2-Day Errachidia to Merzouga Desert Tour
From Errachidia airport it's only 1.5 hours down the Ziz Valley to the Erg Chebbi dunes — the fastest way into the Sahara.
Introduction
The 2-day Errachidia to Merzouga tour exists for one reason: speed. Errachidia airport is the closest in Morocco to the Erg Chebbi dunes, so if you fly in from Casablanca you can be riding a camel into the Sahara the same afternoon, sleep in our desert camp, and still have a full day for sunrise and the nomad villages. Below is the full itinerary, what's included, the best time to travel and our tips.
Overview
This is the shortest, simplest way to the big Sahara dunes. We collect you in Errachidia — or from its airport (ERH) — and drive south down the palm-lined Ziz Valley to Merzouga, reaching the Erg Chebbi dunes in time for a sunset camel trek to our desert camp. The next morning, after sunrise over the sand, we drive you back to Errachidia or onward to Fes.
Why choose this tour
Why start from Errachidia:
- The shortest drive to the dunes — about 1.5 hours, versus 9 from Marrakech.
- Fly in, skip the long road trip — ideal if you're short on time.
- Our own camp and camels at Erg Chebbi, with honest private pricing.
Highlights
- The Ziz Valley and its palm groves
- Erfoud, the fossil and date town
- Sunset camel trek into the Erg Chebbi dunes
- A night in our private luxury desert camp
- Sahara sunrise
- Optional airport pickup at Errachidia (ERH)
Itinerary
Day 1Day 1: Errachidia → Ziz Valley → Erfoud → Merzouga → camel trek → camp
Late morning. Pickup in Errachidia or at the airport, then south through the Ziz Gorges and the green ribbon of the Ziz Valley, with a panoramic photo stop. Through Erfoud and Rissani to Merzouga.
Evening. A one-hour camel trek at sunset to our luxury camp, dinner and Berber music under the stars. Driving: ~2 hours · distance: ~130 km. Dinner and breakfast included.
Day 2Day 2: Sahara sunrise → Merzouga → return to Errachidia (or onward to Fes)
Morning. Sunrise over the dunes, breakfast at the camp, and an optional 4x4 to the nomad families and Khamlia before the drive back to Errachidia — or onward to Fes via the Middle Atlas. Breakfast included.
Tour route map
Accommodation
You sleep in comfortable kasbah-style hotels on the route and one night in our own private luxury desert camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes — a private en-suite tent with a real bed, a hot shower and plenty of blankets. Family tents and a decorated honeymoon tent are available. See the luxury desert camp page for full details.
Transport
Transport is by private air-conditioned 4x4 or minivan with fuel and an experienced English/French/Spanish-speaking driver-guide throughout. Roads on this route are paved and in good condition; the only off-road section is the short, gentle approach to the camp by camel (or 4x4 if you prefer).
Pick-up & meeting point
We collect you directly from your hotel or riad, with the exact time confirmed by WhatsApp the evening before. Need an airport transfer the night before? We arrange those too.
Included & not included
- ✓Private 4x4 with fuel and driver-guide
- ✓Pickup in Errachidia or at the airport (ERH)
- ✓1 night in our luxury Erg Chebbi desert camp
- ✓Sunset and sunrise camel trek
- ✓Dinner and breakfast (half board)
- ✓Multilingual driver
- ✓Bottled water
- ✗Lunches and drinks
- ✗Entrance fees
- ✗Tips
- ✗Travel insurance
Pricing
Per person for the private tour; airport pickup at Errachidia can be added.
| Group size | Price per person | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| 2 people | €680 | Private tour |
| 3–4 people | €540 | Private tour |
| 5+ people | €450 | Private tour |
Best time to travel
This tour runs all year. The most comfortable months are March to May and September to November, with warm days and cool nights. Winter days are pleasant but nights near Erg Chebbi can drop close to freezing, so bring a warm layer. July and August are hot at midday, so we time the camel trek for sunrise and sunset. See our best time to visit guide.
