Combined tour through the Moroccan Atlas Mountains and the Erg Chebbi dunes, discovering southern Morocco

4 nights / 5 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 the High Atlas Mountains; in a 4x4 vehicle with a driver, we'll explore some Imazighen villages where time seems to have stood still. We'll cross valleys and gorges until we reach the gateway to the desert, where the magic of the place will envelop us. The ancestral traditions of its people, its markets, its vibrant colors , and a night under the stars will make these days an unforgettable trip.

Duration

4 nights / 5 days
Places

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

Ouarzazate / Errachidia
Price

See Details

Duration

4 nights / 5 days
Places

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

Ouarzazate / Errachidia
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 with the Casablanca – Ouarzazate flight at 23:20 h.
Arrival in Ouarzazate at a.m.01:10
Airport pickup and transfer by road (110 km) to Boumalne Dades, a town located at an altitude of 1,612 m in the High Atlas Mountains.
Accommodation at the 4* Hotel Xaluca Dades.

📌 Check available flights and departure cities.

Unique altitude and landscape

The town of Boumalne Dades is located at an altitude of 1,612 meters. This creates a very special setting: you are already in the heart of the High Atlas mountain range, offering panoramic views over valleys, snow-capped mountains in winter, and scattered Berber villages.
The Dadès River Valley: a fascinating geography

The Dades Valley, where Boumalne Dades is located, is famous for its gorge (the “Gorges du Dadès”) that opens up behind the village. A striking detail: the winding road that climbs through the gorge is one of the most photographed sights in Morocco. Furthermore, in this region, about 9-10 km from the village, lies a rock formation known as the “Monkey Fingers,” which adds to the otherworldly character of the landscape.
Tradition of rose production and local market

The area is also renowned for its agricultural and artisanal traditions: the valley is home to rose fields (Rose Valley, near Boumalne) that have been used for centuries to produce rose water and essential oils. Additionally, a weekly market (usually on Wednesdays) is held in Boumalne Dades, where people from nearby villages come down to sell agricultural products, Berber crafts, and other goods.

Day 2 of the itinerary

This morning we will venture along tracks deep into the Central High Atlas, discovering spectacular landscapes.
We will visit Berber villages like Boutaghrar, where time seems to have stood still.
We will see mountains, canyons and valleys, as well as the caves where nomads still live in the mountains.
Lunch at the Hotel Xaluca Dades.
We will continue our route 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 Erfoud, a city known as "the Gateway to the Desert".
Accommodation and dinner at Kasbah Xaluca, listed as unique in Morocco for its peculiar characteristics.

Boutaghrar and the Valley of Roses: living Berber tradition

region Boutaghrar, located within the Valley of Roses, Berber families still live in caves and troglodyte dwellings, a tradition that has been maintained for centuries. These families often welcome travelers with open arms and demonstrate how they preserve nomadic or semi-nomadic ways of life in the heart of the Central High Atlas Mountains.
Todra Gorges: a unique geological gem in Morocco

The Todra Gorge reaches vertical walls up to 160 meters high at its narrowest point, creating one of the most spectacular canyons in the country. The Todra River, although now a shallow channel, is responsible for sculpting these walls over millions of years, and it is a favorite spot for climbers from all over the world.
Erfoud: the Gateway to the Desert and the Fossil Capital

Erfoud is not only known asthe "Gateway to the Desert," but it is also famous for its immense geological wealth: the surrounding area contains fossil deposits dating back more than 350 million years, especially trilobites and ammonites. Many of the pieces seen in museums and shops throughout Morocco come from this region.

Day 3 of the itinerary

Today will be a day of total desert.
We will travel along one of the tracks used in the Dakar Rally, visiting villages and desert nomads.
We will stop at the Marine Fossil Quarries, which are 360 million years old, and have a picnic in an authentic oasis.
We will continue until we reach the Great Erg Chebbi, the "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.
is Sleeping “under the stars”.

