs Zagora.
What Is Included in Our 2 Day Tours from Fes
Both tours are private. They include your own air-conditioned vehicle and driver, the camel trek, a night in a desert camp, and dinner and breakfast. Lunches, drinks and entrance fees are not included. You can upgrade to the luxury desert camp in Merzouga.
Best Time for a 2 Day Tour from Fes
Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons. In winter, desert nights are cold and the Middle Atlas can be snowy. In summer, the camel ride starts late because of the heat. Read our guides to Morocco in winter and the best time to visit Morocco, or the official Merzouga guide.
Tips for a Short Desert Trip
- Leave early: an early start gives you more time at the dunes before sunset.
- Pack light: take a small bag to the camp. See what to pack for the Morocco desert.
- Bring snacks and water: the drives are long.
- Plan Fes separately: keep at least one day for the medina. Read our Fes medina guided tour guide.
2 Day Tour from Fes FAQ
Can I see the Sahara in 2 days from Fes?
Yes. You reach Merzouga on day 1 and sleep in a camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes.
How long is the drive from Fes to Merzouga?
About 7.5 hours of driving, with stops in Ifrane, the cedar forest and Midelt.
Can a 2 day tour from Fes end in Marrakech?
Yes, but the second day is about 10 hours on the road.
Is 3 days better than 2?
For most travelers, yes. The driving is spread out and you see more.
Is the tour private?
Yes. You travel only with your group, in your own vehicle with a professional driver.
Book Your 2 Day Tour from Fes
In short, a 2 day tour from Fes is the quickest way to sleep in the Sahara. Choose the round trip if you stay in Fes, or the one-way route if you continue to Marrakech. Tell us your dates and we will plan the rest.
Plan this trip: ask for a free quote, write to us on WhatsApp, or see all our tours from Fes.
