Our 4 days tour from Errachidia to Marrakech starts where most desert tours only arrive. Errachidia sits two hours from the Erg Chebbi dunes, so you reach the sand on the first afternoon instead of the third. From there the route runs west along the old caravan road, through the Todgha and Dades gorges and the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs, and finishes in Marrakech.

Above all, this Errachidia to Marrakech desert tour is private and one-way. You travel only with your own group, in an air-conditioned vehicle, with the same driver-guide for four days. Because Ryanair flies Marrakech to Errachidia in about an hour, many travellers fly out and drive back, which turns a 497 km road into a proper journey.

Duration	4 days / 3 nights
Start	Errachidia (pick-up at your hotel, the airport or the bus station)
End	Marrakech (drop-off at your riad or hotel, around 6 to 7 pm)
Desert	Erg Chebbi dunes, Merzouga (2 nights in the desert area)
Tour style	Private one-way tour, customizable
Accommodation	1 night kasbah hotel Merzouga + 1 night desert camp + 1 night Dades Gorge (see options)
Meals	3 dinners and 3 breakfasts
Total distance	About 830 km, one way
Price	On request (see what affects the price)

Quick answers about the 4 days tour from Errachidia to Marrakech

• Why start in Errachidia? In fact, Merzouga is only 130 km away, about 2 h 10 of driving. By contrast, from Marrakech it is 560 km and a full day.
• How do I get to Errachidia? Ryanair flies Marrakech to Errachidia non-stop in about 1 hour, three times a week. Royal Air Maroc and CTM buses also serve the town.
• How much driving? About 130 km on day 1, a 90 km circuit on day 2, 268 km on day 3 and 344 km on day 4.
• Where do you sleep? A kasbah hotel beside the dunes, a camp inside Erg Chebbi, and a kasbah hotel in the Dades Gorge.
• Is the camel ride obligatory? No. A 4×4 reaches the camp directly, at no extra cost.
• What is not included? Lunches, drinks, entrance fees and tips.

Highlights of the 4 days tour from Errachidia to Marrakech

• Swimming at the Source Bleue de Meski, 20 km south of Errachidia, under the ruins of Ksar Meski.
• A stop at the Ziz Valley viewpoint, where a ribbon of date palms cuts through bare red cliffs.
• Erfoud and its fossil workshops, where black marble is cut to reveal Devonian sea creatures.
• Two nights at Erg Chebbi: one in a kasbah hotel with a pool, one in a camp among the dunes.
• A 4×4 circuit of the erg, with nomad families, the Mfis mines and the lake of Dayet Srji.
• Gnawa music in Khamlia, added to the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage in 2019.
• Rissani, cradle of the Alaouite dynasty, with its souk on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.
• Ksar Oulad Abdelhalim, built around 1900 and nicknamed the Alhambra of the Tafilalt.
• Khettara mounds at Jorf and the Ferkla oasis around Tinejdad.
• Walking into the Todgha Gorge, about 10 m wide at its narrowest point.
• Hairpin bends climbing out of the Dades Gorge, above the Monkey Fingers rocks.
• Damask roses at Kelaat M’Gouna, Skoura and the Kasbah of Amridil, once on the 50-dirham note.
• The Ksar of Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987.
• Crossing the High Atlas on the Tizi n’Tichka pass, where the sign reads 2,260 m.

Why start your Sahara trip in Errachidia?

The usual desert tour spends its first day driving. From Marrakech you cross the High Atlas, follow the kasbah road and only reach the dunes on day two or three. Starting in Errachidia turns that around: the 4 days tour from Errachidia to Marrakech puts you on a dune for sunset on day one.

The arithmetic is simple. Errachidia to Merzouga is 130 km. Marrakech to Merzouga is about 560 km. In other words, you save roughly a day of road, and you spend it in the Sahara instead. Then you drive west with the desert behind you and the mountains ahead, so the scenery keeps changing right up to Marrakech.

