5 BEST Sahara Desert Tours from Fes, Morocco

Looking for the best Sahara Desert tours from Fes? Read on for my top recommendations!

Visiting the Sahara Desert of Morocco was an absolute dream come true for me. It had always been at the top of my bucket list, and I knew it would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

As we approached Merzouga, the village right on the edge of the Sahara desert dunes, the anticipation and excitement grew. The sight of the sand dunes rising out from the desert was surreal. I couldn’t believe that I was about to ride a camel through the vast expanse of the Sahara Desert!

Thankfully, going into the Sahara Desert absolutely lived up to expectation, and still continues to be one of my favorite travel memories, ever. If you’re visiting Morocco, you simply must put the Sahara desert on your itinerary.

What These Sahara Tours from Fes All Have in Common (Important!)

I chose these tours based on a few different criteria:

➡️All include pickup from your hotel or riad in Fes

➡️All include transfer in an air-conditioned van

➡️All tours are led by friendly, kind, helpful, and engaging guides, and spending time with your local guide will be a highlight of the trip.

➡️All tours include going by camel into the Sahara, and an overnight stay in a luxury tent while you’re there

The 5 Best Sahara Desert Tours from Fes

I have categorized the best Sahara desert tours into five different categories. These tours feature friendly guides and exciting itineraries that will provide you with an unforgettable experience. Let’s explore them to find the ideal Saharan adventure for you.

#1: Best 2-Day Sahara Tour from Fes to Fes

⭐Rating: 5.0 of 5 stars | Read all reviews here

This 2-day Sahara desert tour offers a quick but unforgettable experience, taking you to medieval ksours and Kasbahs, through the landscape of northern Morocco, and finally the breathtaking Sahara Desert.

You’ll also have the opportunity to go on a camel ride through the desert and witness a stunning sunset over the dunes of Erg Chebbi.

If you want the highlights of the desert in one easy tour, this is the best option for you.

Enjoy the following inclusions with this tour:

• Breakfast + dinner
• Professional driver and guide
• Stops in Azrou to see barbary apes, Ifrane to see “the Switzerland of Morocco”, and the town of Rissani.
• Camel rides at sunset and sunrise

You can explore the full itinerary and learn more about this 2-day Sahara Tour from Fes to Fes here.

By far this was the best part of our Moroccan trip, where we took this tour and spent the night in the middle of the Sahara. We rode camels to our tents, and at night time after an amazing dinner we had a drum circle with plenty of laughing and singing. We couldn’t have asked for a better tour. Highly recommend taking this one, as it’s an experience of a lifetime!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – tour review

This tour is perfect for:

This 2-day tour is perfect for travellers who have limited time in Morocco – as this is the quickest (but still quality) tour you can take to experience the Sahara desert.

#2: Best 3-Day Sahara Tour from Fes to Fes

⭐Rating: 5.0 of 5 stars | Read all reviews here

During the 3-day tour from Fes, you’ll enjoy one full day in the Sahara desert, where you’ll visit villages around the Sahara, the large Rissani souks, the Lake of Merzouga, and more.

Enjoy a memorable sunset camel ride, and spend a night in a traditional Berber tent under the stars.

It’s a thrilling journey that combines cultural exploration and natural wonders, providing unforgettable experiences in Morocco’s Sahara Desert.

Enjoy the following inclusions with this tour:

• Camel trek into and out of the desert
• Private luxury tent in the Sahara
• Two breakfasts and two dinners
• On your drive to the Sahara, make stops in in Ifrane (the Switzerland of Morocco), the Azrou Cedar Forest, the marble producing town of Erfoud, and the beautiful Ziz Valley

You can explore the full itinerary and learn more about this 3-day Sahara Tour from Fes to Fes tour here.

A journey to cherish! Our tour guide was fantastic and quite informative; he truly provided us a great understanding of the Berber culture and the natural beauty of Morocco! We had no idea how much we would enjoy the camel ride, the sunset, and the night in the desert. The camp where we stayed was fantastic.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – TOUR REVIEW

This tour is perfect for:

Anyone who wants to spend one full day in and around the Sahara desert, while ending up back in Fes at the end of the tour.

