6 days 5 nights
Daily Tour
30 people
English, Espanol, Francais, Japanese, Vietnamese
Moroccans call Errachidia the gateway to the Sahara. From Errachidia, this 6 days from Errachidia heads south into the desert. You will visit the orange dunes of Merzouga, the deep canyons of Todgha, and the oases of Dades Valley. Merzouga village lies by the Erg Chebbi dunes, one of the tallest in the Sahara (en.wikipedia.org). Here you can ride camels, watch sunsets and camp under the stars. The trip also explores Berber villages and old kasbahs, giving rich cultural experiences.
This Errachidia desert trip is easy to follow with a mix of activities. There are easy hikes in gorges, walks in palm oases, and visits to friendly Berber families. You will taste Moroccan food like tagine stew and sweet mint tea. Every night we choose lodging that fits your style – from comfort riads or hotels to simple desert camps. The itinerary is designed for all travelers: families with children, couples, solo adventurers, and photographers. It balances comfort and budget so everyone can enjoy the journey.
Pick up in Errachidia in the morning. Drive south through the Ziz Valley, a palm-filled oasis along a river canyon. Stop for photos at viewpoints over the palms and mountains. Continue via Erfoud, a town known for fossil mines (free time to visit a workshop if you like). In the late afternoon arrive at Merzouga village on the edge of the Sahara. Here, climb on a camel for a ride into the sand dunes. Watch the golden sunset over Erg Chebbi and enjoy the silence of the desert. After sunset, arrive at a desert camp. Dinner is a traditional meal of couscous or tajine. Fall asleep under the stars in your tent or desert lodge.
Wake up early for sunrise over the dunes – it is a magical sight. Return to the hotel for breakfast. Today’s adventure begins with a guided 4×4 or camel tour into the Sahara. First visit a small Berber village like Khamlia, known for its Gnawa musicians (people with roots from West Africa). Sit with the musicians and enjoy their lively drumming and singing. Next, meet a desert nomad family at their camp by the dunes. They will welcome you for mint tea and explain nomad life. After a simple lunch in the desert (a tagine under a tent), stroll through a nearby palm oasis. In late afternoon return to Merzouga. Rest at the hotel or camp by the dunes again.
Enjoy one more sunrise over the small dunes near Merzouga. After breakfast, drive west toward the High Atlas mountains. Stop at Rissani town, the historic old capital of Tafilalet. If it’s market day (Tuesday, Thursday or Sunday), the market is lively with local crafts, spices and even a “donkey parking” area for traders. Continue up into the Atlas range to Todra Gorge. Todra is a narrow limestone canyon with sheer walls up to 400 meters high (en.wikipedia.org ). Walk on the riverbed and feel the cool air in the shade. Rock climbers often challenge the tall cliffs here. Stay overnight at a guesthouse in Tinghir or a nearby village, right by the gorge. Todra Gorge is a deep red limestone canyon in the Atlas Mountains. Its tall, smooth cliffs (up to 400 m high ) make it a dramatic photo spot. Walking in the cool shade of the gorge is refreshing.
After breakfast, continue along the scenic mountain road. Stop at local villages made of red mud brick (these are old ksour, or fortified villages). We drive along the “Route of a Thousand Kasbahs.” Soon you reach the Dadès Valley. The Dadès River has carved a series of gorges and cliffs here. The valley walls range from 200 to 500 meters high (en.wikipedia.org). The red and beige rocks look like towers along the green river. Enjoy a hike or walk along the valley floor and see local farms of dates and almonds. Overnight in a hotel or guesthouse in Boumalne Dadès, a town in the valley.
Spend the day exploring the Dades Valley area. In the morning, visit the famous Tizgui viewpoint for a panoramic view of the river and mountains. Then drive east through palm oases and rose fields (in May-June the pink roses bloom). Stop at a Berber village to see life along the oasis and visit a local home if possible. In the afternoon, you can also add an optional 4×4 tour on the scenic Dades plateau road. Return to your Dades hotel for dinner and overnight.
On the final day, leave Dades after breakfast and head north through the Ziz Valley back to Errachidia. Stop at Goulmima, a restored kasbah village by the river, to stretch legs. The valley has many palm groves and small farms fed by irrigation channels. Return to Errachidia in the late afternoon. End of tour in Errachidia (or continue travel on your own).
The best months are spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November). The weather is warm by day and cool at night. Summer can be very hot (above 40°C) and winter nights are cold (near freezing).
Yes. Driving is by 4×4 and walking is easy. Children and older travelers can do the short camel rides (90 minutes or so) and gentle walks. Hotels and camps provide meals and rest. It is a low to moderate activity trip. No climbing is required unless you choose it.
We balance comfort and budget. Most nights are in clean family-run hotels or riads (2–3 star) with private rooms and hot showers. One or two nights are in desert camps or simple lodges near the dunes for the full experience. You can upgrade to luxury camps or kasbah hotels on request. All meals are Moroccan style with local ingredients.
This is a guided itinerary, and a guide/driver is included. Having a local guide adds safety and local knowledge. However, the tour is private so it can be adjusted – for example, spending more time taking photos, or trying extra activities (like a short hike or an ATV ride).
Bring light clothing for daytime and some warmer layers for desert nights. A sunhat, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a reusable water bottle are essentials. Comfortable walking shoes, a scarf or bandana for sand, and a small daypack are recommended. Photography gear is a plus (tripod for star photos, if you have one!).
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A Magical Trip Through the Desert