Night 1
Merzouga, at the foot of the dunes
Comfortable hotel
A well-located hotel with en-suite rooms, chosen for comfort and convenience after a day on the road.
3-Day Errachidia Desert Tour to Merzouga
A short round trip from Errachidia for travellers who fly in and want the Sahara without a long road trip.
- Private Tour
Only - Local
Driver-Guides - Comfortable
Vehicles - Handpicked
Accommodation - Fully
Customisable
Tour overview
Three Days from Errachidia and Back
A short round trip from Errachidia for travellers who fly in and want the Sahara without a long road trip. Merzouga is only two hours from the airport, so you spend a whole day exploring the desert around Erg Chebbi, with nomads, Gnaoua music, the wild lake and a camel ride to a desert camp, before returning by Rissani, Erfoud and the Ziz Valley.
Our 3 Day Errachidia Desert Tour starts and finishes in Errachidia, covering about 340 km by road over three days. Along the way you will experience a sunset camel trek in the dunes of Erg Chebbi, a night in a desert camp and tea with nomad families and Gnawa music in Khamlia. Each stop is a real visit on foot, with your driver-guide explaining what you are looking at and local people adding their own stories.
Accommodation is chosen for character and location rather than size: one night in a comfortable hotel in Merzouga and one night in a desert camp in the dunes of Erg Chebbi. You travel in a private, air-conditioned vehicle, a 4x4 or a minibus depending on the size of your party, with an English-speaking driver-guide who knows these roads well. Spanish, Italian, French and Portuguese-speaking guides are available on request.
It suits travellers who have only a few days but still want to reach the real Sahara: couples, friends, solo travellers and families with older children who are comfortable with some time in the car. Like all our tours it is fully private, so the plan below can be lengthened, shortened or rearranged to fit your dates.
- Duration3 days / 2 nights
- StartErrachidia
- EndErrachidia
- Tour typePrivate tour
- GroupJust your own party
- LanguagesEnglish, Spanish, Italian, French, Portuguese
- TransportPrivate 4x4 or minibus with A/C
- AccommodationComfortable hotel and Desert camp
Highlights
Tour Highlights
- Ride a camel into Erg Chebbi at sunset
- Spend a night in a Sahara desert camp
- Meet nomad families and Gnawa musicians
Detailed itinerary
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1
Day 1: Arrival in Errachidia – Merzouga
On the first day of your 3-day Merzouga desert tour, your driver-guide meets you at Errachidia Airport (ERH) or at your accommodation in the city. From there you drive south for about two hours, past palm groves and earthen villages of the Tafilalet, to the edge of the Sahara at Merzouga, where the great dunes of Erg Chebbi rise above the plain. You spend the night at a hotel in Merzouga, facing the sand.
Flight options: domestic flights from Marrakech are operated by Ryanair three days a week and arrive between 7 am and 3 pm. Domestic flights from Casablanca are operated by Royal Air Maroc every day and arrive at midnight. We can adjust the itinerary to suit your arrival time.
- Pick-up at Errachidia Airport (ERH) or your accommodation
- Drive south through the Tafilalet
- First view of the Erg Chebbi dunes
- Night in a Merzouga hotel
Day 2
Day 2: Merzouga – Nomads – Khamlia – Merzouga Lake – Erg Chebbi – Palm Grove
After breakfast, the whole day is dedicated to exploring the Merzouga desert around Erg Chebbi, an area of sand dunes, a seasonal wild lake, fossil sites, small mines and green oases that is ideal for gentle outdoor activities.
You begin with an off-road drive to an old kohl mine, where the black mineral once used as eyeliner was dug from the ground, then visit a nomad family in their woven tent to learn about their way of life over a glass of Berber tea. Next is Khamlia, a village where many families have roots in Mali, Sudan and Niger, for a performance of Gnaoua music and dance. Lunch is at a local restaurant, at your own pace.
In the afternoon you stroll through a palm grove and drive a few kilometres to the wild lake of Merzouga, often called the flamingos' lake because the birds gather there after rainy winters. Later you switch to camels to cross the dunes, stopping on a high crest for the sunset before riding on to your desert camp. The evening ends with Berber drumming around the campfire under a sky full of stars, followed by dinner and the night in camp.
- Old kohl mine by 4x4
- Tea with a nomad family
- Gnaoua music in Khamlia
- Sunset camel ride to a desert camp
Day 3
Day 3: Merzouga – Rissani – Erfoud – Ziz Valley – Errachidia Airport
Sunrise over the dunes is highly recommended, so it is worth waking early. After breakfast you return by camel or by 4x4 to where your driver is waiting.
