Journey Overview: Discover the magic of the Sahara on this private 3 days desert tour from Errachidia to Merzouga and back. 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 wander 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 way back, you’ll visit the traditional souk of Rissani and Erfoud, the town of fossils, before the tour ends in Errachidia. Pick-up is from Errachidia (ERH) Airport or your accommodation, 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.
Get up early to watch the sunrise over the dunes, a moment you won’t want to miss. After breakfast, return by camel or 4×4 to meet your driver. Depending on your flight times, some of today’s visits can be done on the first day or skipped altogether. We visit Rissani, the former capital of the Tafilalet region and a busy market town on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, then continue to Erfoud to see a fossil workshop. From there, we drive north toward Errachidia with scenic stops along the way, including a panoramic viewpoint over the Ziz Valley. Your 3 days desert tour from Errachidia to Merzouga and back ends with a drop-off at Errachidia Airport in the morning or at midday.