#3: Best 3-Day Sahara Tour from Fes to Marrakech

⭐Rating: 4.98 of 5 stars | Read all reviews here

Experience an authentic desert adventure with the 3-day Fes to Marrakech desert tour.

Ride camels across the stunning Erg Chebbi dunes, witness breathtaking sunsets and sunrises, and spend a night in a luxurious desert camp.

Make multiple stops at top attractions in Morocco as you travel to and from the Sahara desert.

Enjoy the following inclusions with this tour:

• English-speaking driver/guide
• Camel trekking in the Sahara
• Private luxury tent + en-suite bathroom in the Sahara
• Sandboarding
• Two dinners and two breakfasts
• Stops in Azrou for the cedar forests, Ifrane to see “the Switzerland of Morocco”, the Ziz Oasis, the Rissani souks, the Todra Gorge, the Dades Valley, the film studios of Ouarzazate, and the fortified village of Ait Ben Haddou

You can explore the full itinerary and learn more about this 3-day Sahara Tour from Fes to Marrakech here.

Our guide was the best! He is an excellent driver and showed us his country with pride. We learned a lot about his Berber culture and had an unforgettable experience in the Sahara desert. This is a tour not to be missed!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – tour review

This tour is perfect for:

This 3-day Fes to Marrakech tour is for anyone who wants to experience a wide variety of places in Morocco, and end their tour in Marrakech to continue the Moroccan adventure.

#4: Best 3-Day Sahara PRIVATE Tour from Fes to Marrakech

⭐Rating: 5.0 of 5 stars | Read all reviews here

This 3-day private tour from Fes to Marrakech showcases the best of the Moroccan desert, while enjoying a private and customizable expeirence.

In this tour, you’ll start from Fes and journey south through Cedar forests, the Middle Atlas Mountains, and the Sahara Desert.

Along the way, you’ll drive on the Road of 1000 Kasbahs, visit Palms Oases, cross the High Atlas Mountains, and conclude your trip in Marrakech.

Enjoy the following inclusions with this tour:

• WiFi on board
• Tour through the Erg Chebbi sand dunes in a 4×4 vehicle, visiting various villages, markets, and a nomad family
• Camel trekking to your luxury desert camp
• Sandboarding in the Sahara dunes
• Two breakfasts and two dinners
• Stops in Azrou for the cedar forests and apes, Ifrane to see “the Switzerland of Morocco”, the Ziz Oasis, the Rissani souks, the Todra Gorge, the Dades Valley, the film studios of Ouarzazate, and the fortified village of Ait Ben Haddou

You can explore the full itinerary and learn more about this 3-day Sahara Private Tour from Fes to Marrakech here.

Exceeded our expectations in how it enables us to meet locals and immerse ourselves in the authentic Morocco’s culture and how it covered all the major attractions of the beautiful country. If anyone is choosing to explore Morocco, I would highly recommend Morocco Culture Travel.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – TOUR REVIEW

This tour is perfect for:

This is the ideal one for travellers who want a convenient, luxury, and private Sahara desert tour with a fantastic itinerary. This tour offers many incredible experiences, including some unique experiences in the desert.

#5: Best 4-Day Sahara Tour from Fes to Marrakech

⭐Rating: 5.0 of 5 stars | Read all reviews here

Discover the beauty of Morocco’s Sahara Desert on this 4-day tour from Fes to Marrakesh. Highlights include visiting Ifrane, Azrou, Midelt, Ziz Valley, and Erg Chebbi Dunes.

Experience a full day in the desert, where you’ll explore the area in a 4×4 tour, including visiting a nomad family, a stop in Khamlia village to hear the traditional Gnawa music, a visit to an oasis in the dunes, and a visit to the flamingo lake. Then enjoy your traditional night in the Sahara, including camels, dinner, music, and a luxury tent.

