6-Day Morocco Desert Tour from Marrakech

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Overview

  • Duration:6 days 5 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

  • Depart from Marrakech and cross the spectacular High Atlas Mountains.
  • Drive across the famous Tizi n'Tichka Pass at approximately 2,260 metres.
  • Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ait Ben Haddou.
  • Discover Ouarzazate, the Gateway to the Desert.
  • Travel along the famous Road of a Thousand Kasbahs.
  • Explore Skoura Oasis and the Rose Valley.
  • Discover the dramatic landscapes of the Dades Valley.
  • Visit the spectacular Todra Gorge.
  • Travel through Alnif and the Draa Valley region.
  • Discover Agdz and Zagora.
  • Travel by 4x4 from M'Hamid to Erg Chegaga.
  • Enjoy a camel trek through the Erg Chegaga dunes.
  • Watch a spectacular Sahara sunset.
  • Spend two nights at an Erg Chegaga desert camp.
  • Explore Erg Chegaga by 4x4.
  • Visit a local nomadic family.
  • Enjoy Moroccan mint tea in the Sahara.
  • Try sandboarding on the dunes.
  • Cross the remote landscapes around Lake Iriki.
  • Visit Foum Zguid and Taznakht.
  • Discover traditional Berber carpet craftsmanship in Taznakht.
  • Visit Ouarzazate and optionally the Atlas Film Studios or Taourirt Kasbah.
  • Return to Marrakech through the High Atlas Mountains.

Includes/Excludes

  • Private transportation throughout the tour.
  • Experienced English-speaking driver/guide.
  • Comfortable air-conditioned vehicle.
  • 5 nights of accommodation.
  • Breakfasts and dinners as specified in the itinerary.
  • 4x4 transportation from M'Hamid to Erg Chegaga.
  • 4x4 desert excursion around Erg Chegaga.
  • Camel trek at 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.
  • Atlas Film Studios entrance fee.
  • Taourirt Kasbah entrance fee, where applicable.
  • Personal expenses.
  • Tips.
  • Travel insurance.
  • Flights.
  • 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 – Ait Ben Haddou – Ouarzazate – Rose Valley – Dades Valley

  • Your 6-day Erg Chegaga desert tour from Marrakech begins in the morning with pickup from your hotel or riad.
  • Leave Marrakech and travel south towards the spectacular High Atlas Mountains. The road climbs towards the famous Tizi n'Tichka Pass, reaching approximately 2,260 metres above sea level.
  • Enjoy panoramic views of dramatic mountain landscapes, valleys and traditional Amazigh villages along the way.
  • Continue towards the historic Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, one of Morocco's most famous fortified villages and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • Explore the ancient ksar on foot and discover its traditional earthen architecture, narrow alleys and impressive views over the surrounding landscape.
  • Continue through Ouarzazate, often called the Gateway to the Desert, before following the famous Road of a Thousand Kasbahs.
  • Travel through the Skoura Oasis, known for its palm groves and traditional kasbahs, before continuing towards the Valley of Roses, famous for its Damask roses and traditional rose products.
  • Continue to the spectacular Dades Valley, where dramatic rock formations, mountain landscapes and green oasis areas create one of southern Morocco's most scenic regions.
  • Dinner and overnight stay in a hotel or riad in the Dades Valley.

Day 2: Dades Valley – Todra Gorge – Alnif – Agdz – Draa Valley – Zagora

  • After breakfast, leave the Dades Valley and continue towards the impressive Todra Gorge.
  • The road takes you through spectacular pre-Saharan landscapes before reaching the towering limestone cliffs of Todra.
  • Take time to walk through the most impressive section of the gorge and admire the dramatic rock formations surrounding the Todra River.
  • Continue through the desert landscapes towards Alnif, where the scenery gradually changes from mountain valleys to arid pre-Saharan plains.
  • Continue towards Agdz, one of the gateways to the magnificent Draa Valley.
  • The Draa Valley is famous for its extensive palm groves, traditional villages and ancient kasbahs.
  • Drive through the oasis landscape before arriving in Zagora, an important desert town and historic gateway to the Sahara.
  • Check into your accommodation and enjoy a relaxing evening after the day's journey.
  • Dinner and overnight stay in Zagora.

