Overview of This 3 Day Erg Chigaga Tour
Our 3-day Erg Chigaga tour goes from Marrakech over the High Atlas to Ait Ben Haddou and Zagora, drives off-road from M’Hamid to a desert camp at Erg Chigaga, and returns by Foum Zguid, Taznakht and Ouarzazate, all in one private 4×4 with an experienced desert driver.
Erg Chigaga is Morocco’s other great dune sea, far from Merzouga and much harder to reach. Buses and minibuses cannot make the last stretch, so you travel in a Toyota 4×4 for the whole trip, about two hours of it on tracks each way. The reward is a quieter, more remote night in the desert, though we cannot promise you will have the dunes to yourself. It is a bumpy trip with long driving days, so it suits travelers who want adventure more than comfort; if you prefer golden dunes and shorter drives, our Merzouga tours are a better fit.
- The Tizi n’Tichka pass and Ait Ben Haddou
- The Draa Valley palm groves and the Agdz viewpoint
- Tamegroute: the old library and the potters’ workshops
- About two hours by 4×4 over desert tracks to the dunes
- Camel ride, a dune climb at sunset and sandboarding
- A night at a camp in Erg Chigaga, away from the road
Your 3 Days to Erg Chigaga, Day by Day
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Day 1: Marrakech to Zagora
About 6 h 30 driving · 360 kmWe collect you in Marrakech at about 8 am and climb the High Atlas to the Tizi n’Tichka pass, with viewpoints on the way. After Ait Ben Haddou, Ouarzazate and a lunch break, the road follows the Draa Valley south, with a stop at the Agdz panorama over the palm groves, and reaches Zagora in the evening. Today is a long driving day, so the stops matter. The night is in a traditional riad in Zagora, not in the desert.
- Stops
- Atlas viewpoints, Tizi n’Tichka, Ait Ben Haddou, Ouarzazate, Agdz viewpoint, Draa Valley
- Overnight
- Traditional riad in Zagora
- Meals
- Dinner: we confirm with your quote
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Day 2: Zagora to Erg Chigaga
About 2 h on tarmac · 100 km, then about 2 h off-roadIn Tamegroute we visit the historic library and the potters’ workshops, then continue to M’Hamid for lunch. M’Hamid is the last village: buy snacks and water here, and carry cash. Then the tarmac ends and the 4×4 takes over. The track to the dunes takes about two hours, depending on the camp and the condition of the tracks, and we usually arrive between 3:30 and 4 pm (earlier in summer). After a camel ride, you can climb a dune for sunset, try sandboarding, and return for dinner at camp.
- Stops
- Tamegroute library and potters, M’Hamid, desert tracks to Erg Chigaga
- Overnight
- Desert camp in Erg Chigaga (Caravan du Sud or Blue Man Camp)
- Meals
- Breakfast · Dinner at camp
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Day 3: Erg Chigaga to Marrakech
About 2 h to 2 h 15 off-road, then 7 h on tarmac · 350 kmWe leave camp between 8 and 8:30 am; as the tour is private, the time is flexible. The 4×4 takes about two hours over desert tracks to Foum Zguid, then the paved road goes through Taznakht and Ouarzazate and over the High Atlas to Marrakech. This is the longest day, with 9 hours of driving before stops, and you should expect to reach Marrakech in the evening. Please do not book a flight home for the same night.
- Stops
- Desert tracks, Foum Zguid, Taznakht, Ouarzazate, High Atlas
- Overnight
- Departure in Marrakech, or add nights
- Meals
- Breakfast
Route Map: 3 Days to Erg Chigaga
About 900 km in total, around 4 hours of it off-road. The route is a loop: out through Ait Ben Haddou and the Draa Valley, back through Foum Zguid and Taznakht, so you do not see the same road twice.
What’s Included in This 3 Day Erg Chigaga Tour
Included
- Private Toyota 4×4 and an experienced desert driver for 3 days
- Fuel, tolls and parking
- 2 nights: a riad in Zagora and a desert camp at Erg Chigaga
- Breakfasts and dinner at the desert camp
- Camel ride and sandboarding at Erg Chigaga
- Pickup and drop-off in Marrakech
Not included
- International flights
- Lunches and drinks
- Monument entrance fees
- Tips for driver and guides
- Travel insurance
- Dinner at the Zagora riad (we confirm this with your quote)
Where You’ll Stay
- Zagora · 1 night Traditional riad Options sent with your quote
- Erg Chigaga · 1 night Desert camp: Caravan du Sud (standard) or Blue Man Camp (luxury) Options sent with your quote
3 Day Erg Chigaga Tour Prices
Every private tour is priced for your group, so we quote it rather than list one fixed price. Three things set it:
- Group sizeThe vehicle and driver cost the same whatever the size of your party, so the more of you travel, the less each person pays.
- Hotel levelComfortable riads and hotels, or a step up to superior riads and a luxury desert camp.
- SeasonSpring and fall are the busiest months for riads and desert camps.
Customize This Tour
You can do the route in reverse, or add a night, for example a second night in the dunes. Extra nights are priced individually, depending on the camp, the dates, your group size and the activities. Tell us which camp category you prefer and we confirm what each camp offers with your quote.
Customize This 3-Day Tour
Your driver/guide
One experienced desert driver for all three days, in a Toyota 4×4 that seats about five to six guests, depending on the vehicle. Luggage travels in the same vehicle, with larger bags secured on the roof when needed. Other languages are available on request.
Meet our drivers and guides3-Day Erg Chigaga Tour FAQ
How much of the trip is off-road?
About four hours in total: about two hours from M’Hamid to the camp, and two hours to two hours and a quarter from the camp to Foum Zguid. The exact time depends on the camp and the condition of the tracks.
Why does this tour cost more than a Merzouga tour?
Erg Chigaga usually costs more than Erg Chebbi because of the long off-road driving and the logistics. The price depends on group size, camp category, dates and activities, so we quote each trip: send your dates and you get a price within 24 hours.
Is Erg Chigaga better than Erg Chebbi?
They are different. In our experience Chigaga is quieter, more remote and more of an adventure, but we cannot promise you will be alone. Erg Chebbi has golden dunes, more camps and much shorter drives, and it suits photographers and travelers who dislike off-road driving. See our 3-day Merzouga tour for that route.
Can children and older travelers join?
Yes, if they are comfortable on bumpy tracks. Our drivers drive carefully, but the desert tracks are rough. Please talk to us before booking if anyone has significant back problems.
Will I have phone signal or Wi-Fi at the camp?
Do not count on it. Some Wi-Fi may be available, but internet and mobile coverage are weak in this remote area. Camps have private toilets and showers; for other details such as hot water, heating and charging, we confirm them for your camp with your quote.
Where can I buy water and get cash?
M’Hamid is the last village before the off-road section, so buy snacks and water there. We confirm where the last reliable ATM is with your quote, and we suggest you carry enough cash from Marrakech.
What if it is windy?
Wind and dust can happen in the desert, as at Erg Chebbi. Our drivers adapt the route when conditions require it and put safety first.
When is the best time to go to Erg Chigaga?
The seasons are similar to Erg Chebbi: spring and autumn are comfortable, summer days are very hot and winter nights can be very cold. We advise on your dates with your quote.