This 3 day Merzouga desert tour from Errachidia gives you what most Sahara tours cannot: time. With only about two hours of driving to the dunes on each side, you spend two nights in a luxury desert camp and a whole day exploring Erg Chebbi, its nomad families, the Gnawa village of Khamlia and the seasonal lake of Dayet Srji.
It is our favourite short desert tour for couples, honeymooners and families who want the silence of the Sahara without long days in the car.
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
Climb a dune at first light to watch the sunrise over the Merzouga desert, then enjoy breakfast at the camp. Today is yours to live the Sahara slowly. With your driver guide you take a 4x4 tour around Erg Chebbi: visit a nomad family for tea in their tent, listen to Gnawa music in the village of Khamlia, see the old lead mines, and stop at Dayet Srji, the seasonal lake where flamingos gather after the rains.
Return to camp to rest in the shade in the afternoon. Before sunset you can try sandboarding or a quad bike ride, or simply sit on the highest dune near the camp with a glass of tea and watch the dunes turn red. A second night in the desert is what makes this Sahara tour so special: the stars are even brighter when you are not in a hurry.
Enjoy a last Sahara sunrise from the dunes, breakfast in the camp and a slow morning. Then drive back through the Tafilalet palm groves and the Ziz Valley, with a stop for lunch on the way, to Errachidia, arriving at your hotel or at the airport in the early afternoon.
~130 km / 81 mi · approx. 2h drive
| Day | Route | Distance | Driving time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Errachidia to Merzouga via Erfoud and Rissani | 130 km / 81 mi | approx. 2h |
| Day 3 | Merzouga to Errachidia via Rissani and Erfoud | 130 km / 81 mi | approx. 2h |
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$624 per person, based on 2 travellers sharing a double room (US$1,248 total for 2) |
| Starts | Errachidia |
| Ends | Errachidia (round trip) |
| Tour type | Private tour, only you and your travelling companions |
| Total driving | about 260 km / 162 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.
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); 4x4 desert tour around Erg Chebbi with nomad visit and Khamlia Gnawa music; 2 nights in a luxury desert camp with dinner and breakfast. 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 260 km (162 miles) of driving over 2 days. The longest is Day 1, Errachidia to Merzouga via Erfoud and Rissani: about 130 km (81 miles), roughly 2h 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.
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