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 gorgesImazighen villages where time seems to stand still. It will undoubtedly be an unforgettable trip .
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 proceduresbaggage 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 quarriesDevonian 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 nomadsdonkey "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.
Two nights in Erfoud at Kasbah Xalucahalf-board basis
One night in Erg Chebbi in a Desert Bivouac with Half Board
One night in Boumalne Dades at the 4* Xaluca Dades hotel on a half-board
Lunch “picnic” in the Desert, day 2 of the itinerary
Lunch at the "Des Dunes" Pizzeria in Erfoud, day 3 of the itinerary
Lunch at the Xaluca Dades hotel on day 4 of the itinerary
Dromedary Excursion
4x4 vehicle with driver every day of the itinerary
Airport transfers
Vehicle fuel
Travel assistance insurance
The drinks
Lunchtime meals on days 1 and 5 of the itinerary
Other personal extras such as quads , massages , etc.
The flight
Supplement to add cancellation to insurance*
You can add cancellation insurance in case of any unforeseen circumstances before your departure date. The cost is €30 per person for trips of up to 10 days. The insurance must be purchased at the same time as your trip confirmation and ticket issuance.*
Consult conditions and final price for your particular case.
Flight options
There are several flight options to get to Morocco .
You can choose between regular airlines like Royal Air Maroc , with a connection via Casablancalow-cost airlines like Vueling , Air Arabia or Ryanair , which operate direct flights from several major cities.
We recommend checking flight options and specific conditions.
Rates and vehicle occupancy
The prices shown are calculated based on the occupancy of the 4x4 vehicle used throughout the entire journey.
The cost of transportation is divided by the number of occupants at any given time.
Accommodation conditions
Rates based on double and triple rooms .
Supplement for a single room in high season: €220 .
Discount for children (3 to 11 years old) sharing a room with a minimum of two adults:
€235 in low season.
€245 in high season.
Due to high occupancy on some dates and the small size of the riads, if the budgeted accommodations are fully booked, suitable alternatives .
These alternatives may involve price variations , which will be previously informed.
There is also the option of considering hotels , where availability is greater.
Guides and drivers
During peak season, local guides in the Medinas may be shared with other travelers.
Spanish-speaking drivers are limited and their availability is reduced during peak season, so it is recommended to book in advance .
The trip is made in a 4x4 vehicle with a driver , simple and hospitable people who make the journey more pleasant.
Official guides are reserved exclusively for visits to the Medinas , not for the routes.
Travel requirements
It is mandatory to travel with a passport valid for at least 3 months from the date of return from Morocco.
Optional activities
The Quad is optional; price: €701 hour circuit .
To book spa treatments or massages , you can go directly to the hotel reception .
📌 For more information on accommodations and services, please visit our website: www.xaluca.com
To confirm your reservation, the following requirements must be met:
Registration form : Complete the registration form. If your passport still needs to be updated, it can be sent later.
Trip payment : This can be done by bank transfer or Visa card , following the procedure below:
30% of the total amount at the time of booking .
Remaining 70% due up to 30 days before departure .
Specific flight conditions:
If the chosen flight requires immediate issuance , it will be necessary to pay 100% of the ticket price at the time of booking, plus 30% of the ground services .
All cancellations that occur:
45 days before departure they will have a 30% expense .
21 days before departure they will have 100% of expenses covered .
All cancellations that occur at any time , once the booking has been confirmed , will have a penalty of 50 euros per booking as a management fee .
These conditions apply to ground services . Flights are not included in the travel package. If purchased through XalucaTours , the terms and conditions will be governed by the policies of each airline .
Insurance will not be reimbursed under any circumstances.
Are you interested in this trip to Morocco?
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