Journey Overview: Discover the Sahara and southern Morocco on this private 3 days desert tour from Errachidia to Marrakech via Merzouga. Over 3 days and 2 nights, you’ll explore the desert around Merzouga, visit nomads in their tents, and enjoy the Gnawa music and dance of the people of Khamlia. You’ll also see an old kohl (eyeliner) mine and the wild lake of Merzouga, just a few kilometers from the village. Then it’s time to stroll through a palm grove, ride a camel into the dunes, and watch magical sunsets and sunrises over the sand, with a night at a camp in the heart of the Sahara. On the final day, you’ll head west to the Todra Gorges and the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, then cross the High Atlas Mountains on the Tizi-n-Tichka Pass to Marrakech. The tour starts at Errachidia (ERH) Airport or your accommodation and ends in Marrakech, and the itinerary can be adjusted to match your flight times.
Tour Highlights:
Your desert tour begins with a pick-up from Errachidia (ERH) Airport or your accommodation in the city. From there, we drive south to the Sahara dunes of Merzouga, where you’ll spend the night.
Flight options: domestic flights from Marrakech, operated by Ryanair, run three days a week, arriving at around 7 am or 3 pm. Domestic flights from Casablanca, operated by Royal Air Maroc, run every day and arrive at midnight. We’re happy to adjust the itinerary to suit your arrival time.
After breakfast, the whole day is dedicated to exploring the Merzouga desert and the Erg Chebbi dunes. The area is full of variety, with sand dunes, a seasonal wild lake, fossil sites, small mines and lovely oases, making it perfect for easy outdoor activities. We begin with an off-road drive to an old kohl (eyeliner) mine, then visit nomads in their woven tents to learn about their way of life over a glass of Berber tea. Next, we continue to Khamlia to enjoy Gnawa music and dance; many of the villagers have roots in Mali, Sudan and Niger. You’ll have free time for lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, take a stroll through a palm grove, then drive a few kilometers to the wild lake of Merzouga, often known as the flamingos’ lake. Later, you’ll swap the car for a camel and ride across the dunes, stopping on a high dune to watch the sunset before continuing to the luxury camp. Enjoy Berber drumming around the campfire under a sky full of stars, followed by dinner and a night at the camp.
Wake up early to watch a beautiful sunrise in the heart of the desert. After breakfast, return to Merzouga to meet your driver, and head west. We’ll stop at viewpoints and for coffee breaks along the way before reaching Ouarzazate, where you’ll have free time for lunch. After lunch, we continue toward Marrakech via the famous ksar of Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has appeared in films such as Gladiator, Alexander and The Mummy, as well as the series Game of Thrones. We then cross the High Atlas Mountains on the Tizi-n-Tichka Pass and arrive in Marrakech, where your 3 days desert tour from Errachidia to Marrakech via Merzouga ends with a drop-off at the airport or your accommodation.
Good to know: the drive from Merzouga to Marrakech takes around 9 hours. If that feels too long, you have two alternatives:
