Erg Chigaga Desert Tour — 3-Day 4x4 from Marrakech
Erg Chigaga is the wild, far-flung sand sea beyond Zagora — taller and emptier than Zagora's dunes, reached only by 4x4.
Introduction
The Erg Chigaga desert tour is for travellers who want the Sahara without the crowds. Chigaga is the largest dune field in southern Morocco, but because it sits two hours off-road beyond M'hamid, far fewer people reach it than Merzouga or Zagora. Over three days you cross the Atlas, follow the Draa Valley, then leave the tarmac for a 4x4 crossing to a wild camp among the high dunes. Below is the full day-by-day itinerary, what's included, the best time to travel and our team's advice.
Overview
Erg Chigaga is the Sahara for people who want it remote. Unlike the easily reached dunes at Zagora or Merzouga, Chigaga lies about two hours off-road past the village of M'hamid, so it stays quiet and wild. This 3-day tour takes you from Marrakech over the Atlas, down the Draa Valley, then by 4x4 across stony desert to a camp among dunes up to 60 metres high, with two nights to really feel the silence.
Why choose this tour
Why choose Erg Chigaga:
- Remote and wild — far fewer visitors than Merzouga or Zagora.
- A true 4x4 adventure across open desert.
- Two desert nights for real silence and stars.
- Private — your own 4x4 and guide.
Highlights
- Tizi n'Tichka and Ait Ben Haddou
- The full length of the Draa Valley
- M'hamid, the end of the tarmac
- Off-road 4x4 to the remote Erg Chigaga dunes
- Two nights in a wild desert camp
- Nomad camps and desert wells
Itinerary
Day 1Day 1: Marrakech → Ait Ben Haddou → Draa Valley → Zagora
Over the Tizi n'Tichka, a stop at Ait Ben Haddou, then Ouarzazate and the Draa Valley to Zagora. Driving: ~7 hours. Overnight near Zagora. Dinner and breakfast.
Day 2Day 2: Zagora → M'hamid → 4x4 to Erg Chigaga → camp
South to M'hamid, where the road ends, then a 2-hour 4x4 crossing of open desert to the Erg Chigaga dunes, passing nomad camps and wells. Sunset on the high dunes and a night at a wild camp. Dinner and breakfast.
Day 3Day 3: sunrise → Foum Zguid → Marrakech (or back via Zagora)
Sunrise over Chigaga, then 4x4 out via the Iriqui lake bed toward Foum Zguid and back to Marrakech over the Anti-Atlas. Driving: ~8 hours. Breakfast.
Tour route map
Accommodation
You sleep one night in a private desert camp with an en-suite tent, a real bed, a hot shower and plenty of blankets. Family tents and a decorated honeymoon tent are available. See the luxury camp page for the full setup.
Transport
Transport is by private 4x4 throughout, essential for the off-road crossing to Chigaga. Fuel, an experienced desert driver and a relaxed pace with stops are all included.
Pick-up & meeting point
We collect you from your riad or hotel, with the exact pickup time confirmed by WhatsApp the night before. Need an airport transfer first? We arrange those too.
Included & not included
- ✓Private 4x4 with driver-guide and fuel
- ✓Pickup and drop-off at your Marrakech hotel
- ✓1 night near Zagora + 1 night in a wild Chigaga camp
- ✓Off-road desert crossing
- ✓Camel trek option at the dunes
- ✓Half board (dinners and breakfasts)
- ✓Bottled water
- ✗Lunches and drinks
- ✗Entrance fees
- ✗Tips
- ✗Travel insurance
Pricing
Per person for the private 4x4 tour; the route is genuine off-road and weather-dependent.
| Group size | Price per person | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| 2 people | €680 | Private tour |
| 3–4 people | €540 | Private tour |
| 5+ people | €450 | Private tour |
Best time to travel
This trip runs all year. The most comfortable months are March to May and September to November, with warm days and cool nights. Winter nights in the desert get cold, so bring a warm layer; July and August are hot at midday, so we keep the camel trek to sunrise and sunset. See our best time to visit guide.
