Combined tour of the Erg Chebbi Desert and the Atlas Mountains, discovering southern Morocco.

6 nights / 7 days

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 desert in a 4x4 vehicle with a driver . Ancient traditions , bustling markets , vibrant colors , and a night under the stars will make our stay a unique experience . Later, we'll continue towards the High Atlas Mountains , crossing valleys and gorges and visiting Imazighen villages where time seems to stand still. It will undoubtedly be an unforgettable trip.

Duration

6 nights / 7 days
Places

Errachidia, Erg Chebbi, Merdani, Rissani, Erfoud, Tinerhir, Boulmane Dades, Ouarzazate
Airport

Errachidia / Ouarzazate
Price

See Details

Duration

6 nights / 7 days
Places

Errachidia, Erg Chebbi, Merdani, Rissani, Erfoud, Tinerhir, Boulmane Dades, Ouarzazate
Airport

Errachidia / Ouarzazate
Price

See Details

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 Casablanca–Errachidia flight at 23.30* .
Arrival in Errachidia at 00:30 h .
Passport procedures and 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.

Casablanca and its unique schedule: a unique case in the Arab world

Morocco uses UTC+1 for most of the year, but exceptionally switches to UTC+0 during Ramadan , which can result in temporary time differences with the traveler's home country. Therefore, time adjustments may be necessary depending on the time of year.
Errachidia: the aerial gateway to the historic oasis of Tafilalet

Airport (ERH) in Errachidia was originally a military base before operating civilian flights. Today, it is the main air gateway to Tafilalet , one of Morocco's largest and oldest oases, the birthplace of the Alaouite dynasty and a region famous for its date production.
Erfoud: the authentic Gateway to the Desert and Moroccan capital of fossils

Erfoud is nicknamed the "Gateway to the Desert" because it was historically the last major settlement before venturing into the Saharan ergs. It is also one of the world's most important centers for Devonian fossils , with ammonites and trilobites over 350 million years old being worked and polished in local artisan workshops.

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 camel at the Bivouac , where we will stay in tents like those used by desert nomads .
Accommodation and dinner.
“under the stars” is spectacular .

The legendary tracks of the Dakar Rally

The tracks linking Erfoud, Taouz, and Erg Chebbi were part of several stages of the Dakar Rally when the competition crossed Morocco (until 2007). These sections, characterized by hamadas (high-altitude grasslands), dry wadis, and sandy areas, are still used today for rally-raid training and orienteering tests.
A desert that was once a sea: 360-million-year-old fossils

The region's marine fossil quarries Devonian Period , when this entire area of southeastern Morocco was submerged beneath a tropical sea. It is one of the world's richest sites for trilobites, ammonites, and goniatites , many of which are over 360 million years old.
Erg Chebbi: giant dunes and one of the most beautiful sunsets in the Sahara

Erg Chebbi is one of the few ergs in Morocco where the dunes reach heights of over 100–150 meters . Its extremely fine sand and the strong contrasts of light at sunset make this spot one of the places with the most spectacular sunsets in the Moroccan Sahara , especially when viewed from the back of a dromedary on the way to the bivouac.

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 return to the car which will take us around the Erg to the abandoned village of Merdani .
We will continue towards the Mfis Mines .
Later we will visit the Sudanese village of Khamlia , where its inhabitants will treat us to their traditional dances and mint tea .
Arrival at Kasbah Timbuktu and lunch .
In the afternoon, free time :
Walking through the dunes
Walk to the nearby villages of Merzouga and Hassi Labyed (“White Well”)
Optionally enjoy Hammam ritual
At the agreed time, departure towards a natural viewpoint to enjoy a beautiful panoramic view .
Accommodation and dinner at Kasbah Tombouctou.

A unique sunrise in Erg Chebbi, over dunes up to 150 meters high

Erg Chebbi is one of the few ergs in Morocco where the dunes reach 100–150 meters in height , making it an exceptional place to watch the sunrise. The extreme fineness of its sand causes the first light of day to create intense color changes, shifting from red to gold in a matter of minutes.
The M'Fis Mines: a legacy of the French Protectorate

The M'Fis Mines , located between Merzouga and Taouz, were exploited during the French Protectorate to obtain barite and fluorite , minerals used in the metallurgical and optical industries. Today, the abandoned facilities remain as a testament to that activity, and nomadic families still live in the surrounding area, using it as grazing land.
Khamlia: Gnawa music with Sudanese roots and UNESCO recognition

The village of Khamlia was founded by communities of Sudanese origin who settled in Tafilalet generations ago. It is famous for its Gnawa music , recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage. The inhabitants keep this tradition alive through dances and rhythms played with krakebs and drums, a symbol of a deep African spiritual heritage.

