Merzouga Desert · 3 days
Sahara adventure from Tangier Med
Day by day
Three days to go from the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas to the orange dunes of the erg Chebbi. This is our most requested format: short enough not to weigh on the vacation budget, long enough to experience a real night under the stars in the desert.
We leave from Tangier Med, cross the Middle Atlas with its alpine landscapes, have lunch in Ifrane "the little Moroccan Switzerland", encounter Barbary macaques in the Azrou cedar forest, then descend to the Sahara through the Ziz Gorges. One night in a riad in Fez lets you recover from the journey, one night camping in the dunes is the highlight of the trip.
On the return, sunrise over the dunes, camel ride and return via panoramic roads. Format suitable for families and couples.
Tangier Med → Fez
- 08h00Pickup at Tangier Med port or your hotel in Tangier.
- 10h30Coffee break in Ksar el-Kebir or Larache, opportunity to discover a small Northern town away from tourist circuits.
- 13h00Free lunch in Meknes, less frequented imperial city. Quick visit to El-Hedim square and Bab Mansour, one of the most beautiful gates of the Maghreb.
- 16h00Drive to Fez, approximately one hour across the Saïs plain and its olive groves.
- 17h30Arrival in Fez, settling into a riad in the heart of the medina. The riad is chosen for its authenticity: traditional architecture, fountain patio, terrace with views of the minarets.
- 20h00Tagine or pastilla dinner at the riad if you wish (optional), or free exploration of the lit alleys of the evening.
Fez → Merzouga via the Atlas
- 07h30Breakfast at the riad, departure to the south.
- 09h00Ifrane, altitude resort with pointed-roof houses nicknamed "the little Moroccan Switzerland". Coffee in front of the famous sculpted lion.
- 10h30Azrou cedar forest, one of the most beautiful forests in North Africa. Encounter with Barbary macaques, careful not to feed them directly.
- 13h00Lunch in Midelt, crossroads town between the Middle and High Atlas.
- 15h30Ziz Gorges, vertiginous descent south on a road carved into rock. Photo stop guaranteed.
- 17h30Erfoud then Rissani, the last town before the dunes.
- 18h30Arrival in Merzouga. Switch to 4x4 or immediate camel ride (1h) to the camp.
- 20h30Berber dinner at the camp: tagine, salads, fruits, all around a fire. Traditional music from the camel drivers and night under the stars (each tent has real beds, shared facilities).
Merzouga → Return Tangier Med
- 05h45Wake up before dawn to climb the nearest dune and watch the sunrise over the erg Chebbi. Highlight of the trip.
- 07h30Return to camp by camel, shower and hearty breakfast at the Erfoud riad.
- 09h30Return drive. Two options depending on time and your fatigue: return via the same itinerary (Atlas, Fez, highway) or variant via Ouarzazate then Marrakech-Tangier (longer but more varied).
- 13h00Lunch en route, usually in Midelt or Azrou.
- 20h00Arrival in Tangier Med or Tangier city depending on your program. If you have a ferry, plan a safety margin.
What's included
- ✓Transport by 4x4 or air-conditioned minivan with English, French or Spanish speaking driver
- ✓One night in authentic riad in Fez (double or triple room)
- ✓One night camping in the dunes (equipped Berber tent, shared facilities)
- ✓Camel ride round-trip to the camp
- ✓Breakfasts at the riad and at the camp
- ✓Berber dinner at the camp with traditional music
- ✓Bottled mineral water on board
- ✓Fuel, tolls and parking fees
What's not included
- ×Flights and ferry trips from Spain
- ×Lunches (count 12 to 18 € per meal in decent local restaurants)
- ×Dinners outside the camp
- ×Alcoholic beverages (most riads do not serve alcohol)
- ×Tips for driver, camel driver, camp staff (at your discretion)
- ×Personal travel insurance
Practical tips
When to go: the ideal period runs from October to late April. In summer (June-September), temperatures in the desert often exceed 45°C during the day, making the experience less pleasant. Winter is paradoxically very comfortable: mild days (15-22°C) and cool nights in the desert (bring a sweater and a fleece).
Clothing: covering but light clothing for the day, several layers for the evening and night (the desert cools quickly). A headlamp is useful for the camp. Sunglasses and sunscreen essential.
Physical fitness: no particular condition required. The camel ride lasts about 1h there and 1h back, the pace is slow and quiet. If you have serious back problems, tell us, we can arrange a 4x4 transfer to the camp.
Camp accommodation: forget images of spartan tents. The camps we use have real beds with clean sheets, pillows and blankets, shared facilities nearby (hot showers and toilets), solar panel electricity. Wifi is rarely available.
Photos and videos: a classic camera works very well. For films of the camp and the sunrise, plan charged spare batteries (autonomy drops at night with the cold).
Let's build your trip together
Each quote is customized according to your group, your dates, your accommodation preferences. Response within 24 business hours.