Marrakesh Desert Tour To Erg Chigaga -03 Days
This three-day loop from Marrakech crosses the High Atlas to the UNESCO kasbah of Aït Benhaddou and the Draa Valley, continues through Zagora’s oases and Mhamid to a night camping in the dunes of Erg Chigaga, and returns via the rug-weaving village of Tazenakht.
This 3-day Marrakesh desert tour to Erg Chigaga works best for those who don’t have enough time in Morocco but still want to have a taste of the Moroccan Sahara Desert.
Day 1: Marrakech – Ait Ben Haddou – Ouarzazate – Agdez
The driver will meet you at your accommodation at 8 AM. Leave Marrakech behind to take on the Atlas Mountains and their dense forests through one of the most winding and dramatic routes in Morocco. Reach the Tizi n Tichka pass at 2200 meters high to enter the Great South. Stop and visit the UNESCO World Site Ait Benhaddou to later skirt through Ouarzazate and then cross the gorges and reach 1700 meters high, from where the panorama of the legendary Draa Valley unfolds.
Reach Agdez, here it is worth visiting the Black people’s village and the ksar of Tamnougalt. Reach the hotel early evening. Dinner and accommodation in a Kasbah at the heart of the Draa Valley.
Day 2: Agdez – Zagora – Tamegroute – Mhamid – Erg Chigaga
After breakfast, a dusty off-road will take you to local prehistoric rock engravings in Foum Chenna before you continue your way to Zagora to discover the nearby village of Amezrou and its Jewish heritage – the old adobe synagogue and the silver jewelry craft. Further on, the stoves of Tamegroute cast the emerald glaze so easily identified on mosque tiles, dishes, and pots across Morocco. The nearby Nassiria library holds a 10th-century-old gold-engraved Koran and various treaties on astronomy, medicine, and Arab poetry, among other gems. Before leaving the tarmac behind and taking on the Sahara, we recommend visiting a traditional ksour and having lunch in Mhamid. From Mhamid, across various types of desert, you will reach the dunes of Erg Chigaga, the last bit by camel. Dinner and accommodation in the desert camp with toilets and showers.
Day 3: Erg Chigaga – Foum-Zguid – Tazenakht – Marrakech
Wake up to admire the sunrise and stroll around the dunes. Later on, you will take on the hamada (rocky desert) and cross the dry lake Iriki. Have tea with the nomads, pry out fossils, and later join the tarmac again at Foum Zguid. Have a tasty lunch by the pool at Bab Rimal or opt for the more formal choice of a kefta in the village. Take the route west and soon reach the village of Tazenakht, very famous for its huge selection of Berber rugs, and it’s the destination for merchants who sell rugs in other Moroccan cities. Reach Marrakech at the end of the afternoon. End of your 3-day Marrakesh desert tour to Erg Chigaga.
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OUR LATEST TESTIMONIALS
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Family fun in Morocco - I could not be more delighted with the service that we received from this company from the day we booked it to the day we were dropped at the airport.... read more We were a party of 12. Nine of my grandchildren plus their partners (all in their 20’s) plus 3 other family members.
We were met on time by our fantastic driver Ibrahim who stayed with us all week. Our vehicle was a brand new Mercedes mini-bus. We also had different guides to some of the more historic places. Our travels took us from Marrakech to The Atlas Mountains, Sahara desert, Casablanca, Fez and Essaouira. We have unforgettable memories of camel riding into the sunset and dancing to Berber musicians infront of a fire pit late into the night.
The accomodation was outstanding in old, picturesque Riads everywhere (except luxury tents .with proper bathrooms . in the desert).
I cannot recommend this company too highly. We received exactly what was promised and they were always flexible if we needed to make a change.
Ofcourse, it’s helpful to have words of warning. There were some very long days of driving as we covered a lot of territory. This is not a choice for the less fit. Lots of steep stairs, not always with hand rails. . But I am 84 and I made it.
Also, don’t travel with checked in luggage. You don’t need many clothes and it’s easier to carry small cases.
This is our experience of just one of the many tours run by this excellent company. Good luck.
Judy C
12 April 2025 Exploring Marrakech - I had a great experience with this company. We used their services for airport pick-up and drop-offs as well as tours/excursions. Drivers Mohamed and Yasser made us very comfortable and... read more are safe drivers on the busy streets of Marrakech. Musafeh, our tour guide was a wealth of knowledge, knew his way around town and very patient as we explored the souks, museum and garden. He guided us safely through the souks. He was very interactive with us through conversations and helped us with the merchants. Top 10 service. 
MillieJ1327
17 April 2025 Great way to see the beautiful country of Morocco! - Incredible opportunity to see everything Morocco has to offer in just one week! Tour guides and our driver, Ibrahim, were very knowledgable about different cities and towns. The minibus was... read more comfortable and we were accommodated well with our lunch stops and tour breaks on each drive. Would highly recommend to anyone who is looking to be fully immersed in Moroccan culture. 
Molly S
14 April 2025
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OUR LATEST TESTIMONIALS
- Exploring Marrakech - I had a great experience with this company. We used their services for airport pick-up and drop-offs as well as tours/excursions. Drivers Mohamed and Yasser made us very comfortable and... read more are safe drivers on the busy streets of Marrakech. Musafeh, our tour guide was a wealth of knowledge, knew his way around town and very patient as we explored the souks, museum and garden. He guided us safely through the souks. He was very interactive with us through conversations and helped us with the merchants. Top 10 service. MillieJ1327
17 April 2025 - Great way to see the beautiful country of Morocco! - Incredible opportunity to see everything Morocco has to offer in just one week! Tour guides and our driver, Ibrahim, were very knowledgable about different cities and towns. The minibus was... read more comfortable and we were accommodated well with our lunch stops and tour breaks on each drive. Would highly recommend to anyone who is looking to be fully immersed in Moroccan culture. Molly S
14 April 2025 - Family fun in Morocco - I could not be more delighted with the service that we received from this company from the day we booked it to the day we were dropped at the airport.... read more We were a party of 12. Nine of my grandchildren plus their partners (all in their 20’s) plus 3 other family members.
We were met on time by our fantastic driver Ibrahim who stayed with us all week. Our vehicle was a brand new Mercedes mini-bus. We also had different guides to some of the more historic places. Our travels took us from Marrakech to The Atlas Mountains, Sahara desert, Casablanca, Fez and Essaouira. We have unforgettable memories of camel riding into the sunset and dancing to Berber musicians infront of a fire pit late into the night.
The accomodation was outstanding in old, picturesque Riads everywhere (except luxury tents .with proper bathrooms . in the desert).
I cannot recommend this company too highly. We received exactly what was promised and they were always flexible if we needed to make a change.
Ofcourse, it’s helpful to have words of warning. There were some very long days of driving as we covered a lot of territory. This is not a choice for the less fit. Lots of steep stairs, not always with hand rails. . But I am 84 and I made it.
Also, don’t travel with checked in luggage. You don’t need many clothes and it’s easier to carry small cases.
This is our experience of just one of the many tours run by this excellent company. Good luck. Judy C
12 April 2025
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