Fes to Merzouga: Distance, Route and Desert Tour Guide
Fes is the closest imperial city to the Sahara, which makes a Fes to Merzouga desert tour one of the best ways to reach the dunes of Erg Chebbi. The road crosses the Middle Atlas, cedar forests, high plateaus and the palm groves of the Ziz Valley before the first golden dunes appear. Here is everything you need to know to plan your trip from Fes to the Sahara.
Fes to Merzouga distance and driving time
The distance from Fes to Merzouga is about 470 km, or 7 to 8 hours of driving with short stops. There is no train to Merzouga, and buses are long and not very comfortable, so most travellers choose a private desert tour with a local driver. This way you can stop wherever you like for photos, lunch and short walks.
The route and the best stops
- Ifrane: the “Switzerland of Morocco”, a clean mountain town with Alpine-style houses, often covered in snow in winter.
- Azrou cedar forest: ancient Atlas cedars and the famous Barbary macaques living wild among the trees.
- Midelt: the “apple city” at the foot of the snowy Jbel Ayachi, a good stop for lunch.
- Ziz Gorges and Ziz Valley: a spectacular canyon followed by a long green ribbon of palm trees in the middle of the desert.
- Erfoud and Rissani: the land of dates and fossils, and the gateway to the Tafilalet oasis.
- Merzouga: the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi, a sunset camel ride and a night in a desert camp.
How many days do you need from Fes?
2 days is enough for a first desert experience from Fes: you drive to Merzouga on day one, ride a camel at sunset and sleep in a desert camp, then watch the sunrise and drive back to Fes. Our 2-day Fes to Merzouga desert trip is built exactly like this.
With 3 days you can travel more slowly, or cross the south and end your trip in Marrakech via the Todra Gorge, the Dades Valley and Ait Ben Haddou, instead of driving back the same way. See all our Fes desert tours to compare itineraries.
Fes or Marrakech: where should you start?
From Fes, Merzouga is about 2 hours closer than from Marrakech, so a short desert trip is easier. From Marrakech, the road is longer but passes the High Atlas, Ait Ben Haddou and the gorges. Many travellers combine both: start in Marrakech, cross the desert and finish in Fes, or the other way round. Read our guide Marrakech to Merzouga: how many days do you need?
Tips for your Fes desert tour
- Start early in the morning to arrive in Merzouga in time for the sunset camel ride.
- In winter, bring warm clothes: Ifrane and the Middle Atlas can be very cold and snowy. See our Morocco desert packing list.
- Don’t feed the monkeys in the cedar forest: watch them from a respectful distance.
- Check the best time to visit Merzouga and what to expect in a Sahara desert camp.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Merzouga from Fes?
About 470 km, or 7 to 8 hours of driving via Ifrane, Midelt, the Ziz Valley and Erfoud.
Is 2 days enough for the desert from Fes?
Yes. A 2-day Fes to Merzouga trip includes a sunset camel ride, a night in a desert camp and the sunrise over the dunes.
Can I go from Fes to Merzouga and end in Marrakech?
Yes. A 3-day Fes to Marrakech desert tour crosses the Sahara and the south of Morocco without driving back the same way.
Book your Fes to Merzouga tour
Our local team runs desert tours from Fes all year round. Contact us and we’ll help you choose the right itinerary.