If you want to take a side trip from Marrakesh and would like to experience more of the wild Sahara, this is your chance. With fewer tourists and beautiful golden sands, it's no wonder Erg Chegaga has become more and more popular in recent years. With a shorter driving distance from Marrakesh (8 hours) than Erg Chebbi, Erg Chegaga is our top recommended Sahara experience destination.
Brief Itinerary for Zagora and Wild Chegaga Dunes Tour
| Day | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | MarrakeshâOuarzazateâZagora: 360 km (224 miles) |
| Day 2 | Zagora Chegaga Dunes Camp: 140 km (87 miles) |
| Day 3 | Chegaga Dunes Zagora Marrakesh: 470 km (292 miles) |
- Monica Mo
- 8 years of travel advisor experience
- Has helped 5,000+ clients
Tour Highlights
Here are the awesome attractions, the most must-do activities selected by Highlights Travel (HT Hand-Picked), and exclusive cultural experiences offered by Highlights Travel (Only With HT) included in this tour:
Walk into the Age-Old Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou
Built around 1,000 years ago, the UNESCO-listed Kasbah of Aït Ben Haddou is one of Morocco's most impressive historic landmarks. Many famous movies / TV series including "A Game of Thrones" were filmed there.
Handle Unadulterated Berber Pottery in a Local Berber Village
Visit the pottery center in Tamegrout Village, and learn how the local people make their simple but distinctive green pottery in the traditional way.
Capture Stunning Views and Meet Locals
You will pass by many local towns and villages on the way from Marrakesh to the depths of the Sahara Desert. Meet the locals and enjoy the unique sights of southern Morocco.
Have Fun and Sleep on the Sahara Desert
Enjoying a dinner with desert views and an overnight stay in a fully outfitted Berber tent after hiking or camel riding would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience to treasure.
See the Sahara Sunrise and Sunset
Appreciating the stunning views of a sunset and sunrise in the Sahara wilderness without any tourists to disturb it are bound to be unforgettable experiences.
Suggested Itinerary for Inspiration
Your preferences design the real journey. We're ready to create a wonderful tour for you.
- Your driver will pick you up from Marrakesh. Journey to Ait Benhaddou through Tizi n'Tichka Pass at altitude 2,260 m (7,400 ft). Visit the famous kasbah (desert citadel) that has served as the setting for many great movies. The Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou is also a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Eat lunch (optional) at a local restaurant facing the kasbah and then continue to Zagora via the little village of Agdz. On your way you will enjoy the unique sights of the most beautiful road in southern Morocco.
- Amidst the sea of sand, you'll soon come to a flourishing area of palm groves lining the road, which announce the presence of a Saharan oasis.
- Stay overnight in Zagora and have dinner at your hotel.
- Set out to Tamegroute Village, known to have housed one of the most important Koranic libraries in Africa in the 11th century. You'll visit the historical library and the pottery center.
- Then travel to M'Hamid El Ghizlane. Lunch in a local restaurant there is optional. From there, continue to Chegaga where you can enjoy and discover the Erg Chegaga dunes and the Hamada of Draa (the flat rocky area around the Draa River).
- You may meet nomads and, if you are lucky, have the chance to see a passing camel caravan while you hike a short way to the dunes. Have dinner on the dunes, and stay overnight in fully outfitted Berber tents.
- Breakfast at the camp and make an early departure for Zagora. Lunch at a local restaurant in Ouarzazate is optional. Then continue to Marrakesh city, where our service ends.
Ideas for Making This Trip Uniquely Yours
Special experiences can be added to brighten a honeymoon trip, a family vacation, a birthday, or satisfy personal interests.
Hand-Picked Hotels
We select hotels with style and local features. Let us know your preferences and we'll find your ideal hotel.
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Riad Lamane
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Desert BivouacDesert Bivouac
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Our Service Includes:
Groups of 4 or more enjoy a more competitive price.
- One-to-one consultancy
- Knowledgeable local guides
- Private drivers/driver guides and vehicles as listed
- Hand-picked hotels
- Breakfasts and meals as listed
- Entry to all attractions on the itinerary
- Transportation as listed
- A 24/7 helpline while traveling
Tour code: gh-mr-7