Our Destinations
Four days spread the return journey, so the dunes are not followed by one long drive. The route reaches Merzouga and the Erg Chebbi dunes on day 2, as in the 3-day version, but comes back in two stages: Rissani, the Sarhro mountains and the Draa Valley on day 3, a night in Ouarzazate, then Ait Ben Haddou on the way to Marrakech.
Tour highlights
- The Tizi n’Tichka pass, the Road of One Thousand Kasbahs and the Skoura oasis
- The Rose Valley, the Tamnalt Hills and the Dades Gorge
- The Todra Gorge on the way to Merzouga
- A two-hour camel trek at sunset and a night in a nomad tent at Erg Chebbi
- Sunrise over the dunes
- Rissani and the volcanic Sarhro mountains
- The palm groves of the Draa Valley
- Kasbah Taourirt in Ouarzazate and Ait Ben Haddou on the last day
Good to know
- The tour starts at your Marrakech riad or hotel on day 1 and ends back in Marrakech on day 4.
- It is a private tour: your own driver, plus a guide and camels for the dune trek.
- Night 1 is in a hotel at the Dades Gorge (dinner included), night 2 in a nomad tent, night 3 in a hotel in Ouarzazate (dinner included).
- Days 1 and 3 are long drives with several stops.
- Nights in the desert can be cold in winter and days hot in summer, so pack layers, a scarf and sun protection.
- Send us your dates and group size and we will get back to you with availability and a quote.
Short on time? The 3 day Erg Chebbi tour returns to Marrakech in one go. Want more? The 5 day Erg Chebbi loop adds Erfoud and Alnif, or you can ask us to tailor a route. You can also read what past travellers say or get in touch.
Included and Excluded
- Private tour with your own driver
- Pick-up at your Marrakech riad or hotel on day 1
- Night 1 in a hotel at the Dades Gorge, with dinner
- Sunset camel trek of about two hours to the desert camp on day 2
- Night 2 in a nomad tent, with mint tea and tagine
- Night 3 in a hotel in Ouarzazate, with dinner
- Anything not listed here – please confirm meals, drinks and entrance fees with us when you book
Tour route
- Marrakech – Tizi n'Tichka – Skoura – Rose Valley – Dades Gorge – Todra Gorge – Merzouga – Erg Chebbi – Rissani – Sarhro – Nkob – Agdez – Ouarzazate – Ait Ben Haddou – Marrakech
Itinerary
Your driver picks you up at your riad or hotel in the morning and heads for the High Atlas, crossing it at the Tizi n'Tichka pass with amazing views. The route then follows the Road of One Thousand Kasbahs past the Skoura oasis, with a stop at another kasbah that features in many Morocco brochures, and carries on through the Rose Valley to the Dades Gorge, passing the odd, finger-like rocks of the Tamnalt Hills. Dinner and the night are at your hotel.
After breakfast you drive to Merzouga by way of the Todra Gorge. At the edge of the Sahara your guide and camels carry you across the dunes, and as the sun sets a two-hour camel trek brings you to the desert camp and a traditional nomad tent for the night. Mint tea and a simple tagine prepared by your guide are served at the camp.
The day opens with sunrise over the dunes, after which you return to Merzouga for a shower before setting off. You stop in Rissani, an ancient city tied to early Arab dynasties, where men wear the indigo robes typical of the Saharan people. The road then passes the volcanic Sarhro mountains, with dramatic rock formations, gorges and superb views, and enters the Draa Valley, a long oasis lined with palm groves. Dinner and the night are in a hotel in Ouarzazate.
After breakfast you visit the Taourirt Kasbah in Ouarzazate, once the home of Thami El Glaoui, the Pasha of Marrakech. Next is Ait Ben Haddou, among the finest sights of southern Morocco, classified by UNESCO for its earthen architecture and used as the setting for several films. In the afternoon you head back to Marrakech.
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