Itinerary of the 4 days tour from Errachidia to Marrakech, day by day

In short, the plan below is our standard route for the 4 days tour from Errachidia to Marrakech. However, we adjust the stops, the hotels and the camp to your wishes. In addition, driving distances and times come from the road itself and do not include stops.

Day 1: Errachidia – Source Bleue de Meski – Ziz Valley – Erfoud – Merzouga

Your driver-guide meets you at your hotel, at the airport or at the bus station in Errachidia. After a short briefing you head south on the N13. Twenty minutes and 20 km later comes the Source Bleue de Meski, where springs fill a natural pool below the ruins of an old ksar. The French Foreign Legion enlarged the pool and added steps, and local families still come to swim and picnic under the palms.

Next, the road climbs to the Ziz Valley viewpoint. In fact, thousands of date palms run along the riverbed between bare red cliffs, with earthen ksour every few kilometres. In other words, it is the clearest picture of how an oasis actually works that you will see on this trip.

Then comes Erfoud, the fossil capital of Morocco. In its workshops craftsmen cut and polish black marble until orthoceras and goniatites appear on the surface; these are marine fossils from the Devonian, roughly 400 million years old. For example, you can watch the saws at work and see a finished table top.

In the afternoon the first dunes rise on the horizon. You check in at a kasbah hotel on the edge of Erg Chebbi, with a pool and a terrace facing the sand, and walk up the nearest dune for your first Saharan sunset.

• Driving distance: about 130 km
• Driving time: about 2 hours 10 minutes
• Overnight: kasbah hotel in Merzouga
• Meals: dinner

Day 2 of the 4 days tour from Errachidia to Marrakech: Erg Chebbi safari – Khamlia – Rissani – camel trek to the camp

After breakfast a 4×4 takes you on a full circuit of the erg. First you stop at a nomad family living under a tent of woven goat hair; they serve mint tea and show how bread is baked in the sand. Afterwards the tracks lead to Dayet Srji, a shallow lake that fills after rare rains and attracts flamingos when it holds water, and past the abandoned galena mines of Mfis.

Then comes Khamlia, a village of about 390 people whose families descend from the people who crossed the Sahara with the old caravans. In addition, a Gnawa group plays the three-string guembri and the iron qraqeb, and explains how their healing songs mix African rhythm with Sufi prayer. In fact, UNESCO added Gnawa to its list of intangible cultural heritage in 2019.

Afternoon: Rissani souk and the camel trek to camp

In the afternoon you drive to Rissani, the cradle of the Alaouite dynasty that still rules Morocco. Moreover, one kilometre north lie the ruins of Sijilmasa, founded in 757 and, for centuries, the northern gate of the trans-Saharan gold and salt trade. You see the mausoleum of Moulay Ali Cherif from its outer courtyard and the Ksar Oulad Abdelhalim, built around 1900 for the elder brother of Sultan Moulay Hassan I and still nicknamed the Alhambra of the Tafilalt. On Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays the souk is at its busiest, with spice stalls, dates and a corner where the donkeys are parked. Lunch here is often madfouna, the stuffed Berber bread that locals call desert pizza.

Finally, back at the dunes, your camel caravan sets off. About an hour later you reach the camp, climb a high ridge and watch the sand turn red. Dinner is harira soup, a slow-cooked tagine, fruit and mint tea, and afterwards the camp team brings out the drums around the fire.

• Driving distance: about 90 km of road and piste
• Camel ride: about 1 hour to the camp
• Overnight: desert camp in Erg Chebbi (standard or luxury)
• Meals: breakfast and dinner

Day 3: Merzouga – Jorf khettaras – Tinejdad – Todgha Gorge – Dades Gorge

Your guide wakes you before dawn, because sunrise over Erg Chebbi is worth the early alarm. You then ride the camels back, or return by 4×4, and take a hot shower and breakfast at the kasbah before leaving.

