This 4-day Marrakech to Erg Chigaga Desert Tour is ideal for those short on time and wishing to enjoy a bespoke desert adventure. You depart Marrakech and set off on a fascinating journey into the Sahara Desert, finally joining the stunning Erg Chigaga dunes, a spectacular natural experience.
Immerse yourself in Berber culture by traversing the golden sands on camels, enjoying a night at a private desert camp, listening to Berber music around a campfire, and gazing at the clear night sky of the Sahara.
The journey begins with crossing the immense High Atlas Mountains at Tizi n’Tichka Pass, the highest mountain pass in Morocco. You will visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ksar Aït Ben Haddou, a historic fortified kasbah and one of Morocco’s most iconic landmarks.
You will travel through scenic Berber villages on the way to Ouarzazate, known as “Morocco’s Hollywood.” Experience the Draa Valley, one of Morocco's longest valleys, as you travel along its fertile landscape — a popular route where locals grow dates, vegetables, and wheat.
You will also explore the lively village of Tamegroute, renowned for its vibrant handmade ceramics and, above all, its historic Quranic library. On the way back to Marrakech, you will visit the Kasbah of Télouet, a landmark mansion once belonging to a powerful family.
This immersive tour showcases Morocco’s stunning landscapes, rich history, and warm hospitality, offering a perfect blend of adventure and cultural discovery.
Set out from Marrakech at 8:00 AM and drive west into the magnificent High Atlas via Tizi n’Tichka Pass. As you travel towards Ouarzazate, known as the film capital of Morocco, take in the sweeping views of the surrounding mountains. Then stop at the historic Kasbah Taourirte and visit the film studios. Next, enjoy lunch before heading to Agdz, a peaceful town where you will stay in a guesthouse in the beautiful Draa Valley.
After breakfast, you will drive along the valley to Zagora, taking in the beautiful views and stopping for a coffee break. Next, you will drive to M’hamid, which is the last gateway to the vast Sahara Desert, located on the edge of the immense Sahara Desert. Here, you will meet your camel guide and begin a scenic 2-hour camel trek through the golden Erg Chigaga dunes to your camp. Enjoy the beautiful dinner under the stars, and feel the comfort of a Berber night under the sky by staying overnight in a traditional desert tent.
Rise early to catch the stunning sunrise over the dunes, and then eat breakfast. Visit Lake Iriki, a significant dry lake surrounded by beautiful desert scenery. Then continue to Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Kasbah has been featured in many well-known films, including Gladiator and Game of Thrones. You will spend the night in a beautiful riad, located next to the kasbah.
On the last morning, you will visit the beautiful and historic Kasbah of Telouet, which served as the palace of the Glaoui family, a powerful clan. The Kasbah boasts a rich history within its walls. After this, we will return to Marrakech. Your journey will finish at your accommodation or drop-off point.
Carefully selected lodgings ensure comfort and authenticity throughout the tour. Accommodations may be adjusted based on availability, and upgrades are available upon request.
What our travelers say about their experiences
"Amazing experience. We had Ibrahim pick us up from our Riad in Marrakech, load us into his Japanese Camel (landcruiser) and then proceed to take us on the best tour we've taken anywhere. Firstly - Ibrahim was the perfect guide. We were always joking around and telling each other stories from our lives and experiences, even giving each other nicknames. He had a thorough knowledge of seemingly everything we had to ask. He even modified the plans for our camel trek portion in Merzouga when the weather conditions were not looking great for the planned day. Good call on his behalf as the next day the sand storm didn't even allow us to sit outdoors for dinner. Ibrahim also seemed to always know where to park at the stops to avoid a big crowd of tourists. The trip allows you to see parts of Morocco that are must sees. Period. End of story. If you go to Morocco and you only go to Casablanca, Fes, Marrakech - you haven't seen the real Morocco. We did not expect the diversity of the landscapes in Morocco. The sand dunes were incredible, the camel riding like something out of National Geographic. The gorges, the valleys, and everything else is brilliant."
"What a great time we all had. Ibrahim picked us up in Fes and took us over the middle Atlas Mountains stopping at various surprising sights (I won't be a spoiler but well worth it!) down into the Sahara for our camel trek a couple of hours before sunset. Watching the sun go down in the Sahara from the top of a sand dune riding a camel is a trip! From there we go to the camp where we were fed, entertained, entertained others in return (dancing and the telling of bad jokes was involved) and got a good night sleep. Early in the morning we marched to the top of a dune to see the sun rise and headed back to our camels and home. Just enough for us! From there it was off to the high Atlas Mountains which are NOT TO BE MISSED! Amazing!! Fantastic! And then on to Marrakesh. Ibrahim is a delight! We enjoyed hanging out with all of the folks who make this tour fun for visitors to Morocco."
"We used this company for a 3 day, 2 night tour from Marrakesh to Fez, with an overnight trip in the desert. Omar was our guide and he was fabulous. He customized the stops and managed our time to accommodate our interests. He made excellent suggestions for the 3 days we were together. Omar is an excellent representative for this company, for Morocco and for his family. The camel trek and night in the desert camp was our favorite part of the trip to Morocco. Ibrahim and his team that made it possible. I highly recommend this company."
"We did the 4 day, 3 night trek from Marrakesh, through the Atlas Mountains and into the Sahara before ending in Fes. Our guide, Idir Najimi, made the difference between a wonderful time, and a once in a lifetime trip. He was incredibly knowledgeable and lots of fun. Drumming under the stars and full moon in the sand dunes of the Sahara was another extraordinary moment as well. I can't wait to go back to Morocco!"
Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about our Morocco tours. Whether you're wondering about logistics, comfort, or what's included, we've got you covered.
For a 6-day itinerary, you will cover key cities and attractions but expect a faster pace with some long travel stretches.
Our 6-day tours are designed to maximize your experience while fitting popular highlights such as Marrakech, Fes, the Sahara Desert, and coastal Casablanca.
If you want a deeper cultural immersion or more relaxed travel, consider extending your stay.