4-Day Desert Tour from Marrakech to Erg Chigaga

Your desert odyssey begins with a morning departure from your Marrakech hotel at 08:30. You’ll journey south on a 4-day expedition to the Erg Chegaga dunes, traversing the majestic Atlas Mountains and passing through quaint Berber villages. The panoramic views from the mountains offer breathtaking glimpses of valleys and villages nestled into the rugged terrain.

After crossing the Tizi-n-Tichka pass, North Africa’s highest peak at 2260 meters, you’ll veer onto a side road leading to Kasbah Telouet. This historic site, also known as the Palace of Glaoui, once served as the residence of the El Glaoui family.

Continuing your descent from the mountains, you’ll arrive at Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its appearance in numerous Hollywood films. Following lunch, you’ll explore this iconic kasbah before settling in for the night at a beautiful riad.

After breakfast, you’ll embark on a scenic drive to Agdz, offering stunning views as you descend from the Tizi-n-Tinfifite pass. The journey showcases lush green oases and countless palm trees, signalling your arrival in the Dra’a Valley.

Agdz, a significant stop along the historic Caravan Road, boasts thriving palm groves and a rich history of trade. Venturing off the main road, you’ll wind through the Dra’a Valley, passing villages and exploring the oldest Kasbah in the region, Kasbah Tamnougalte.

Continuing south along the Ancient Caravans road, you’ll reach Zagora for lunch and visit local pottery cooperatives and the ancient Quranic library in Tamgroute village. Your journey then takes you to M’hamid, the gateway to the Sahara Desert, where you’ll spend the night in a luxurious desert camp.

Start your day with a sunrise spectacle atop the dunes before breakfast and some free time to explore the desert surroundings. After returning to camp, you’ll set out to discover traditional adobe villages and experience desert life, with an optional visit to a local family.

Following lunch, your expedition continues to the Erg Chegaga dunes, traversing varied Sahara landscapes. Upon reaching camp, enjoy tea and Moroccan biscuits before a camel ride to the summit of the towering dunes. Dinner and an evening of nomadic music await, providing a memorable night in the desert.

Witness another mesmerising sunrise over the dunes before breakfast at camp. Your journey back to Marrakech traverses the Sahara Desert’s diverse scenery, including Lake Iriqui and mountainous terrain ideal for fossil hunting.

After lunch in Foum Zguid, your route takes you north to Taznakht, renowned for its Berber carpets and rugs. A tea break in Ouarzazate precedes the drive through the Atlas Mountains, with stops at scenic viewpoints along the way. Your desert adventure concludes as you arrive back in Marrakech by late afternoon.