First, the road runs back through Erfoud to Jorf, where lines of round mounds cross the plain. These are khettaras, underground tunnels dug centuries ago to carry water from the mountains to the oases without losing it to the sun. Soon after, the Ferkla oasis opens around Tinejdad, with fortified ksour standing above the palm groves.

Next comes Tinghir, where a long green palm grove fills the valley below the town, and just above it the Todgha Gorge. The canyon narrows to about 10 m at its tightest point, with smooth walls of some 160 m there and cliffs of 300 to 400 m further along. You walk through the narrows, watch the climbers on the rock faces and eat lunch beside the stream.

Afterwards you drive west to Boumalne Dades and turn north into the Dades Gorge. The road passes the rounded rocks that locals call the Monkey Fingers, then climbs a famous series of hairpin bends, one of the most photographed roads in Morocco.

• Driving distance: about 268 km
• Driving time: about 4 hours 40 minutes
• Overnight: kasbah hotel in the Dades Gorge
• Meals: breakfast and dinner

Day 4: Dades Valley – Valley of Roses – Skoura – Ouarzazate – Ait Ben Haddou – Marrakech

This is the long day of the 4 days tour from Errachidia to Marrakech, so breakfast is early. You follow the Dades Valley to Kelaat M’Gouna, the heart of the Valley of Roses, where damask roses grow in hedges between the fields and the town celebrates the harvest with a week-long Rose Festival every May.

Then comes Skoura, a vast palm grove dotted with earthen kasbahs. The best known is the Kasbah of Amridil: its ksar dates from the 17th century, its mansion from the 19th, and it appeared for years on the old 50-dirham banknote. The Nasiri family still lives in part of it.

Afterwards you reach Ouarzazate, the gateway to the desert and the capital of Moroccan cinema, and pass the Taourirt Kasbah and the Atlas Film Studios. A short drive further stands the Ksar of Ait Ben Haddou, on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1987. You cross the river, climb the lanes of the earthen village and reach the old granary at the top for a wide view over the valley.

Finally the road climbs into the High Atlas. The N9 crosses the Tizi n’Tichka pass, where the sign at the top reads 2,260 m, with Berber villages clinging to the slopes and walnut trees in the valleys below. Your driver drops you at your riad, or at the closest point to it that a car can reach inside the medina.

• Driving distance: about 344 km
• Driving time: about 6 hours 15 minutes
• Arrival: Marrakech, around 6 to 7 pm
• Meals: breakfast

Route and driving times of the Errachidia to Marrakech tour

Day	Route	Distance	Driving time	Night
1	Errachidia – Meski – Ziz Valley – Erfoud – Merzouga	130 km	2 h 10	Kasbah hotel, Merzouga
2	Erg Chebbi circuit – Khamlia – Rissani – camel trek	90 km	2 h, plus the camel ride	Desert camp, Erg Chebbi
3	Merzouga – Jorf – Tinejdad – Todgha – Dades Gorge	268 km	4 h 40	Kasbah hotel, Dades Gorge
4	Dades – Kelaat M’Gouna – Skoura – Ouarzazate – Ait Ben Haddou – Marrakech	344 km	6 h 15	End of the tour

The 4 days tour from Errachidia to Marrakech therefore covers about 830 km in total. For comparison, the direct road from Errachidia to Marrakech is 497 km and takes around 8 hours in one go.

Gallery of the 4 days tour from Errachidia to Marrakech

What is included in the 4 days tour from Errachidia to Marrakech

Included

• Pick-up in Errachidia: hotel, airport or bus station.
• Drop-off at your riad or hotel in Marrakech.
• Private air-conditioned 4×4 or minivan for the whole route, with fuel and tolls.
• English, Spanish or French speaking driver-guide.
• One night in a kasbah hotel in Merzouga.
• A second night in a desert camp inside Erg Chebbi.
• Your last night in a kasbah hotel in the Dades Gorge.
• Camel trek at sunset and sunrise.
• 4×4 desert safari around Erg Chebbi on day 2, with the nomad family visit.
• Gnawa music session in Khamlia.
• 3 dinners and 3 breakfasts.
• Mineral water in the vehicle.

