3-Day Merzouga Tour from Errachidia: Erg Chebbi Desert Camp

Three days crossing the Sahara on camel, sleeping in the dunes, waking to sunrise over the Algerian border

A 3-day tour from Errachidia to Merzouga's Erg Chebbi desert, with hotel pickup, camel ride, overnight in a desert camp with private ensuite bathroom, and live Berber Sahraoui music around the campfire. The itinerary includes stops in Rissani to taste Berber pizza and visit nomad camps, a camel trek before sunset, and sunrise the next morning. You choose where the tour ends: Fez, Marrakech, Ouarzazate, or back to Errachidia.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and drive to Erfoud

• Arrive at Errachidia airport or hotel
• Drive towards Erfoud with stops
• Overnight at hotel in Errachidia or Erfoud
• Dinner at hotel

Day 2: Explore Erfoud, Rissani, and Merzouga

• Breakfast at hotel in Erfoud
• Visit Rissani palaces and markets
• Taste Madfouna (Berber pizza)
• Visit nomads and have tea
• Enjoy Gnaoua music in Khmaliyah
• Relax before camel ride in Merzouga desert
• Watch sunset and reach desert camp
• Dinner and Saharian music at camp
• Overnight in desert camp tent with ensuite

Day 3: Sunrise and travel back

• Early sunrise viewing near Algerian border
• Shower and breakfast at camp
• Travel back to Fes, Ouarzazate, or Marrakech

The experience

The journey starts with a drive from Errachidia toward Erfoud, building into Day 2 when you reach Rissani to explore its palaces and markets, taste Madfouna (Berber pizza), and spend time with nomads over tea. From there the route pushes toward Merzouga, passing through Khmaliyah where you'll hear Gnaoua music before arriving at the desert camp. The camel ride happens in late afternoon, timed so you reach the camp as the sun sets. Dinner and the night follow under stars with live Sahraoui music.

The desert camp provides a tent with a private ensuite bathroom: a rarity in Sahara overnight stays. Day 3 begins before dawn so you can watch the sunrise just beyond the Algerian border, then shower and eat breakfast before the drive out. An air-conditioned vehicle carries the group throughout, and a professional driver fluent in English, Spanish or French leads the way. Sandboarding is available on request if you want it.

The tour ends at your choice of destination: Fez, Marrakech, Ouarzazate, or back to Errachidia. Lunches and drinks are not included, so plan for meals in Rissani and Merzouga. Tips and any extra fees are separate.

What’s included

• Hotel or airport pickup in Errachidia.
• air-conditioned vehicle and professional driver throughout.
• overnight in a hotel on Day 1 (Hotel Cherggui or similar).
• camel ride over Erg Chebbi dunes.
• overnight in a desert camp tent with private ensuite bathroom.
• live Berber Sahraoui music and dinner at the camp.
• breakfast on Days 2 and 3.
• sandboarding experience on request.

Options for this experience

4 options

Ends in FezGuide in English, Spanish or French · No fixed time3-star hotel and tent option (private): the first night is in a 3-star hotel in Errachidia, Erfoud or Merzouga, and the second night is in a private standard tent with an ensuite bathroom. Sand boarding is available on request, and this is a shared option. The 3-day trip begins with a first night in Errachidia or Erfoud, depending on departure time. Dinner and breakfast are included, with 2 of each. The route runs from Errachidia to the desert and then on to Fez, by comfortable air-conditioned minibus or minivan with a professional driver. Hotel pickup is available, and pickup is included.

Ends in ErrachidiaGuide in English, Spanish or French · No fixed time3-star hotel and tent option (private): the first night is in a 3-star hotel in Errachidia, Erfoud or Merzouga, and the second night is in a private standard tent with an ensuite bathroom, with sand boarding. This is a shared option where the tour is shared but the accommodation is private. The duration is 3 days, with 2 dinners and 2 breakfasts included. The route runs from Errachidia to the desert and back, by comfortable air-conditioned minibus or minivan with a professional driver. Hotel pickup is available, and pickup is included.

Ends in MarrakechGuide in English, Spanish or French · No fixed time3-star hotel and tent option (private): the first night is in a 3-star hotel in Errachidia, Erfoud or Merzouga, and the second night is in a private standard tent with an ensuite bathroom. Sand boarding is available on request. The tour is shared, but the room or tent is private. The 3-day trip starts in Errachidia and can end in Errachidia, Fez, Ouarzazate or Marrakech, depending on the customer's interest. It includes 2 dinners and 2 breakfasts. If you arrive on a late flight to Errachidia, you will have 1 lunch instead of dinner. The route runs from Errachidia to the desert and then on to Marrakech, by comfortable air-conditioned minivan or minibus with a professional driver. Hotel pickup is available, and pickup is included.

Ends up in OuarzazateGuide in English, Spanish or French · No fixed timePrivate tour option with a 3-star hotel and a tent: the first night is in a 3-star hotel in Errachidia, Erfoud or Merzouga, and the second night is in a private standard tent with an ensuite bathroom. Sand boarding is included in a shared tour, but accommodation is private. The trip lasts 3 days, with 2 dinners and 2 breakfasts included. It ends with a drop-off in Ouarzazate, travelling from Errachidia to the desert and then on to Ouarzazate. Transport is a comfortable air-conditioned car with a professional driver. Hotel pickup is available, and 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 day

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Infant (under 4)

GroupUp to 17

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 4 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 11.36

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Merzouga desert experience

Is this one for you?The three-day length gives you a full night in the dunes and sunrise over the border, which a 2-day version cannot fit. Choose your end city at checkout (Fez, Marrakech, Ouarzazate or Errachidia) depending on where your trip goes next.

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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 11 years); Infant (under 4).

What exactly happens on the camel ride in Merzouga?

The camel ride departs in late afternoon from the desert camp area, crossing the dunes of Erg Chebbi as the sun drops toward the horizon. You'll arrive at the camp as evening settles, giving you time to rest before dinner and the evening's live Berber music.

Is the desert camp tent comfortable, or is it very basic?

The desert camp tent includes a private ensuite bathroom, which sets it apart from many Sahara overnight options. You have your own facilities rather than shared ones, and breakfast is provided before you leave on Day 3.

What is Rissani, and how much time do we spend there?

Rissani is a historic town on Day 2 where you'll explore palaces and visit the market. The itinerary includes time to taste Madfouna (a Berber pizza) and visit a nomad camp nearby for tea and conversation about their way of life, though the exact duration depends on the group's pace.

Do I need to arrange my own transport to the starting point, or is pickup included?

Hotel or airport pickup in Errachidia is included, so you don't need to arrange separate transport to begin the tour. The air-conditioned vehicle picks you up and carries you through all three days.

Can I choose which city the tour ends in, or is that fixed?

You choose your end destination when you book: Fez, Marrakech, Ouarzazate, or back to Errachidia. Each option is available at checkout, so the final drive depends on where you need to be next.

Is this tour suitable if I have limited fitness or mobility?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels and is wheelchair accessible. However, it is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health, since the camel ride and desert environment involve physical exertion and altitude exposure.