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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
    6 nights / 7 days
  • Places
    Ouarzazate, Boulmane Dades, Tinerhir, Arfoud, Erg Chebbi, Merdani, Rissani, Errachidia
  • Airport
    Ouarzazate / Errachidia
  • Price
    See Details
  • Duration
    6 nights / 7 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 ,
  • population located at an altitude of 1,612 m in the High Atlas Mountain Range.
  • Accommodation at the 4* Hotel Xaluca Dades.
  • Check available flights and departure cities.
  • From Casablanca to the High Atlas: a crossroads between two worlds
    Casablanca–Ouarzazate flight is one of the most frequently used routes connecting the Atlantic coast with the southern High Atlas Mountains. Casablanca and Ouarzazate may experience a temporary time difference during certain seasons due to Morocco's specific adjustments to daylight saving time.
  • Boumalne Dades: a natural viewpoint at 1,612 meters above sea level
    Boumalne Dades is located at 1,612 meters , at a strategic point where the Dadès gorges and valleys begin. This enclave has historically been a passage for Berber caravans traveling between the desert and the High Atlas Mountains, taking advantage of its natural routes.
  • The Ouarzazate–Boumalne road: one of the most studied scenic routes in southern Morocco
    The 110 km between Ouarzazate and Boumalne Dades cross an area renowned for its exceptional geology , where ancient folds, layers of red sandstone, and landscapes sculpted by the erosion of the Atlas Mountains over millions of years can be observed. For this reason, it is a region frequently visited by geologists and naturalists .
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 time seems to have
  • 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: Berber villages that preserve their ancestral way of life
    The villages of Boutaghrar and Amskar are part of the Valley of Roses and the M'Goun massif. These villages still preserve mud-brick kasbahs , terraced fields, and traditional irrigation systems such as khettaras , hydraulic techniques used since the Middle Ages that continue to supply water to many families.
  • Inhabited caves: a nomadic way of life that is still alive
    In the upper reaches of the M'Goun Valley, some Aït Atta nomadic continue to live seasonally in natural caves , using these shelters for themselves and their livestock. This way of life, based on transhumance and pastoralism, is one of the oldest and most emblematic traditions of the High Atlas Mountains.
  • The M'Goun Gorges: a spectacular canyon carved by water
    The M'Goun Gorges , also known as the Gorges d'Achabou , form one of the most impressive canyons in the Central High Atlas Mountains. Its walls can reach 150 meters in height , and in some sections the passage narrows to just a few meters, creating a natural corridor sculpted over millions of years by the M'Goun River.
Day 3 of the itinerary
  • We will travel through the Dades Valley to its gorges , and we will 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 the Kasbah Xaluca , listed as unique in Morocco for its peculiar characteristics.
  • The Dadès Gorges: one of the most photographed roads in Morocco
    The ascent to the Dadès Gorges includes the famous zigzag road that has become an icon of southern Morocco. This area was shaped over millions of years by the Dadès River, creating canyons that in some sections exceed 300 meters in depth .
  • The “Monkey Paws”: a unique geological phenomenon of the High Atlas
    The formations known as "Monkey Fingers" are a collection of sandstone rocks sculpted by water and wind erosion. Their undulating and rounded shape is a clear example of differential erosion , a natural process that creates very distinctive landscapes without human intervention.
  • Tinerhir and the Todra Gorges: a natural corridor between 160-meter walls
    The town of Tinerhir is surrounded by one of the largest palm groves in southeastern Morocco and serves as the gateway to the Todra , where the rocky walls rise to a height of 160 meters at its narrowest point. The small Todra River, which flows year-round, continues to carve this impressive canyon.
Day 4 of the itinerary
  • Total Desert Day.
  • 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.
  • A spectacular experience: sleeping “under the stars.”
  • The legendary tracks of the Dakar Rally
    The tracks linking Erfoud, Taouz, and the Erg Chebbi region were part of several stages of the Dakar Rally when the competition passed through Morocco (before 2007). These routes, made up of hamadas (high desert plains), dry wadis, and hard-packed sand, continue to be used today for training and rally-raid testing, and are considered among the most iconic in the Moroccan desert.
  • 360-million-year-old fossils: remnants of the ancient Devonian sea
    The marine fossil quarries near Erfoud contain authentic remains from the Devonian Period , when this entire region was covered by a tropical sea. Ammonites, trilobites, goniatites, and primitive fish have been found here. Morocco is one of the world's leading exporters of Devonian fossils, which are highly valued in paleontology.
  • Erg Chebbi: giant dunes and exceptionally fine sand
    Erg Chebbi is one of the country's two major ergs and is notable for its dunes, which reach 100 to 150 meters in height and are formed from extremely fine sand carried by Saharan winds. Thanks to this, sunsets at Erg Chebbi are considered among the most spectacular in Morocco, with golden, reddish, and pink hues that intensify as the sun sets.
