Desert Trip From Marrakech
Embark on a memorable desert Trip from Marrakech with our 4-day tour, which is perfect for exploring the high dunes. On this journey, you will travel over the Atlas Mountains and pass through North Africa’s highest mountain pass, visit kasbahs, and oases, and follow ancient caravan routes, while also experiencing Berber villages and the carpet capital of Morocco. The highlight of the tour is undoubtedly the desert, where our experienced drivers will take you off-road through various desert landscapes before arriving at the desert camp.
Desert Trip From Marrakech
Overview:
Embark on an exhilarating 4-day desert tour from Marrakech to Erg Chigaga, one of the most remote and untouched sand dunes in the Moroccan Sahara. This incredible journey offers an authentic desert experience, taking you through breathtaking landscapes, historic sites, and fascinating Berber villages. Enjoy the magic of the Sahara, starlit nights, and unparalleled cultural encounters on this unforgettable adventure.
Highlights:
Tizi-n-Tichka Pass and Draa Valley: Traverse the winding Tizi-n-Tichka Pass in the High Atlas Mountains, marveling at the panoramic views of the surrounding peaks and valleys. Descend into the lush Draa Valley, a verdant oasis filled with ancient kasbahs, palm groves, and traditional Berber settlements. Ait Benhaddou and Ouarzazate: Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ait Benhaddou, a fortified village boasting stunning mud-brick architecture. Visit Ouarzazate, the “Hollywood of Morocco,” and tour its renowned film studios and the magnificent Kasbah Taourirt. M’Hamid and Erg Chigaga: Travel to the edge of the Sahara at M’Hamid, where your desert adventure begins. Journey deeper into the dunes on a 4×4 excursion or camel trek to Erg Chigaga, the largest and most remote sand sea in Morocco. Witness a mesmerizing sunset over the rolling dunes and spend the night in a traditional Berber camp, complete with local cuisine, music, and dancing under the stars. Iriqui National Park and Foum Zguid: Traverse the striking Iriqui National Park, where the desert meets the ancient lake bed of Lake Iriqui. Discover the unique ecosystems and spot native wildlife as you journey through the park. Continue to Foum Zguid, a traditional oasis town with a vibrant market and friendly locals. Moroccan Cuisine and Culture: Throughout the tour, indulge in mouthwatering Moroccan cuisine, from tagines and couscous to sweet mint tea. Immerse yourself in the rich culture and traditions of the region, learning about the Berber way of life and experiencing warm hospitality at every turn.
On Day 1, we depart from your Marrakech hotel or riad at 8 am in our comfortable and air-conditioned 4×4 car. Our first stop is the spectacular High Atlas Mountains, where we cross the twisting pass of Tizi n Tichka. We drive through the Ounila Valley to visit the restored Kasbah in Telouet, which belonged to the powerful Glaoui family. We then continue for another hour until we reach the famous Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After exploring the city on foot with a local guide and having lunch, we drive through the city of Ouarzazate, also known as Morocco’s Hollywood, to reach Agdz, where we will spend the night in a guesthouse.
On Day 2, after breakfast, we visit the Tamnougalt Kasbah, one of the oldest kasbahs in the valley, before continuing further south towards the desert town of Zagora, where we have lunch in a beautiful riad. After lunch, we drive to the nomadic village of M’hamid El Ghizlane, where the paved road ends and the desert begins. We spend the evening in the dunes close to the village, sleeping in nomad tents in a desert camp.
On Day 3, after breakfast, we return to M’hamid by camel, which takes approximately 2 hours. From M’hamid, we start our off-road journey into the desert with our 4×4 car, passing different landscapes of the desert, such as reg, erg, hammada, and oases. We reach the desert camp situated by the high dunes of Erg Chigaga, where we experience the extraordinary feeling of freedom and desert silence. We try sandboarding and watch a fantastic sunset behind the dunes before dinner is served in the restaurant tent. After dinner, the nomads play traditional music around the fire, and we can sing along if we desire. We sleep in nomad tents, or outside, under the starlit sky.
On Day 4, after breakfast, we depart around 8 am and head off-road across the desert to Lake Iriki, a dried-out lake, following the old route of the rally Paris-Dakar. After approximately 3 hours off-road, we reach the paved roads and the town of Foum Zguid, where we stop for refreshments before continuing to Taznakht village, famous for its Berber carpets. We have lunch here before crossing the High Atlas mountains once again on the way back to Marrakech, where we arrive in the late afternoon.
Included / Excluded
To help you plan your trip, we have put together a list of what's included and what's not included in your tour package. This will give you a clear understanding of what to expect and help you make any necessary arrangements before your journey begins.
- Private Transportation aboard a comfortable and air-conditioned vehicle
- Pick up from your Hotel/Riad in Marrakech (or from the airport)
- Drop off at your Hotel/Riad in Marrakech (or at the airport)
- English-speaking Berber driver
- Fuel for the entire Chebbi luxury desert package
- All nights accommodations
- Dinner & Breakfast
- Camel trekking in Erg Chegaga dunes
- Sandboarding in Erg Chegaga dunes
- Berber music at night around the fire under the stars in Erg Chegaga desert camp
- Free stops when you want
- Drinks
- Tips
- Extra
Tour Map
This comprehensive map is designed to guide you through an exciting journey filled with remarkable destinations and captivating experiences.
