Marrakech and Erg Chegaga desert tour

Looking for the authentic Sahara Desert, far away from villages and mass tourism? Then this four-day desert trek from Marrakech to Erg Chegaga is just what you are looking for. It takes you to both Erg Lihoudi and Erg Chagaga dunes for a complete and unique desert experience.

Be enchanted by the views of the High Atlas Mountains, which reveal their beauty at every bend in the road. The Anti-Atlas mountains, from Ouarzazate to Agdez, are remarkable for their rock formations. From here, the Draa Valley, the longest valley in the country, with its ancient kasbahs, green oases, fields and date palms, reveals more about the rural way of life.

The two most famous kasbahs in Morocco; Telouet and Kasbah Aït Ben Haddou, are outstanding examples of local adobe architecture; cool in summer, warm in winter. Kasbah Tamnougalte in the Draa Valley shows a more modest kasbah existence.

In Tamegroute, you have the chance to visit the cooperatives of green pottery and the ancient Quranic library. In Taznakht, an opportunity to discover Berber carpet art presents itself.

The desert experience at Erg Chegaga is enriched by a camel trek and then an overnight stay in comfortable tents in a luxury desert camp at the foot of Morocco's most extensive dunes.

This adventure invites you to get lost in the beauty of Morocco's most remote desert landscapes, a journey beyond the beaten track. It is a chance to experience the magic of the Sahara, amid overwhelming silence and under a sky full of stars. Prepare for an unforgettable journey that touches not only the landscape, but also the soul. Don't miss this chance to immerse yourself in a world that is both timeless and pristine. Pack your gear, the adventure of a lifetime awaits!

Day 1 :

Marrakech - Ouarzazate

Imagine a journey that starts at dawn, leaving at 8.30am from your hotel or riad in Marrakech to traverse the majestic High Atlas Mountains. After the Tichka pass, the highest in North Africa at 2260 metres, you leave the main road behind to set course for Kasbah Telouet, the former power centre of the Lords of the Atlas, the Glaoui family. Although the palace was abandoned and looted after the fall of the last Pasha, and the September 2023 earthquake caused further destruction, a local guide offers you a glimpse of the fascinating history of this place outside. The journey south takes you past the enchanting, winding Ounila Valley, whose rock and soil colours will amaze you. Berber villages, gardens and smaller kasbahs are a feast for the eyes. In Aït Ben Haddou, you enjoy a welcome lunch. Refreshed, you visit this UNESCO World Heritage Site, which also serves as the backdrop for numerous Hollywood blockbusters. Once you arrive in Ouarzazate, about 45 minutes later, you spend the night in a riad or guest house.

Day 2 :

Ouarzazate - M'hamid

The next day, after crossing the Tizi-n-Tinfifte pass south of Ouarzazate, a vast oasis with countless palm trees reveals itself. This marks the beginning of the Draa Valley, known for its amazing 44 varieties of dates. The date harvest starts in September and lasts for several months. The souk in Agdez offers the freshest and best selection. Kasbah Tamnougalte is the oldest kasbah in the Draa Valley. From here, follow the old caravan route for some time. Along the way, we pass many villages and gardens, illustrating oasis life and self-sufficiency. Just before the police checkpoint in Tansikht, the driver can show you dinosaur footprints in the rocks. In Tinsouline, you can take a small diversions to the fascinating pet rock drawings at Foum Chenna, which depict animals that have long been extinct in Morocco. You have lunch in Zagora, the largest town in the Draa Valley. Soon after, you reach Tamgroute, famous for the green glaze of its ceramics. The town's ancient Koranic library, with beautiful handwritten Arabic texts, is famous throughout Morocco. Many of them have now been transferred to the National Library in Rabat. You drive about another 45 minutes to the dunes outside M'hamid, on the edge of the Sahara Desert. You dine and spend the night in a luxury camp with private bathroom, king-size beds, beautiful Moroccan furniture and lamps that enhance your enjoyment of the silence and beauty of the dunes.

Day 3 :

M'hamid - Chegaga Dunes

On the third day, after breakfast, visit the ancient village on the often dry Draa River. This village is typical of desert adobe houses with covered streets; a protection against the intense heat of the desert summer. In the afternoon, depart for the Erg Chegaga dunes (300m), about 60 km off-road. This route passes typical desert features; "erg" (dunes) and "hammada" (stone desert), plus the occasional oasis. These dunes are far from settlements, where nomadic life is harsh; exposed to wind, sandstorms and sparse rainfall. Here, a camel trek leads to the highest dune for an unforgettable sunset. The silence and vastness of the dunes are overwhelming. Dinner and the night are spent in a luxury camp with all the amenities of the first desert luxury camp you enjoyed in Mhamid.

Day 4 :

Chegaga Dunes - Marrakech

On the fourth day, after breakfast, another 90 km leads to the dried-up Lake Iriqi, once a source of water for wildlife and birds, as well as fish caught by local nomads. At the edge of the desert in Foum Zguid, a stop for coffee or even lunch is welcome. The driver will have the opportunity to clean the car's filtration system of Sahara sand. From Foum Zguid, you travel north, with incredible rock formations on the sides of the road. When the road reaches the main east-west highway, you arrive in Taznakht, which is best known for its iconic Berber carpets and rugs. If you are interested, this is a chance to visit one of the town's many cooperatives to see the myriad patterns and designs. Once back across the High Atlas via a slightly different route before reaching the Tizi-n-Tichka pass. You will arrive in Marrakech in the late afternoon. This trip invites you to explore the depths of Morocco's stunning landscapes, from the snow-capped peaks of the Atlas Mountains to the limitless silence of the Sahara. Prepare for an adventure that touches not only the landscape, but also your heart. An invitation to travel you cannot resist.

Tour 2: Marrakech, Erg Chegaga desert tour | 4 days and 3 nights

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Marrakech and Erg Chegaga desert tour

Marrakech and Agafay Desert | 4 days & 3 nights

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