Circuit · Marrakech ↻ Erg Chebbi · 2 nights / 3 daysMarrakech · High Atlas · Erg Chebbi · Marrakech

Erg Chebbi escape from Marrakech.

A short escape from Marrakech to the heart of the Sahara, crossing the High Atlas, Aït Ben Haddou and the Todra Gorges.

Duration

2 nights / 3 days

Airports

In & out Marrakech

Highlights

Tizi n'Tichka · Aït Ben Haddou · Todra · Erg Chebbi · Bivouac

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Trip description

A complete adventure, in just a few days.

Set off on an unforgettable escape from Marrakech to the majestic Erg Chebbi desert — a journey blending High Atlas landscapes, iconic places like Aït Ben Haddou, lush valleys and the silent vastness of the Sahara.

Along the way you will discover Berber villages, ancient kasbahs, spectacular gorges and the legendary Dakar Rally tracks, before riding into the heart of the dunes on camelback for a unique sunset and a night at a bivouac under the stars.

A complete and enriching adventure designed for travellers who want to connect with the most authentic essence of Morocco.

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Quick facts

The essentials.

Duration2 nights / 3 days

PlacesMarrakech · Tizi n'Tichka · Aït Ben Haddou · Ouarzazate · Boumalne Dades · Tinerhir · Todra · Erfoud · Erg Chebbi · Merdani · Alnif · Marrakech

AirportsMarrakech

TypeMarrakech · Erg Chebbi · Marrakech

Experiences4x4 · camels · bivouac · Berber villages · gorges · oases

Listen to this journey

Let us tell you the route.

A narration to picture every stage before you set off.

Listen to this journey

Let us tell you the route.

A narration to picture every stage before you set off.

The whole route

Your journey on a single map.

Every stop connected — the full route, day by day, in a single image.

stops3

approximate km578

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City
Desert

Travel notes

Pack your bag

Handwritten notes from those who already did this route — what to pack to enjoy it surprise-free.

Layer up

Clothing for the Atlas & the desert

Dress in layers: a cool High Atlas morning can turn into a hot afternoon on the dunes.
A fleece or jumper for the nights: both the Atlas and the desert cool down after sunset.
Closed, broken-in shoes for walking through kasbahs, gorges and sand.
A large scarf (cheche): it shields you from sun, wind and fine sand.

— Your Xaluca team

Don't forget

Must-have accessories

Sunglasses and SPF 50 sunscreen: the Sahara sun is no joke.
A cap or wide-brimmed hat for the midday hours.
Lip balm and moisturiser: the air is very dry and your skin will feel it.
A reusable bottle and hand gel for the 4x4 legs.

— Your Xaluca team

Under the stars

Desert nights & travel days

A head torch and a power bank: the bivouac doesn't always have plugs.
A small bag for the night at camp; your big suitcase stays in the 4x4.
Something warm for sleeping: the desert surprises with its cool nights.
Some cash in dirhams for tips, mint tea and small purchases along the way.

— Your Xaluca team

Tap a stage to read the details

Day 01
Marrakech · Tizi n'Tichka · Aït Ben Haddou · Boumalne Dades
Day route:Dades
Highlights
- 01Tizi n'Tichka: Morocco's highest tarmac passAt 2,260 m, the Tizi n'Tichka is Morocco's highest tarmac mountain pass. The drive shows how the landscape changes dramatically — from the green, fertile north to the near-lunar south side of the Atlas.
- 02Aït Ben Haddou: ancient ksar and film setUNESCO World Heritage since 1987 and one of the finest examples of traditional southern-Moroccan adobe architecture. It has hosted blockbusters like Gladiator, The Mummy, Game of Thrones and Kingdom of Heaven.
- 03Boumalne Dades, in the Valley of the BirdsTown set at 1,612 m in the heart of the High Atlas range. A strategic point between oases, kasbahs and Berber villages, and the natural gateway to the spectacular Dades Valley.
The day, in detail
Pick-up at 09:30 from the agreed point in Marrakech and departure in a 4x4 with driver towards the Central High Atlas. A few kilometres lie ahead, generously rewarded by the landscape. We cross the Tizi n'Tichka — Morocco's highest tarmac mountain pass at 2,260 m — leaving the greens and ochres behind to enter a lunar landscape. Along the way we visit the Aït Ben Haddou Kasbah, UNESCO World Heritage and backdrop of countless film productions. We pass through Ouarzazate and continue along the Valley of the Roses to Boumalne Dades, at 1,612 m in the Valley of the Birds. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Xaluca Dades 4*.

Full itinerary

Day by day, no shortcuts.

Marrakech · Tizi n'Tichka · Aït Ben Haddou · Boumalne Dades

Day 01

1 / 10

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Notes of the day

Don't miss it

Tizi n'Tichka

At 2,260 m, the Tizi n'Tichka is Morocco's highest tarmac mountain pass. The drive shows how the landscape changes dramatically — from the green, fertile north to the near-lunar south side of the Atlas.

