Erg Chebbi vs Erg Chigaga: How I Choose the Right Desert for You
By Youssef Ettaghlaoui, Founder and licensed local guide · Updated
Erg Chebbi vs Erg Chigaga comes down to one trade. Erg Chebbi, beside Merzouga, has the golden dunes, the easier road and more services. Erg Chigaga, beyond M’Hamid, is quieter and more remote, but you reach it after about two hours of off-road driving in a 4×4, and it is generally more expensive to arrange. If you can see only one, I usually recommend Erg Chebbi, for the scenery and the access. If you want silence and a remote desert, choose Erg Chigaga. If you have the time, see both.
I was born beside Erg Chebbi, and we run private trips to both deserts, so I am not neutral. Below I compare them the way I do for a guest: the drive, the dunes, the camps, the nights, safety and cost, and I tell you where Erg Chigaga is the better choice.
- Erg Chebbi
- Merzouga · paved road to the village
- Erg Chigaga
- M’Hamid · then about 2 h by 4×4
- Dunes
- Chebbi taller · Chigaga larger
- Only one?
- I usually say Erg Chebbi
The Short Answer
| If you want… | Choose |
|---|---|
| Golden dunes for your photographs | Erg Chebbi |
| Your first desert, or only one desert | Erg Chebbi, usually |
| Three days between Marrakech and Fes | Erg Chebbi: Erg Chigaga lies in another direction |
| No long bumpy tracks | Erg Chebbi |
| Wi-Fi, a phone signal and services nearby | Erg Chebbi |
| Silence and a remote night | Erg Chigaga |
| A long 4×4 journey across the desert | Erg Chigaga |
| Eleven or twelve days in Morocco | Both deserts |
| Only two days from Marrakech | Neither: Agafay is closer |
Erg Chigaga is quieter in my experience, but noise depends on the camp and the season, and I cannot promise you will have the dunes to yourself. The reasons for each line are below.
How I Help a Guest Choose
When a guest with three days from Marrakech asks me “Erg Chebbi or Erg Chigaga?”, I ask three questions first.
- Do you know how the two deserts differ, and which one appeals to you? Erg Chigaga needs more off-road logistics and is generally more expensive to arrange. Erg Chebbi is easier to reach.
- Would you like a simple, authentic camp or a luxury camp?
- How important are Wi-Fi, a phone signal and reliable services? They are easier to find around Erg Chebbi. At Erg Chigaga they depend on the camp.
Then I recommend one desert according to the answers, and according to how much driving you are happy to do.
One couple, both deserts
I took an American couple on two separate journeys, one to Erg Chigaga and one to Erg Chebbi. They wanted an authentic desert experience. At Erg Chigaga, the remote off-road drive in the 4×4 and the silence felt like traveling back in time, and they felt truly inside the Sahara. But they preferred the dunes of Erg Chebbi: their look, their color and their shapes. Merzouga was easier to reach and a little noisier. They liked each desert for different reasons and did not pick a winner.
Erg Chebbi and Erg Chigaga Side by Side
| Erg Chebbi | Erg Chigaga | |
|---|---|---|
| Nearest village | Merzouga (also Hassilabied, Khamlia and Taouz) | M’Hamid El Ghizlane, the last village before the tracks |
| By road from Marrakech | About 550 km (340 mi), about 8 h 30 of driving | About 6 h 20 to 6 h 40 to Zagora, then about 2 h to M’Hamid |
| The last part | A camel ride of about 1 h 20 to 1 h 30, or a 4×4 | About 2 h by 4×4 over desert tracks |
| From Fes | About 460 km (286 mi) by road | More than 12 hours of driving |
| The dunes | Up to 150 m (490 ft) high; about 28 km long and 5–7 km wide (Wikipedia) | The largest of Morocco’s major ergs; some dunes over 50 m (Wikipedia), up to 60 m (Wikivoyage) |
| The sand | Golden and clean-looking | Sometimes mixed with dust that clings to clothes |
| Camps | Substantially more; some stand 20 to 25 m apart | Fewer and more spread out |
| Wi-Fi and phone | Easier to find | Can be weak or come and go |
| Nights I suggest | More to do around it, so you can spend more time exploring | One or two, to disconnect and walk in the dunes |
| Price | Camp night for two: $150, $270 or $450 (29 Oct 2026) | On request; generally more expensive |
The sand, the camps, the signal and the nights are my own experience. The dune figures come from the public sources named in the table; they do not agree with each other for Erg Chigaga, so I give no single number.
