Experience the best Morocco Desert tours

Table of Contents

If you planning to explore the best desert in the world then the Moroccan Desert will be surely the best place to start with. But before you start your journey you must properly plan it so that you don’t have to face any problem and to plan your trip you must take the help of expert tour planners who will surely arrange everything for you at affordable prices and hassle-free.

Infinite Morocco travel agency is known for providing the best in class services to their customers. They have some of the best yet affordable tour packages that will surely help you in enjoying Morocco as sample tours listed on the website. Besides this, they also have customized tour packages that are completely made according to the requirements of their clients. Each experience is unique so each tour as well is tailored to your preferences and timeframes.

Camel Trekking Morocco: Camel Treks & Desert Tours

Morocco offers many destinations for camel trekking such as Merzouga, Zagora & Mhamid, but the best & recommended places for Morocco Camel Treks are the dunes of Erg Chebbi or Erg Chegaga (Chigaga) from Mhamid. Infinite Morocco offers Morocco camel trekking tours that are included in our organized & suggested 4×4 desert tours as an overnight camel trek & night in a nomad tent and also extended Morocco camel treks that last from 2, 3, 4, and 5 days in Merzouga and Mhamid.

Camel Trekking Morocco Tours & Destinations

Morocco Camel trekking at Zagora is an option for people who have a very limited time, the dunes in Zagora are smaller and we cannot compare them to Erg Chebbi or Erg Chigaga for example but one can still enjoy a camel ride and spend the night in nomad tented camp in the oasis called Nekhla or Tizi where Zagora dunes are located. We organize Marrakech camel trekking tours to Zagora based on 2 days /1 night on daily basis, this tour includes the High Atlas Mountains, Ait Benhaddou Kasbahs, Draa valley, and Ouarzazate and camel ride in Zagora for sunset and camel trek back from the camp next morning.

Merzouga is a village and the area where Erg Chebbi desert dunes are situated. Morocco camel treks at Erg Chebbi are recommended options for a real desert experience, especially if intending to take a short tour from Fez to Marrakesh or Marrakech to Fez via Erg Chebbi, a minimum of 3 days is required, 4 and 5 days are available, and recommended options for more comfort by breaking the long distances. Erg Chebbi dunes are said to be the highest dunes of Morocco.

Mhamid is also a village, the last one south of Zagora and Tagounite where the paved road ends. Mhamid is a starting point of Morocco camel trekking tours to Erg Chigaga. Erg Chigaga camel treks range from an overnight in a nomad tent that we include in our organized 4×4 Morocco desert tours & treks to extended camel trekking tours of 3, 4, and 5 days. Erg Chigaga dunes are wild desert dunes of Morocco.

Camel Trekking Morocco Tours: Erg Chebbi Camel Treks

The Erg Chebbi sand dunes at Merzouga represent an excellent center for the exploration of Morocco’s sandy or true desert, they are considered to be one of the great sights of Morocco, The Erg Chebbi dunes can be reached most directly from Erfoud through an off-road trail or via Rissani on paved road. The Erg Chebbi desert dunes fascinate Moroccans and foreigners alike. Mention “Merzouga” anywhere in Morocco and people will tell you of the power of the sands to cure rheumatics who come here to be buried up to the neck in the sand. Widely believed, but never seen! The Erg Chebbi dunes also have a wide-ranging aesthetic appeal; witness the film directors, writers, artists, and photographs who struggle to convey their beauty.

Morocco camel treks options in erg chebbi desert include:

1- A short camel ride1 ~ 2 hours for sunset or sunrise at Erg Chebbi with a night either at one of the hotels (Erg Chebbi hotels offer en-suite rooms with A/C & a swimming pool) at the dune line or nomad tented camp, luxury camps are available on request.
2- Erg Chebbi camel treks overnight in nomad tents under the stars, the Sahara desert camps are located inside the Erg Chebbi dunes, a camel ride of 1h30 ~ 2 hours is necessary to get there. This option starts at the sunset in front of the hotel at the dune line and ends after you assist to a sunrise followed by breakfast and camel trek back to the hotel for a shower.
3- Extended Morocco Camel Treks options that include camel tours of 2, 3, and 4 days with a local desert guide and camels for sure. This will allow meeting the real nomads who live in the desert practicing activities such as pasturing herds of goats and camels…etc, you may share a cup of tea or a meal with one of these families.

Camel Trekking Morocco, Erg Chigaga (Chegaga) Camel Treks Morocco

The Erg Chigaga (Chegaga) sand dunes are considered to be a more protected desert area in Morocco due to one main reason is that building tourism infrastructures such as hotels is prohibited, the only lodging available options are still the nomad tented camps and luxury Sahara camp with facilities. The Erg Chigaga (Chegaga) desert dunes offer a unique experience thanks to their wilderness, they are accessed from the ultimate village of Mhamid where the paved road ends and the adventure of a Morocco camel trekking tour to Erg Chigaga starts, for this purpose two means of Transport are available: by camels or in 4×4 vehicle.

