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Day 4 of 9
Wed, Mar 18

🐪Heart of the Sahara

◈Todra Gorge → Erg Chebbi

The heart of your Sahara adventure! Trek through the towering Todra Gorge with its 300m vertical canyon walls, then embark on a magical 1.5-hour camel trek into the golden Erg Chebbi dunes to sleep under a blanket of stars at a traditional Berber camp.

→Today's Route

Dadès Valley, Morocco
Todra Gorge
Erfoud
Erg Chebbi, Merzouga
Dadès → Todra Gorge → Merzouga → Desert Camp (~5-6 hours)

▶Preview

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Watch: Heart of the Sahara

◇Gallery

Todra Gorge - 300m canyon walls
Todra Gorge - 300m canyon walls
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Camel trek into the dunes
Camel trek into the dunes
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Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset
Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset
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Stargazing in the Sahara
Stargazing in the Sahara
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Berber desert camp
Berber desert camp
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✦Highlights

Todra Gorge
Todra Gorge
Dramatic canyon with 300m vertical walls. Walk along the river through the narrowest section (~10m wide).
Camel Trek
Camel Trek
Traditional way to enter the desert. ~1.5 hour ride to camp deep in the dunes.
Sahara Sunset
Sahara Sunset
Watch the sunset from 150m sand dunes as colors shift from gold to orange to pink.
Stargazing
Stargazing
Milky Way visible with zero light pollution. One of the best night skies on Earth.

◈Schedule

7:00 AM
Wake up, breakfast at guesthouse
→~2 hours driving
8:00 AM
Depart for Todra Gorge
10:00 AM
Todra Gorge walk through canyon
→~2.5 hours driving
11:30 AM
Continue drive toward Merzouga
1:00 PM
Lunch in Erfoud or Rissani (fossil town)
3:00 PM
Arrive Merzouga at edge of Erg Chebbi dunes
4:00 PM
Optional: Quad biking in the dunes
$60-100
5:30 PM
Camel trek into Erg Chebbi dunes (~1.5 hours)
7:00 PM
Sunset over the Sahara from camp
8:00 PM
Traditional Berber dinner at desert camp
9:30 PM
Berber music, drumming around campfire
11:00 PM
Stargazing - Milky Way visible!
StayIncluded
Activities~$60
Day Total$0-100 (optional)

○Tips & Notes

◇Packing

  • →Wear loose, comfortable clothing for camel riding
  • →Bring warm layers - desert nights are COLD (~45°F/7°C)
  • →Protect camera from sand - bring plastic bags
  • →Headlamp or phone flashlight (no electricity at camp)

✦Good to Know

  • →Charge all devices before leaving Merzouga
  • →Bring cash for quad biking if interested
  • →Traditional Berber tent with mattress and warm blankets
  • →Shared bathroom facilities at camp
Desert Camp, Erg Chebbi
Tonight's Stay
Desert Camp, Erg Chebbi
Included in tour