Getting There: The Road to Each Desert
Both deserts fit in three days from Marrakech, and on both of our trips you reach the camp on day 2. The difference is the kind of driving. Erg Chebbi is at the end of the paved road. For Erg Chigaga the tarmac ends at M’Hamid, and a 4×4 takes over for about two hours each way.
| 3 days to Erg Chebbi | 3 days to Erg Chigaga | |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Marrakech to the Dades Valley: about 6 h 30, 320 km | Marrakech to Zagora: about 6 h 20 to 6 h 40, 360 km |
| Day 2 | To Merzouga: about 5 h, 290 km, then the camel ride to camp | Zagora to M’Hamid: about 2 h, 100 km, then about 2 h off-road to camp |
| Day 3 | Back to Marrakech: about 9 h, 595 km | About 2 h to 2 h 15 off-road to Foum Zguid, then about 7 h on tarmac to Marrakech, 350 km |
| Total | About 1,150 km | About 900 km, about 4 h of it off-road |
So the Chigaga trip is shorter in kilometers, but about four of its hours are on bumpy desert tracks. On both trips day 3 is the longest day. On the Chigaga trip you reach Marrakech in the evening, so please do not book a flight home for that night. The details are on the 3-day Erg Chigaga tour and the 3-day Merzouga tour.
A 4×4 the whole way to Erg Chigaga
Minibuses and ordinary tour buses cannot drive the off-road sections. On our trip you travel from Marrakech in a Toyota 4×4 with an experienced desert driver. The time on the tracks changes with the camp and with the condition of the tracks.
Can you drive to Erg Chigaga yourself?
It is possible in a suitable rented 4×4, but I strongly recommend going with a local guide or driver who knows the tracks. Getting lost is a real concern, and a normal car is not suitable for the off-road part. If you go on your own, carry plenty of water and supplies, and travel in a convoy of two or three vehicles rather than alone. There are military checkpoints in the wider area: carry your passport and follow their instructions.
If you are coming from Fes
From Fes, Erg Chigaga can mean more than twelve hours of driving, because it lies far to the south and off the direct route. A trip of about four days is possible, but it is still a lot of driving. If you start in Fes with little time, I recommend Erg Chebbi, about 460 km away: see our 3-day Marrakech to Fes desert tour or the Sahara desert tours from Fes. For the drive to Merzouga in detail, read Marrakech to Merzouga.
The Dunes: Which Desert Is More Impressive?
Erg Chebbi is the taller one. Wikipedia says its dunes rise to 150 meters (about 490 feet) above the stony plain and that the dune field is about 28 km long and 5 to 7 km wide. The best-known dune, Lala Lallia, is about 100 m high. For me, Erg Chebbi has the more impressive dunes: their golden color, clean-looking sand and elegant shapes are especially photogenic. Photographers and Instagram creators often prefer it. Our Erg Chebbi guide has a map of the dunes and our camps.
Erg Chigaga is the larger one. Wikipedia calls it the largest of Morocco’s major ergs, with some dunes more than 50 m above the land around them; Wikivoyage gives around 35 km and dunes up to 60 m. I take these figures from public sources. They vary, and I have not measured the dunes myself, so I do not give you one number. What I can tell you is that Erg Chigaga feels more remote, and that its sand is sometimes mixed with more dust, which can cling to your clothes.
Photo of Erg Chigaga: Jamou, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped and resized. It is not a photo of one of our trips.
Sunset, Sunrise and the Night Sky
At Erg Chigaga, you usually check in at the camp first and leave your luggage. Then a camel ride of about 25 to 30 minutes takes you to a higher dune for the sunset, and you come back to camp.
At Erg Chebbi, you meet your camel leader at a departure point at the edge of the village and ride about 1 h 20 to 1 h 30 to camp, stopping on a dune for the sunset. Your luggage goes ahead by 4×4. In the morning you are woken 10 to 15 minutes before sunrise to climb the nearest dune. The whole night, hour by hour, is in A night in the Sahara desert.
The exact viewpoints and camel routes change from camp to camp.
The stars
Both deserts can give you a beautiful night sky. Erg Chebbi has more camps, but camp lights may be switched off at night, and you can walk farther into the dunes for a darker sky. I do not claim that one desert always has better stars: it depends on the moon, the clouds, the camp lights and where you stand. If the Milky Way matters to you, choose a dark spot and a clear night.
