Your desert journey begins with a late‑night arrival at Errachidia Moulay Ali Cherif Airport, scheduled
around midnight. As you exit the arrivals hall, you will find your driver waiting for you, holding a clear
sign with your name written on it. He will greet you and assist with your luggage before transferring you
directly to your pre‑booked hotel in Errachidia, a short drive of approximately ten to fifteen minutes.
Because of the very late hour, no dinner is available or included on this night. We recommend that you
eat a meal before your flight or carry a substantial snack with you. Upon arrival at the hotel, you will
check in and have the remainder of the night to rest. You will overnight at the hotel in Errachidia.
Your day starts with breakfast at the hotel. Then you will set off on the main leg of your desert
adventure. The drive from Errachidia immediately rewards you with stunning scenery as you
pass through the magnificent Ziz Valley oasis. You will stop to admire the vast palm grove
winding through rocky gorges, a lush green ribbon in the midst of arid landscapes, and one of
Morocco’s most photographed vistas. Continuing along the route, your driver will point out
several spots where fossils are visible in the roadside rocks. This region was once a prehistoric
ocean, and you will see ammonites, sea shells, and other marine fossils embedded in the stone
a tangible reminder of the Sahara’s ancient past.
Your next destination is Rissani, the historic gateway to the Sahara and the former capital of the
Tafilalt region. Here you will explore the traditional souk, which is particularly lively on market
days (Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday). You will encounter the famous donkey parking areas,
colourful spice stalls, and the imposing gateway that once marked the entrance to the caravans
heading south. Lunch is not included in Rissani, giving you the freedom to choose your own
meal. You may sample a local specialty such as madfouna (Berber pizza) or a slow‑cooked tagine
at one of the small, authentic eateries.
After lunch you will continue to the village of Khamlia, approximately forty minutes away.
Khamlia is renowned for its Gnawa music – a spiritual and rhythmic tradition rooted in
sub‑Saharan African heritage. You will be welcomed into a courtyard where musicians dressed
in indigo play iron castanets (krakebs) and sing hypnotic melodies. The performance is both
energetic and deeply atmospheric, offering a genuine cultural encounter.
In the late afternoon you will finally reach the Erg Chebbi dunes near Merzouga. These are the
iconic sand sea of the Moroccan Sahara, with some dunes rising over 150 metres. A camel guide
will be waiting to lead you on around one‑hour camel ride into the dunes. As you climb onto
your camel and trek across the golden sand, the world becomes quiet except for the soft steps
of the animals and the whisper of the wind. Your guide will take you to a high dune from which
you can watch the sun set over the desert – a breathtaking display of orange, red, and purple.
After sunset, you will dismount at your desert camp in Erg Chebbi. There, on comfortable
cushions under a canopy of stars, you will be served a traditional Berber dinner. The meal
typically includes hot tagine, fresh bread, and sweet mint tea. After dinner, drum music begins
around the campfire, inviting you to join in the rhythm. This is the classic desert evening –
simple, warm, and unforgettable.
Optional add‑on: quad bike – For those seeking extra excitement, a one‑hour quad bike tour
over the dunes is available. You must arrange this in advance with your operator. You can take
the quad either before or after the camel ride, depending on timing.
After dinner and the drumming, you will drive back to Errachidia. The return journey takes
approximately one and a half to two hours, so you will arrive at your hotel around ten or eleven
in the evening. You will overnight again at the same hotel in Errachidia
On your final morning, you will have breakfast at the hotel at a time that suits your departure
flight. After checking out, your driver will transfer you directly to Errachidia Moulay Ali Cherif
Airport. The tour ends upon arrival at the airport.
Explore the magic of Morocco Sahara travel and desert life
Top Tours
Information