MOROCCO CAMEL TREKS OPTIONS IN ERG CHIGAGA SAND DUNES INCLUDE:

1- Erg Chigaga camel treks from M’hamid last for 3 days /2 nights (all intents) and return with 4×4 vehicles, this option can be included in our organized Morocco desert tours. Other extended camel treks at Erg Chigaga with a desert guide are available from 4 to 5 days with pick up and drop off.
2- Overnight at Erg Chigaga with camel trek at the sunset from Mhamid, pick up is arranged from M’Hamid with a 4×4 vehicle and transport for around 60km (2hours drive) to reach the sand dunes, enjoy the sunset and camel ride over the dunes, spend the night in a nomad tent under the stars.

Camel Trekking Morocco, Ouarzazate 4×4 Desert Tours & Camel Treks Morocco

From Ouarzazate, many camel treks options are available as it has both access to Erg Chebbi in Merzouga and Chigaga near Mhamid, so it is quite well placed to start a tour that includes a short camel ride or extended camel trekking in the desert with multiple nights in tented camps.

Marrakech To Fez Or Fes To Marrakech 3, 4 & 5 Days Desert Tours

Marrakech to Fes Desert Tours are private trips operated on a daily basis over 3 different plans: Also referring to the number of days spent on each tour connecting between two famous Moroccan cities Marrakech & Fes. Our Marrakesh to Fez or Fes to Marrakech road trips run 3, 4, or 5-day tours that include at least one-night camping and a sunset camel ride in Erg Chebbi, one of the most popular desert destinations of Morocco also known as Merzouga.

The 3 Days Marrakesh to Fez or Fes to Marrakech desert tour with Erg Chebbi sunset camel trek is the shortest Morocco Sahara tour. Longer options of 4 and 5 days are highly recommended not only to make the tour pace more relaxing but also to include more places to see, explore and visit around besides camel riding and overnight in tents. All our Marrakech to Fez or Fes to Marrakech tours & desert trips can depart any day with 2 persons or more, if you are a solo traveler, you can join a pre-booked tour or drop us a line for a quote. Accommodations can be upgraded from mid-range to boutique hotels and luxury desert camps in Erg Chebbi.

Marrakech To Fes 3D/2N Short Desert Trip

Day 1: Marrakech – Ait Benhaddou – Ouarzazate

Pick from your hotel at 8 am and travel from Marrakesh to Ouarzazate via the High Atlas mountains Tizi n’Tichka pass throughout the high Atlas Mountains, we will have time to stop and enjoy impressive landscapes and Berber hamlets and break for coffee or mint tea. In the afternoon, you will get a chance to visit the universal Heritage Site of Ait Benhaddou Kasbah named by UNESCO since 1987. This Berber Kasbahs which has been used as a very important destination for international filmmakers for more than 20 films was also one of the most important fortress strongholds on the old Salt Road where caravans brought slaves, gold, ivory, salt and silk from sub-Saharan countries to Marrakech and beyond. We’ll pass through Ouarzazate, or what we call Hollywood of Africa since it’s has been as well a very famous destination for filmmakers. Here you will get the chance to visit many film studios and spend the night here in Ouarzazate.

Day 2: Ouarzazate – Todgha Gorges – Merzouga (Erg Chebbi)

After breakfast, we leave Ouarzazate and drive southeast Morocco along the Valley of Roses (April& May), here you can get the chance to visit a rose factory to see how those locals make different products from the Persian rose. We go on towards Todgha Gorges, one of the most beautiful and impressive canyons in Morocco. This is what makes them an exciting place for half and full-day trekking trips and interesting canyons for serious climbers. From Todgha gorges we head towards Merzouga through arid landscapes and along many oases of palm grooves. We pass Erfoud or what we call the capital of fossils as it’s very known with it’s fossil’s factories where they make beautiful shapes and pieces from rock of mountains. Then we’ll head for the Erg Chebbi sand sea. We continue deeper into the desert landscape until dunes appear in the middle of nowhere. Once, we arrive at our auberge (Inn) you meet your camel guide and ride into the bivouac (camp) under the evening stars shining brilliantly in the clear night sky. Climb the dunes and watch the moon rise before retiring to your bed in a nomad tent.

Day 3: Merzouga – Ziz valley – Midelt – Fes

After enjoying the amazing sunrise among the sand dunes, you ride back your camels back to the auberge (Inn). After having breakfast and shower we drive along a different road, drive towards Fez. We stop on the way to enjoy a cup of tea with nomadic families before we passing through the High Atlas mountains again. We stop by a town called Midelt where we’ll have lunch. This town is a very impressive mountain city at 1488 meters of altitude, well situated lower down the Jbel Ayachi (3737 m). In the afternoon we’ll continue to the legendary city of Fes. The estimated arrival to Fes is around 6 pm.

