Travel circuit from the Erg Chebbi desert to Marrakech

5 nights / 6 days

Trip description

“Erg Chebbi – Marrakech” is a truly authentic to discover the south of the country . This route awakens us in the Erg Chebbi Desert , a spectacle for the senses , with endless dunes and that magical aura that only special places possess, allowing us to spend an unforgettable night under the stars . We will continue in our 4x4 towards the High Atlas Mountains , discovering the landscapes along the way, stopping to contemplate their beauty , chat with the villagers, and leisurely enjoy their secluded villages and immense gorges . The route will end in Marrakech , a city bursting with color , dotted with artisans and artists , with magnificent squares and aromas that will leave a lasting impression.

Duration

5 nights / 6 days
Places

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

Errachidia / Marrakech
Price

See Details

Duration

5 nights / 6 days
Places

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

Errachidia / Marrakech
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–Errachidia flight at 23:00 h .
Arrival in Errachidia at 23:59 h .
Passport procedures and baggage collection .
Transfer to Erfoud , a city known as "the Gateway to the Desert" , located approximately 70 km (about a 50-minute journey ).
Accommodation and dinner at the Kasbah Xaluca , listed as unique in Morocco for its peculiar characteristics .

Casablanca: a destination where the time can change depending on the season

Morocco uses UTC +1 for most of the year, but temporarily switches to UTC+0 during Ramadan , which can lead to unexpected time differences compared to your home country. Therefore, depending on the date, the local time in Casablanca may vary.
Errachidia: the main air gateway to the Tafilalet desert

Airport (ERH) was originally a French military base before becoming a civilian airport. Today, it is the most important air gateway to the Tafilalet oasis , a historical territory that gave rise to the Alaouite dynasty , the current royal family of Morocco.
Erfoud: capital of fossils and direct access to the Moroccan Sahara

Erfoud is world-renowned for its Devonian fossil , boasting authentic pieces over 350 million years old , such as trilobites and ammonites. Furthermore, it is the last major urban center before reaching Erg Chebbi , earning it the nickname . "

Day 2 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 camel 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 old Dakar Rally: a route with real history

The tracks that cross the Erfoud, Taouz and Erg Chebbi were part of different stages of the Dakar Rally when the competition ran through Morocco until 2007. Today they are still used by rally-raid teams for training, thanks to their varied terrain: stony hamadas, dry wadis and sandy sections.
360-million-year-old fossils: a desert that was once a tropical sea

The fossil quarries around Erfoud contain authentic remains from the Devonian Period , when this entire region was covered by a warm sea. Trilobites, goniatites, and ammonites over 360 million years old , and Morocco is one of the world's leading producers of Devonian fossils.
Erg Chebbi: giant dunes and one of the clearest night skies in North Africa

Erg Chebbi is one of Morocco's two major ergs, with dunes that can reach 100–150 meters in height . The absence of light pollution in this area allows for one of the clearest and densest starscapes in the entire country, especially from the traditional camps where people sleep in nomadic tents .

Day 3 of the itinerary

“Date with Dawn”.
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 .
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, mini-golf , or optionally have a hammam (Turkish bath) or get a good 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, cars with drivers 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 another day, or sometimes there simply isn't enough time.

A unique sunrise in Erg Chebbi: an unrepeatable natural spectacle

Erg Chebbi is one of the best places in Morocco to watch the sunrise thanks to its dunes that reach up to 150 meters in height . The extreme fineness of its sand creates striking color changes at sunrise, a phenomenon only seen in ancient ergs like this one.
Khamlia and her Gnawa music: Sudanese heritage recognized by UNESCO

The village of Khamlia keeps alive the tradition of Gnawa music , a cultural expression born from sub-Saharan communities settled in Morocco for centuries. UNESCO has recognized it as Intangible Cultural Heritage , highlighting its rhythms with krakebs , drums, and ceremonial dances.
Rissani: a caravan market with real “donkey parking”

The Rissani market , open Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays , is one of the oldest souks in southern Morocco. It still has an authentic "donkey parking lot ," used by farmers and nomads who come to stock up on supplies. Rissani was also the capital of Tafilalet , the region where the Alaouite dynasty, Morocco's current royal family, originated.

