Five unhurried days to Erg Chebbi and back: two nights by the dunes, a day exploring around Merzouga by 4x4, and a different road home through the Draa Valley.
The three-day desert trip, given room to breathe. You cross the High Atlas, sleep in the Dades Gorges, and spend two nights at Merzouga instead of one: the first in a hotel at the edge of the dunes, the second at a camp among them, with a day in between to explore the villages and nomad country around Erg Chebbi by 4x4. The road home runs west through the Draa Valley, so nothing is driven twice.
Morning departure over the Tizi n'Tichka pass (2,260 m) to the ksar of Aït Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site. On through Ouarzazate and the Skoura palm grove, past the Kasbah Amridil, to the rose-growing valley of Kalaat M'Gouna. The last stretch leaves the main road for quiet mountain villages of earth and stone. Night at the bottom of the gorge.
The Todra Gorge in the morning, where the canyon narrows enough to walk between its walls on your own. Then east to Merzouga and a hotel facing the Erg Chebbi dunes for the evening.
A morning driving the country around the dunes: Khamlia, a village known for its Gnawa music, and a nomad family's tent for tea and an idea of how they live. Back to the hotel to rest through the heat, then out on camels at sunset to a camp among the dunes. Dinner and music under the stars.
Up early for the sun rising over the dunes, then the camels back to the hotel for breakfast and a shower. West through Rissani, home town of the Alaouite dynasty, and the date palms of the Tafilalet, then the quiet road by Alnif, Tazarine and N'Kob. A track across the Draa Valley, past ksour and kasbahs, brings you to Agdz for the night.
North over the pass above Agdz to Ouarzazate, then back across the High Atlas to Marrakech in the afternoon.
Starts from: Marrakech — your hotel or riad
PrivateA private loop from Marrakech to the Erg Chebbi dunes: two gorges on the way out, a camel ride at sunset, a night at camp and a quieter road home.
PrivateThe Marrakech to Erg Chebbi loop paced for families: shorter driving days, hotels with a pool, a family camp in the dunes and camel rides at both ends of the day.
PrivateArrive in Marrakech and spend five days in the south by 4x4: the gorges, a full day around Erg Chebbi, a night among the dunes and the hidden oasis of Fint.
PrivateAn evening in the stony desert outside Marrakech: an hour on a quad, a camel ride at sunset and dinner at a desert camp.