Not included

• Lunches and drinks.
• Entrance fees (Kasbah Amridil, Atlas Film Studios, Taourirt Kasbah).
• Local guides in Rissani, Todgha or Ait Ben Haddou.
• Optional activities such as sandboarding, quad bikes or buggies.
• Flights, travel insurance and personal expenses.
• Tips for the driver and the camp team.

Map of the 4 days tour from Errachidia to Marrakech

In detail, the route is: Errachidia → Meski → Ziz Valley → Erfoud → Merzouga (2 nights, with Khamlia, Dayet Srji and Rissani) → Jorf → Tinejdad → Tinghir → Todgha Gorge → Dades Gorge → Kelaat M’Gouna → Skoura → Ouarzazate → Ait Ben Haddou → Tizi n’Tichka → Marrakech.

Where you sleep on this private desert tour

Every option of the 4 days tour from Errachidia to Marrakech uses the same route, vehicle and driver-guide. Only the level of comfort changes. We confirm the exact hotel and camp names when you book, according to availability on your dates.

Option	Night 1: Merzouga	Night 2: Erg Chebbi camp	Night 3: Dades Gorge
Standard	Kasbah hotel by the dunes, private room with bathroom	Berber tent with shared bathrooms	Guesthouse or kasbah hotel near the gorge
Superior	Kasbah hotel with a pool and a terrace facing the sand	Comfort tent with private bathroom	Kasbah hotel with views over the valley
Luxury	Boutique kasbah or desert hotel	Luxury tent with private bathroom and hot shower	Boutique kasbah with terrace

4 days tour from Errachidia to Marrakech price

The price is on request, because every private tour is quoted for your own group. In practice, four things change it:

• Group size: the price per person falls as more people share the vehicle.
• Accommodation level: standard, superior or luxury.
• Season: Christmas, New Year and Easter are the busiest periods.
• Extras: local guides, entrance fees, sandboarding, quad or buggy rides.

Send us your dates for the 4 days tour from Errachidia to Marrakech, the number of travellers and your preferred camp level through our contact page, and we reply with a full quote the same day.

How to book this Errachidia to Marrakech desert tour

1. Send your travel dates, number of people and preferred camp level through the contact form, by email at favoritesmoroccotours@gmail.com or on WhatsApp (+212 786 278 943).
2. We reply with a personalised itinerary and a price.
3. You confirm the tour. Payment by PayPal is accepted.
4. Your driver-guide meets you in Errachidia on the first morning.

Options for your Errachidia to Marrakech desert tour

Reverse route: Marrakech to Errachidia

The same itinerary works the other way round, ending at Errachidia airport for the flight back to Marrakech or on to Casablanca. It suits travellers who land in Marrakech first and would rather not repeat the Tizi n’Tichka.

A slower five-day version

Adding one night, usually in Ouarzazate or Skoura, turns day 4 into two short drives. If you prefer that shape but starting from Marrakech, look at the 5 days tour from Marrakech to the Sahara Desert.

Shorter option that returns to Errachidia

If you are flying in and out of Errachidia, our 3 days desert tour from Errachidia covers Merzouga, Khamlia and Rissani and brings you back to the same airport.

How to get to Errachidia

• By plane: Ryanair flies Marrakech (RAK) to Errachidia (ERH) non-stop in about 1 hour, three times a week. Royal Air Maroc also connects Errachidia with Casablanca.
• By bus: CTM and Supratours run daily services from Fes, Meknes, Casablanca and Marrakech. The Fes to Errachidia ride takes around 7 hours.
• By car: the N13 links Errachidia with Fes and Meknes through Midelt, and the N10 links it with Ouarzazate.
• Pick-up: we collect you at the airport, the bus station or your hotel, at whatever time your arrival needs.