Marrakech To Fez 4d/3n Desert Trip & Erg Chebbi Camel Trekking

Day 1: Marrakech – Ait Benhaddou – Ouarzazate

Depart at 08:00 from Marrakesh to Ouarzazate via the High Atlas mountains Tizi n’Tichka pass. Throughout the high Atlas Mountains, we will have time to stop and enjoy impressive landscapes and Berber hamlets and break for coffee and mint tea. In the afternoon we will get the chance the visit the universal Heritage Site of Ait Benhaddou Kasbah named by UNESCO since 1987. This Berber Kasbahs which has been used as a very important destination for international filmmakers for more than 20 films, was also one of the most important fortress strongholds on the old Salt Road where caravans brought slaves, gold, ivory, salt and silk from sub-Saharan countries to Marrakesh and beyond. We’ll pass through Ouarzazate, or what we call Hollywood of Africa since it’s has been as well a very famous destination for filmmakers. Here you will get the chance to visit many filmmaking studios. Here we spend the night.

Day 2: Ouarzazate – Dades Valley – Todgha Gorges

From Ouarzazate, we drive to Todgha gorges but before we travel through the Valley of Roses, where you can get the chance to visit a rose factory unit to see how those locals make different products from the Persian rose. When we arrive at Todgha Gorges you will figure out how beautiful and impressive canyons we have here in Morocco. This is what makes them a serious place for half and full-day trekking trips and interesting canyons for serious rock climbers. We spend the night in Todgha gorges or upper in a Berber village.

Day 3: Todgha Gorges – Erfoud – Rissani – Merzouga (Erg Chebbi)

Leaving Todgha gorges behind, we head towards Merzouga through arid landscapes and along many oases of palm grooves. We pass Erfoud or what we call the capital of fossils as it’s very known for its fossil’s factories where they make beautiful shapes and pieces from rock of mountain cliffs surrounding the area. Then we’ll head for the Erg Chebbi sand sea. We continue deeper into the desert landscape until dunes appear in the middle of nowhere. When we arrive at our auberge, you meet your camel guide and ride into the bivouac (camp). under the evening stars shining brilliantly in the clear night sky. Climb the dunes and watch the moon rise before retiring to your bed in a nomad tent.

Day 4: Merzouga – Ziz valley – Midelt – Fez

After enjoying the amazing sunrise among the sand dunes, you ride back your camels back to the auberge. After having breakfast and a shower, we drive along a different road towards Fez. We stop on the road to enjoy tea with a nomadic family before we passing through the High Atlas Mountains again. We stop by a town called Midelt where we’ll have lunch. This town is a very impressive mountain city at 1488 meters of altitude, well situated lower down the Jbel Ayachi (3737 m). In the afternoon we’ll continue to the legendary city of Fez, the end and final destination of the trip.

Marrakesh To Fez 5d/4n Erg Chebbi Camel Trek & Desert Tour

Day 1: Marrakesh – High Atlas Mountains – Ait Benhaddou – Ouarzazate

Depart at 08:00 from Marrakesh to Ouarzazate via the High Atlas mountains Tizi n’Tichka pass throughout the high Atlas Mountains we will have time to stop and enjoy impressive landscapes and Berber hamlets, and break for coffee and mint tea. In the afternoon we will get the chance the visit the universal Heritage Site of Ait Benhaddou Kasbah as it has been named by UNESCO in 1987. This Berber Kasbahs which has been used as a very important destination for international filmmakers for more than 20 films was also one of the most important fortress strongholds on the old Salt Road where caravans brought slaves, gold, ivory, salt and silk from sub-Saharan countries to Marrakesh and beyond. We’ll pass through Ouarzazate, or what we call Hollywood of Africa since it’s has been as well a very famous destination for filmmakers. Here you will get the chance to visit many filmmaking studios and we spend the night in Ouarzazate.

Day 2: Ouarzazate – Valley of Roses – Boutaghrar – Dades valley & Gorges

Leaving Ouarzazate towards Dades Gorges and driving along the valley of Roses, here you can get the chance to visit a rose factory/distillation unit to see how those locals make different products (Perfumes, Soap, creams…etc) from the Persian rose. After passing Kalaa Magouna Town we curve to the left before we drive on an off-road for about 25 Kms. We get directly to Dades valley where we will enjoy the beautiful green fields of figs and almonds. We will pass through many hamlets and villages along the way before we arrive at Dades Gorges. Here we spend the night.