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 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 .
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: one of the most impressive gorges in Morocco

The Todra Gorge is a limestone canyon where the vertical walls reach up to 160 meters in height at its narrowest point. The Todra River flows year-round, creating a microclimate that allows for crops and palm groves in this mountainous environment.
Dades Valley: a geological corridor shaped by millions of years of erosion

The Dades Valley is famous for its rock formations known as "Monkey Fingers," a series of eroded ridges that have acquired unique, undulating shapes. They are the result of differential erosion by wind and water on different layers of sedimentary rock.
Boumalne Dades: a strategic enclave between mountains and oases

The town of Boumalne Dades , situated at an altitude of 1,612 meters , is one of the oldest crossing points between the tribes of the High Atlas Mountains and the caravans heading towards the desert. The area is part of the Valley of the Birds , so named for the numerous species that inhabit its cultivated terraces and ravines.

Day 5 of the itinerary

In this stage we have a few kilometers ahead of us (approx. 310 km) , although they will be rewarded by the spectacular nature of its landscapes .
We will depart for Marrakech.
Along the way we will visit the Kasbah Aït Ben Haddou , declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and the setting for various film productions .
We will cross the entire Tizi n'Tichka or Tichka Mountain Pass , the highest road pass in the country .
Here we will leave behind the lunar landscape , which will give way to the predominant green and ochre colors .
Arrival in Marrakech in the afternoon.
It is recommended to make your first contact by visiting the unique Djemaa el-Fna Square , where at dusk the square fills up with reciters, fortune tellers, jugglers, tooth pullers, dancers, snake charmers and much more.
At dusk, small, illuminated food stalls are set up outdoors , where you can sample their typical dishes .
Accommodation in a Riad in the Medina or a 5* Hotel.
Note: Last day of 4x4 .

Aït Ben Haddou: a historic ksar turned into a world cinema landmark

The Ksar of Aït Ben Haddou , declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, is one of the best-preserved examples of adobe architecture in southern Morocco. It has served as a filming location for productions such as Gladiator , Game of Thrones , The Mummy , Lawrence of Arabia , and Kingdom of Heaven , making it one of the most frequently filmed locations in North Africa.
Tizi n'Tichka: Morocco's highest paved mountain pass

The Tizi n'Tichka pass , at 2,260 meters above sea level , is the highest paved mountain pass in the country. Built during the French Protectorate in the 1930s, its winding road is one of the most spectacular stretches of road in Morocco. In just a few kilometers, the landscape transforms from arid high mountains to fertile valleys and cultivated terraces.
Djemaa el-Fna: a living cultural heritage for centuries

Djemaa el-Fna Square is a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage site, for its preservation of oral and performative traditions such as storytelling, snake charmers, musicians, acrobats, and healers. Its daily transformation is unique: at night, it becomes one of Morocco's largest open-air food markets, with dozens of stalls offering traditional cuisine.

Day 6 of the itinerary

This morning we will visit the Medina of Marrakech on foot with a local guide .
We will begin by admiring the Koutoubia Minaret , the twin of the Giralda of Seville , and continue by visiting the Bay Palace .
We will venture into the narrow streets of the Souk , where we will have the opportunity to see different artisans in action : weaving carpets , making slippers , etc.
We will be able to find an infinite variety of quality crafts .
We will visit a Berber pharmacy , where they will teach us their "little secrets" .
We will go out again to Djemaa el-Fna Square , where the atmosphere during the day is completely different from that at night .
In the afternoon, free time to practice the art of bargaining or discover the most hidden places of the Medina at our own pace.
At the agreed time , transfer to Marrakech airport to catch your return flight .

The Koutoubia Mosque: an Almohad masterpiece that inspired iconic monuments

The Koutoubia Minaret , built in the 12th century, is the architectural model that directly inspired the Giralda in Seville and the Hassan Tower in Rabat. Its 69 meters in height make it the most emblematic building in Marrakech and a visual landmark throughout the medina.
The souks of Marrakech: one of the largest artisan markets in North Africa

Marrakech's souk system has been organized by guilds since the Middle Ages. There are specific areas for blacksmiths, weavers, dyers, slipper makers, carpenters, and copper artisans. Many workshops still use traditional techniques passed down through generations, making the medina a living museum of craftsmanship.
Djemaa el-Fna: a unique cultural setting recognized by UNESCO
The Djemaa el-Fna Square It was the first space declared by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity (2001). Its uniqueness lies in its dynamism:
- During the day , healers, musicians, acrobats, and snake charmers stand out.
- At night , it transforms into a large open-air dining area with dozens of traditional cooking stations.
- This daily cycle has been maintained for centuries.

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.