The historic tracks of the Dakar Rally

Between Erfoud and Erg Chebbi lie several tracks used by the Dakar Rally during the editions held in Morocco (until 2007). Many of them cross hamadas (high-altitude desert plains) and dry wadis (wetlands), making them iconic routes for 4x4 vehicles and adventure motorcycles. They are still used today for off-road training and competitions.
360-million-year-old fossils: legacy of the ancient ocean

The marine fossil quarries in the Erfoud and Merzouga area date back to the Devonian period (approximately 360–380 million years ago), when this region was covered by a shallow tropical sea. Ammonites, trilobites, goniatites, and primitive fish have been found there. Morocco is one of the world's largest exporters of authentic Devonian fossils.
Erg Chebbi: dunes that can exceed 150 meters

Erg Chebbi, one of the two great ergs of the Moroccan desert, boasts dunes that can reach up to 150 meters in height, formed from extremely fine sand carried by Saharan winds. The tallest dune is near Hassi Labied and is one of the most photographed spots in the Moroccan desert.

Day 4 of the itinerary

“Appointment with the Dawn”.
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 will go to Rissani* to visit its market, unique in these latitudes, a place where the tribes and nomads of the desert are supplied.
Curious to see their “parking” for donkeys.
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.
We can take a dip in the heated pool, enjoy a jacuzzi, play tennis or mini-golf, or optionally have a hammam (Turkish bath) or a nice massage.
For the more adventurous, there is the possibility of taking quad bike excursions through the dunes surrounding the hotel (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, so sometimes it doesn't coincide with the other days. In that case, we try to schedule a visit for another day, or sometimes there simply isn't enough time.

Khamlia: ancestral Gnawa music in the middle of the desert

The village of Khamlia was founded by communities of Sudanese origin who arrived generations ago, and it is internationally recognized for its Gnawa music, an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. Local groups—such as the renowned Pigeons du Sable—keep this tradition alive, based on hypnotic rhythms, metallic krakebs, and drums.
Rissani: a unique market and one of the oldest in southern Morocco

The Rissani souk, busiest on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, is one of the most important markets in the Ziz Valley. Aït Atta nomads and inhabitants of remote villages come there to exchange goods. One of its most photographed features is its "donkey parking lot," a real space where vendors park their animals during market day.
Erg Chebbi: a privileged place to see sunrises over dunes of more than 100 meters

Sunrise at Erg Chebbi is one of Morocco's most renowned natural phenomena due to the height of its dunes, which can reach 100–150 meters. The dawn light casts sharp shadows on the fine sand, creating bands of orange, gold, and pink that change every minute. This is why it's common for travelers to get up early to climb the nearest dune.

Day 5 of the itinerary

Transfer to Errachidia airport to catch the flight back to the point of origin.
Along the way, we will stop at the Ziz Valley viewpoint, with more than ten million palm trees inside.
Flight departs from Errachidia at 07.15h towards Casablanca, arriving at 08.30h.
Connection with the flight to the point of origin.

Ziz Valley: one of the largest continuous palm groves in North Africa

The Ziz Valley, stretching from Errachidia to the edge of the Sahara, is home to one of the largest palm groves in North Africa, belonging to the historic Tafilalet, renowned for its more than one million date palms. It is one of Morocco's most important date-producing regions, especially for the Medjool.
Errachidia Airport: a key stop between the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara

Airport in Errachidia (ERH) was initially built as a military airport and later adapted for civilian flights. Today, it is the main air hub connecting southeastern Morocco with Casablanca, allowing connections to international flights without the need for long road transfers.
One of the most beautiful scenic roads in southern Morocco

The road between Erg Chebbi/Erfoud and Errachidia offers direct views of the vast, fertile Ziz Valley, where traditional villages alternate with adobe kasbahs, irrigation canals (khettaras), and agricultural terraces. This route is considered one of the most photogenic in southern Italy due to the contrast between the green of the valley and the aridity of the surrounding mountains.

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.