Day 3: Dades valley – Todghra Gorges – Tamtatoucht

After breakfast at your Dades Gorges hotel, you leave to the desert via Todgha gorges with a drive along with the arid landscapes and mountains. You head along Todgha valley which is huge by its oasis and palm grooves. Why not a short walk across the palmary with a local guide to explore the daily life of the locals, women weeding cornfields or gathering herbs for cows, old men gathering dates in October or olives in November to January, small kids riding donkeys. You continue up through the canyons of Todra which is famous for rock climbing until the Berber village of Tamtatoucht where you spend the night in an Auberge.

Day 4: Tamtatoucht – Todgha Gorges – Merzouga Dunes (Erg Chebbi)

After breakfast, you leave Tamtatoucht and head to Merzouga through arid landscapes and along many oases of palm grooves. You pass Erfoud, a small town known for its fossil factories where they make beautiful shapes and pieces from rock of mountain extracted from the surrounding cliffs. Then we’ll head for the Erg Chebbi sand sea. We continue deeper into the desert landscape until dunes appear in the middle of nowhere. When we arrive at our auberge, you meet your camel guide and ride into the bivouac (camp).under the evening stars shining brilliantly in the clear night sky. Climb the dunes and watch the moon rise before retiring to your bed in a nomad tent.

Day 5: (Erg Chebbi) Merzouga – Ziz valley – Ifrane – Fez

After enjoying the amazing sunrise among the sand dunes, you ride back your camels back to the auberge. After having breakfast and a shower we drive along a different road. We drive towards Fes, we stop on the road to enjoy having tea with a nomadic family before we passing through the High Atlas mountains again. We stop by a town called Midelt where we’ll have lunch. This town is a very impressive mountain city at 1488 meters of altitude, well situated lower down the Jbel Ayachi (3737 m). In the afternoon we’ll continue to the legendary city of Fes. Arrival at Fes is the end of the trip.

MARRAKECH TO FES 3,4, AND 5 DAYS DESERT TOUR, WHAT′S INCLUDED?

Transportation in private 4WD or Minibus with A/C, fuel throughout the tour
English speaking driver
Accommodations in typical Moroccan hotels, Kasbahs, Riads and Inns with Ensuite rooms, air conditioning/heating
Half Board – 2 meals each day Dinner & Breakfast, (Vegetarians are welcome)
Possibility to upgrade accommodations category with extra cost
Swimming stops (April to September), we select hotels that have a swimming pool facility for this period
Walks & Explorations for example in Ait Benhaddou & Gorges
Night at Erg Chebbi desert dune in a nomad tented camp (possibility to upgrade to Luxury camp)
Erg Chebbi Camel Trekking tour at sunset
Local Taxes

2d/1n Short Morocco Desert Trip Marrakech To Zagora

Day 1: Marrakech – Ait Benhaddou – Zagora

Pick up from your hotel or riad in Marrakech at 7:30 a.m and transport over the High Atlas Mountains Tichka pass to Zagora. En route, you will enjoy the panoramic views and impressive landscapes. A stop in Ait Benhaddou Ksar for a walking tour to explore the fortress and climb uphill with your driver. The Ksar was used as a backdrop for many international movies and was named as a UNESCO world heritage site since 1987. After lunch, you will drive across the Anti Atlas Mountains and Draa valley to reach Zagora where you swap the vehicle with camels to reach your camp for the night. Dinner and overnight in tents.

Day 2: Zagora – Draa Valley – Ouarzazate – Marrakech

You will wake up early to see the sunrise, you can climb the cliff nearby your camp for that. After breakfast, you will camel trek back to meet your driver and return to Marrakech via Draa valley, with stops in Ouarzazate’s main attractions. You will be dropped off in your Marrakech hotel in the evening. You could get dropped off at Marrakech airport or train station. You may also want to finish the desert tour in a different location/city, please check with us in advance.

MARRAKECH TO ZAGORA 2D/1N SAHARA TOUR, WHAT′S INCLUDED?

Transportation in private licensed 4WD or Minibus with A/C, fuel throughout the tour
English speaking driver
Half Board – 2 meals Dinner & Breakfast, (Vegetarians are welcome)
Walks & Explorations for example in Ait Benhaddou & Ouarzazate
Night in a nomad tented camp (the best available in the area)
Camel Trekking tour in Zagora
Local Taxes

Saghro Mountains & Erg Chigaga 5d/4n Marrakesh

Day 1: Marrakech – Ouarzazate – Dades Valley

We depart about 08:00 from your hotel and drive throughout the High Atlas Mountains. A mountain range across a northern stretch of Africa extending about 2,500 km. The highest peak is the Toubkal mountain, with an elevation of 4,167. Along those curves and turns, we will see scattered Berber villages on both sides of the road. Where hundreds of superb Berber villages scattered on the mountains. Unexpectedly you will see a fascinating presence of hundreds of houses in Berber villages which are made from mud and straw; in the middle of nowhere; thousands of satellite dishes on roofs. All this makes you feel that nothing has been changed in life here through thousands of years.

