This 3 day Errachidia loop combines the two great landscapes of southeast Morocco: the Sahara dunes of Merzouga and the red rock canyons of the Todra and Dades gorges. Because it starts and ends at Errachidia airport, no day is longer than about four and a half hours of driving.
You sleep one night in a luxury camp in Erg Chebbi and one night in a family run kasbah hotel in the Dades Gorges, and return to Errachidia through the oases and fortified ksour of Tinejdad and Goulmima.
Your Sahara desert tour from Errachidia starts the moment you land. Your driver guide meets you at Errachidia Moulay Ali Cherif Airport (ERH) or at your hotel, and within minutes you are driving south into the Ziz Valley, one of the longest palm oases in Morocco. Stop at the Meski Blue Spring, a palm shaded spring just outside the city, then at the viewpoints above the Ziz palm groves, where mud brick ksour line the river.
Continue to Erfoud, the fossil capital of the Tafilalet, and to Rissani, the old caravan town where the Alaouite dynasty began, to walk through Ksar Ouled Abdelhalim. In the late afternoon you reach Merzouga and the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi, only about two hours from Errachidia. Your camel caravan is waiting: ride into the dunes for sunset, then arrive at your luxury desert camp for mint tea, dinner and Berber drums around the fire under a sky full of stars.
~130 km / 81 mi · approx. 2h drive
After sunrise over Erg Chebbi and breakfast, leave the dunes and drive west along the old caravan road through Alnif and the black desert towards Tinghir. Walk between the vertical walls of the Todra Gorge, which rise up to 400 metres above the river and narrow to just ten metres at the entrance.
In the afternoon continue along the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs to Boumalne Dades and drive up into the Dades Gorges, with their red rock formations, almond trees and famous zigzag road. Dinner tonight is at your kasbah hotel with views over the valley.
~280 km / 174 mi · approx. 4h30 drive
After breakfast, take a short walk in the gorges among the rock formations known as the Monkey Fingers. Drive back east to Tinghir, with its huge palm grove, then on through the oasis of Tinejdad, home to the restored Ksar El Khorbat, and Goulmima, one of the best preserved fortified ksour in the region.
Arrive in Errachidia in the afternoon, at your hotel or at the airport.
~205 km / 127 mi · approx. 3h10 drive
| Day | Route | Distance | Driving time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Errachidia to Merzouga via Erfoud and Rissani | 130 km / 81 mi | approx. 2h |
| Day 2 | Merzouga to Boumalne Dades via Todra Gorge | 280 km / 174 mi | approx. 4h30 |
| Day 3 | Boumalne Dades to Errachidia via Tinghir and Goulmima | 205 km / 127 mi | approx. 3h10 |
Distances are approximate road distances. Driving times are without stops for sightseeing, photos and meals.
Good to know: This is a private tour: dates, pace and stops are adjusted to you, and the itinerary can be customised before you book. Prices are per person, based on two travellers sharing a double room or tent. Families and larger parties pay less per person. Arriving on a later flight? We adapt the timing so you still reach the dunes for the camel ride.
| Duration | 3 days |
|---|---|
| Price from | US$708 per person, based on 2 travellers sharing a double room (US$1,416 total for 2) |
| Starts | Errachidia |
| Ends | Errachidia (round trip) |
| Tour type | Private tour, only you and your travelling companions |
| Total driving | about 615 km / 382 mi |
| Transport | Private air-conditioned vehicle |
| Languages | English, French, Spanish, Arabic |
| Availability | Year-round, on your dates |
This tour runs for 3 days, covering Merzouga, Boumalne Dades.
The tour price includes: Private air conditioned vehicle (Toyota Land Cruiser or Ford Tourneo) for your party only; The same English, French, Spanish or Italian speaking driver guide from start to finish; Pickup at Errachidia Moulay Ali Cherif Airport (ERH) or your hotel in Errachidia; Sunset camel trek into Erg Chebbi (one camel per person); 1 night in a luxury desert camp and 1 night in the Dades Gorges, with dinner and breakfast; Visits to the Todra Gorge and the Dades Gorges. Flights, travel insurance and personal expenses are not included. Ask us if you want anything confirmed before you book.
Many nationalities, including the US, Canada, UK and most EU countries, can enter Morocco visa-free for tourist stays of up to 90 days. Requirements vary, so confirm what applies to you before booking.
Most of our tours suit travellers with a reasonable level of general fitness — expect walking on uneven terrain, some early starts, and on Sahara itineraries a camel trek. Tell us about any concerns when you inquire.
Yes. This itinerary can be adapted to your travel dates, pace and interests — use the inquiry form on this page to tell us what you would like to change.
Yes. Every Escorted Morocco Tours trip is private: the vehicle, driver guide and itinerary are for you and the people you travel with, whether that is a couple, a family or friends. We do not run shared departures and never add other travellers. Prices are per person based on 2 travellers; ask us for a quote for your own party size.
The tour covers about 615 km (382 miles) of driving over 3 days. The longest is Day 2, Merzouga to Boumalne Dades via Todra Gorge: about 280 km (174 miles), roughly 4h30 of driving before stops for sightseeing, photos and meals. You travel in a private air-conditioned vehicle and can ask your driver to stop whenever you like.
Layered clothing for big day-to-night temperature swings, sun protection, a scarf for sand and wind, and closed shoes for the camel trek are the essentials. See our full desert packing list.
From Errachidia 1 DayRound trip from Errachidia
From US$198 per person
Private day trip from Errachidia to Merzouga: Ziz Valley, Erfoud, Rissani and a camel ride in the Erg Chebbi dunes, back to your hotel or flight.
From Marrakech 2 DaysRound trip from Marrakech
From US$580 per person
Two days from Marrakech over the Tizi n'Tichka pass to the Erg Chebbi dunes: camel trek at sunset and a night in a desert camp. Private tour.
From Marrakech 2 DaysMarrakech to Fes
From US$580 per person
Cross Morocco from Marrakech to Fes in 2 days via Ait Ben Haddou and the Sahara dunes. Camel trek at sunset and a night in a desert camp.