5-Day Morocco Desert Tour from Marrakech | Erg Chegaga

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Overview

  • Duration:5 days 4 nights
  • Tour Type:Daily tour, Group tour, Package tour, Private tour
  • Language:English, French, German, Italian

This is an ideal private Erg Chegaga tour from Marrakech for couples, families, friends and small groups looking for an authentic Sahara experience without spending a full week on the road.

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Highlights

  • Start and finish your private tour in Marrakech.
  • Cross the spectacular High Atlas Mountains.
  • Drive through the famous Tizi n'Tichka Pass at approximately 2,260 metres.
  • Visit historic Telouet Kasbah.
  • Travel through the beautiful Ounila Valley.
  • Explore Ouarzazate, the Gateway to the Sahara.
  • Discover the Draa Valley and its extensive palm oasis.
  • Visit Tamgroute and its traditional green pottery workshops.
  • Explore the historic Quranic Library in Tamgroute.
  • Travel by 4x4 from M'Hamid to Erg Chegaga.
  • Enjoy a camel trek across the Erg Chegaga dunes.
  • Watch the Sahara sunset from the dunes.
  • Spend two nights in an Erg Chegaga desert camp.
  • Enjoy a full day exploring the Sahara by 4x4.
  • Visit a local nomadic family.
  • Experience traditional Saharan hospitality and Moroccan mint tea.
  • Try sandboarding in the Erg Chegaga dunes.
  • Cross the spectacular landscapes around Lake Iriki.
  • Visit Foum Zguid and Taznakht.
  • Discover traditional Amazigh carpet craftsmanship in Taznakht.
  • Visit Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • Return to Marrakech through the High Atlas Mountains.

Includes/Excludes

  • Private transportation throughout the tour.
  • Experienced English-speaking driver/guide.
  • Comfortable air-conditioned vehicle.
  • 4 nights of accommodation.
  • Breakfasts and dinners as specified.
  • 4x4 transportation from M'Hamid to Erg Chegaga.
  • 4x4 desert excursion.
  • Camel trek in Erg Chegaga.
  • Two nights at an Erg Chegaga desert camp.
  • Visit to Tamgroute.
  • Visit to a local nomadic family.
  • Sandboarding opportunity.
  • Hotel/riad pickup and drop-off in Marrakech.
  • Private tour experience.
  • Lunches and drinks.
  • Entrance fees to monuments and attractions.
  • Telouet Kasbah entrance fee, where applicable.
  • Atlas Film Studios entrance fee, if visited.
  • Taourirt Kasbah entrance fee, if visited.
  • Personal expenses.
  • Tips.
  • Any activities not specifically mentioned as included.

Cancellation policy

You can cancel up to 72 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Itinerary

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Day 1: Marrakech – High Atlas Mountains – Telouet Kasbah – Ounila Valley – Ouarzazate

  • Leave Marrakech and head south towards the spectacular High Atlas Mountains.
  • Cross the famous Tizi n'Tichka Pass, reaching approximately 2,260 metres above sea level. Along the way, enjoy breathtaking views of dramatic mountain landscapes, valleys and traditional Amazigh villages.
  • Continue towards Telouet Kasbah, a historic fortified residence associated with the powerful Glaoui family.
  • Take time to explore the kasbah and appreciate its distinctive architecture and historical importance.
  • From Telouet, continue through the beautiful Ounila Valley, a scenic route surrounded by mountain landscapes, traditional villages and historic kasbahs.
  • Continue towards Ouarzazate, known as the Gateway to the Sahara.
    Depending on your arrival time, you may visit Taourirt Kasbah or the Atlas Film Studios.
  • Check into your accommodation and enjoy dinner.