Getting to Ouarzazate (Hollywood of Africa, Noiselessly town, The door of the desert), is a city is situated in the middle of a bare plateau, south of the High Atlas Mountains. It is mainly inhabited by Berbers, who constructed many of the prominent Kasbahs and buildings for which the area is known. One of those buildings is Taourirt Kasbah built in the 17th century.

Why this town is nicknamed Hollywood of Africa? Simply because it has been noted as a film-making location, with Morocco’s biggest studios inviting many international film companies to shoot their movies, like Lawrence of Arabia (1962), The Living Daylights (1987), The Last Temptation of Christ (1988), The Mummy (1999), Gladiator (2000), Kingdom of Heaven (2005), Martin Scorsese’s Kundun (1997) and Babel (2005).
After lunch in Ouarzazate, we will have to drive one more 150 km to get to Dades gorges, derived from the Dades River and lies between the Atlas Mountains and Anti-Atlas mountain range. A big Berber community lives here, where they built many Kasbahs in the vicinity of gorges for defense purposes. These many Kasbahs with a combination of natural beauty contributes to high tourist attraction. Due to its fascinating landscapes and mountain colors, those Dades gorges are amazingly a famous location for serious climbers and trekkers. We will enjoy one of the hiking trips here for a couple of hours. We will have dinner and night in our hotel in the middle of Dades gorges.

Day 2: Dades – Tizi N′Tazazert – Nkob – Agdez

From Dades Gorges we drive on one of the most beautiful off-roads in Southern Morocco for almost 100 km throughout the pass of Tzazazert. We will go along scattered palm tree oases on the arid plateau, where we will see many Berber village and Kasbahs before we arrive in N’kob, which looks like a sleepy village with many Kasbahs and a small valley full of palm trees that sits in the desert landscape of Jebel Saghro (2500 m.)

The landscape in this region is pretty awesome. There is no development anywhere to be seen. As we drive through this area you can see some weird-looking volcanic rock formations and I’m pretty sure when the sun goes down the rocks will change into many colors as well. We go on our way via Tazarine, the capital of Henna, since there is rich agriculture of Henna plant over here.

Arriving at Agdz, which is located about 65 km from Ouarzazate. Agdz means “resting place” which is located on the old caravan route linking Marrakech to Timbuktu. Agdz long played an important economic role. Then, because of the drought years of 1970/1980 and lack of facilities of transportation, it has lost its importance, leading too much of the population to leave town in search of work.

Day 3: Agdez – Zagora – Mhamid – Chigaga Dunes

92 Km from Agdez, we will go via Zagora, which is a town in the valley of the Draa River. It is flanked by the mountain Zagora from which the town got its name.. On the top of the Zagora Mountain, the remains of an Almoravid fortress can still be seen. The exact location of the former Almoravid mosque is still a matter of dispute. Each year the Moussem (festival) of the Sufi saint Moulay Abd-el-Kader Jilali is celebrated at Zagora. A well-known sign at the town “Tombouctou 52 jours”, the supposed time it takes to get to Timbuktu, Mali on foot or camel.

We go on our drive and stop by one of the oldest libraries of the kingdom Tamegroute. It is a village on the Draa River. It has a history as an important center of learning and religion through its famous Zawiya. Tamegoute’s green pottery is also very well known.

Driving along Draa valley till of M’hamid, that is a very modest village by all standards, and not much different from the village you have passed before arriving here. From a vast plateau, you will get impressed by the huge sand dune of Chigaga appearing from the horizon. We keep driving on this vast area till we get closer to the Berber Tented camp, from where we go for a camel ride to meet one of the most fascinating sand dunes sights we will ever see, the superb sunset in the middle of the high sand dunes of Erg Chigaga. Tonight we stay in a Berber camp and enjoy the wonderful stars’ view.

Day 4: Chigaga – Foumzguid – Ouarzazate

From Chigaga, we drive along sand dunes on a peaceful and fascinating wilderness with some Dakar tracks. Passing by the natural dried lake of Iriki.30 years ago this lake was full of water and different kinds of birds. After a long way of driving on a bumpy off-road, we get into the regular road and pass the small town of Foum-Zguid, which is a noiseless and sleepy Berber town. It was a former road of caravans coming up from the southeast to the west north. It lies in a desert area north of the Jbel Ouarkziz and is part of the Sahrawi-inhabited region of Morocco.
After a long way of driving on an off-road, we stopover in Taznakht. It was a former trading post for this large region. This little Berber village is one of the biggest centers of carpets in the kingdom.

From Taznakht we drive for almost 90 Km, along quiet oases and plenty of Berber villages; to get to Ouarzazate where we will spend the night.

