A short escape from Marrakech to the heart of the Sahara, crossing the High Atlas, Aït Ben Haddou and the Todra Gorges.
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.
A narration to picture every stage before you set off.
A narration to picture every stage before you set off.
Every stop connected — the full route, day by day, in a single image.
Handwritten notes from those who already did this route — what to pack to enjoy it surprise-free.
Tap a stage to read the details
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 · SpecialistsHave 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 appointmentAït Ben Haddou looks straight out of a film — and it is. Climbing to the top of the ksar at sunset was spectacular.
Andrés P.
Zaragoza, Spain7 landmarks
Marrakech
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 · SpecialistsHave 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 appointmentThe Erg Chebbi dunes and the night at the camp were the best of the trip. The starry sky is simply indescribable.
Óscar & Nuria
Alicante, Spain6 landmarks
Tinerhir
«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 · SpecialistsHave 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 appointmentGetting 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.
Córdoba, Spain2 landmarks
Merdani
What travellers like you wrote to us after this route.
Hello from the road,
We left Marrakech and crossed the High Atlas over the Tizi n'Tichka pass — hairpin bends, snow on the peaks and adobe villages. Two days later we were riding camels towards the dunes of Erg Chebbi. From mountains to desert in a single trip!
From the Atlas to the Sahara,
Carlos
Tizi n'Tichka · High Atlas
Dear diary,
Marrakech is pure energy: we got lost in the souks among spices, lanterns and carpets, and at dusk we had dinner in Jemaa el-Fna amid smoke, music and storytellers. I tried a lamb tagine with prunes I'll never forget.
With my heart racing,
Ana
Jemaa el-Fna · Marrakech
For anyone who dreams of the desert,
I woke before dawn and stepped barefoot out of the tent. The desert was freezing and utterly silent, until the sun rose over the dunes and everything turned to gold. I never thought a place so empty could fill you up so much inside.
Under an endless sky,
Javier
Sunrise at Erg Chebbi
Every landmark and the trip's timeline — so you have the big picture before requesting a quote.
Average indicative temperatures in °C, day and night.
August · Real data · Open-Meteo
34°C
21°C
40°C
27°C
Accommodation & excursions package by chauffeured 4x4. Two seasons, per-person rate based on the number of travellers.
* Prices per person based on double and triple room occupancy. Please consult us for alternative room configurations and children's discounts.
Provisional indicative prices — subject to confirmation.
All dates not included in high season.
€790 / per person
If your short escape left you wanting more, these longer journeys take the experience much further.
From the red city to Europe's closest dunes — the soul of southern Morocco on one route.
From the Mediterranean to the desert, from Chefchaouen blue to Marrakech red — the longest, most complete crossing.
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