Did you know

Aït Ben Haddou

UNESCO World Heritage since 1987 and one of the finest examples of traditional southern-Moroccan adobe architecture. It has hosted blockbusters like Gladiator, The Mummy, Game of Thrones and Kingdom of Heaven.

For the photo

Boumalne Dades, in the Valley of the Birds

Town set at 1,612 m in the heart of the High Atlas range. A strategic point between oases, kasbahs and Berber villages, and the natural gateway to the spectacular Dades Valley.

Day 01

Marrakech · Tizi n'Tichka · Aït Ben Haddou · Boumalne Dades

Pick-up at 09:30 from the agreed point in Marrakech and departure in a 4x4 with driver towards the Central High Atlas. A few kilometres lie ahead, generously rewarded by the landscape. We cross the Tizi n'Tichka — Morocco's highest tarmac mountain pass at 2,260 m — leaving the greens and ochres behind to enter a lunar landscape. Along the way we visit the Aït Ben Haddou Kasbah, UNESCO World Heritage and backdrop of countless film productions. We pass through Ouarzazate and continue along the Valley of the Roses to Boumalne Dades, at 1,612 m in the Valley of the Birds. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Xaluca Dades 4*.

Cultural highlights

Tizi n'Tichka: Morocco's highest tarmac pass

At 2,260 m, the Tizi n'Tichka is Morocco's highest tarmac mountain pass. The drive shows how the landscape changes dramatically — from the green, fertile north to the near-lunar south side of the Atlas.

Aït Ben Haddou: ancient ksar and film set

UNESCO World Heritage since 1987 and one of the finest examples of traditional southern-Moroccan adobe architecture. It has hosted blockbusters like Gladiator, The Mummy, Game of Thrones and Kingdom of Heaven.

Boumalne Dades, in the Valley of the Birds

Town set at 1,612 m in the heart of the High Atlas range. A strategic point between oases, kasbahs and Berber villages, and the natural gateway to the spectacular Dades Valley.

Xaluca Tours · Specialists

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Book a call with one of our specialists and we'll help you plan your trip in a personalised way, with no obligation.

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What travellers say about this day

Aït Ben Haddou looks straight out of a film — and it is. Climbing to the top of the ksar at sunset was spectacular.

Andrés P.

San Sebastián, Spain

Verified traveller

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Town
Mountain
Viewpoint
Kasbah
XALUCA HOTEL

Day map

Day's landmarks

7 landmarks

Trip progress

Day 01 / 03

33%

Place gallery

Marrakech

3 cards

Marrakech

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The red city of Morocco

Discover palaces, gardens, souks, and historical monuments that make Marrakech one of the most fascinating destinations in North Africa.

Get lost in the most vibrant medina in the country

Marrakech

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Get lost in the most vibrant medina in the country

Stroll through traditional markets, lively alleys, and corners where history and culture are present at every step.

Marrakech

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The cultural soul of Morocco

Enjoy the atmosphere of Jemaa el-Fna, the local cuisine, and the unique energy that characterizes this imperial city.

Day 02

1 / 10

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Notes of the day

Don't miss it

The Todra Gorges

One of south-east Morocco's most spectacular canyons, with walls up to 160 metres high at their narrowest point. The Todra river sculpted these walls over millions of years and is a world-class climbing destination.

Did you know

The historic Dakar Rally tracks

Between Erfoud and the Erg Chebbi, several tracks were used by the Dakar Rally during its Moroccan editions (until 2007). They cross hamadas and dry wadis, making them iconic routes for 4x4 and adventure motorbikes.

For the photo

Erg Chebbi

One of the two great ergs of the Moroccan desert, with dunes reaching up to 150 metres. The atmospheric clarity and absence of light pollution make it one of the best starry skies in North Africa.

Day 02

Tinerhir · Todra · Erg Chebbi · Bivouac

Early departure towards Tinerhir, a small and prosperous town with pink houses and palm groves — the ideal starting point to enter the famous Todra Gorges, where we walk along the riverbed. Leaving the mountains behind, we continue to Erfoud, where we take the desert track for a day of Total Desert. We follow one of the Dakar Rally tracks visiting villages and nomads, stop at the Marine Fossil Quarries (360 million years old) and picnic at a real oasis. We continue to the great Erg Chebbi, where we swap the 4x4 for camels and ride into the heart of the dunes for an unforgettable sunset. Arrival at the bivouac, accommodation in nomad-style jaimas. Dinner and overnight under the stars.

Cultural highlights

The Todra Gorges

One of south-east Morocco's most spectacular canyons, with walls up to 160 metres high at their narrowest point. The Todra river sculpted these walls over millions of years and is a world-class climbing destination.

The historic Dakar Rally tracks

Between Erfoud and the Erg Chebbi, several tracks were used by the Dakar Rally during its Moroccan editions (until 2007). They cross hamadas and dry wadis, making them iconic routes for 4x4 and adventure motorbikes.

Erg Chebbi: sleeping under the stars

One of the two great ergs of the Moroccan desert, with dunes reaching up to 150 metres. The atmospheric clarity and absence of light pollution make it one of the best starry skies in North Africa.

