A 4x4 on the winding Tizi n'Tichka pass road through the High Atlas mountains

5 days / 4 nights · from Marrakech

Marrakech to Erg Chegaga: 5-Day Desert Expedition

The slow road south: Atlas passes, kasbahs, the Draa Valley, then the big dunes.

Check Availability

$1,000 solo

$600 per person (2 travelers)

$530 per person (4+ group)

The journey

Day by day

Route: Marrakech > Ait Ben Haddou > Ouarzazate > Zagora > Erg Chegaga > Ouarzazate > Marrakech

  1. Day 1

    Marrakech to Ouarzazate via Ait Ben Haddou

    Depart early for Ouarzazate via the Tizi n'Tichka Pass (2,260m), visiting the Glaoui Kasbah in Telouet, then the UNESCO-listed Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, before continuing to Ouarzazate for the night.

    The ancient earthen towers of Ait Benhaddou kasbah glowing amber at golden hour
  2. Day 2

    Ouarzazate to Zagora through the Draa Valley

    Cross the Tizi N'Tinififft Pass (1,660m), lunch break in Agdz, an off-road visit to Tamnougalt Kasbah, then on through the Draa Valley's palm oases and kasbahs to Zagora for dinner and overnight.

    Palm groves winding through the Draa Valley near Agdz, framed by red-rock hills
  3. Day 3

    Zagora to the Erg Chegaga dunes

    Visit the Koranic library, pottery studio, and underground kasbah in Tamegroute, then the Draa Valley oasis of Ouled Brahim. Lunch in the Erg Lihoudi dunes with a 1-hour camel ride, then 64km off-road to Chegaga, home to southern Morocco's highest dunes (300m). Night in a Berber tent camp under the stars.

    A camel caravan crossing golden Erg Chegaga dunes at sunset, riders silhouetted
  4. Day 4

    Chegaga, Lake Iriki, back to Ouarzazate

    Sunrise over the dunes, then depart for Foum Zguid via Iriqui Lake and an acacia-dotted desert plateau. Lunch in Taznakht, arrive in Ouarzazate late afternoon for dinner and overnight.

    The vast cracked earth of dry Lake Iriki with a single 4x4 track crossing it
  5. Day 5

    Ouarzazate to Marrakech

    City tour of Ouarzazate (Taourirte Kasbah, Atlas Film Studio), then return to Marrakech with a lunch stop in the mountain village of Taddert.

    Kasbah architecture of Ouarzazate and its arid hills in warm late-afternoon light

What’s included

Included

  • Private 4x4 or minivan with A/C, fuel, English-speaking driver/guide
  • Accommodation: 1 night each in Zagora, M'hamid, Erg Chegaga desert camp, Ouarzazate (standard category)
  • Camel ride to and from camp
  • Dinner and breakfast at hotel and camp (vegetarian available)
  • Local Berber hosts in the camp

Not included

  • Flights to/from Morocco
  • Lunch (stops at local restaurants)
  • Personal expenses (drinks, tips, souvenirs)
  • Extra activities (quad biking, luxury upgrade) unless booked in advance

Good to know

Difficulty
Easy. Long drives broken into short legs, walks are optional.
Group size
Private tour, your group only
Guide languages
English, French, Arabic, Tamazight
Meeting point
Your riad or hotel in Marrakech, 08:00 pickup
What to bring
Warm layer for desert nights · Sunscreen and hat · Closed shoes for dune walks · Camera

Questions about this tour

Is 5 days enough time for Marrakech to Erg Chegaga?

Yes. Five days is the relaxed version of this route: you cross the High Atlas, sleep in Zagora and Ouarzazate, spend a full night at the Erg Chegaga camp, and never drive more than a few hours without a stop. The 3-day version covers the same dunes at a faster pace.

Is the tour private or shared?

Every DuneTour departure is private: your own 4x4, driver and guide. You never join a convoy or a group of strangers.

What is the camp in Erg Chegaga like?

A traditional Berber camp with private tents, real beds and blankets, shared bathroom facilities, a campfire dinner and live Berber music. Vegetarian meals are available on request.

Are there hidden fees?

No. The price includes transport, guide, accommodation, dinners, breakfasts and the camel ride. Lunches at local restaurants, drinks and personal expenses are the only extras.

Rated 5.0/5 on Google Maps · Free cancellation 7+ days before departure

Reviews

Travelers on the dunes

5.0 on Google Maps
“Had an incredible experience with DuneTour. Everything was well organized, the responses while booking were quick and all our questions were answered. We had a dust storm, although it didn't prevent us from going for a camel ride to the high dunes. The tents were comfortable and the food was good. What I have to point out were the people. Our guide was incredible, he was so lively and just happy to show us the desert. We were also lucky to see gazelles in the wild. Would definitely recommend.”

Alen Kospanov

Local Guide · 7 months ago

“Mustafa was an excellent driver through the desert!! The trip was magnificent. We had a great lunch, and had a lot of time to make a walk on the sand dunes. Mustafa: thank you for the great day!!”

Patricia Vonk

Google review · 5 months ago

“It was a very wonderful experience and very wonderful people. I advise you to try the trip with them. You will enjoy every moment. Thank you.”

Rafael Jamess

Google review · a year ago

“A magical trip with Mustafa! A huge thank you to our guide for this extraordinary trip to the desert! The desert can be an intimidating place, but he made us feel completely at ease and safe from beginning to end. In addition to being very organized and friendly, Mustafa is incredibly fun and entertaining. He made this adventure unforgettable. We highly recommend him!”

JP Roux

Google review · 3 months ago

Real reviews from our Google Maps listing, Foum Zguid desert tours 4x4 & Trekking.