Day 5: Ouarzazate – Ait Benhaddou – Telouet – Marrakesh

35 km from Ouarzazate there is the fortified city of AïtBenhaddou, built in the 11th century. Once upon a time, this Kasbah was the former caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakech. It is situated on a hill along the Salty River and has some beautiful examples of Kasbahs, which unfortunately sustain damage during each rainstorm and windstorm. Most of the town’s inhabitants now live in a more modern village at the other bank of the river; however, three families are still living within this Kasbah.

Aït Benhaddou Kasbah has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987 and several films have been shot there, including Lawrence of Arabia (1962), Time Bandits (1981), The Jewel of the Nile (1985), Kundun (1997) Gladiator and (2000) Alexander (2004).

Just 40 km from Ait Benhaddou Kasbah, we will see the Kasbah of Telout, a former route of the caravans from the Sahara over the Atlas Mountains to Marrakech. It was the seat of the El Glaoui family’s power; they were given political power of Morocco south of High Atlas Mountains by King Moulay Hassan. The Glaouis were almost as strong in power as the sultan himself. The palace can still be visited but it is steadily becoming more damaged and is slowly collapsing. In 2010, work was underway to restore the property. After lunching in Telouet we drive straight away to Marrakesh.

SAGHRO MOUNTAINS & ERG CHIGAGA 5D/4N MARRAKESH, WHAT′S INCLUDED

Transportation in private licensed 4WD with A/C, fuel throughout the tour
English speaking driver
Accommodations in typical Moroccan hotels, Berber Camps Kasbahs, Riads and Inns with Ensuite rooms, air conditioning/heating
Half Board – 2 meals each day Dinner & Breakfast, (Vegetarians are welcome)
Possibility to upgrade accommodations category with extra cost
Swimming stops (April to September), we select hotels that have a swimming pool facility for this period
Walks & Explorations for example in Ait Benhaddou & Gorges
Night at Erg Chebbi desert dune in a nomad tented camp (possibility to upgrade to Luxury camp)
Erg Chebbi Camel Trekking tour at sunset
Local Taxes

Marrakech To Erg Chigaga 4 Days & 3 Nights Desert Tour

Day 1: Marrakech – Ouarzazate – Draa Valley – Agdz Or Tamnougalte Oasis

Our journey from Marrakesh will get us to discover the High Atlas Mountains, a mountain range across a northern stretch of Africa extending about 2,500 km. The highest peak is the Toubkal Mountain, with an elevation of 4,167. Along those curves and turns, we will see scattered Berber villages on both sides of the road. Where hundreds of superb Berber villages scattered on the mountains. Unexpectedly you will see a fascinating presence of hundreds of houses in Berber villages which are made from mud and straw; in the middle of nowhere; thousands of satellite dishes on roofs. All this makes you feel that nothing has been changed in life here through thousands of years. Getting to Ouarzazate, the Africa version of Hollywood. Why this town is nicknamed Hollywood of Africa? Simply because it has been noted as a film-making location, with Morocco’s biggest studios inviting many international film companies to shoot their movies, like Lawrence of Arabia (1962), The Living Daylights (1987), The Last Temptation of Christ (1988), The Mummy (1999), Gladiator (2000), Kingdom of Heaven) and Babel (2005).

After lunch in Ouarzazate, we will have to drive one more 95 km along Draa valley, which is Morocco’s longest river (1200 km). The water from this river is used to irrigate one of the biggest palm groves of the kingdom. The inhabitants of the Draa are called Drawa. Outside of the Draa region, this name is mostly used to refer to the dark-skinned people of Draa which make up the largest portion of its inhabitants. 225,000 people live in the valley of the Draa, which measures 23,000 km.

Arriving to Agdz, which is located about 65 km from Ouarzazate. Agdz means “resting place” is located on the old caravan route linking Marrakech to Timbuktu. Agdz long played an important economic role. Then, because of the drought years of 1970/1980 and lack of facilities of transportation, it has lost its importance, leading too much of the population to leave town in search of work.

We go back centuries by visiting Tamnougalt Kasbah, it is situated on Draa River valley some 95 kilometers south of Ouarzazate. In Berber, Tamnougalt means ‘Meeting Point’ Tamnougalt was possibly a garrison in the Saadian dynasty. The Glaoua were to play a big role in the Draa region. At the beginning of the 20th-century relations between the Glaoua and the Mezguita became more and more strained because of the struggle for power over the Draa. For this purpose, T’hami El Glaoui held war with Tamnougalt in 1919. We spend a night here in a Kasbah-styled hotel.