Depending on your flight time, some of today's visits can be made on the first day instead, or skipped entirely. You visit Rissani, the former capital of the Tafilalet and a lively market town, especially on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, then continue to Erfoud to see a workshop where fossils millions of years old are cut and polished.
Driving north towards Errachidia, you make scenic stops along the way, including a panoramic viewpoint over the palm groves of the Ziz Valley. You are dropped off at Errachidia Airport in the early morning or at midday, depending on your flight. End of the desert tour.
- Sunrise over the dunes
- Market town of Rissani
- Fossil workshop in Erfoud
- Ziz Valley panorama and airport drop-off
Good to know
What’s Included
Included in the tour
- Private air-conditioned vehicle (4x4 or minibus, depending on your group size) for the whole tour
- English-speaking driver-guide; Spanish, Italian, French or Portuguese-speaking guides on request
- Fuel, tolls and parking
- Pickup and drop-off at your hotel, riad, airport or port
- 2 nights of accommodation with breakfast
- Dinner on the nights shown in the itinerary
- Sunset camel trek in Erg Chebbi, one camel per person
- Night in a mid-range luxury desert camp (luxury camp on request) with dinner, breakfast and music around the fire
- Sandboarding at the camp
- 4x4 excursion around Erg Chebbi: kohl mine, nomad family, Khamlia and the Merzouga lake
- Free stops for photographs, tea and walks whenever you wish
Not included
- International and domestic flights
- Lunches and drinks
- Entrance fees to monuments, museums and film studios
- Tips for your driver-guide, local guides and camp staff
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses and optional activities
Optional activities
- Quad or buggy ride in the dunesOne or two hours on the sand around Erg Chebbi with a guide, bookable on the day in Merzouga.
- Upgrade to a luxury desert campSpacious private tents with air conditioning and heating, elegant traditional décor and premium bathroom amenities, instead of the mid-range luxury camp. Tell us when you book and we will quote the difference.
- 4x4 excursion around Erg ChebbiA half-day circuit to Khamlia, the nomad camps and the black desert, possible if you add a night in Merzouga.
- Second night in the desertStay an extra night in camp for a slower pace, a walk in the dunes at dawn and time to do nothing at all.
Before you go
Practical Information
Pickup and drop-off
Your driver meets you at Errachidia Moulay Ali Cherif Airport, the bus station or your hotel. If you arrive on the evening flight, we can adjust the first day or add a night.
The tour ends at Errachidia Moulay Ali Cherif Airport, in the early morning or at midday depending on your flight, or at your hotel in Errachidia.
A different start or end point is rarely a problem. Because every tour is private, we can begin in one city and finish in another; tell us where you are staying and we will adapt the route and the quote.
What to bring
- Comfortable walking shoes or trainers, plus sandals for the camp
- Sun hat, sunglasses and high-factor sunscreen
- Light, loose clothing for the day and a warm layer for the evening
- A small overnight bag for the desert; your main luggage stays safely in the vehicle or at the hotel in Merzouga
- A scarf or cheche for the camel ride (you can buy one on the way)
- A warm jacket from November to March, when desert nights can drop close to freezing
- Head torch or phone light for the camp
- Passport and a copy of your travel insurance
- Cash in Moroccan dirhams for lunches, tips and small purchases; ATMs are scarce between the main towns
- Camera, spare battery and a power bank
- Any personal medication, and motion-sickness tablets if mountain roads affect you
Best time to travel
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the most comfortable seasons for this route. Days are warm and clear, nights are mild, and in April and May the valleys of the south are green and the roses of Kalaat M'Gouna are in bloom.
Winter is a good time for the desert if you bring warm clothes: skies are bright and the dunes are quiet, but temperatures after dark can fall to around freezing and the High Atlas passes occasionally close for a few hours after snow. In July and August the Sahara is very hot in the afternoon, so we shift the camel trek later, start driving earlier and can recommend a camp with air-cooled tents.
During Ramadan the tour runs as normal. Some restaurants close during the day in smaller towns, your driver-guide will know where to stop, and evenings are especially lively after sunset.
Important information before booking
- This is a private tour. The vehicle, the driver-guide and the departure date are yours alone, and the itinerary can be changed before or during the trip.
- Driving times are approximate and do not include stops. We stop often, so expect each day to take longer than the hours shown.
- Prices depend on the number of travellers, the season and the accommodation category you choose. Tell us these three things and we will send an exact quote.
- The camel ride to the camp takes about an hour to an hour and a half. If you would rather not ride, or are travelling with small children or have back problems, we take you to the camp by 4x4 at no extra cost.
- We offer two desert camp options, both with private tents, en-suite bathrooms and hot showers: a mid-range luxury camp, and a luxury camp with more spacious tents, air conditioning and heating. Please say which you prefer when booking.