Enjoy the following inclusions with this tour:

• WiFi on board
• Three breakfasts and three dinners
• A full day in the Sahara, with a tour to many attractions around the desert
• A stay in a luxury desert tent
• Stops in Azrou for the cedar forests and apes, Ifrane to see “the Switzerland of Morocco”, the Ziz Oasis, the fossils of Efroud, the Todra Gorge, the Dades Valley, the film studios of Ouarzazate, and the fortified village of Ait Ben Haddou

You can explore the full itinerary and learn more about this 4-day Sahara Tour from Fes to Marrakech here.

I loved every bit of the journey – The endless roadtrip, the stunning views, the nature vibe, the lovely people and the experience as a whole. Literally every place we went to was full of surprises!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – TOUR REVIEW

This tour is perfect for:

Anyone seeking an immersive Sahara Desert experience. This 4-day tour from Fes to Marrakesh offers thrilling 4×4 desert tours, camel trekking, and a chance to stay in a traditional nomad tent, with an entire day spent in and around the Sahara.

What to Expect While You’re in the Sahara

Each of these Sahara desert tours from Fes has a very similar itinerary when you’re actually in the dunes. To save you time reading the same descriptions for each tour over and over, let me give you a full description here.

You’ll meet your desert camp hosts in Merzouga (the village right on the edge of the dunes) in the evening, usually a couple hours before sunset. Then, you’ll head off into the Erg Chebbi dunes (the name of the specific dunes in Morocco), riding a camel into the Sahara.

It will take about 1.5 hours to reach your camp on the other side of the Erg Chebbi dunes. There, you’ll witness the sunset either in the middle of the dunes or right at the camp.

When you arrive at camp, you’ll enjoy a delicious hot dinner– this dinner will be as good as any Moroccan meal you’ve eaten! An appetizing breakfast will be served in the morning too.

After dinner, your Berber guides will make a fire and play traditional music around the flames. Definitely don’t miss observing the stars in the middle of the dunes!

Finally, you’ll spend the night in your luxury desert tent. These are not your usual camping tents – they are well-designed, sturdy, and roomy tents, and sometimes have en-suite bathrooms, with running water, a bathroom, and electricity.

Important Things to Know Before You Book

➡️My Top Tip For Choosing a Sahara Desert Tour

My big tip for choosing a Sahara Desert tour is to dedicate a complete day to embracing the wonders of the Sahara Desert. Although an overnight stay can provide a remarkable experience on its own, if you are investing the time and effort to reach the desert, why not extend your stay and fully immerse yourself?

We loved our full day in the desert, and I’d recommend it to anyone who can make it work in their schedule.

The 4-day tour I listed above (#5 on the list) and the 3 day tour starting and ending in Fes (#2 on the list) both give you a full day to explore and play in the desert.

➡️Booking Your Tour in Advance vs Booking in Fes

You do have the option to wait until you are actually in Fes to find a tour operator in the city (it won’t be hard, there are lots around) and haggle for the most affordable price there.

But it’s important to know that there are advantages and disadvantages to this. Obviously, you can certainly get a tour for a lower price when you’re haggling in Fes than booking online.

However, it also comes with some disadvantages. Online tour companies are much more committed to giving quality experiences to tourists since they are looking forward to receiving positive reviews.

The ones you’ll find in the city won’t care that much because they don’t rely on reviews for new travelers to book them, and your travel experience can really be affected by this.

In particular, if you are a solo female traveler, I would definitely book your Sahara desert tour from Fes online ahead of time, as there have been multiple reports of women being hassled by their guides on tours like these.

For such a bucket list experience, I think it’s worth making sure you get a great desert adventure.

➡️Small Group Tour vs Private Tour

This one is really down to personal preference. It’s really up to you and what’s available for the itinerary you want. For example, I could only find a private tour available for a 3-day tour (not 2 or 4 days).

I used to totally avoid any kind of group tour (after an experience in Cozueml where us and 500 other people were shuffled through the streets), I’ve come to really appreciate and enjoy a quality small group tour.

We’ve now gone on a lot of small group tours in many countries we’ve visited, and the result has been overwhelmingly positive. We’ve enjoyed connecting with fellow travelers from different corners of the world, and these interactions have often become highlights of our journeys.