Day 2: Agdez – Zagora – Tamgroute – Mhamid – Sahara Erg Chigaga

On the next day, we go on our 4 day trip to Erg Chigaga by discovering Tamnougalte oasis, full of palm trees and more than 100 different kinds of dates. Here you will see that time hasn’t been changed over centuries and centuries. Tamegroute has been a religious center since the 11th century it has a history as an important center of learning and religion through its famous Sufi zawiya, the historical center of the Nasiriyya Sufi order, one of the most influential – and at one time one of the largest – Sufi orders in the Islamic world.

Tamegroute’s green pottery is also very well-known. The founders of the religious brotherhood Nasiriyya wanted to raise the status of the village of Tamegroute to that of a “Medina”, that is to say, to make it a city. They assembled the merchants and craftsmen that they had brought from Fes, a city that enjoyed good relations with Tamegroute at the time. Today Tamegroute is a little village, but the pottery has become its main characteristic and the ancient techniques give the glaze infinite variations.

We leave the ultimate Saharan village of Mhamid behind and drive through an off-road of around 60 km to get to the Erg Chigaga Dunes, crossing the Hamadas and exploring the wild Sahara of Morocco. Enjoy the sunset and climb the dunes or assist the shooting stars. Night in Berber-tented camp.

Day 3: Erg Chigaga – Iriki – Foumzguid – Ait Ben Haddou

From Er Chigaga dunes, we drive along sand dunes on a peaceful and fascinating wilderness some Dakar tracks. Passing by the natural dried lake of Iriki.30 years ago this lake was full of water and different kinds of birds. After a long way of driving on an off-road, we get into the regular road and pass the small town of Foum-Zguid, which is a noiseless and sleepy Berber town. It was a former road of caravans coming up from the southeast to the west north. It lies in a desert area north of the Jbel Ouarkziz and is part of the Sahrawi-inhabited region of Morocco.

After a long way of driving on a rocky off-road, we stopover in Taznakht. It was a former trading post for this large region. This little Berber village is one of the biggest centers of carpets in the kingdom.

We finish our day arriving at the fortified village of Aït Benhaddou, built in the 11th century. Once upon a time, this Kasbah was the former caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakech. It is situated on a hill along the Salty River and has some beautiful examples of Kasbahs, which unfortunately sustain damage during each rainstorm and windstorm. Most of the town’s inhabitants now live in a more modern village at the other bank of the river; however, three families are still living within this Kasbah. Aït Benhaddou Kasbah has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987 and several films have been shot there, including Lawrence of Arabia (1962), Time Bandits (1981), The Jewel of the Nile (1985), Kundun (1997) Gladiator (2000) and Alexander (2004).

Day 4: Ait Ben Haddou – Telouet– Marrakech

MARRAKECH TO ERG CHIGAGA 4D/3N DESERT TOUR, WHAT′S INCLUDED

Transportation in private licensed 4WD or Minibus with A/C, fuel throughout the tour
English speaking driver
Accommodations in typical Moroccan hotels, Kasbahs, Riads and Inns with Ensuite rooms, air conditioning/heating
Half Board – 2 meals each day Dinner & Breakfast, (Vegetarians are welcome)
Possibility to upgrade accommodations category with extra cost
Swimming stops (April to September), we select hotels that have a swimming pool facility for this period
Walks & Explorations for example in Ait Benhaddou & Gorges
Night at Erg Chebbi desert dune in a nomad tented camp (possibility to upgrade to Luxury camp)
Erg Chebbi Camel Trekking tour at sunset
Local Taxes

Marrakech To Erg Chebbi 3, 4 & 5 Day Desert Tours

The private Morocco desert tours from Marrakech are the best way to experience and explore the southern & rural regions of Morocco including the beautiful oases, Berber villages, desert dunes, palm groves, gorges, Atlas Mountains, and Kasbahs which represent the main architectural aspect. The desert itineraries are Marrakech round trips which vary in the number of days and the areas they cover depending on your flexibility with the time.

Marrakech to Erg Chebbi desert tours are listed below in 3 options: referring to the number of days spent on each tour, our Marrakech to Marrakech camel treks run 3, 4 or 5-day tours that include at least an overnight camel trekking in Erg Chebbi also known as Merzouga (main region & administrative center).

Erg Chebbi is 570Km and 9 hours drive from Marrakesh, so we recommend both options: (4Days / 3Nights Marrakech round trip) and (5 Days/4 Nights) to allow time to better explore the southern areas of Morocco and make your Marrakech desert tour more relaxed unless if you have a limited amount of days you can still take the shortest tour option: (3D/2N Marrakech to Erg Chebbi round trip) which is the shortest Marrakech Sahara tour with a long drive of 9hrs on the last day.

All our Marrakech to Erg Chebbi desert trips & camel treks are privately run and can depart any day with 2 persons or more, if you are a solo traveler, you may contact us for a quote. Available upgrades to boutique hotels and luxury camps in Erg Chebbi are available on request.

