Set out on a journey across Morocco’s southeastern oasis region, traveling from the palm groves of Errachidia straight to the golden dunes of Merzouga. Travel along the lush Ziz Valley, ride camels across the rolling sands of Erg Chebbi, and spend an unforgettable night in a desert camp under a star-filled Sahara sky while catching stunning sunsets and sunrises.
Continue your route through the traditional market town of Rissani before exploring the soaring cliff walls of Todra Gorge and the dramatic rock formations of the Dades Valley. Discover the iconic UNESCO World Heritage site of Ait Benhaddou and explore Ouarzazate’s historic cinema studios, before crossing the High Atlas Mountains via the panoramic Tizi N’Tichka pass toward Marrakech.
Your 3-day desert journey begins with a pickup from your hotel or Errachidia Airport (VNM). Depart Errachidia and drive south through the spectacular Ziz Valley, home to one of Morocco’s largest palm oases, taking advantage of panoramic vantage points to capture photos of lush green palm groves framed by rugged red canyons. Continue south to Erfoud, famous as the gateway to the Sahara and renowned for its ancient marine fossils, where you will stop at a local artisan workshop to learn how petrified marble is crafted. Arrive in Merzouga on the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes and switch to camels for an authentic trek across the golden sands as the sun sets. Upon arrival at your desert camp, enjoy a warm Moroccan welcome with mint tea, relax in a fully equipped tent, savor a traditional dinner, and end your night with live Gnawa music and drumming around a campfire under the stars.
Wake up early to catch the sunrise casting golden light over the dunes of Erg Chebbi, followed by a freshly prepared breakfast at camp before returning to Merzouga village. Depart toward Rissani, the historical cradle of the Alaouite dynasty, with a chance to explore its vibrant local souk. Head west toward Tineghir to reach the towering Todra Gorges, where you can walk alongside the river bed beneath dramatic, 300-meter-high sheer limestone cliffs and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Continue along the scenic Road of a Thousand Kasbahs into the Dades Valley, admiring the unique rock formations known as the “Monkey Fingers” and the winding hairpin curves of the Tisdrine Pass, before checking into your hotel or riad in Boumalne Dades for dinner and a restful evening
After breakfast at your hotel, journey through Kelaat M’gouna in the Valley of the Roses, known for its annual rose harvest and organic rosewater products, and continue through the Skoura palm grove to Ouarzazate to visit the historic Kasbah Taourirt or stop outside Atlas Film Studios. Arrive at the legendary Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site and iconic filming location for films like Gladiator and Lawrence of Arabia, where you will explore the ancient clay-brick fortress and enjoy lunch at a terrace restaurant with views of the village. Begin the final leg of the journey toward Marrakech by crossing the High Atlas Mountains via the scenic Tizi n’Tichka Pass (2,160 meters altitude), taking in panoramic views of Berber villages clinging to the mountainsides. Arrive in Marrakech in the late afternoon or early evening, where your driver will drop you off at your hotel, riad, or the airport.
