This 4 day Sahara tour from Errachidia to Marrakech crosses the whole of southern Morocco in the right direction. Instead of starting with a nine hour drive from Marrakech, you begin two hours from the dunes, spend two nights in Erg Chebbi and then travel west at an easy pace.
The road takes you through the Todra and Dades gorges, along the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs, to the UNESCO ksar of Ait Ben Haddou and over the Tizi n'Tichka pass to Marrakech.
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.
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
Drive through the Valley of Roses and the palm grove of Skoura to Ouarzazate, the gateway to the desert, then to Ait Ben Haddou, the fortified ksar listed by UNESCO in 1987 and the setting of films such as Gladiator. Walk up through its lanes to the old granary at the top.
Cross the High Atlas over the Tizi n'Tichka pass, about 2,200 metres high, with wide views over Berber villages and terraced valleys. Arrive in Marrakech in the early evening, at your Riad or hotel.
~330 km / 205 mi · approx. 5h45 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 Boumalne Dades via Todra Gorge | 280 km / 174 mi | approx. 4h30 |
| Day 4 | Boumalne Dades to Marrakech via Ait Ben Haddou | 330 km / 205 mi | approx. 5h45 |
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 | 4 days |
|---|---|
| Price from | US$1,008 per person, based on 2 travellers sharing a double room (US$2,016 total for 2) |
| Starts | Errachidia |
| Ends | Marrakech |
| Tour type | Private tour, only you and your travelling companions |
| Total driving | about 740 km / 460 mi |
| Transport | Private air-conditioned vehicle |
| Languages | English, French, Spanish, Arabic |
| Availability | Year-round, on your dates |
This tour runs for 4 days, covering Merzouga, Boumalne Dades, Ouarzazate, Ait Ben Haddou, Marrakech.
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 and 1 night in the Dades Gorges, with dinner and breakfast; Drop off at your Riad or hotel in Marrakech. 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 740 km (460 miles) of driving over 3 days. The longest is Day 4, Boumalne Dades to Marrakech via Ait Ben Haddou: about 330 km (205 miles), roughly 5h45 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 Errachidia 2 DaysRound trip from Errachidia
From US$408 per person
Private 2 day Sahara tour from Errachidia: Ziz Valley, sunset camel trek in Erg Chebbi, a night in a luxury desert camp and back to Errachidia.
From Errachidia 3 DaysRound trip from Errachidia
From US$624 per person
Two nights in a luxury Erg Chebbi camp on a private 3 day tour from Errachidia: camel trek, 4x4 desert safari, nomads, Khamlia Gnawa music.