Embracing the company of like-minded adventurers has brought an unexpected and delightful dimension to our travels.

What to Pack for the Sahara Desert

Headscarf: Beyond making you look very authentic, Moroccan headscarves are very helpful to protect your head from the sun, wind, and sand. You can get one in any marketplace in Morocco for around 50 dirhams ($5) – plus it makes a great souvenir from Morocco to bring home with you.

Your desert guides will help you tie the scarf in their traditional style.

Dress, kaftan or djallaba: Kaftan and djallabas are traditional Moroccan clothing (long “dress”-like outfits that both men and women wear) and are a great thing to pick up if you want to look SUPER legit in the desert.

Matthew is wearing a kaftan in our camel pictures and he looks absolutely bomb. (Wear shorts underneath and then hike up the kaftan a little bit – it wasn’t hard for him to sit on the camel wearing that outfit).

Jacket: The Sahara can get chilly at night, even after a hot day. I’d plan to bring a light jacket if you’re visiting during the spring or summer. However, nights get downright cold during the winter, (lows in the 30’s and 40’s) so I’d bring a heavier coat and possibly other winter gear (hat, gloves).

Sunscreen: No explanation necessary, but definitely don’t forget it. Matthew always uses this sunscreen stick, and I wear this facial sunscreen for sensitive skin under my makeup.

Something for motion sickness: No matter what tour you take out to the Sahara, you’re going to have to ride on the winding roads of Morocco. These roads made me suuuuuuuuper nauseous (I actually threw up out the window as we were going through switchbacks in the Atlas Mountains).

All that to say, I’d highly recommend something for motion sickness.

While dramamine is a tried and true option, I recently tried out the Relief Band for motion sickness and it has worked impressively well!

You wear this device like a watch on your wrist, and it sends out little pulses of electricity to stimulate your vagus nerve. You’ll feel just a little buzz in your wrist and hand (its nothing like getting shocked), and is extremely effective.

An E-Sim Card: I like having fast, high speed data when we’re traveling out of the country, and I recently found a new service that for getting inexpensive data while traveling.

Instead of purchasing a local SIM card when arriving in a country, I’m now using an e-sim card from Airalo. I’ve used a lot of different methods in the past to get data when traveling internationally, and let me tell you, buying an e-sim card is EASILY the most affordable, fast, and convenient option.

Sahara Desert Tours FAQs

Can You Do A Day Trip to the Sahara Desert from Fes?

It takes 8-9 hours to reach Merzouga from Fes, so it’s not possible to do a day trip to the Sahara desert from Fes. You’ll for sure need 2 days minimum to do an ideal desert tour.

Don’t worry, the extra time is definitely worth it!

What is the Best Month to Visit the Sahara?

As one would expect, the Sahara Desert can become scorching hot during the summer months. From May to September, temperatures soar into the mid-90s to over 100 degrees Fahrenheit (35-40 degrees Celsius), with nighttime lows ranging from 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit (20-25 degrees Celsius).

In winter, highs generally hover in the 60s-70s Fahrenheit (15-20 degrees Celsius), while lows drop to the low 40s Fahrenheit (4 degrees Celsius). If you plan to visit during this season, it’s essential to pack warm coats, cozy pajamas, a beanie, and gloves, as the tents lack heating facilities.

Undeniably, the optimal time to explore the Sahara desert is during the spring and fall when temperatures are more moderate and the heat is less intense. Nonetheless, regardless of the time of year, you can still have an incredible experience in the Sahara desert, as long as you come prepared for the prevailing weather conditions.

Is It Worth Going to the Sahara Desert?

Without a doubt, the answer is a resounding yes! Including a visit to the Sahara desert in your Morocco itinerary is unquestionably worth the time and effort you’ll spend. This surreal and epic bucket list adventure will be one you never forget!

The Wrap Up: Sahara Desert Tours from Fes

All of these tours are incredible adventures with welcoming and knowledgeable guides, so it’s really just a matter of choosing which option works for your itinerary. Include one of these excursions out to the Sahara desert as part of your visit to Fes!