Camps and Comfort at Erg Chebbi and Erg Chigaga
These are the five camps we use, three at Erg Chebbi and two at Erg Chigaga. The Chigaga details are what I know from experience; anything not in the table, I confirm in your quote rather than guess.
| Camp | Category | Tents | Bathroom | Heating and cooling | Phone signal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shooting Stars Camp (Chebbi) | Standard | 10 | Private, in the tent, hot water | No; warm blankets | Weak |
| Sahara Eden Camp (Chebbi) | Mid-range | 12 | Private, in the tent, hot water | Heater and air conditioning | Yes |
| Tiziri Camp (Chebbi) | Premium | 6 | Private, in the tent, hot water | Heater and air conditioning | Yes |
| Caravan du Sud (Chigaga) | Standard | About 6 | Private, in the tent, hot water | No heater; cooling in summer | Can be weak |
| Blue Man Camp (Chigaga) | Luxury | About 11 | Private, in the tent, hot water | Heating in winter; cooling in summer | Wi-Fi and phone unreliable |
Blue Man Camp also has electricity and charging. If you expect a luxury tent, confirm the exact tent category before you book. At Erg Chigaga in general, some camps may have limited hot water or other amenities, and many have no air conditioning. Around Erg Chebbi, services are more widely available and problems are easier to solve. That difference is the one thing I want every guest to understand before choosing.
The three Erg Chebbi camps are compared in more detail in the Erg Chebbi guide; our camp options are on the luxury desert camps page.
Things to Do at Each Desert
Around Erg Chebbi there is more to do, so you can spend more time exploring: visit a nomad family, hear Gnawa music in Khamlia, see the lake when it has water, ride a quad or a horse, or take a 4×4 tour of the dunes. Availability changes with the operator and the conditions.
| Extra at Erg Chebbi | Price, checked 29 October 2026 |
|---|---|
| Quad bike, 1 hour | $50 per person |
| Buggy, 1 hour | $170 for two |
| Horse riding, 1 hour | $35 per person |
| Extra camel ride, 1 hour | $25 per person |
| 4×4 tour around the dunes, about 4 hours | $130 for two |
At Erg Chigaga fewer activities are ready on the spot. Sandboarding and live music are there, as at Erg Chebbi; a sandboarding session is usually 20 to 30 minutes. Quads, buggies and 4×4 tours can be arranged if you book them ahead; a 4×4 excursion costs about $100 for two (an example from November 2026; ask us for the current price). Horse riding is easier to find around Erg Chebbi. I suggest one or two nights at Erg Chigaga for travelers who want to disconnect, walk among the dunes and enjoy the quiet. We confirm the music for your camp.
Which Desert Is Quieter?
Erg Chigaga, in general. Its camps are more spread out and fewer people make the journey; the shared bus tours do not reach it on the routes I use. I have been there many times and slept there often; in 2024 I spent about two months driving back and forth between Marrakech and Erg Chigaga.
Erg Chebbi draws more people because it is easier and often cheaper to reach, and many operators run shared group tours there. Some camps stand very close together, sometimes 20 to 25 meters apart in my experience. The busiest and noisiest time is often around sunset, when there can be quad bikes; afterwards it tends to become quieter. Noise still depends on the camp and the season, at both deserts. If a quiet night matters most, tell us when you ask for a price.
A trip I remember
One of my favorite journeys was with a group of Spanish women on a yoga trip to Erg Chigaga. We spent three nights in an oasis, practicing yoga and enjoying the peace, and we had dinner in an oasis with a nomadic family. More recently, on 26 October 2026, we took a private group of four travelers from New Zealand from Marrakech to Zagora, Erg Chigaga and Ouarzazate, and back to Marrakech.
When to Go: Seasons at Each Desert
The seasons are broadly similar at both deserts: hot summer days and cold winter nights.
- Winter: nights at Erg Chigaga can be cold, broadly like Erg Chebbi, sometimes around 5 to 6 °C (41 to 43 °F) or lower. At Erg Chebbi a tent is usually 5 to 6 °C in winter and sometimes 0 °C (32 °F).
- Summer: Erg Chigaga can be extremely hot, also inside the tents, and many of its camps have no air conditioning. The two camps we use there have cooling in summer, but I still generally do not recommend Erg Chigaga in July or August: the heat can be intense and the winds strong. At Erg Chebbi a summer tent is about 30 to 35 °C (86 to 95 °F), and the mid-range and premium camps we use have air conditioning.
- Erg Chebbi’s best months are late August to mid-December and mid-January to late June.
