Marrakech – Dades Gorge - Erg Chebbi – Marrakech
Private Tour – dates to suit you
Depending on time available the return trip from Marrakech to Erg Chebbi can be undertaken in 3 or 4 days. Both tours allow for 1 night in the desert at a luxury desert camp. The longer trip is perfect for those that have a little more time on their hands, allowing more time to enjoy the unique scenery and sights.
The luxury camp at Erg Chebbi has been chosen due to its location, well away from any other camps in a beautiful position directly facing the dunes. The tents are well appointed and feature a private en suite bathroom. It’s a good place to walk and enjoy your own private sunset. You should try and arrive at the camp 2-3 hours before sunset. Depending on the heat you can either arrive at the camp by camel or take a ride from the camp when it is cooler. The food is excellent.
Whilst at the camp dinner (excl. drinks), breakfast and guided treks on camels are included.
The transport is private in a 4×4 Land Cruiser with a charismatic and responsible English-speaking driver. Because your trip is private you may stop wherever you like en route for sightseeing, photography and refreshments. Whilst your driver will be highly experienced and knows the best places to stop, it’s your trip and he will always adapt it according to your interests.
Sample Desert Itineraries
3 days / 2 nights return trip to Erg Chebbi from Marrakech via Dades Gorge.
Day 1: Dades Gorge
Depart from Marrakech around 8.30 am. Overnight at a unique guest house in Dades Gorge. The drive is about 6 hours plus stops via the High Atlas Mountains and over the Tiz n’Tichka pass, the stunning Ounila Valley and the Kasbah of Telouet, the UNESCO heritage site of Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou the administrative town of Ouarzazate, (which houses a couple of film studios) the oasis of Skoura and its well preserved Kasbah Amridil.
The highlights of this day are the wonderful views of the High Atlas and the Berber Villages in the Ounila Valley with their ancient kasbahs dotted around the palm laden oases. There are endless photo opportunities and you may stop wherever you are inspired. The Glaoui (who was known as Lord of the Atlas) inspired Kasbah of Telouet features highly intricate and crafted tile and zeillij work. The adjacent café serves a very tasty fig tajine. After Telouet and more stunning scenery you reach Ait Ben Haddou, which is one of the best preserved examples of Moroccan earthen clay architecture. Situated on the original caravan route between Marrakech and the Sahara, the Kasbah still houses several families and has been utilised regularly for a procession of epic movies. After passing the administrative town of Ouarzazate, you enter the oasis town of Skoura and Kasbah Amridil, one of the best preserved kasbahs in Morocco, which also features a living museum showcasing traditional Moroccan life. Dades Gorge has some amazing rock formations, of which the Monkey Paw is the most impressive. The switch back route zigzagging through the gorge is a very impressive sight to end the day.
You can also choose to take a remote route from Kelaa Mgoun to Dades via Bou Tharrar, which includes about 1 hour of rugged off road driving through stark mountain scenery. You should also encounter nomads going about their traditional way of life.
The guest house in Dades Gorge is gorgeous, with a stunning location, stylish rooms and a classy restaurant.
Day 2: Luxury Camp
Depart after breakfast. The trip to your camp at Erg Chebbi is about 5 hours, so you have plenty of time to divert at Tinghir to Todra Gorge, which features a 300m deep fault.
The most notable town en route before the desert is Rissani, which used to be a desert capital and important trading post. Whilst it has somewhat faded from its lofty history, the town retains a charm of a bygone era and also features a lively market on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursdays.
You will arrive at the camp 2 to 3 hours before sunset so have time to enjoy a camel trek, climbing dunes, the sunset and dinner under the stars.
Day 3: Marrakech
Departing the camp after breakfast the return route to Marrakech follows a different route. After Rissani you take the route via Alnif, Nkob and Agdz. This route is famous for its fossils. At Agdz you enter the verdant Draa Valley and its 3 million palm trees. After Ouarzazate you take the ‘main road´ back over the Tiz n’Tichka pass to Marrakech. You will arrive back in Marrakech at about 6.30pm, allowing time to stop en route for photography and lunch.
4 days / 3 nights return trip to Erg Chebbi from Marrakech via Dades Gorge and Ait Ben Haddou.
Day 1: Dades Gorge
Depart from Marrakech at about 8.30am. Overnight at a unique guest house in Dades Gorge. The drive is about 6 hours plus stops via the High Atlas Mountains and over the Tiz n’Tichka pass, the administrative town of Ouarzazate, (which houses a couple of film studios) the oasis of Skoura and its well preserved Kasbah Amridil.
The highlights of this day are the wonderful views of the High Atlas and its Berber Villages. After passing the administrative town of Ouarzazate, you enter the oasis town of Skoura and Kasbah Amridil, one of the best preserved kasbahs in Morocco, which also features a living museum showcasing traditional Moroccan life. Dades Gorge has some amazing rock formations, of which the Monkey Paw is the most impressive. The view from the top looking down on the road switch backing through the gorge is a very inspiring way to end the day.
You can also choose to take a remote route from Kelaa Mgoun to Dades via Bou Tharrar, which includes about 1 hour of rugged off road driving through stark mountain scenery. On this route you should also encounter nomads going about their traditional way of life.
The guest house in Dades Gorge is gorgeous, with a stunning location, stylish rooms and a classy restaurant.
Day 2: Desert Camp
Depart after breakfast. The trip to your camp at Erg Chebbi is about 5 hours, so you have plenty of time to divert at Tinghir to Todra Gorge, which features a 300m deep fault.
The most notable town en route before the desert is Rissani, which used to be a desert capital and important trading post. Whilst it has somewhat faded from its lofty history, the town retains a charm of a bygone era and also features a lively market on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursdays.
You will arrive at the camp 3 or 4 hours before sunset so will have time to enjoy a camel trek, climbing dunes, the sunset and dinner under the stars.
Day 3: Ait Ben Haddou
Departing the camp after breakfast, the route to Marrakech follows a different path. After Rissani you take the route via Alnif, Nkob and Agdz.. This route is famous for its fossils. At Agdz you join the gorgeous Draa Valley, pass Ouarzazate and eventually reach Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou which is one of the best preserved examples of Moroccan earthen clay architecture. Situated on the original caravan route between Marrakech and the Sahara, the Kasbah still houses several families and has been utilised regularly for an endless procession of epic movies.
The Kasbah itself is best seen in the evening when swathed in the soft evening sunlight.
Accommodation is at a delightfully understated guest house, again with great cuisine.
Day 4: Marrakech
Departing the guest house after breakfast the route back to Marrakech is via the Ounila Valley., which is dotted with ancient villages, kasbahs and palm laden oases. There are endless photo opportunities and you may stop wherever you are inspired. En route The Glaoui (who was known as Lord of the Atlas) inspired Kasbah of Telouet features some magnificent tile and zeillij work. The adjacent café serves a very tasty fig tajine. After Telouet and more stunning scenery you reach the main road and then proceed to Marrakech via the Tiz n’Tichka pass.
You can arrive back in Marrakech around 3pm, but the day is open and if you wish to take your time and arrive later, that is no problem.