Marrakech To Erg Chebbi 3 Days / 2 Nights Short Desert Trip

Day 1: Marrakech – Ait Benhaddou – Ouarzazate – Dades Gorges (6 hrs drive)

We will meet you at your Riad/Hotel in Marrakech at 8 am, transport across the High Atlas Tizi Tichka pass (2260m) to Dades valley, via Ouarzazate and Ait Benhaddou Kasbahs; A World Heritage Site; The lush palm groves of Skoura, Mgoun and Dades rivers. Overnight in a guesthouse/hotel in Dades.

Day 2: Dades Valley – Todgha Gorges – Merzouga (5 hrs drive)

After breakfast, transfer to Erg Chebbi dunes with stops in Todra canyons and valley with its stunning panoramic views. You will continue to Merzouga for a sunset camel ride and overnight in a tented camp.

Day 3: Merzouga – Tazarine – Agdez – Marrakech (9 hrs drive)

After breakfast you will meet up with your driver for a long travel day of your Sahara trip back to Marrakesh with stops in Ouarzazate or Draa valley for lunch You will get dropped off at your hotel around 7 pm.

Marrakesh To Merzouga 4d/3n Desert Tour, Erg Chebbi Camel Trek

Day 1: Marrakech – Telouet – Ait Benhaddou – Ouarzazate (4 hrs drive)

We will meet you at your Riad/Hotel in Marrakech at 8 am, transport across the High Atlas Tizi Tichka pass (2260m) to Ouarzazate via Telouet and Ait Benhaddou Kasbahs; A World Heritage Site; Along the Ounila valley on a scenic drive. Overnight in a guesthouse/hotel in Ouarzazate.

Day 2: Ouarzazate – Draa Valley – Rissani – Merzouga (5 hrs drive)

After breakfast, transfer to Erg Chebbi dunes with stops in Draa valley with its stunning views across the volcanic rocks of the Anti-Atlas Mountains, a walking tour of Ksar Tamnougalt. You will continue to Merzouga desert via Alnif and Rissani for a sunset camel ride and overnight in a tented camp.

Day 3: Merzouga – Todra Gorges – Dades Valley/Skoura (5 hrs drive)

After breakfast, you will meet up with your driver for Todra canyons & valley where you can wander with a local guide for couple of hours before you head to Dades valley for the night.

Day 4: Dades Valley/Skoura – Ouarzazate – Marrakech (4,5 or 6 hrs)

After breakfast, you will travel back to Marrakech with stops in Skoura to visit the Amrhidil Kasbah, the city of roses (April & May), and Ouarzazate, a popular town for film shoot such as Asterix & Obelix, rules of engagements & Kingdom of heaven. You will end up your trip in Marrakech late afternoon.

Marrakech To Marrakesh 5d/4n Erg Chebbi Sahara Desert Tour

Day 1: Marrakech – Telouet – Ait Benhaddou (3,5 hrs drive)

We will meet you at your Riad/Hotel in Marrakech at 8 am, transport across the High Atlas Tizi Tichka pass (2260m) to Ouarzazate via Telouet, The Glaoui Palace, and Ait Benhaddou Kasbahs; A World Heritage Site; Along the Ounila valley on a scenic drive. Overnight in a guesthouse/hotel in Ait Benhaddou or Tamedakht.

Day 2: Ouarzazate – Skoura – Dades – Todra Gorges (4 hrs drive)

After breakfast, transfer to Todra Gorges with stops in Skoura to visit the Amrhidil Kasbah and a drive through the Palmary to reach the city of Roses & Dades valley. You will continue to Todra gorges for the 2^nd night of your Marrakech round trip.

Day 3: Todra – Amelagou – Goulmima – Erg Chebbi (4 hrs drive)

After breakfast, you will travel off the beaten path upper the gorges through Tamtatoucht and Ait Hani Berber villages, enjoy the scenic driver through Amelagou gorges. A stop in Goulmima to visit the old ksar before you continue through Tafilalet oasis to Erg Chebbi sand dunes. Sunset camel ride and overnight in tented camp.

Day 4: Merzouga – Rissani – Adez/Ouarzazate (3 hrs drive)

After breakfast, you will camel trek back to meet your driver and head to visit the surrounding villages of Merzouga such as Hassi Lebied, Khamlia and the lake Dyet Serji if water & flamingos are there. You will visit the traditional market of Rissani, try a Berber pizza before you head Ouest to Draa valley through Nkob. Overnight in Agdez or Ouarzazate.

Day 5: Adez / Ouarzazate – Tizi-n-Tichka – Marrakech (4 hrs drive)

After breakfast, you will head back to Marrakech via Ouarzazate and Tizi-N-Tichka pass (2260m). You may stop to visit the cinema museum, sets & decors used to shoot movies in the town or the Fint Oasis in the Anti Atlas Mountains and make through the pass to Marrakech.