Trip description
Want to disconnect for a few days and experience something truly magical ? We suggest a getaway to the closest dune desert to Europe , Erg Chebbi, in southern Morocco . Our route begins in Erfoud , "the gateway to the desert," from where we'll venture into the dunes in a 4x4 with a driver . Ancient traditions , bustling markets , vibrant colors , and a night under the stars will make your stay a unique experience. Afterward, we'll continue toward the High Atlas Mountains , crossing valleys and gorges Imazighen villages where time seems to stand still. It will undoubtedly be an unforgettable trip .
  • Duration
    4 nights / 5 days
  • Places
    Errachidia, Erg Chebbi, Merdani, Rissani, Arfoud, Tinerhir, Boulmane Dades, Ouarzazate
  • Airport
    Errachidia / Ouarzazate
  • Price
  • Duration
    4 nights / 5 days
  • Places
    Errachidia, Erg Chebbi, Merdani, Rissani, Arfoud, Tinerhir, Boulmane Dades, Ouarzazate
  • Airport
    Errachidia / Ouarzazate
  • Price
Day 1 of the itinerary
  • Departure from the airport of origin towards Casablanca , "where depending on the time of year there may be a time difference."
  • Connection with the Casablanca–Errachidia at 23.00 h *.
  • Arrival in Errachidia at 23.59 h .
  • Passport procedures baggage collection .
  • Transfer to Erfoud , a city known as "the Gateway to the Desert ", approximately 70 km (50' journey).
  • Accommodation and dinner at the Kasbah Xaluca , listed as unique in Morocco for its peculiar characteristics.
  • Check available flights and departure cities.
  • Errachidia: aerial gateway to the great oasis of Tafilalet
    Airport (ERH) in Errachidia was originally a military base before opening to civilian traffic. Today it is the main air gateway to the Tafilalet oasis , one of the most historically important regions in southeastern Morocco.
  • Time difference in Morocco: a unique case
    Morocco maintains a unique time system: it uses UTC+1 for most of the year, but exceptionally suspends this time during Ramadan , which can result in temporary time differences with Europe. Therefore, depending on the time of year, your arrival in Casablanca may coincide with a different time than your departure.
  • Erfoud: the authentic Gateway to the Desert and capital of fossils
    Erfoud is known as the “Gateway to the Desert” because it is the historical entry point to the Erg Chebbi dunes. It is also one of the largest international centers for the polishing and trade of Devonian fossils , many of which are over 350 million years old.
Day 2 of the itinerary
  • Today will be a day of total desert .
  • We will travel along one of the Dakar Rally tracks , visiting villages and desert nomads
  • We will stop at the Marine Fossil Quarries , which are 360 ​​million years , and have a picnic in an authentic oasis .
  • We will continue until we reach the Great Erg Chebbi , " Desert of Dunes of very fine sand ", where we will change the 4x4 vehicle for dromedaries , to enter the heart of the dunes and contemplate an unforgettable sunset .
  • We will arrive by dromedary at the Bivouac de Luxe , where we will stay in tents like those used by desert nomads.
  • Accommodation and dinner.
  • Sleeping “under the stars” is spectacular.
  • The legendary tracks of the Dakar Rally
    Between Erfoud, Taouz, and Erg Chebbi lie several tracks historically used by the Dakar Rally when the competition crossed Morocco (until 2007). These routes, which combine flat plains, dry wadis, and sandy areas, are still used today by rally-raid teams for training and technical testing.
  • A desert that was once a sea: 360-million-year-old Devonian fossils
    The region's marine fossil quarries Devonian Period (360–380 million years ago), when this area of ​​southeastern Morocco was covered by a tropical sea. Trilobites, goniatites, and ammonites are found here, making the region one of the richest paleontological centers in North Africa.
  • Erg Chebbi: giant dunes and extraordinarily fine sand
    Erg Chebbi , one of Morocco's two great ergs, is known for its dunes that reach 100–150 meters in height and its extremely fine sand, the result of millions of years of erosion and transport by Saharan winds. Thanks to this, sunsets in this area are considered among the most spectacular in the Moroccan desert.
Day 3 of the itinerary
  • "A Date with Sunrise" . It is recommended to get up early to walk to the top of the dunes and see the sunrise .
  • Bedouin breakfast and departure by car which will take us around the Erg to the abandoned village of Merdani .
  • We will continue to the Sudanese village of Khamlia , where its inhabitants will treat us to their traditional dances and mint tea .
  • Later we'll go to Rissani * to visit its market , unique in these parts, where the desert tribes and nomads donkey "parking lot .
  • Finally, we will climb to a natural viewpoint to say goodbye to the desert with a beautiful panoramic view .
