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

5 nights / 6 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

5 nights / 6 days
Places

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

Ouarzazate / Errachidia
Price

See Details

Duration

5 nights / 6 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 23.00 h* .
Arrival in Ouarzazate at 11:50 p.m.
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 Hotel Xaluca Dades 4*.
*Check available flights and departure cities.

Boumalne Dades: a natural gateway to the Central High Atlas

Boumalne Dades is located at an altitude of 1,612 meters , in the transition zone between the high plateau and the first gorges of the Dadès Valley. Its location makes it a historically strategic point for caravans, shepherds, and merchants crossing the High Atlas Mountains to the south.
Ouarzazate – Boumalne Road: a route famous for its geology

The route from Ouarzazate to Boumalne Dades (110 km) crosses a region known for its unique geological formations , where layers of red sandstone, folded mountains, and ancient river terraces outcrop. These landscapes are studied by geologists for their stratigraphic clarity and for revealing millions of years of natural history.
Ouarzazate: a city with two identities, oasis and cinema

Ouarzazate Airport is the main air gateway to the southern High Atlas Mountains and also the entrance to the country's most famous film studios. Movies such as Gladiator , Lawrence of Arabia , Babel , and The Mummy used locations in this region, taking advantage of its dry climate and open landscapes.

Day 2 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 , 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.
We will explore the M'Goun Gorges for an unforgettable walk.
Lunch on the road, at a “Gite d'Etape.”
Accommodation and dinner at the Hotel Xaluca Dades 4*.

Boutaghrar and Amskar: authentic Berber villages of the High Atlas

In villages like Boutaghrar and Amskar , located within the Valley of Roses and the M'Goun massif, traditional adobe houses , defensive towers ( kasbahs ), and agricultural practices inherited from centuries past are still preserved. Many families continue to use khettaras , ancient underground irrigation systems dating back to the medieval period.
Inhabited caves: a nomadic way of life that is still alive

In the mountains of the Central High Atlas, there are caves and natural shelters nomadic Aït Atta families live or spend time , dedicated to herding goats and dromedaries. This way of life—one of the oldest in North Africa—is maintained especially in the high, isolated areas of the M'Goun Valley, where winters are harsh and communication is limited.
M'Goun Gorges: a natural corridor sculpted by millions of years

The M'Goun Gorges , also known as Gorges d'Achabou , form an impressive canyon carved by the M'Goun River, which originates at an altitude of over 4,000 meters. In some sections, the walls narrow to just a few meters , with vertical drops exceeding 150 meters , making them one of the most striking geological landscapes in the Central High Atlas.

Day 3 of the itinerary

This morning 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.”
Lunch at the Hotel Xaluca Dades 4*.
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.

The Dadès Gorges: one of the most iconic viewpoints in southern Morocco

The famous Dadès Valley viewpoint is world-renowned for its winding road, considered one of the most photogenic in Morocco. The area is the result of millions of years of fluvial erosion by the Dadès River, which has created canyons over 300 meters deep in some sections.
The “Monkey Paws”: a natural geological rarity

The formations known as " Monkey Fingers " are a collection of sandstone rocks sculpted by wind and water, resulting in distinctive rounded shapes. They are studied by geologists for their differential erosion , a natural process that creates unique formations without human intervention.
Todra and Tinerhir: an oasis among mountains and one of the most impressive canyons in the country

The town of Tinerhir is surrounded by one of the densest palm groves in southeastern Morocco and is the gateway to the Todra Gorge , where the rock walls reach up to 160 meters in height at their narrowest point. The small, still-active Todra River continues to shape the canyon today.

Day 4 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.
Picnic-style meal in a real oasis.
We will continue until we reach the Great Erg Chebbi , the desert of dunes of very fine sand.
We will exchange 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

The tracks of the legendary Dakar Rally: historic desert roads

The area between Erfoud, Taouz and Erg Chebbi was one of the classic sections of the Dakar Rally in several editions held in Morocco before 2007. These tracks —known for their mix of hamada, dry wadis and initial dunes— are still used today for training and rally-raid tests, and are considered some of the most emblematic in the country.
Devonian fossils: a desert that was once a sea

The fossil quarries of Erfoud and the surrounding area contain marine remains from the Devonian Period (360–380 million years ago) , when this entire region was covered by a tropical sea. Ammonites, trilobites, goniatites, and primitive fish are found here. Morocco is one of the world's largest exporters of authentic Devonian fossils.
Erg Chebbi: dunes up to 150 meters high and ultrafine sand

Erg Chebbi , one of Morocco's two major ergs, is renowned for its exceptionally fine sand and impressive dunes, which can reach 100–150 meters in height depending on the area. The sunset here is particularly famous: the changing colors—golds, reds, and pinks—make it one of the most beautiful sunsets in the Moroccan Sahara.

Day 5 of the itinerary

“Appointment with the Dawn.”
is recommended 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 for a while.
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 your visit. In that case, we try to schedule it for another day, or sometimes there simply isn't enough time.

Sunrise in Erg Chebbi: one of the most famous in the Moroccan Sahara

Erg Chebbi is one of the best places in the country to watch the sunrise thanks to the height of its dunes (which can reach 100–150 meters ) and the fineness of its sand. The dawn light produces intense color changes—oranges, pinks, and golds—that have made this experience one of the most photographed in the Moroccan desert.
Khamlia: Gnawa music with Sudanese roots

The village of Khamlia was founded by communities of Sudanese origin who arrived in Tafilalet generations ago. It is famous for its Gnawa music , recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage. Its dances and rhythms with krakebs and drums represent an African spiritual tradition that remains alive in the heart of the desert.
Rissani: a historic market and an authentic center of nomadic exchange

The Rissani market , busiest on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays , is one of the oldest souks in southern Morocco. Aït Atta nomads, Tafilalet merchants, and inhabitants of distant villages come here to exchange food, animals, and handicrafts. One of its most well-known features is its veritable "donkey parking lot ," where merchants leave their animals during market day.

Day 6 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 palm groves in North Africa

The Ziz Valley is part of the historic Tafilalet , known for having one of the largest continuous palm groves in Morocco , with over a million date palms Medjool variety .
A historic route between oases and mountains

The road connecting Erfoud/Erg Chebbi with Errachidia is considered one of the most scenic in southern Morocco: it winds between arid mountains and a fertile valley where khettaras , ancient underground irrigation channels used since the Middle Ages, are still preserved. Even today, some families continue to use them.
Errachidia Airport: the key air link for southeastern Morocco

Airport (ERH) was initially a military base before opening to civilian traffic. Today, it is the main air gateway to southeastern Morocco , allowing direct connections to Casablanca and, from there, to international flights without the need for long road 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.