Best time for the 4 days tour from Errachidia to Marrakech

March to May and September to November are the most comfortable months for the 4 days tour from Errachidia to Marrakech, with warm days and clear light on the dunes. Winter works too, although desert nights drop close to freezing and the Tizi n’Tichka can see snow. In July and August afternoon temperatures in the south often pass 45 °C, so we start early and use the pool in the middle of the day. For a fuller picture, read our guide to the best time to visit Morocco.

What to pack

• A warm jacket for the camp night, especially between November and March.
• Sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat or a scarf against the sun and the sand.
• Comfortable shoes, plus sandals for the dunes.
• A small overnight bag for the camp; your main luggage stays in the vehicle.
• A power bank and some cash in dirhams. See our guide to the Moroccan dirham.
• Swimwear for the kasbah pool and for the Source Bleue de Meski.
• Modest clothing for the villages; our guide to what to wear in Morocco explains the details.

Reviews

Travellers who booked this Errachidia to Marrakech desert tour share their experience after each trip. If you have already travelled the 4 days tour from Errachidia to Marrakech with us, a short review helps other people decide. Read our reviews on TripAdvisor.

Frequently asked questions

How far is Errachidia from Marrakech?

The direct road through Tinghir and Ouarzazate is 497 km and takes about 8 hours of driving. This 4 days tour from Errachidia to Marrakech covers roughly 830 km, because it goes south to the dunes first.

Can I fly from Marrakech to Errachidia?

Yes. Ryanair operates a non-stop flight of about one hour, three times a week. Many travellers fly out to Errachidia and use this tour to drive back.

How far is Merzouga from Errachidia?

Merzouga lies about 130 km south of Errachidia on the N13, through Erfoud. The drive takes roughly 2 hours 10 minutes without stops.

Is the 4 days tour from Errachidia to Marrakech private?

Yes. The vehicle, the driver-guide and the schedule belong to your group only. Nobody else joins you.

Which days is the Rissani souk open?

Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Tell us your dates and we will try to place day 2 on one of them, because it is one of the biggest markets in south-eastern Morocco.

Is the Tizi n’Tichka road safe?

Yes. The N9 is paved and well maintained, although it has many bends. In winter, snow can close it briefly, and in that case we use the Tizi n’Test or wait for the ploughs.

Can I skip the camel ride?

Of course. A 4×4 reaches the camp directly, so children, older travellers and anyone with back problems still sleep in the dunes.

Is the tour suitable for families with children?

It is. Children love the dunes, the camels and the music, and day 1 is short enough to start gently. Tell us their ages when you book.

What food do we eat along the way?

Dinners include soup, tagine or couscous, fruit and mint tea. In Rissani you can try madfouna, the stuffed bread locals call desert pizza. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free meals are available on request.

How old are the fossils in Erfoud?

The orthoceras and goniatites in the black marble come from the Devonian, roughly 400 million years ago, when this part of Morocco lay under a shallow sea.

Who are the Berber families we meet?

Most villages along the route are Amazigh. Many families still herd goats and camels between the dunes and the stony hamada, and the Gnawa of Khamlia descend from people who came north with the caravans.

What can I do in Marrakech after the tour?

Plenty. Stay a few nights to explore the medina, the souks and Jemaa el-Fna, or add a day trip. Our day trips from Marrakech page lists the options.

Have another question about the 4 days tour from Errachidia to Marrakech?

Write to us through our contact page or on WhatsApp.

Who we are

Favorites Morocco Tours is a local travel agency based in Marrakech, and the 4 days tour from Errachidia to Marrakech is one of the routes we run most often. Our drivers know the Tafilalt roads as well as the Atlas ones. We design private tours across Morocco, from the Sahara to the imperial cities, and we give you the real driving times before you book. Learn more about us.

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Contact us

• Phone / WhatsApp: +212 786 278 943
• Email: favoritesmoroccotours@gmail.com
• Office: Marrakech, Morocco