Day 3: Zagora – Tamgroute – M'Hamid – Erg Chegaga

  • After breakfast, begin your journey towards the Sahara.
  • Your first stop is Tamgroute, a historic village famous for its traditional green pottery.
  • Visit the local pottery workshops and discover the traditional techniques used to produce Tamgroute's distinctive green-glazed ceramics.
  • Continue towards M'Hamid El Ghizlane, the last major oasis settlement before the deep Sahara.
  • From M'Hamid, leave the paved road behind and board a 4x4 vehicle for an exciting off-road journey across the desert.
  • Travel across the desert tracks towards the spectacular Erg Chegaga dunes, one of Morocco's most remote and impressive Sahara regions.
  • Upon arrival at your desert camp, enjoy lunch and time to relax.
  • In the late afternoon, begin a memorable camel trek across the Erg Chegaga dunes.
  • Ride through the golden Sahara landscape as the sun begins to set, stopping at a suitable dune to admire the spectacular sunset.
  • Return to the camp for a traditional Moroccan dinner.
  • After dinner, gather around the campfire and enjoy traditional Berber music and Sahara hospitality beneath the stars.

Day 4: 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 5: Erg Chegaga – Lake Iriki – Foum Zguid – Taznakht – Ouarzazate

  • After breakfast, leave the Erg Chegaga desert by 4x4.
  • Begin the journey across the spectacular desert landscapes surrounding Lake Iriki, a vast dry lakebed located between Erg Chegaga and Foum Zguid.
  • Enjoy the extraordinary scenery as the landscape changes from sand dunes to wide desert plains and rocky terrain.
  • Continue towards Foum Zguid, where you reconnect with the paved road.
  • From Foum Zguid, travel towards Taznakht, a town particularly known for its traditional Amazigh carpet weaving.
  • Depending on timing, stop for lunch and discover some of the region's traditional handicrafts.
  • Continue towards Ouarzazate.
  • Upon arrival, you can visit Taourirt Kasbah or the Atlas Film Studios, depending on opening hours and your preferred itinerary.
  • Dinner and overnight stay in Ouarzazate.

Day 6: Ouarzazate – High Atlas Mountains – Tizi n'Tichka – Marrakech

  • After breakfast, enjoy some free time in Ouarzazate or visit one of the attractions that you did not visit the previous afternoon.
  • Begin the final stage of your 6-day Marrakech to Erg Chegaga tour.
  • Travel north through the High Atlas Mountains and cross the famous Tizi n'Tichka Pass once again.
  • Enjoy spectacular mountain views and stop at scenic viewpoints for photographs along the way.
  • As you descend from the Atlas Mountains, the landscape gradually changes before reaching the Marrakech region.
  • Arrive in Marrakech in the afternoon.
  • Your driver will drop you off at your hotel or riad, marking the end of your 6-Day Erg Chegaga Desert Tour from Marrakech.

Frequently asked questions

Is this a private 6-day Morocco desert tour from Marrakech?

Yes. The tour is organized as a private journey with your own vehicle and driver/guide.

Does this tour go to Erg Chegaga?

Yes. Erg Chegaga is the main destination of this itinerary. You travel from M'Hamid to the dunes by 4x4 and spend two nights in the desert.

How many nights do we spend in Erg Chegaga?

You spend two nights at the Erg Chegaga desert camp, including one complete day for exploring the surrounding Sahara.

Is Lake Iriki included?

Yes. On Day 5, you leave Erg Chegaga by 4x4 and cross the desert landscapes around Lake Iriki before reaching Foum Zguid.

Tour maps

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