3-DAY MERZOUGA DESERT TOUR FROM ERRACHIDIA TO FES
A 3-day Merzouga desert tour from Errachidia to Fes. In these 3 days and 2 nights you will explore the desert area. You will visit the nomads in their tents and enjoy the Gnaoua music and dance performances of the people of Khamlia. You will also take a look at an ancient kohl (eyeliner) mine, as well as the wild lake of Merzouga, a few kilometres from the town. You will stroll through the palm groves, ride camels and admire the magical sunset and sunrise over the sand dunes of Erg Chebbi. You will also spend a night in a camp in the heart of the Sahara Desert. You will also visit the traditional market of Rissani and Erfoud, the city of fossils. You will then see the Switzerland of Morocco, Ifrane, and the cedar forest where the Barbary macaques live. Finally, the tour ends in Fes.
TOUR INFORMATION
Duration: 3 days / 2 nights
Departure: Errachidia
Arrival: Fes
ITINERARY: 3-DAY DESERT TOUR TO FES
DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN ERRACHIDIA – MERZOUGA (2 hours’ drive)
On the first day of your 3-day Merzouga desert tour, we will pick you up at Errachidia airport (ERH) or your accommodation, then head south to the Sahara dunes of Merzouga. Overnight in Merzouga.
Flight option:
Domestic flights from Marrakech, operating 3 days a week (Ryanair), arriving between 7:00 am and 3:00 pm.
Domestic flights from Casablanca, operating 7 days a week (Royal Air Maroc), arriving at midnight.
(We can adjust the itinerary to your arrival time)
DAY 2: EXPLORING THE MERZOUGA REGION – NOMADS – KHAMLIA (GNAOUA VILLAGE) – MERZOUGA LAKE – ERG CHEBBI – PALM GROVE (2 hours’ drive)
After breakfast, we will spend the day exploring the Merzouga region. The area offers many extraordinary places, from sand dunes to a seasonal wild lake, from small mines to fossil areas and splendid oases, ideal for light outdoor activities.
We will start with an off-road drive to an ancient kohl mine (the traditional eyeliner), then visit the nomads in their hand-woven tents and learn about their way of life over a cup of Berber tea. The next stop is Khamlia, where you will enjoy Gnaoua music and dance performances. Many of the inhabitants come from sub-Saharan countries such as Mali, Sudan and Niger. Free time for lunch at a local restaurant. Afterwards, a walk in a palm grove, then a drive of a few kilometres to the wild lake of Merzouga, often called the flamingo lake.
In the afternoon, you will climb onto the camels to cross the sandy desert, stopping on a high dune to admire the sunset before continuing to the luxury camp. In the evening, enjoy the music of Berber drums around the fire under a vast starry sky. Dinner and overnight at the camp.
DAY 3: MERZOUGA DUNES – RISSANI – ERFOUD – MIDELT – CEDAR FOREST – IFRANE – FES (7 hours’ drive)
On the last day of your 3-day tour to Fes, wake up early to watch the splendid sunrise in the heart of the desert. After breakfast, return by camel to Merzouga, where your driver will be waiting. We will then leave the desert to visit Rissani, the ancient capital of Tafilalet and still an important trading centre, with a lively souk on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. After a stroll through the souk, we will continue to Erfoud to visit a fossil marble workshop.
Next, we will drive along the Ziz river, stopping for a panoramic view of the Ziz Valley. Free time for lunch in Midelt. We will continue to the Cedar Forest, home of the Barbary macaques: you can feed them as you walk through the forest. We will then visit Ifrane, famous for its low temperatures, winter snow and alpine-style houses, not for nothing called the “Switzerland of Morocco”. Finally, we will drop you anywhere in Fes. End of the tour.
IMPORTANT!
Please note that this is a suggested itinerary. If it does not exactly match your needs, do not hesitate to contact us. We will organise a tailor-made itinerary based on your preferences and the length of your stay in Morocco. We offer customised tours and trips all over Morocco.
THE PRICE
varies according to the number of participants: the more people join the tour, the lower the price per person. The cost of transport is fixed and is shared among the travellers. The price also depends on the category of accommodation chosen (standard, luxury, etc.). Contact us for an exact quote.
OTHER OPTIONS TO CONSIDER:
End the tour in Errachidia: 3 days from Errachidia to Merzouga
End the tour in Marrakech: 3 days from Errachidia to Marrakech
4 days from Errachidia to Merzouga and Marrakech
Departure from Marrakech: 3 days from Marrakech to Fes
REVIEWS AND TESTIMONIALS
3-DAY MOROCCO DESERT TOUR
“A wonderful, unforgettable experience, I am so proud to have chosen Esplora il Marocco for this trip. We met extraordinary guides who taught us about their culture and way of life, especially Hamid: super friendly, kind, attentive, helpful and polite; he is now more than a guide, he has become a friend. 100% recommended.”