These are my observations, not measurements. For the rest of the country, see the best time to visit Morocco.
Is Erg Chigaga Safe?
In my experience, guided trips to Erg Chigaga are generally safe. The area is close to the Algerian border, and there is a visible military presence with checkpoints in the wider border region. Carry your passport, follow the instructions at checkpoints, and do not go near restricted border areas. I recommend a local guide who knows the area, because the remote tracks can be confusing. I will never promise you that there is zero risk.
The UK government’s travel advice says the land border between Morocco and Algeria is closed and patrolled, and that crossing it without authorization is illegal. Before you travel, check the current advice from the US State Department and the UK Foreign Office. For Morocco in general, read Is Morocco safe?
Families, Children and Older Travelers
For families who want easier access and more services, Erg Chebbi is usually the more convenient choice. At Erg Chebbi, children who want to try can ride with a parent on the same camel, and anyone who cannot ride goes to camp by 4×4.
Families can visit Erg Chigaga with a professional guide and good preparation. I am more cautious with babies and very young children, because of the heat, the remoteness and the limited services. Older children, from about twelve, may cope better with the journey, depending on the child and the season. There is no single minimum age: we decide with you. Older travelers can join if they are comfortable on bumpy tracks, and anyone with serious back problems should talk to us before booking.
Only Two Days? Agafay or Zagora
With only two days from Marrakech, I usually recommend Agafay rather than rushing to Erg Chebbi or Erg Chigaga: otherwise you spend much of the trip driving instead of enjoying the desert. Zagora can work on some shorter trips, but be clear about what you get: it is not the same dune landscape as Erg Chebbi or Erg Chigaga. Agafay or the Sahara explains the difference.
What Each Desert Costs
Erg Chigaga is generally more expensive to arrange than Erg Chebbi, because it needs more off-road logistics. We give Erg Chigaga prices on request: the trip needs planning of the accommodation, transport, off-road services, activities and what is included, and we send a personal quote so you know about any extra charge before you confirm. I also prefer not to publish a fixed difference between camp prices, because rates change with the season, the number of guests, the camp and the services. A fair comparison needs two quotes for the same dates and the same comfort, so if you are weighing the two deserts, ask us to quote both.
For Erg Chebbi I can give you real figures. A camp night alone, the total for two people, checked on 29 October 2026, includes the camel ride, dinner, breakfast and sandboarding.
| Camp at Erg Chebbi | Category | Night for two |
|---|---|---|
| Shooting Stars Camp | Standard | $150 |
| Sahara Eden Camp | Mid-range | $270 |
| Tiziri Camp | Premium | $450 |
A private three-day trip from Marrakech to Merzouga with standard hotels costs about $415 per person for two travelers and about $250 per person for five (checked in October 2026). It includes the vehicle and driver, the hotels, the camp night, breakfasts and dinners, the camel ride, sandboarding and Berber music at camp. The Marrakech to Merzouga guide lists what is not included, and what sets the price of a Morocco trip explains the rest. We book the Erg Chebbi camps at trade rates and have no commission agreement with any of them.
Seeing Both Deserts in One Trip
If you come from far away, especially from the United States, and you have eleven or twelve days in Morocco, I suggest you consider both deserts: they are two different sides of the Sahara. Six days may be enough for a trip with both, but I recommend seven.
The route I suggest goes to Erg Chigaga first: from Marrakech through Taznakht and Foum Zguid to Erg Chigaga, then Zagora, then off-road through Tafraoute Sidi Ali, Ramlia and Ouzina to Erg Chebbi, then the Todra Gorge and the Dades Valley, and back over the High Atlas to Marrakech. You sleep at Erg Chigaga, in Zagora, one or two nights at Erg Chebbi, and in the Dades Valley. All our trips are private, so we can also reverse it, Merzouga first and Erg Chigaga after, and change the stops, activities and nights.
This is an outline, not a fixed timetable: the nights and driving times for each day are confirmed when we plan it with you, and the price is on request. Ask for it on the trip request form, or see our Sahara desert tours from Marrakech for the shorter trips.
Why Comparison Websites Disagree
Many comparison pages are written by someone who sells one of the two deserts. Operators based around Merzouga tend to say Erg Chebbi is best, and operators near Erg Chigaga favor their own desert. I was born at the edge of Erg Chebbi and our team is based in Merzouga, so I am in the first group, and you should read me with that in mind. That is why I have given you the distances, the times and the prices, and why I tell you when I would send you to Erg Chigaga.