What to pack
Bring light layers for the day and a warm jacket for cold desert nights, a scarf for sun and sand, closed shoes, sunglasses, a hat, high-SPF sun cream, a refillable water bottle, a head-torch and a power bank. Full list: Morocco packing list.
Travel tips
What to expect: real driving distances on good but winding roads — bring something for motion sickness if you're prone to it. Tips: carry small dirham notes for lunches, entry fees and tips, and keep onward flights to the evening of the final day or later.
How booking works
Tell us your dates, group size and starting city by the enquiry form or WhatsApp and you hear back personally, usually within a few hours, with a clear all-in price. A small deposit holds your dates and you pay the balance on arrival, so you never prepay in full. Free cancellation up to 7 days before departure, and we confirm your pickup by WhatsApp the night before.
Booking direct with our Berber family
Hotel Les Roches is our own — we were born at the foot of the Erg Chebbi dunes and have run it since 2004. You deal with the same family that owns the hotel, runs the desert camp and leads the camels, so there is no agency markup, nothing is subcontracted, and the price you are quoted is the price you pay.
What a night at our camp is like
After the sunset camel trek you reach our private camp as the sky turns from gold to deep blue. The tents are proper rooms — a real bed with warm blankets and an en-suite hot shower — and dinner is a home-cooked tagine under the stars, followed by Berber drums around the fire. With no light for a hundred kilometres the Milky Way is astonishing, and you wake early to climb a dune for sunrise.
What our guests say
★★★★★
An unforgettable stay in Merzouga, so well organized. Hassan was always available on WhatsApp, and Ali at the camp went out of his way for our comfort. This trip will stay in my heart.
Sophie Charmillot · Google · 2025
★★★★★
We stayed two nights at the desert camp. We did a full-day hike with our guide Hassan through the dunes and visited the nomads. The chef is a true talent — we have never tasted such delicious food.
Manuela · Google · 2025
★★★★★
The hotel organizes their own camel tours. The service is very professional and the camp is lovely. In the morning there was a great breakfast — probably the best we had in Morocco.
Petra Malečková · Google · 2023
Related
GuideFrequently asked questions
How is Erg Chigaga different from Merzouga?
Chigaga is remote and reached only by 4x4, so it is far quieter; Merzouga (Erg Chebbi) has the tallest dunes and is reached on tarmac. Both are spectacular.
Do I really need a 4x4?
Yes — the final two hours to Chigaga are off-road across open desert, not driveable in a normal car.
Is it suitable for families?
Yes, though the off-road section is bumpy; we go at a comfortable pace.
Can it be done in 2 days?
It is possible but rushed; 3 days lets you enjoy the dunes properly.
How far is Merzouga from Marrakech, and how long is the drive?
It's about 560 km and 8–9 hours over the Tizi n'Tichka pass, which is why the journey is spread over 2–3 days with stops at Aït Ben Haddou, the gorges and the Ziz Valley rather than driven in one go.
How comfortable is the desert camp?
Very — our private luxury camp at Erg Chebbi has en-suite tents with real beds, hot showers, private bathrooms, rugs and plenty of blankets for the cool desert night, plus a Berber dinner under the stars.
Are your tours private or shared?
Every tour is private by default — your own vehicle, driver-guide and flexible pace. Shared group departures are offered only on the Marrakech–Merzouga–Marrakech and Marrakech–Merzouga–Fes routes.
When is the best time of year to travel?
Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are the most comfortable, with warm days and cool nights. Winter nights are cold and summer is hot at midday, so we run camel treks at sunrise and sunset.
Have a question before you book?
Message the team directly — we usually reply within a couple of hours.
⚡ Spring & autumn dates fill fast — book ahead. · ✓ Free cancellation up to 48h before arrival.