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 return to the car which will take us around the Erg to the abandoned village of Merdani.
  • Later we will visit the M'Fis Mines and 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 to stroll through the dunes , walk to the nearby villages of Merzouga and Hassi Labyed (“White Well”) , or optionally enjoy the comforting ritual of the Hammam.
  • At the agreed time, departure towards a natural viewpoint to enjoy a beautiful panoramic view.
  • Accommodation and dinner at the Kasbah Timbuktu.
  • Sunrise on the dunes: a unique natural phenomenon of Erg Chebbi
    Erg Chebbi is one of Morocco's most prized spots for watching the sunrise, thanks to the height and shape of its dunes, which can reach 100–150 meters . The dawn light creates a unique optical phenomenon: the sand gradually changes from reddish to golden and pinkish tones, an effect produced by the exceptional fineness of the sand grains.
  • M'Fis Mines: a colonial legacy marked by barite mining
    The M'Fis Mines , located between Merzouga and Taouz, were exploited during the French Protectorate for the extraction of barite and fluorite , minerals used in the metallurgical industry. Today they are a visible historical vestige in the middle of the desert, and nomadic families settled around them, working seasonally in the area.
  • Khamlia: Gnawa music with deep African roots
    The village of Khamlia was founded by communities of Sudanese origin settled in the Tafilalet region. It is internationally known for its Gnawa music , an Afro-Berber tradition recognized by UNESCO. Its rhythms are performed with krakebs , drums, and ritual dances that were historically used for trance ceremonies and spiritual healing.
Day 6 of the itinerary
  • Departure along dirt tracks to reach Rissani *, to visit some of its centuries-old Kasbahs.
  • We will continue with a visit to 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.
  • Food at Des Dunes , the most authentic Berber pizzeria in Erfoud.
  • Return to Kasbah Xaluca to enjoy the rest of the free day.
  • After a few days in the desert, a little relaxation is welcome.
  • Possibility of taking a dip in the heated pool , enjoying the jacuzzi , playing tennis or mini-golf , or optionally having a hammam (Turkish bath) or a good massage.
  • For the more adventurous, there is the possibility of quad bike excursions through the dunes surrounding the hotel ( optional excursion ).
  • Accommodation and dinner at Kasbah Xaluca.
  • This afternoon, chauffeured vehicles will be available if you wish to continue visiting the area or stroll freely around Erfoud.
  • The Rissani market takes place on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays , so sometimes it doesn't coincide with the scheduled visit. In that case, we will try to reschedule, or if that's not possible, the visit may not take place.
  • Rissani: origin of the Alaouite dynasty and land of ancient kasbahs
    The city of Rissani is considered the birthplace of the current Alaouite dynasty , which has ruled Morocco since the 17th century. In its surroundings, centuries-old kasbahs , many built of adobe and situated on ancient caravan routes that connected Tafilalet with the trans-Saharan trade routes.
  • A historic market and an authentic donkey "parking"
    The Rissani market , busiest on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays , is one of the oldest souks in southern Morocco. Besides agricultural products, spices, and handicrafts, it is known for its unique "donkey market and parking area ," where merchants leave their animals while they shop or trade.
  • Erfoud: Moroccan capital of fossils and gateway to the desert
    Although the main reason for visiting Erfoud is to have lunch at "Des Dunes" and relax, the city is internationally renowned as one of the world's largest centers for polishing and trading Devonian fossils . It is also considered the "Gateway to the Desert" because caravans and expeditions to Erg Chebbi have historically departed from here.
Day 7 of the itinerary
  • Transfer to Errachidia airport to catch the flight back to the point of origin.
  • Along the way, a stop at the Ziz Valley viewpoint , which is home to more than ten million palm trees.
  • Flight departs from Errachidia at 07:15 towards Casablanca , with a scheduled arrival time of 08:30 to connect with the flight to the point of origin.
  • Ziz Valley: one of the great palm groves of North Africa
    The Ziz Valley is part of the historic Tafilalet , considered one of the largest continuous palm groves in North Africa. The area is especially associated with the production of Medjool dates , one of the most prized varieties in the world.
  • A scenic route marked by the contrast between oasis and desert
    The valley viewpoint offers a privileged view of a unique landscape: a fertile corridor filled with palm trees surrounded by arid mountains. This contrast is due to the Ziz River , which originates in the High Atlas Mountains and has allowed for the agricultural and human development of the oasis for centuries.
  • Errachidia Airport: an essential link for southeastern Morocco
    Airport (ERH) , originally a military airport, is now the main air connection for southeastern Morocco. Its daily flight to Casablanca allows connections to international destinations 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.

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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.
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