2-Day Desert Tour from Errachidia to Erg Chebbi: Private Guide

Ziz Valley to Erg Chebbi: Two days with a guide, a camel, and the dunes at sunrise and sunset

A 2-day private desert tour from Errachidia that takes you through the Ziz Valley to the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi, with a guide, camel ride, and overnight stay in a luxury desert camp. The route includes stops at Erfoud's fossil workshops and the markets of Rissani, a sunset ride across the dunes, sunrise over the sand, and visits to Merzouga and Khamlia villages on the return drive to Errachidia.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Errachidia to Erg Chebbi dunes

• Meet driver at Errachidia airport or accommodation
• Drive through Ziz Valley and take photos
• Arrive at Erfoud and have morning coffee
• Visit fossils workshop and Erfoud market
• Drive to Rissani and explore local market
• Have lunch and try local Madfona pizza
• Visit Moulay Ali Sherif tombs
• Continue to Erg Chebbi dunes
• Ride camel to watch sunset over dunes
• Overnight in luxury desert camp with dinner

Day 2: Erg Chebbi dunes to Errachidia

• Watch sunrise on dunes
• Have breakfast at desert camp
• Leave camp for Hassiliebied, Merzouga, and Khamlia
• Visit canal irrigation system in oasis
• Explore Merzouga village and shop for turbans
• Enjoy Gnawa music in Khamlia village
• Drive back to Errachidia with lunch stop
• Drop off at accommodation or airport

The experience

Errachidia is the starting point, and your guide meets you at the airport or your accommodation. The drive south covers 120 kilometers through the fertile Ziz Valley: a landscape of green terraces and date palms that opens into desert. You'll stop in Erfoud, a town built on fossils and dates, to see the fossil workshops and catch the weekly market if the timing aligns. Rissani comes next, with its own market (most authentic on Tuesday, Thursday or Sunday), and lunch is a local specialty called Madfona before you move on to the dunes.

Erg Chebbi is where the day shifts. You ride a camel into the golden sand as the sun drops, then settle into the luxury desert camp on the edge of the dunes for dinner and the night. The camp has private toilets and showers, not a tent on bare ground. You wake to the sunrise over the dunes, have breakfast at the camp, then drive back north on day two, stopping at Hassiliebied, Merzouga, and Khamlia. In Merzouga you can buy a turban or Tuareg dress. Khamlia is known for Gnawa music, a soulful local sound. Lunch happens on the return drive, and you're dropped at your Errachidia accommodation or airport by afternoon.

The guide speaks English, Spanish, Italian, French and one additional language. Transportation is private and air-conditioned. Breakfast, dinner, the camel ride, and the camp stay are included. You arrange lunch and drinks separately. Children from age 1 are welcome, and the tour can be customized to fit your schedule and budget.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned transportation for both days.
• a guide in English, Spanish, Italian, French or another language.
• breakfast and dinner.
• a camel ride at sunset into Erg Chebbi.
• one night in a luxury desert camp with private toilet and shower.
• sunrise over the dunes on day two.
• stops at Erfoud fossil workshops, Rissani market, Merzouga, and Khamlia village.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (15 to 90 years) · Child (1 to 14 years)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 11 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Enjoy Desert Tours

Is this one for you?Choose this two-day private tour if you want to experience both sunset and sunrise over the dunes with an overnight camp stay: a day trip only captures one.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

9 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (1 to 14 years).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Ziz Valley like on the drive from Errachidia?

The Ziz Valley is a fertile strip of green terraces and date palms that runs south from Errachidia before the landscape opens into desert. You stop to photograph it on the way to Erfoud and the dunes.

Do I ride a camel on this tour?

Yes, you ride a camel into Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset on day one, then return to the camp for dinner and the night.

What are the markets like in Erfoud and Rissani?

Erfoud has a weekly market (Saturdays) and is known for fossils and dates. You can visit the fossil workshops there. Rissani's market is considered more authentic and runs Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday. Both are working markets, not tourist setups.

Where do I sleep, and does it have a bathroom?

You sleep in a luxury desert camp on the edge of Erg Chebbi dunes. The camp has private toilets and showers in each unit, not shared facilities.

What happens on the second day?

Day two starts with sunrise over the dunes from the camp. After breakfast, you visit Merzouga and Khamlia villages: Merzouga for Tuareg dress and turbans, Khamlia for Gnawa music performances. Lunch is on the drive back to Errachidia, where you're dropped at your hotel or airport.

Can I customize the itinerary or the pace?

Yes, the tour can be customized according to your schedule, budget, and interests. Discuss changes with the operator when you book.