  • Food at Des Dunes , the most authentic Berber pizzeria in Erfoud.
  • Return to the Kasbah Xaluca to take the rest of the day off .
  • After the desert experience, it's nice to be able to relax : heated pool, jacuzzi, tennis, mini golf, hammam , massage or Quads through the dunes (optional excursion).
  • Accommodation and dinner at Kasbah Xaluca.
  • This afternoon the cars with drivers will be at your disposal if you wish to continue visiting the area or go to Erfoud for a free stroll.
  • The Rissani market is on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays; sometimes it doesn't coincide and they try to schedule it on another day or sometimes there is no time to visit it.
  • A unique sunrise over dunes up to 150 meters high
    Erg Chebbi is one of the best places in Morocco to watch the sunrise thanks to the height of its dunes—which can reach 100–150 meters —and the exceptional fineness of its sand. These factors create a very distinctive chromatic phenomenon: at dawn, the dunes change from reddish tones to golden and pink hues in a matter of minutes.
  • Khamlia: Gnawa music with Sudanese roots and international recognition
    The village of Khamlia was founded by communities of Sudanese origin who settled in the Tafilalet region generations ago. It is famous for its Gnawa music , declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. Its rhythms, featuring krakebs and drums, were part of traditional trance and healing ceremonies.
  • Rissani: a caravan market with centuries of history
    The Rissani market , active mainly on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays , is one of the oldest souks in southern Morocco. Historically, it was a key point on the caravan routes connecting the Sahara with the north of the country. Its peculiar "donkey parking" is real: it's the area where locals leave their animals while they shop or trade.
Day 4 of the itinerary
  • We depart on asphalt towards Tinerhir , a town that offers a beautiful panorama of contrasts with its pink houses and palm groves , an ideal starting point to explore the famous Todra Gorges , where we can walk a little following the course of the river.
  • Later we will continue to Boumalne Dades , a town located in the Valley of the Birds at an altitude of 1,612 m in the High Atlas Mountains .
  • Lunch at the Xaluca Dades 4* hotel.
  • In the afternoon we will travel through the Dades Valley to its gorges and arrive at the viewpoint , where we will have tea .
  • During the visit we will stop at the “monkey paws” .
  • Accommodation and dinner at the Xaluca Dades 4* hotel.
  • Tinerhir and the Todra Gorges: a natural corridor 160 meters high
    The Todra Gorge is one of the most spectacular canyons in southern Morocco. At its narrowest point, the limestone walls rise to a height of 160 meters . The small Todra River, which flows year-round, continues to shape the canyon, making it easy to walk along its banks.
  • Boumalne Dades: a historic enclave at 1,612 meters
    Boumalne Dades is situated at an altitude of 1,612 meters , in an area traditionally known as the Valley of the Birds . Its strategic location at the beginning of the Dadès gorges made this place a key point for caravans and Berber communities crossing the High Atlas Mountains.
  • The “Monkey Paws” and the Dadès Viewpoint: geology of millions of years
    The rock formations known as "Monkey Fingers" are composed of sandstone eroded over millions of years, creating the distinctive undulating shapes characteristic of the High Atlas Mountains. Nearby is the famous Dadès viewpoint , where the winding road is considered one of the most photographed in the country for its zigzag shape, perfectly nestled between rock walls.
Day 5 of the itinerary
  • This morning we will leave early for Ouarzazate to catch our return flight .
  • Departure of the Ouarzazate – Casablanca flight and connection with the flight to our point of origin .
  • Ouarzazate: the great gateway to southern Morocco
    The city of Ouarzazate is known as the “Gateway to the Desert” and was historically a key point for the caravan routes connecting Marrakech with the Draa Valley and the Sahara. Its strategic location makes it today an important administrative and tourist center in the south of the country.
  • An airport with a cinematic history
    Ouarzazate Airport (OZZ) is one of the main gateways to the southern High Atlas Mountains and is located just minutes from Atlas Studios , the largest film studio complex on the African continent. Films such as Gladiator , Babel , Kingdom of Heaven , and The Mummy have taken advantage of the area's locations due to its stable climate and desert landscapes.
  • Essential air connection to Casablanca
    The Ouarzazate–Casablanca flight is one of the most popular domestic routes in Morocco, as it allows for easy connections to international flights at Mohammed V Airport , the country's largest. This connection makes Ouarzazate a convenient departure point for travelers returning from southern Morocco without the need for long road journeys.
At Xaluca Tours, all our programs are customized, adapting to each traveler. Below, you can see the indicative prices for this program during high and low season.

👉 See program details.

Remember that these prices are for reference only: each trip is quoted individually based on the number of people, dates, accommodation category, and included services.