Day 4 of the itinerary

Today we will travel along dirt tracks until we reach Rissani* to visit some of its centuries-old Kasbahs .
We will continue through its market tribes and nomads of the desert are supplied ; it is curious to see its donkey "parking" .
Food at Des Dunes Berber pizzeria in Erfoud.
Return to Kasbah Xaluca to enjoy the rest of the free .
After a few days in the desert, a little relaxation : heated pool, jacuzzi, tennis, mini golf, hammam , massage…
For the more adventurous, there is the possibility of taking quad bike excursions through the dunes or visiting nearby Kasbahs ( optional excursion ).
Accommodation and dinner at Kasbah Xaluca.
This afternoon, chauffeured cars will be available if you wish to continue visiting the area or go to Erfoud for a free stroll.
The Rissani market is held on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays ; sometimes the schedule doesn't coincide. In that case, they try to schedule it for another day, or sometimes there simply isn't enough time to visit.

Rissani: cradle of the Alaouite dynasty and land of historic kasbahs

Rissani is the birthplace of the Alaouite dynasty , centuries-old kasbahs are preserved , many of them located on ancient caravan routes that once connected the trans-Saharan trade routes with the north of the country.
An authentic market with a real donkey "parking" area

The Rissani market , active mainly on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays , is one of the oldest souks in southern Morocco. In addition to food, spices, and handicrafts, it has an area designated for the trade and parking of donkeys, used by locals and nomadic tribes to leave their animals while they shop.
Erfoud: fossil capital and natural gateway to the desert

Although today is a day for relaxation, Erfoud is internationally renowned for its Devonian fossil —ammonites, trilobites, and goniatites over 350 million years old—which are mined in the region and polished in local workshops. Furthermore, its strategic location has historically made it the "Gateway to the Desert" before accessing Erg Chebbi.

Day 5 of the itinerary

We depart on asphalt towards Tinerhir , a small and prosperous town that offers a beautiful panorama of contrasts with its pink houses and palm groves , an ideal starting point to delve into 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 Hotel Xaluca Dades 4* .
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 Hotel Xaluca Dades 4* .

Tinerhir and the Todra Gorges: a canyon with walls up to 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 , creating a natural corridor formed by millions of years of erosion from the Todra River, which continues to flow today.
Boumalne Dades: a strategic enclave at 1,612 meters

Boumalne Dades is situated at an altitude of 1,612 meters in an area historically known as the Valley of the Birds . Its position was key on the Berber routes connecting the south with the High Atlas Mountains, and even today it is an important access point to the Dadès gorges and valleys.
The “Monkey Paws”: a unique geological formation in the High Atlas

The formations known as "Monkey Fingers" are composed of sandstone eroded over millions of years by water and wind. Their characteristic undulating shape is a perfect example of differential erosion , a geological phenomenon that creates unique landscapes without human intervention.

Day 6 of the itinerary

Today we will venture along trails deep into the Central High Atlas , discovering spectacular landscapes .
We will visit Berber villages such as Boutaghrar and Amskar time seems to have .
We will see mountains , canyons and valleys , as well as caves nomads still live in the mountains.
We will explore the M'Goun Gorges for an unforgettable walk .
Lunch road , at a “Gite d'Etape” .
Accommodation and dinner at the Hotel Xaluca Dades 4* .

Boutaghrar and Amskar: villages where traditional Berber life persists

The villages of Boutaghrar and Amskar , located in the Valley of Roses and the upper M'Goun region, preserve kasbahs and adobe houses , terraced gardens, and traditional irrigation systems such as khettaras , used since the Middle Ages. They are among the best examples of Berber settlements that maintain their ancestral structure and way of life.
Inhabited caves: the transhumance that still survives in the M'Goun

In the mountains of the Central High Atlas, nomadic Aït Atta , using natural caves as shelters for themselves and their livestock. This transhumant way of life is one of the oldest traditions in southeastern Morocco and continues especially in the high, remote areas of M'Goun.
M'Goun Gorges: a spectacular canyon carved over millions of years

The M'Goun Gorges , also known as the Gorges d'Achabou , feature walls that can reach over 150 meters in height , with sections where the gorge narrows to just a few meters. This impressive canyon was carved by the M'Goun River, which originates at an altitude of over 4,000 meters and has created one of the most striking geological landscapes in the Central High Atlas Mountains.

Day 7 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

Ouarzazate is known as the “Gateway to the Desert” because historically it was the connecting point between Marrakech, the Draa Valley, and the trans-Saharan routes. Its strategic location made it a key administrative center in the south from the early 20th century.
An airport linked to the history of cinema

Ouarzazate Airport (OZZ) is located just minutes from Atlas Studios , the largest film studio in Africa. International productions such as Gladiator , Game of Thrones , The Mummy , Kingdom of Heaven , and Babel have used locations in this region thanks to its stable climate and desert landscapes.
Casablanca: country's main international air hub

Casablanca's Mohammed V Airport is Morocco's main air hub , handling over 40% of the country's air traffic. This allows regional flights like the Ouarzazate–Casablanca route to connect to destinations in Europe, the Americas, and the Middle East without the need for long overland journeys.

At Xaluca Tours, all our programs are custom-designed to suit each traveler. Below, you can find the document with indicative prices for this program during peak and off-peak seasons.

👉 View program with detailed prices.

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