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal meals are easy to arrange; let us know about allergies or dietary needs in advance.
- Roads in the mountains are winding. If you suffer from motion sickness, sit in the front and bring medication.
- Most nationalities do not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days, but please check the entry requirements for your passport before travelling.
Questions and answers
3 Day Errachidia Desert Tour: Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 3-day tour from Errachidia private?
Yes. You travel only with the people in your own party, in a private vehicle with your own driver-guide. That means you choose the departure date, set the pace and can stop wherever you like along the way.
How much driving is there each day?
It varies from day to day. The longest stretch is on day 1, with about 2 hours on the road, and the other days are noticeably shorter. In total the tour covers about 340 km. All times are approximate and broken up by visits, lunch and photo stops.
What is the desert camp like?
Camps in Erg Chebbi have real beds with sheets and blankets, a dining tent and a fire circle. You choose between two options. Our mid-range luxury camp has private tents with en-suite bathrooms, hot showers and comfortable bedding. Our luxury camp has more spacious tents with air conditioning and heating, high-quality bedding and premium bathroom amenities. Dinner and breakfast are served at the camp.
Do I have to ride a camel to reach the camp?
No. The camel trek is included and most guests enjoy it, but if you prefer, we take you to the camp by 4x4. This is also what we suggest for very young children, pregnant travellers and anyone with back or knee problems.
Can I change the itinerary or the start point?
Yes. The programme on this page is a starting point. We can add nights, swap stops, upgrade accommodation or end the tour in another city instead of returning to Errachidia. Tell us what you have in mind and we will adjust the route and send a new quote.
What is the best time of year for this tour?
March to May and September to November offer the most comfortable temperatures. Winter is clear and quiet but cold at night in the desert; in July and August the Sahara is very hot, and we adjust the timings accordingly.
How much does it cost and how do I book?
Prices are always quoted on request: the price depends on the number of travellers, the season and the accommodation category, so we quote each request individually. Send us your dates and group size by WhatsApp or email and we will reply with a detailed quote. You can ask for as many changes as you need before confirming.
Accommodation
Where You’ll Stay
Carefully selected riads, guesthouses, hotels and desert camps. The exact properties are confirmed with your quote, in the category you choose.
Night 2
Erg Chebbi dunes, Merzouga
Desert camp in Erg Chebbi
A camp among the dunes with proper beds and bedding in each tent, a dining tent and a fire circle. We offer two options, both with private tents, en-suite bathrooms and hot showers: a mid-range luxury camp, and a luxury camp with more spacious tents, air conditioning and heating.
Your night in the Sahara
Choose Your Desert Camp
We offer two camps in the dunes of Erg Chebbi. Tell us which one you prefer when you enquire.
Included in this tour
Mid-Range Luxury Camp
- Private tents with en-suite bathrooms
- Hot showers
- Comfortable bedding
- Good balance between comfort and authenticity
Upgrade on request
Luxury Camp
- Spacious private tents with en-suite bathrooms
- Air conditioning and heating for year-round comfort
- High-quality bedding and elegant traditional décor
- Hot showers and premium bathroom amenities
- Comfortable private space with maximum privacy
- Warm and welcoming atmosphere with personalised service
Gallery
Moments from the Journey
The places you will stand in on this route, in the order you reach them.
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Ready for Your Moroccan Adventure?
Tell us your dates and group size, and we will send you this itinerary with a personal quote. You can change anything you like before confirming.
Plan Your 3 Day Errachidia Desert Tour
Quick answers for planning your 3 day Errachidia desert tour with Magic Morocco Tours.
How to Spend 3 Days in Morocco
3 days in Morocco on this route means about 340 km by private vehicle starting and ending in Errachidia, with nights in Merzouga and Erg Chebbi dunes. Spent this way, your 3 days in Morocco leave time to ride a camel into Erg Chebbi at sunset and to spend a night in a Sahara desert camp.
3 Day Morocco Itinerary at a Glance
The 3 day Morocco itinerary, day by day: day 1, Arrival in Errachidia – Merzouga; day 2, Merzouga – Nomads – Khamlia – Merzouga Lake – Erg Chebbi – Palm Grove; day 3, Merzouga – Rissani – Erfoud – Ziz Valley – Errachidia Airport. As the tour is private, this 3 day Morocco itinerary can be changed before or during the trip.
Errachidia to Merzouga Desert Tour Highlights
As a Errachidia to Merzouga desert tour, this trip reaches the Erg Chebbi dunes on day 1. There you ride a camel into the dunes and spend a night at a mid-range luxury desert camp (luxury camp on request). Shorter and longer Errachidia to Merzouga desert tour options are on our Tours from Errachidia page.