What to pack
Bring light layers for the day and a warm jacket for cold desert nights, a scarf for sun and blowing sand, closed shoes, sunglasses, a hat, high-SPF sun cream, a refillable water bottle, a head-torch and a power bank. For the camp night, a small overnight bag is easier than a full case. Full list: Morocco packing list.
Travel tips
What to expect: this is a road trip with real driving distances on good but winding mountain and desert roads — bring something for motion sickness if you're prone to it. Insider tips: carry small dirham notes for lunches, entry fees and tips (few ATMs once you leave the main towns), and keep onward flights to the evening of the final day or later.
How booking works
Tell us your dates, group size and starting city by the enquiry form or WhatsApp and you hear back personally, usually within a few hours, with a clear all-in price. A small deposit holds your dates and you pay the balance on arrival, so you never prepay in full. Free cancellation up to 7 days before departure, and we confirm your pickup by WhatsApp the night before.
Booking direct with our Berber family
Hotel Les Roches is our own — we were born at the foot of the Erg Chebbi dunes and have run it since 2004. You deal with the same family that owns the hotel, runs the desert camp and leads the camels, so there is no agency markup, nothing is subcontracted, and the price you are quoted is the price you pay.
What a night at our camp is like
After the sunset camel trek you reach our private camp as the sky turns from gold to deep blue. The tents are proper rooms — a real bed with warm blankets and an en-suite hot shower — and dinner is a home-cooked tagine under the stars, followed by Berber drums around the fire. With no light for a hundred kilometres the Milky Way is astonishing, and you wake early to climb a dune for sunrise.
What our guests say
★★★★★
A great experience at Auberge Les Roches and their camp. The camel desert ride and camping experience was amazing. Special mention for their food and the friendliness of the guys at the camp.
Carlos Sousa · Google · 2024
★★★★★
We travelled all over Morocco and liked Auberge Les Roches especially. They arranged an awesome overnight camel tour, and the camp was deluxe with its own shower, hot water and toilet. The best people.
Ilya · Google · 2023
★★★★★
The hotel backs onto the desert, which was stunning, and the room was spacious and clean. The hosts even packed us breakfast for our early bus. The nicest vegetable tajine we had so far.
Beck Fa'amausili · Google · 2024
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Luxury
TransferFrequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Errachidia to Merzouga?
Only about 1.5–2 hours down the Ziz Valley, so you reach the dunes the same day you arrive.
Can you pick me up at Errachidia airport?
Yes — we meet domestic flights from Casablanca and start your tour or transfer you to Merzouga.
Is the camel ride and camp included?
Yes — a sunset camel trek and a night in our private luxury camp with half board.
Can the tour continue to Fes?
Yes — many guests carry on to Fes via the Middle Atlas; just ask when booking.
How far is Merzouga from Marrakech, and how long is the drive?
It's about 560 km and 8–9 hours over the Tizi n'Tichka pass, which is why the journey is spread over 2–3 days with stops at Aït Ben Haddou, the gorges and the Ziz Valley rather than driven in one go.
How comfortable is the desert camp?
Very — our private luxury camp at Erg Chebbi has en-suite tents with real beds, hot showers, private bathrooms, rugs and plenty of blankets for the cool desert night, plus a Berber dinner under the stars.
Are your tours private or shared?
Every tour is private by default — your own vehicle, driver-guide and flexible pace. Shared group departures are offered only on the Marrakech–Merzouga–Marrakech and Marrakech–Merzouga–Fes routes.
Is the tour suitable for families and older travellers?
Yes. The pace is gentle, the camel ride is optional (we can drive you to camp by 4x4 instead), and we adapt for children and any mobility needs — just tell us when you book.
When is the best time of year to travel?
Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are the most comfortable, with warm days and cool nights. Winter nights are cold and summer is hot at midday, so we run camel treks at sunrise and sunset.
Have a question before you book?
Message the team directly — we usually reply within a couple of hours.
⚡ Spring & autumn dates fill fast — book ahead. · ✓ Free cancellation up to 48h before arrival.