There is no single best desert, and no single best camp, for everyone. The right choice depends on whether you want remoteness or convenience, and on how much comfort you expect.
Trips to Both Deserts
Every trip is private and can be changed: an extra night, a different camp or a different finish.
-
3 days3-Day Marrakech to Erg Chigaga Desert Tour
Over the High Atlas and down the Draa Valley, then about two hours off-road to Erg Chigaga, a remote dune sea with no buses.Private tour · Price on request -
3 days3-Day Marrakech to Merzouga Desert Tour
Over the High Atlas to the dunes of Erg Chebbi and back: our most requested desert trip from Marrakech.Private tour · Price on request -
4 days4-Day Sahara Desert Tour from Marrakech
Merzouga and Erg Chebbi from Marrakech with the drive split into four easy days and a night in Ouarzazate on the way back.Private tour · Price on request -
3 days3-Day Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour
The desert on the way between two cities: over the Atlas to the Merzouga dunes, then north to Fes.Private tour · Price on request
Erg Chebbi or Erg Chigaga: Questions
Still deciding? Ask us on WhatsApp: we reply from Merzouga, usually the same day.
Which is better, Erg Chebbi or Erg Chigaga?
Neither is better for everyone. Erg Chebbi has the golden dunes, the easier road and more services. Erg Chigaga is quieter and more remote, but needs about two hours of off-road driving each way and is generally more expensive to arrange. If you can see only one, our guide Youssef usually recommends Erg Chebbi.
Is Erg Chebbi worth visiting?
Yes. It is the better-known desert, with golden dunes whose shapes make them especially good for photographs and for watching the sunrise or sunset. It is also the easier of the two to reach.
Is Erg Chigaga worth it?
Yes, especially if you want a quieter, more remote desert. It takes more effort: about two hours by 4×4 over desert tracks from M’Hamid, and it is generally more expensive to arrange. If you have time, see both.
Which has bigger dunes, Erg Chebbi or Erg Chigaga?
Erg Chebbi has the taller dunes: Wikipedia says they rise to 150 meters. Erg Chigaga covers more ground: Wikipedia calls it the largest of Morocco’s major ergs, with some dunes over 50 meters. Public sources do not agree on its exact size.
How long does it take to get to Erg Chigaga from Marrakech?
In our experience, about 6 h 20 to 6 h 40 of driving to Zagora, about 2 hours more to M’Hamid, then about 2 hours by 4×4 over desert tracks to the camp. On our 3-day trip you sleep in Zagora on the way and reach the camp on day 2.
Can I visit Erg Chigaga on a trip from Fes?
It is possible on a trip of about four days, but from Fes it can mean more than twelve hours of driving. With little time, start from Fes with Erg Chebbi near Merzouga, about 460 km away.
Can I drive to Erg Chigaga myself?
It is possible in a suitable rented 4×4, but we strongly recommend a local guide or driver, because getting lost is a real concern. A normal car is not suitable. Carry water and your passport, and travel in a convoy of two or three vehicles rather than alone.
Is Erg Chigaga safe?
In our experience guided trips there are generally safe. It is near the Algerian border, with military checkpoints in the wider area: carry your passport, follow instructions and keep away from restricted border areas. No one can promise zero risk, so check the current official travel advice.
Is Erg Chigaga good for families with children?
Families can go with a professional guide and good preparation, but we are more cautious with babies and very young children because of the heat, the remoteness and the limited services. Children from about twelve may cope better. For easier access and more services, Erg Chebbi is usually the more convenient choice.
What is the best desert camp in Morocco?
There is no single camp that is best for everyone. The best camp depends on the comfort you expect and the way you like to travel. Erg Chebbi is the most famous and easiest to reach; Erg Chigaga takes more effort and is quieter.
Is Erg Chebbi part of the Sahara?
Yes. Erg Chebbi is a sea of dunes on the far western edge of the Sahara, in southeastern Morocco. Erg Chebbi and Erg Chigaga are two different sides of the Sahara in Morocco.
Can I see both Erg Chebbi and Erg Chigaga in one trip?
Yes. Six days may be enough, and we recommend seven. The route we suggest goes to Erg Chigaga first, then off-road to Erg Chebbi, and back through the Todra Gorge and the Dades Valley. It can also be done the other way round. The exact plan and price are confirmed on request.
Plan Your Desert Trip
Tell us your dates, how many you are and which desert you lean towards. We can quote both for the same dates. We reply within 24 hours.