Claudia, Spain – Family traveller
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: 3 DAYS ERRACHIDIA – MERZOUGA – FES
Is the 3-day tour private or shared? The 3-day tour is a private experience, guaranteeing that only the travellers who make the booking take part. No other people will join the tour. Our priority is to offer high-quality, personalised experiences, which is why we mainly offer private tours.
How long is the camel ride? What is the alternative to camels? The camel ride lasts from 40 minutes to 1.5 hours, depending on the camp where you stay. If you do not wish to do the camel ride, the camp has a 4×4 vehicle that carries people and luggage to and from the camp, which you can use. Alternatively, quad bikes (ATVs) can be arranged at an extra cost.
Is the tent private? Does it have a private shower? The tent in the luxury camp is private and has a private bathroom with running hot water.
What happens to the luggage during the camel ride? During the camel ride you will only carry what you need for the ride. The rest of the luggage will be transported by the camp’s 4×4 vehicle and you will find it waiting for you at the camp.
What is the best time to visit Morocco? The best times are spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November), when the climate is mild and pleasant in most regions. Winter is also a great time, especially in the south and the desert.
What kind of vehicles are used? The vehicle will be an SUV (4×4) or a minivan, both air-conditioned. Vehicle details: 4×4 Land Cruiser Prado (up to 4 people); Mercedes Vito Tourer, Ford Tourneo Van or similar minivan (up to 8 people); for groups of more than 8 people, a minibus for up to 18 people can be provided.
Dietary preferences Please let us know about any dietary preferences and we will make sure to meet your needs. We ask you to tell us in advance, so that we can best organise the lunch stops and inform the riad/camp, as dinners are included in the package.
Suitable age for the tour This tour is suitable for travellers of all ages. Please note, however, that the drive to Fes takes 7 hours. Although our vehicles are new and comfortable and we make regular stops along the way, if you are not used to this kind of travel, you may want to consider a longer or customised tour.
Pick-up and drop-off details Pick-up can be at the airport or your accommodation in Errachidia. At the end of the 3-day tour, we will drop you at your hotel or riad in Fes, or at the nearest available car park. The tour usually ends between 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm in Fes, but the exact timing may vary depending on the time spent at each place.
Expenses Currency exchange: euros or US dollars can be changed into Moroccan dirhams (MAD) in many places throughout Morocco, including banks and exchange offices. ATMs for cash withdrawals are also widely available. Although credit cards and foreign currencies (euros/USD) are generally accepted, it is advisable to carry local currency (MAD) for convenience and ease of payment. Cost of meals: meals usually cost between 5 and 20 EUR per person, although prices may vary depending on the venue. Bargaining: haggling over prices is an accepted practice in Morocco and customers are expected to take part. Locals also haggle regularly.
BOOKING PROCESS:
Contact us through the contact forms, by email, on WhatsApp or on our social networks, telling us the number of travellers, the type of accommodation (Excellent, Luxury…), the tour date (if available) and the chosen tour or some details so we can plan a new itinerary for you.
Booking: we ask for a small deposit to confirm the booking (preferably through our PayPal account). The remaining balance can be paid in cash to your driver/guide on arrival, or by PayPal, which has a 5% transaction fee. If you do not have PayPal, we can send you an online invoice payable by card. A bank transfer is another option and takes up to 12 days to appear in our system; we can confirm the tour with the transaction receipt while we wait to receive the payment.
WHY CHOOSE PRIVATE TOURS IN MOROCCO?
A private tour is an itinerary run exclusively according to your preferences. On a private trip you travel with the people you choose. Private tours are more flexible in terms of group size, travel dates and trip content. In addition, you will have a personal guide and driver at your complete disposal.
The tour lasts 3 days / 2 nights. It departs from Errachidia and ends in Fes.
Day 1: Arrival in Errachidia – Merzouga. Day 2: Exploring the Merzouga Region – Nomads – Khamlia (Gnaoua Village) – Merzouga Lake – Erg Chebbi – Palm Grove. Day 3: Merzouga Dunes – Rissani – Erfoud – Midelt – Cedar Forest – Ifrane – Fes.
Transport in a private air-conditioned 4×4 or minivan + fuel; Private English-speaking driver/guide; Pick-up from your riad or anywhere in Errachidia; 2 nights in a luxury desert camp, with private bathroom; Sandboards available at the camp; Camel ride (one camel per person) or a 4×4 transfer as an alternative; 4×4 desert excursion; Dinners and breakfasts; Drop-off anywhere in Fes.
Lunches; Tips.
The price depends on the number of travellers, the time of year and the accommodation category you choose. As it is a private tour, you only pay for your own group. Contact us with your dates and group size for a free, no-obligation quote.
Yes, the tour style is: Private. You travel only with your own group, with a dedicated driver/guide. The itinerary is a suggested route: we can adjust it or create a tailor-made trip to suit you.
Afterwards, a walk in a palm grove, then a drive of a few kilometres to the wild lake of Merzouga, often called the flamingo lake.In the afternoon, you will climb onto the camels to cross the sandy desert, stopping on a high dune to admire the sunset before continuing to the luxury camp.
