Trip (3 or 4 Days) – From Marrakech to the Dunes of Erg Chegaga

Overview

This 3 or 4-day journey takes you through the best of Morocco’s desert and cultural highlights, from the vibrant city of Marrakech to the majestic dunes of Erg Chegaga. Along the way, you will experience the charm of ancient kasbahs, the beauty of the Draa Valley, and the serenity of the Sahara desert. With stops in the historic town of Ouarzazate, the pottery-rich village of Tamagroute, and the scenic Iriqui Lake, this adventure offers an unforgettable blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. Each day brings unique activities, including camel rides, sandboarding, and traditional desert experiences.

*If you want a longer trip, you could add always our camel trekking for some days instead of offroad adventures.

Tour Code:

TRIP-3-4-MRKAOZTMZMECFT

Duration: 3 or 4 days + 2 or 3 nights
Destination: Marrakech – Tizi n’Tichka – Ait Ben Haddou – Ouarzazate – Anti-Atlas – Draa Valley – Agdz – Tamagroute – Zagora – M’hamid – Erg Chegaga – Iriqui Lake – Foum Zguid – Tazenakht – High Atlas – Marrakech
Category: Desert Tour
Included:
  • An experienced local guide
  • Private air-conditioned car with a driver
  • Pick up from your hotel/airport
  • Drop off in your hotel/airport
  • All meals (breakfast & dinner) and drinks (water & tea)
  • Lunch in the desert
  • Local traditional music around fireplace by night
Choices:
  • ? Without or with lunch
  • ? Camel trekking or off-road 4×4
  • ? Nights in desert sauvage or camps
  • ? Moroccan riad or luxury riad
Options: (possible to add)
  • ! Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou
  • ! Ouarzazate’s film studios
  • ! palm groves Draa Valley
  • ! Oasis Secret
  • ! Pottery workshop
  • ! Quran ancient library
  • ! Camel ride
  • ! Sandboarding
  • ! Sandbread baking
  • ! Nomadic family
  • ! Cooperative Berber carpet
Excluded:
  • Tips
  • Extras (personal dispenses)
  • Individual personal wishes (Please note by booking!)

Tour Plan

This 3 or 4-day tour is designed to give you an immersive experience of Morocco’s desert landscapes and rich cultural history. With optional activities and flexible accommodations, you’ll enjoy a unique blend of adventure and serenity, perfect for those seeking an unforgettable desert journey.

01

8:00 am to 4:00 pm

DAY 1: Iconic Ait Ben Haddou and Ouarzazate (Marrakech – Tizi n'Tichka – Ait Ben Haddou – Ouarzazate)

Your adventure begins in Marrakech, where you will head towards the High Atlas Mountains via the stunning Tizi n'Tichka pass. On the way, you will stop at Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its iconic kasbah and as the filming location for many famous movies. Continue on to Ouarzazate, known as the "Hollywood of Morocco," for an overnight stay.

    *OPTIONS (possible to add): Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou (explore the iconic kasbah and UNESCO World Heritage site) + Ouarzazate’s film studios (visit Morocco's famous film studios known as the 'Hollywood of Morocco')
02

8:00 am to 4:00 pm

DAY 2: Ancient Traditions through Draa Valley (Ouarzazate – Anti-Atlas – Draa Valley – Agdz – Tamagroute – Zagora)

On Day 2, depart from Ouarzazate and travel through the Anti-Atlas mountains to the lush Draa Valley, known for its endless date palms and ancient Berber villages. Stop in Agdz before heading to Tamagroute, where you will visit the famous ancient Quranic library and pottery village. Arrive in Zagora, the gateway to the desert, for an overnight stay.

    *OPTIONS (possible to add): oasis Draa Valley (visit a desert oasis and experience the lush greenery amidst the arid surroundings) + pottery workshop (experience traditional pottery-making in local workshops and learn the techniques of skilled artisans) + Quran ancient library (discover the ancient manuscripts and historical treasures at a local Quranic library) + palm groves (explore lush oases filled with towering date palms and traditional irrigation systems)
03

8:00 am to 4:00 pm

DAY 3: Erg Chegaga Adventure and Desert (Zagora – M’hamid – Erg Chegaga)

Leave Zagora and head towards the vast Sahara desert. Pass through M'hamid, the last village before the open desert, and continue off-road to the stunning dunes of Erg Chegaga. Upon arrival, you’ll have the opportunity to engage in various desert activities such as camel riding, sandboarding, and baking traditional sandbread. Spend the night in a desert camp under the stars, enjoying local traditional music around the fireplace.

    *OPTIONS (possible to add): camel ride (explore the desert landscapes on the back of a camel for a ride) + sandboarding (enjoy sliding down the desert dunes) + sandbread baking (learn how to bake traditional bread in the sand, a unique desert experience) + nomadic family (visit a nomadic family to experience their traditional lifestyle and hospitality in the heart of the desert) + oasis Secret (visit a desert oasis and experience the lush greenery amidst the arid surroundings)
04

8:00 am to 4:00 pm

DAY 4: Return to Marrakech via Iriqui Lake and Tazenakht (Erg Chegaga – Iriqui Lake – Foum Zguid – Tazenakht – High Atlas – Marrakech)

After breakfast, leave Erg Chegaga and drive towards Foum Zguid, passing through the stunning Iriqui Lake, a dry lakebed offering a surreal landscape of the Sahara. Continue the journey with a stop at a women’s carpet cooperative in Tazenakht. After exploring the cooperative, head back to Marrakech in the late afternoon, crossing the High Atlas Mountains once again.

    *OPTIONS (possible to add): cooperative Berber carpet (visit a women’s cooperative in Tazenakht and learn about traditional Moroccan carpet weaving)
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