If there’s one experience that’s high on many travellers’ lists when visiting Morocco, it’s spending a night in the Sahara Desert. It really is incredible - the silence, the stargazing and the unique opportunity to discover the region’s nomadic cultures.
While the Sahara is a wonderfully remote part of Morocco, it is relatively easy to access thanks to the numerous tours operating there. It’s possible to drive or bus yourself to Merzouga or M’Hamid (the two major gateway towns) and organise a night at a desert camp there. Or you can join a guided tour from Marrakech or Fes for a multi-day experience.
Considering the affordability of many tours, I’d highly recommend grabbing this opportunity as there are many advantages. Not only will you have a hassle-free experience (no navigating rough roads on your own) but you’ll get to discover lots of other places along the way and gain unique cultural insights from your guides.
From Fes, you’ll travel through the spectacular Ziz Valley, a part of Morocco that’s often overlooked. It’s also possible to begin your Sahara desert tour in Fes and be dropped off in Marrakech, exploring the breathtaking gorges of Dades and Todra (as well as the UNESCO-listed ksar of Ait Benhaddou) along the way.
In this article, I’ll detail 4 of the best tours to the Sahara from Fes, whether you’re looking for a short adventure from the ancient city or want a leisurely transfer via the desert to Marrakech.
Travelling from Marrakech? Check out this list of the best tours to the Sahara from Marrakech.
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Best budget tour to the Sahara from Fes
If you’re short on time, then this two-day Sahara tour from Fes to Marrakech is ideal. It receives consistently five-star reviews, with guests commenting on the comfortable accommodation, efficient transport and incredible camel ride. It covers a LOT of ground in the space of two days, so be prepared for long days on the road.
From Fes, you’ll travel to the Swiss-inspired town of Ifrane and spot Barbary macaques in the surrounding cedar forest. Continue to the lively city of Midelt for an authentic roadside lunch before travelling through the palm-studded Ziz Valley. Your ultimate destination is the gateway town of Merzouga, from where you’ll embark on a sunset camel trek to a desert camp to sleep under a canopy of stars.
Wake early to watch the sunrise over the Erg Chebbi dunes before returning to Merzouga. You’ll have time to shower at a local hotel before hitting the road once again. By lunchtime, you’ll arrive in the Valley of the Roses, which is particularly atmospheric during the harvest season in April. After refuelling, you’ll make the picturesque drive to Ouarzazate and travel over the Tizi n’Tichka pass en route to Marrakech.
"Truly an incredible experience. Accommodations were comfortable, more like glamping, and food was tasty! Would recommend this trip to all, solo, couples, friends.” - Armen (read more reviews here)
Discover things to do before or after your Sahara Desert experience in this Ultimate Travel Guide to Fes.
Best tours to the Sahara from Fes
Best small-group Sahara tour from Fes
This three-day Sahara tour provides a convenient way of getting from Fes to Marrakech (or visa versa) while covering a lot of ground along the way. The pace is a little more relaxing than the two-day Sahara tour listed above, with an additional night spent in the “Hollywood of Morocco”, Ouarzazate. Wheelchair-accessible transportation is available, making this a great Sahara tour for those with limited mobility.
After leaving the ancient streets of Fes, you’ll have time to admire the Swiss-style architecture of Ifrane and get up close to Barbary macaques in Azrou before soaking up the Atlas Mountains scenery en route to Midelt. The scenic drive will take in the magnificent landscapes of the Ziz Gorge before reaching Merzouga in the late afternoon. From here, you’ll embark on a camel trek and a short hike to the Great Dune, from where you’ll watch an unforgettable sunset.
Spend the night in a traditional nomadic tent in the heart of the desert and wake early to watch the day’s first rays illuminate the dunes. Returning to Merzouga by camel, it’s time to get back on the road and head to the lively market town of Rissani and on to the date capital of Erfoud. You’ll drive through the dramatic gorge of Todra and visit the impressive Taourirt Kasbah before spending the night in the film city of Ouarzazate.
On your final day, wander through the UNESCO-listed ksar of Ait Benhaddou and make the spectacular drive up and over the Tizi n’Tichka pass to end your adventure in Marrakech.
“Amazing combination of adventure, hospitality, happiness and stories. Great host. Life changing trip.” - Amaad (read more reviews here)
Best tours to the Sahara from Fes
Best private Sahara tour from Fes
Beginning and ending in Fes, this four-day private Sahara tour receives outstanding reviews, particularly when it comes to the incredible guide, Mohammed. He can arrange tours at the last minute and is accommodating to the changing travel plans of guests. I also love that it gives you an extra day to drive from Fes to Merzouga and really soak up this underrated corner of Morocco.
As with the itinerary above, it includes stops in Ifrane and Azrou to see the Barbary macaques before enjoying the views of the Middle and High Atlas Mountains en route to Midelt. Here you will spend a night and get to enjoy the local comings and goings in a town that most simply rush through. The following day, you'll continue driving through the palm-studded Ziz Valley en route to Merzouga.
In the late afternoon, ride a camel through the dunes to a Sahara Desert camp where you’ll have the opportunity to test your skills at sandboarding. Experience an unforgettable night around the campfire listening to Amazigh music and enjoying some of the world’s best stargazing. The following day, you’ll embark on a short camel ride back to Merzouga where you’ll have breakfast and a shower before making the return journey to Fes.
"Mohammed organised the trip on short notice and was very helpful in figuring out an itinerary that fit our needs and timeline.” (read more reviews here)
Best tours to the Sahara from Fes
Best tour from Fes to the Sahara and Chefchaouen
Spanning 10 days, this private Morocco desert tour can start and finish in various cities, including Fes, Marrakech, Casablanca and Tangier. Since it is a private tour, the schedule can be customised to suit your preferences, offering a mix of guided activities and leisure time for exploration. The reviews are glowing - it's all five-star ratings!
Begin in the north of the country to discover the relaxed Moroccan capital, Rabat, and its charming kasbah. After that, you'll have a night in the picturesque blue town of Chefchaouen. It's a paradise for photographers! Next, visit the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis and the majestic city of Meknes before staying overnight in the historic medina of Fes. You'll have a whole day to explore before heading through the beautiful alpine landscapes near Ifrane to Merzouga, where you'll spend the night in a hotel with a view of the Erg Chebbi dunes.
The thing that makes this Moroccan Sahara desert tour unique is that you have the opportunity to spend an entire day in Merzouga, with the choice to take a camel ride, join a cooking class or meet some of the local villagers. This is different from most other Sahara tours from Marrakech, where you arrive in the afternoon one day and leave the next morning. You also get to stay overnight at a luxurious desert camp for an incredible stargazing experience.
From Merzouga, travel on to Marrakech through the breathtaking gorges of Dades and Todra, and enjoy a stop in UNESCO-listed Ait Benhaddou. This 10-day Sahara tour in Morocco covers a huge area, but you won't feel like you're being hurried. Plus, the amazing guides will handle all the details for you, so all you have to do is wake up and enjoy each day!
"The perfect all round tour to see the major sights of Morocco.” - Alexander (read more reviews here)
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