Xaluca Tours · Specialists

Have any questions about this trip?

Book a call with one of our specialists and we'll help you plan your trip in a personalised way, with no obligation.

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What travellers say about this day

The Erg Chebbi dunes and the night at the camp were the best of the trip. The starry sky is simply indescribable.

Óscar & Nuria

Toledo, Spain

Verified traveller

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Town
Gorges
Geology
Dunes
Desert camp

Day map

Day's landmarks

6 landmarks

Trip progress

Day 02 / 03

67%

Place gallery

Tinerhir

3 cards

The oasis between mountains and palm groves

Tinerhir

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The oasis between mountains and palm groves

Discover a city surrounded by one of the largest palm groves in southern Morocco and situated at the gates of the Todra Gorges.

Tinerhir

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Explore the heart of the oasis

Stroll among palm trees, visit traditional villages, and discover the daily life of one of the most fertile regions in the south.

The perfect contrast between water and mountain

Tinerhir

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The perfect contrast between water and mountain

Enjoy landscapes where green oases meet the arid Atlas mountains, creating unique settings.

Sunrise · Merdani · Alnif · Return to Marrakech

Day 03

1 / 10

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Notes of the day

Don't miss it

Merdani

An old mining village, today partly abandoned, next to the M'Fis mines. A must-stop for photographers — and a window into life on the edge of the Sahara and the regional history of kohl, lead and copper mining.

Did you know

Alnif and the fossil road

A small Berber town in the Anti-Atlas, internationally known for its Devonian trilobite deposits — among the most complete in the world. A mandatory stop on the crossing from the desert to the Atlas.

For the photo

Returning to Marrakech with the desert in your bones

The return crossing offers a unique variety of landscapes — from the Sahara to the Anti-Atlas, palm valleys, and finally the Haouz plain. A moving farewell to southern Morocco all the way back to the buzz of Djemaa el-Fna.

Day 03

Sunrise · Merdani · Alnif · Return to Marrakech

«A date with the Sunrise». We recommend an early walk to the top of the dunes for sunrise. Bedouin breakfast and back to the vehicle for a drive around the Erg to the abandoned village of Merdani. We set off back to Marrakech via Alnif, enjoying a wide variety of landscapes. A long but scenic transfer day. Arrival in Marrakech and end of our services.

Cultural highlights

Merdani: the abandoned village

An old mining village, today partly abandoned, next to the M'Fis mines. A must-stop for photographers — and a window into life on the edge of the Sahara and the regional history of kohl, lead and copper mining.

Alnif and the fossil road

A small Berber town in the Anti-Atlas, internationally known for its Devonian trilobite deposits — among the most complete in the world. A mandatory stop on the crossing from the desert to the Atlas.

Returning to Marrakech with the desert in your bones

The return crossing offers a unique variety of landscapes — from the Sahara to the Anti-Atlas, palm valleys, and finally the Haouz plain. A moving farewell to southern Morocco all the way back to the buzz of Djemaa el-Fna.

Xaluca Tours · Specialists

Have any questions about this trip?

Book a call with one of our specialists and we'll help you plan your trip in a personalised way, with no obligation.

Book an appointment

Contact us

What travellers say about this day

Getting lost in the Marrakech medina with our guide was magical: the souks, the Koutoubia and a Djemaa el-Fna that becomes another city at night.

Lucía F.

Barcelona, Spain

Verified traveller

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Berber village
Town

Day map

Day's landmarks

2 landmarks

Trip progress

Day 03 / 03

100%

Place gallery

Merdani

3 cards

Merdani

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Virgin dunes of the Sahara

Discover a lesser-known area of the desert where the dunes remain virtually untouched and away from the busiest routes.

Merdani

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Explore the wilder Sahara

Traverse landscapes of endless sand, walk across the dunes, and enjoy the absolute tranquility of the surroundings.

Merdani

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The purest silence of the desert

Experience an exclusive moment surrounded only by sand, sky, and endless horizons.

Postcards from the journey

Handwritten memories

What travellers like you wrote to us after this route.

A postcard from the Draa ValleyThe endless palm grove

Hello from the south,

From Marrakech we drove south to Zagora along the Draa Valley, the longest palm grove in Morocco: miles of palms, mud kasbahs and a sign reading 'Timbuktu, 52 days'. The desert begins long before the dunes.

Heading for the stars,

Elena

Xaluca ToursZAGORA

Draa Valley · Zagora

A postcard from MarrakechTea and souks

Dear grandma,

I'm writing from a café looking out at the Koutoubia. These days we've eaten bread fresh from clay ovens, shared tea with a nomad family and haggled in the souks amid laughter. People here welcome you as if they'd always known you.

Bringing you a thousand stories,

Pablo

Xaluca ToursMARRAKECH

Koutoubia · Marrakech

A postcard from the bivouacFire and drums

For those unafraid to get lost,

We spent the night at a camp among the dunes, around the fire, listening to drums and watching shooting stars. We head back to Marrakech tomorrow, but some of this silence is coming with me. Some journeys end and others stay.

With sand in my soul,

Sara