3-Day Desert Tour from Errachidia: Merzouga Dunes & Todra Gorges

Wake to sunrise over Erg Chebbi, then ride camels back through Rissani's trade-route history.

A 3-day tour from Errachidia into Morocco's Sahara, staying two nights in a desert camp and exploring Merzouga's dunes, Rissani's kasbahs, and the Todra Gorges on the return. The tour includes hotel pickup, all accommodation, camel rides, and an air-conditioned vehicle with a professional driver who speaks English, Spanish or French. You choose where the tour ends: Marrakech, Fes, or back in Errachidia.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Travel from Errachidia to Merzouga Desert

• Depart from Errachidia in morning
• Visit Khamlia for Gnawa music
• Drive through Draa-Tafilale region
• Overnight in Errachidia or Merzouga

Day 2: Explore Merzouga and Rissani

• Watch sunrise on desert dunes
• Return by camel to vehicle
• Visit Rissani city and monuments
• Overnight in desert camp tent

Day 3: Return to Errachidia or other city

• Travel to Errachidia airport or Fes or Marrakech

The experience

The route begins in Errachidia and heads toward Merzouga, with a stop in Khamlia for Gnawa music before moving through the Draa-Tafilale region's layered landscapes. Depending on your arrival time, you'll overnight in Errachidia or push through to Merzouga, where the real desert opens up. The second day starts early: you catch sunrise over Erg Chebbi's dunes, photograph the light across the sand, then ride camels back to the vehicle. From there, the itinerary passes through Rissani, a former capital of the Alaouite dynasty where Sijilmassa once anchored the desert trade routes and fortified kasbahs still stand as monuments to that era.

Accommodation is a desert camp tent with an ensuite bathroom, so you're not roughing it entirely. Sand boarding is available free if you request it. The third day is your return journey, and here the tour splits: you can head back to Errachidia airport, continue to Fes, or push on to Marrakech, depending on which option you booked at checkout. Transport, the driver, and the vehicle with air conditioning are included throughout. The guide speaks your language and handles the route.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off at your starting point.
• two nights' accommodation in a desert camp tent with ensuite bathroom and a hotel in Errachidia or Merzouga on night one.
• professional driver and air-conditioned vehicle for all three days.
• camel ride across the dunes.
• guide in English, Spanish or French.

Options for this experience

3 options

Tour ends back in ErrachidiaGuide in English, Spanish or French · 10:00, 16:00 and 23:30Two nights' stay (tent or hotel): one night in a 3-star hotel and one night in a standard tent with ensuite bathroom. Group tour: transport is shared, but accommodation is private (private room or tent). Duration: 3 days. Some flights arrive a few minutes before midnight on the first day. Two dinners and two breakfasts. The tour starts and ends in Errachidia. Minivan or minibus: the vehicle assigned depends on how many people are in the group, with a professional driver. Pickup is included.

Tour ends in FesGuide in English, Spanish or French · 10:00, 16:00 and 23:30Two nights' stay (room and tent): one night in a 3-star hotel and one night in a standard desert camp with a private tent and ensuite bathroom. Group tour: transport is shared, but the room or tent is private. Duration: 3 days. On day one, if you arrive by plane, some flights land a few minutes before midnight. Two dinners and two breakfasts. The tour starts in Errachidia and ends in Fes. Minivan or minibus: the vehicle depends on the number of people, with a professional driver. Pickup is included.

Ends in MarrakechGuide in English, Spanish or French · 10:00, 16:00 and 23:30Two nights' stay (hotel and tent): one night in a 3-star hotel and one night in a tent with a private standard ensuite bathroom. Standard group tour: transport is shared, but the room or tent is private. Duration: 3 days. If you arrive in Errachidia on the same day as the tour starts, note that some flights land late, a few minutes before midnight. Two dinners and two breakfasts. The tour starts in Errachidia, goes on to the Merzouga desert, then ends in Marrakech. Minivan or minibus: a comfortable vehicle chosen according to the size of the group, with a professional driver. Pickup is included.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 10:00 and 16:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Infant (under 4)

GroupUp to 17

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 5 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 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Marrakech desert tour

Is this one for you?Choose your endpoint at checkout (Marrakech for onward travel south, Fes for the north, or Errachidia to return to where you started), so the tour's return journey fits your next move without backtracking.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 12 years); Infant (under 4).

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 Merzouga and why does the tour spend time there?

Merzouga is the gateway to Erg Chebbi, Morocco's most accessible Sahara dune field. The tour bases itself here for the second night so you can watch sunrise over the dunes and ride camels across the sand before heading back toward the Atlas Mountains and your chosen endpoint.

Do I need to book the camel ride in advance, or is it included?

The camel ride is included in the tour price. It happens on day two after sunrise, when you ride back from the dunes to rejoin the vehicle.

What happens on day three, and where does the tour actually end?

Day three is the return journey. You choose your endpoint when you book: the tour can drop you in Marrakech, Fes, or back in Errachidia, depending on which option you select at checkout.

Is lunch included during the three days?

Lunches and drinks are not included in the tour price, so you'll arrange and pay for those meals separately along the route.

What is Rissani, and why does the itinerary pass through it?

Rissani is a historic city and former capital of the Alaouite dynasty. The tour passes through it on day two to show you Sijilmassa, the ancient center of Sahara trade, and the kasbahs and mausoleum that mark its importance in Morocco's desert history.

Can I request sand boarding, or is it only for certain travelers?

Sand boarding is available free if you request it during the tour. It's offered as an optional activity, so let your driver or guide know if you'd like to try it.