Day 2: Ouarzazate – Agdz – Draa Valley – Tamgroute – M'Hamid – Erg Chegaga

  • After breakfast, leave Ouarzazate and travel south towards Agdz, one of the main gateways to the Draa Valley.
  • From Agdz, continue through the spectacular Draa Valley, famous for its extensive palm groves, traditional villages and ancient kasbahs.
  • The contrast between the green oasis and the surrounding arid landscapes creates some of the most impressive scenery in southern Morocco.
  • Continue towards Tamgroute, a historic village known for its traditional green pottery.
  • Visit a local pottery workshop and discover the traditional techniques used to produce Tamgroute's distinctive ceramics.
  • You can also visit the historic Quranic Library, depending on opening hours.
  • Continue towards M'Hamid El Ghizlane, the last major oasis settlement before the Sahara.
  • From M'Hamid, leave the paved road and board a 4x4 vehicle for an off-road journey across the desert.
  • Travel across the desert tracks towards the spectacular Erg Chegaga dunes.
  • Upon arrival at your desert camp, enjoy a welcome Moroccan mint tea and take some time to relax.
  • In the late afternoon, enjoy a memorable camel trek through the Erg Chegaga dunes.
  • Watch the sunset over the golden Sahara before returning to camp.
  • In the evening, enjoy a traditional Moroccan dinner followed by Berber music around the campfire beneath the stars.

Day 3: Full-Day Erg Chegaga Sahara Desert Experience

  • Wake early to enjoy the sunrise over the Erg Chegaga dunes before breakfast.
  • Today is dedicated entirely to discovering the spectacular Sahara surrounding the camp.
  • Set out by 4x4 across the Erg Chegaga desert, exploring the dunes and surrounding landscapes.
  • One of the highlights of the day is a visit to a local nomadic family. Enjoy a traditional glass of Moroccan mint tea while learning more about life in the Sahara and the traditions of nomadic communities.
  • Return to camp for lunch.
  • The afternoon is free to relax and enjoy the desert. You can walk through the dunes, take photographs, relax around camp or try sandboarding.
  • As evening approaches, watch another beautiful Sahara sunset.
  • Enjoy dinner around the campfire accompanied by traditional Berber music.
  • Spend a second peaceful night beneath the stars in Erg Chegaga.

Day 4: Erg Chegaga – Lake Iriki – Foum Zguid – Taznakht – Ait Ben Haddou

  • After breakfast, leave the Erg Chegaga camp by 4x4 and begin the return journey through the remote Sahara.
  • Cross the spectacular landscapes around Lake Iriki, a vast dry lakebed surrounded by dramatic desert scenery.
  • Continue towards Foum Zguid, where the paved road begins.
  • From Foum Zguid, travel towards Taznakht, a town renowned for its traditional Amazigh carpets and weaving traditions.
  • Enjoy lunch before continuing north towards Ait Ben Haddou.
  • Arrive at Ait Ben Haddou later in the afternoon or early evening, when the light can create a particularly beautiful atmosphere around the historic ksar.
  • Explore the ancient alleys and traditional earthen architecture of this UNESCO-listed site.
  • After your visit, check into a traditional guesthouse or riad.
  • Enjoy dinner and spend the night near Ait Ben Haddou.

Day 5: Ait Ben Haddou – High Atlas Mountains – Tizi n'Tichka – Marrakech

  • After breakfast, enjoy some final free time around Ait Ben Haddou.
  • You can take another short walk through the historic ksar, photograph the surrounding landscape or simply relax before beginning the journey back to Marrakech.
  • Travel north through the High Atlas Mountains and cross the Tizi n'Tichka Pass once again.
  • Enjoy panoramic mountain views and stop at scenic viewpoints along the way.
  • Depending on your interests and timing, you may also stop at a local artisan cooperative.
  • Continue towards Marrakech.
  • Arrive in the afternoon and receive a private drop-off at your hotel or riad.
  • Your 5-day Marrakech to Erg Chegaga desert tour comes to an end.

Frequently asked questions

Is this a private 5-day Morocco desert tour from Marrakech?

Yes. This is a private tour with your own vehicle and driver/guide.

Does the tour include Erg Chegaga?

Yes. Erg Chegaga is the main highlight of the itinerary, with two nights at a desert camp.

How many nights do we spend in Erg Chegaga?

You spend two nights in the Erg Chegaga desert, including a full day to explore the surrounding Sahara.

Is a camel ride included?

Yes. A camel trek through the Erg Chegaga dunes is included, particularly around sunset.

Can we visit a nomadic family?

Yes. A visit to a local nomadic family is included during the full-day desert excursion.

Is sandboarding available?

Yes. Sandboarding can be enjoyed at Erg Chegaga, subject to local conditions and equipment availability.

Tour maps

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