4-Day Fes sahara desert tour to Merzouga dunes

Your adventure begins with a drive through the Middle Atlas Mountains, heading south. Along the way, you'll pass through Ifrane—often called the "Switzerland of Morocco"—and the cedar forests of Azrou, home to wild monkeys. It's a great chance to enjoy nature and fresh mountain air.

As the journey continues, you’ll cross the scenic mountain roads and pass through Berber towns like Zaida, Midelt, and Rich. The landscape slowly shifts as you approach Errachidia, where the desert begins to take shape.

You'll stop at the stunning Ziz Valley for a short break—maybe a cup of mint tea—while taking in the wide, green palm groves stretching through the valley. From there, the road leads to Merzouga, the gateway to the Sahara, where you’ll spend the night.

Accommodation:
Standard: Mouhou Standard Camp or similar
Superior: Mouhou Luxury Camp or similar

A full-day 4WD tour around the Erg Chebbi dunes offers a deeper and more personal experience of Morocco’s Sahara Desert. The day begins in Merzouga, where you’ll set off across the sand in a comfortable off-road vehicle, heading into the dramatic and diverse landscapes that surround the towering dunes.

If there’s water in the seasonal lake near Merzouga—known as Dayet Srij—the first stop will be there. This shallow desert lake becomes a temporary haven for migratory birds such as ducks, herons, and even flocks of pink flamingos. It’s a rare and unexpected sight in the middle of such an arid region, and a favorite among birdwatchers and photographers.

From the lake, the tour continues to Khamlia, a quiet desert village inhabited by descendants of Sub-Saharan Africans who brought with them the rhythms and spirit of Gnaoua music. You’ll be welcomed with a cup of tea and invited to listen to a traditional Gnaoua performance—a hypnotic mix of percussion, song, and dance that tells stories of ancestry, spirituality, and resilience.

After Khamlia, the journey heads to a nearby mountain or elevated dune, offering sweeping panoramic views of the golden Erg Chebbi dunes. These dunes can rise up to 150 meters high and stretch for kilometers, constantly shifting and glowing in the sunlight. It’s a perfect spot to pause and capture the vastness of the Sahara on camera.

As the tour moves forward, you’ll enter a region known as the black desert. Unlike the soft golden dunes, this area is covered in dark volcanic rock and hardened soil. Here you’ll explore old colonial-era mines near the village of Mifis, where locals once extracted salt, kohl, and fossils. The area is still rich in prehistoric remains, and your guide will show you where to spot fossilized marine life that dates back millions of years—an incredible contrast to the present-day desert landscape.

Next comes one of the most memorable parts of the day: a visit with a nomadic family still living in traditional tents in the open desert. These families maintain a simple way of life, raising goats and camels while moving with the seasons. You’ll be welcomed into their home for tea, meet the family members, and learn how they live in harmony with the harsh environment. It’s a rare and honest look at a vanishing culture, marked by generosity and resilience.

Later, you’ll stop for a picnic lunch—either under the shade of a tree or at a small local restaurant, depending on your preference and the weather. It’s a chance to relax and enjoy the peaceful silence of the desert before the next part of the journey.

Returning to Merzouga in the afternoon, you’ll trade your 4WD for a camel and begin a peaceful trek into the dunes. The ride takes about an hour and is timed to reach your desert camp just as the sun begins to set. Watching the colors change over the sand as the temperature cools is a highlight of the experience, both calming and breathtaking.

When you arrive at the camp, you’ll be greeted with traditional mint tea and shown to your tent, which may range from simple to luxurious depending on the setup. Dinner is served under the stars, featuring classic Moroccan dishes like tagine or couscous, followed by live drumming and music around a bonfire. As the firelight flickers and the night sky fills with stars, you’ll end the day immersed in the quiet beauty of the Sahara.

Accommodation:
Standard: Mouhou Standard Camp or similar
Superior: Mouhou Luxury Camp or similar

Today, you'll start early to catch a stunning sunrise over the desert dunes. After enjoying the view, you'll have breakfast, take a shower, and go on a morning camel ride.

Next, we’ll head to Rissani — once the seat of the first ruler of the Alawite dynasty in the 1600s. Today, it’s known as the largest and nearest local market to the desert.

Our journey continues through small desert villages on the way to Tinghir, a town famous for its green oasis and dramatic canyons. Along the route, we’ll stop a few times for photos and short walks.

Finally, we’ll arrive at the Todra Gorges, where you’ll have about an hour to explore on foot before checking in at the hotel.

Accommodation:
Standard: Hotel Riad Dar Ayour or similar
Superior: Hotel Riad Bab Todra or similar

On the final day of the tour, we’ll leave Todra Gorges and head back to Fes. The drive takes us through the scenic and sometimes winding roads of the Middle Atlas Mountains, passing small Berber villages and changing landscapes along the way.

Once we reach the town of Rich, we’ll continue along the same route we took on the first day. The journey takes most of the day, and we expect to arrive in Fes by late afternoon or early evening.