3 Day Erg Chebbi & Ait benhaddou Desert Tour
Discover the Moroccan Kasbahs: 3-Day Erg Chebbi and Ait Benhaddou Desert Tour
Erg Chebbi is a dune field measuring approximately 22 km in length from north to south and 5 km in width at its widest point. The highest dune, 884 m, is located in the north. There are several oases among the dunes, and you can easily get water by simply digging a little. The journey to the oasis begins with a lengthy road trip that is an experience in and of itself, both geographically and with the frequent stops made to cool off and interact with locals.
Activities
- Accommodation as specified in the itinerary
- Meals, drinks and laundry as specified
- Scheduled flights/Private charters as specified in the itinerary
- Private transfers as specified in the itinerary
- Private sightseeing and excursions as specified in the itinerary
- National parks, concession and landing fees where applicable
- Emergency medical evacuation insurance
- Domestic/international departure tax, fuel and safety levies from airports and airstrips unless otherwise stipulated
- Administration Fee
Itinerary
Day 1: Marrakech to Dades gorges via Ait Benhaddou kasbah and Ourzazate
We leave Marrakech at 9 a.m. in a contemporary, air-conditioned vehicle. We cross the Atlas Mountains, taking in the breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside as we go. We visit the Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou, which takes about 3 hours. From there, we take a break and continue to Ouarzazate (about 1 hour) for a lunch break and sightseeing. We eat lunch at local cafes. After lunch, we travel through the Dades Valley to our guesthouse, where we will spend the night. The guesthouse offers private ensuite rooms; dinner and breakfast are included. (7hours drive)
Day 2: Dades Gorges to Merzouga via Todghra Gorges:
After exploring the village and meeting our camels, which will take us 1.5 hours into the dunes to reach our desert camp at Erg Chebbi, we head back along the Dades valley the following morning, stopping along the way to see Dades Gorge, Todra, and other interesting sites. The camel trek usually happens just before sunset, so you can enjoy watching the sun set over the landscape from the top of the dunes. Upon reaching the desert camp, we are welcomed with a cup of delectable hot minty tea and spend the evening there beneath the stars, on the dunes, and by the warmth of the fire. The camp has restrooms; those who would like can sleep under the stars, but there are bivouacs available for everyone. The stars in the desert are a great opportunity to see because there are no artificial lights nearby and you can fully appreciate the glory of the skies above. We enjoy a locally cooked meal of tagine or couscous (vegetarians are catered for with vegetable tagine), a drum party, and story swapping. (6hours drive)
Day 3: Merzouga to Marrakech:
Get up early, just before sunrise, and head out on a 1.5-hour camel ride to explore the area further before returning to Merzouga on our camels. After breakfast and the chance to take a shower, we start our journey through the stony desert and over the Atlas mountains, stopping frequently for pictures, exploration, and lunch on the way back to Marrakech, which usually takes about 10 hours to reach.
NB:If you would like to break up the final day's travel, we recommend spending the night in the Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou.
More info
This trek is available to be booked independently (including transfers from Marrakech), or we can put together a full itinerary and quote to combine your trek with any of Marrakech, Essaouira, the Atlantic Coast, and the Sahara Desert. This trek is available year-round and can depart on any date of your choosing. Please get in touch!
