3-Day Erg Chigaga Desert Trip from Marrakech

Day 1: Marrakech – High Atlas – Aït Benhaddou – Agdz

Your 3-Day Erg Chigaga Desert Trip from Marrakech begins with a morning pickup from your accommodation in Marrakech. Departing in a comfortable 4×4 vehicle, you’ll head toward the dramatic High Atlas Mountains along one of Morocco’s most scenic routes.

The journey takes you over the spectacular Tizi n’Tichka Pass, winding through elevations exceeding 2,000 meters. Marvel at the panoramic mountain vistas, terraced hillsides, and charming Berber settlements that dot the landscape.

Your first cultural stop is the Kasbah of Telouet, nestled in the picturesque Ounila Valley. This historic fortress showcases exquisite Moroccan craftsmanship and offers insight into the region’s fascinating history.

Continue to Aït Benhaddou, the famous fortified village recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After exploring this ancient ksar and enjoying lunch, proceed through Ouarzazate, where you may visit the renowned cinema studios that have served as backdrops for countless international films.

Journey onward through the Anti-Atlas mountain range, arriving in Agdz for dinner and your first night’s accommodation.

Day 2: Agdz – Drâa Valley – Zagora – Tamegrout – Erg Chigaga Dunes

After a delicious breakfast, continue your 3-Day Erg Chigaga Desert Trip from Marrakech through the spectacular Drâa Valley. This fertile oasis, stretching for kilometers, features extensive palm plantations and traditional earthen kasbahs that create a stunning contrast against the arid mountain backdrop.

Following the valley’s course, you’ll pass through authentic villages showcasing traditional southern Moroccan architecture before reaching Zagora. The landscapes transform continuously, with verdant oases giving way to desert terrain.

Stop in Tamegrout to explore its treasures, including ancient manuscripts and traditional pottery workshops, before continuing to M’hamid, the gateway to the deep desert.

From M’hamid, leave the paved road behind and venture into the Sahara via desert tracks leading to the impressive Erg Chigaga dunes, Morocco’s largest dune field, rising to 300 meters high.

As the afternoon approaches, experience the highlight of your journey: a camel trek across the golden sands during the magical sunset hour. As darkness falls, immerse yourself in authentic desert life at a traditional nomadic camp, where you can enjoy Berber hospitality, local cuisine, and rhythmic music around the campfire. Spend the night sleeping in a comfortable tent beneath the star-filled Saharan sky.

Day 3: Erg Chigaga – Lake Iriqui – Foum Zguid – Tazenakht – Marrakech

Rise early to witness the desert sunrise, followed by breakfast at the bivouac camp. Your return journey offers a completely different route, taking you deeper into the Sahara via off-road tracks.

Visit the dried bed of Lake Iriqui, a remarkable landscape that attracts migratory birds during wet seasons. The surrounding desert scenery is spectacular, with varied terrain showcasing the Sahara’s diverse beauty.

Arrive at Foum Zguid, where you rejoin the paved highway. Continue to Tazenakht, Morocco’s carpet-weaving capital, where you’ll break for lunch and may explore local cooperatives showcasing traditional rug-making techniques.

The final leg of your 3-Day Erg Chigaga Desert Trip from Marrakech takes you back through Ouarzazate and across the High Atlas Mountains, returning to Marrakech by evening with unforgettable memories of your Saharan adventure.