Marrakech To Erg Chebbi 5 Day Desert Tours

Escape the city and surrender to the rhythm of the dunes on this perfectly paced 5-day Marrakech to Erg Chebbi Desert Tour—a soulful journey through Morocco’s most iconic southern landscapes. From the snow-dusted High Atlas to the rust-red gorges, palm-fringed oases, and the golden silence of Erg Chebbi, this compact yet immersive itinerary delivers the essence of the Sahara—without the rush.

Travel with Koutoubia Tours, your trusted Marrakech-based experts, and experience the desert not as a distant spectacle—but as a living cultural tapestry, guided by locals who call these dunes home.

🔹 Duration: 5 Days / 4 Nights
🔹 Departure: Daily from Marrakech (Private & Small Group options)
🔹 Destinations: Marrakech → High Atlas → Ouarzazate → Skoura → Dades Gorge → Todra Gorge → Merzouga (Erg Chebbi) → Khamlia → Rissani → Draa Valley → Aït Ben Haddou → Marrakech
🔹 Includes: Private AC 4x4 or comfortable mini-van, English/French-speaking local driver-guide, 4 nights accommodation (3★ hotels & luxury desert camp), daily breakfast, 2 dinners (incl. desert camp), camel trek, guided visits, airport/riad transfers
🔹 Best Time to Go: Year-round (Oct–Apr ideal for desert; May & Sept pleasant; summer cooler in mountains)

🌟 Tour Highlights

✔️ Tizi n’Tichka Pass – Cross the High Atlas at 2,260m with panoramic views & Berber villages
✔️ Skoura Oasis & Kasbah Amridil – A 17th-century riverside fortress amid 50,000 palm trees
✔️ Valley of Roses (seasonal) – Fragrant blooms & local rosewater distilleries (April–May)
✔️ Dades & Todra Gorges – Hike canyon trails, photograph dramatic cliffs & “Monkey Fingers”
✔️ Dayet Srij Lake – Spot flamingos & migratory birds in this seasonal desert wetland
✔️ Khamlia Village – Soulful Gnaoua music performance in the heart of the desert
✔️ Hamada Desert (“Black Desert”) – Meet nomadic families & learn about Saharan resilience
✔️ Sunset Camel Trek – Ride across Erg Chebbi’s golden dunes as the sun dips below the horizon
✔️ Luxury Desert Camp – Private tents, hot showers, 3-course Berber dinner & live music under stars
✔️ Sunrise in the Sahara – Wake to soft light spilling over endless dunes (unforgettable!)
✔️ Rissani Souk & Mausoleum – Birthplace of Morocco’s ruling dynasty & vibrant market energy
✔️ Draa Valley Palm Oasis – Morocco’s longest oasis—date palms stretching for 100km
✔️ Aït Ben Haddou – Iconic UNESCO kasbah of Game of Thrones & Gladiator

Bonus: Intimate pacing—no rushed transfers, just meaningful stops and authentic moments.

🗺️ Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Marrakech → High Atlas → Ouarzazate → Skoura → Dades Gorge (≈6–7 hrs)

• 8:00 AM pickup from your Marrakech riad/hotel
• Scenic drive over the High Atlas Mountains via Tizi n’Tichka Pass (2,260m)
• Stop at panoramic viewpoints & traditional Berber villages
• Arrive in Ouarzazate, “Hollywood of Morocco”
• Continue to Skoura Oasis; visit Kasbah Amridil, a 17th-century riverside fortress
• Optional stop in Valley of Roses (Apr–May): see rosewater distillation
• Arrive in Dades Gorge by late afternoon
• Free time to walk the “Monkey Fingers” trail or relax at your guesthouse
• Overnight in Dades Gorge (family-run guesthouse with mountain views)

Day 2: Dades Gorge → Todra Gorge → Merzouga (Erg Chebbi) (≈5 hrs)

• Breakfast with valley views
• Drive south to Todra Gorge—sheer 300m cliffs, palm-lined riverbed
• Free time to hike, photograph, or sip mint tea with local families
• Continue through fossil-rich Hamada desert & nomadic encampments
• Arrive in Merzouga by late afternoon
• Overnight in a cozy hotel near the dunes (pre-desert night for comfort & acclimation)

Day 3: Merzouga Exploration → Camel Trek → Desert Camp

• Morning local tour:
  • Dayet Srij Lake (seasonal wetland; birdwatching: flamingos, herons)
  • Khamlia Village: immersive Gnaoua music session with local musicians
  • Hamada Desert: visit a nomadic family, learn about desert life & traditions
• Return to Merzouga for sunset
• Sunset camel trek (1 hour) into the Erg Chebbi dunes (up to 150m high)
• Arrive at your luxury desert camp: private tent, comfortable bedding, hot shower, solar lighting
• Dinner & campfire: 3-course Moroccan meal, live Gnaoua music, stargazing (zero light pollution!)
• Overnight in Erg Chebbi Desert Camp

Day 4: Sunrise → Rissani → Draa Valley → Ouarzazate (≈6 hrs)

• Early wake-up for desert sunrise—golden light over endless dunes (highly recommended!)
• Return by camel or 4x4 to Merzouga village
• Visit Rissani, spiritual heart of the Sahara:
  • Alaouite Mausoleum (birthplace of Morocco’s current dynasty)
  • Lively souk (if day matches)—donkeys, spices, silver, leather
• Drive through the Draa Valley, Morocco’s longest oasis—endless date palms, ancient ksours
• Arrive in Ouarzazate by evening
• Overnight in Ouarzazate (4★ kasbah-style hotel)

Day 5: Ouarzazate → Aït Ben Haddou → Marrakech (≈6 hrs)

• Morning visit to Aït Ben Haddou—UNESCO World Heritage site, Morocco’s most iconic ksar
• Guided tour + free time for photos & lunch with panoramic views
• Return over the High Atlas via Tizi n’Tichka Pass
• Arrive in Marrakech by late afternoon
• Drop-off at your riad or Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK)
• Shukran for journeying with us into the heart of the Sahara.

Ready for the Dunes in Just 5 Days?

🐪 Available as a Private Tour or Small Group Experience
This compact desert journey is perfect for time-conscious travelers who refuse to compromise on depth or authenticity. Private tours offer full flexibility (hotel upgrades, extra activities), while small groups (max 6 guests) ensure camaraderie and value—without the bus-tour feel.

✅ Private Tours: Add a 2nd desert night, Gnaoua workshop, or Atlas extension
✅ Small Groups: Weekly guaranteed departures, expert local guides, eco-conscious camping
✅ All include 24/7 support, hand-picked stays, and genuine Moroccan hospitality

📞 Call or WhatsApp us now to reserve your 5-day Sahara escape:
+212 666-449409 | +212 663-578729 | +212 637-500967
✉️ Email: contact@koutoubiatours.com

We reply within 1–2 hours—because the desert is calling… and your camel is waiting.

[👉 Yes! I Want This 5-Day Marrakech to Erg Chebbi Tour]