FROM MARRAKECH: 4 Days Desert Tour: Atlas Mountains – Erg Chigaga dunes – Desert camps
Starting from Marrakech, this 4-day desert adventure is the perfect amount of time to explore South Morocco’s stunning landscapes and experience the high dunes of the Sahara. The tour takes you over the majestic Atlas Mountains and through the region’s highest mountain pass, offering breathtaking views along the way. You’ll visit ancient kasbahs, lush oases, and follow historic caravan routes, providing a glimpse into Morocco’s rich cultural heritage.
Drive through traditional Berber villages and stop in the carpet capital of Morocco, where you’ll learn about the region’s renowned craftsmanship. The highlight of the tour is the Sahara itself. Our experienced drivers will take you off-road through diverse desert landscapes, leading to a comfortable desert camp nestled amidst the towering dunes of Erg Chigaga.
Experience the beauty of the desert with a camel ride, try sandboarding down the majestic dunes, and watch spectacular sunsets from the top of the highest dunes. In the evening, gather with the local nomads to play drums, bake traditional sandbread, and immerse yourself in their rich culture.
End your days by sleeping under a blanket of stars in a traditional nomad tent, creating unforgettable memories in one of the most magical landscapes on earth.
- From Marrakech
- Start/stop: At your hotel or riad
- Duration: 4 days
- Transport: Landcruiser 4×4 car with aircondition
- Language: Driver/guide speaks English and French
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Day 1: Marrakech - Atlas Mountains - Kasbah Telouet - Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou - Agdz
The driver picks you up in our air-conditioned and comfortable 4×4 car. We head to the spectacular High Atlas Mountains, crossing via the twisting pass of Tizi n Tichka. At the highest point of Col de Tichka, we make a left turn into a smaller road. We drive through the Ounila valley to visit the restored Kasbah in Telouet. The kasbah belonged to the Lords of the Atlas, the powerful Glaoui family. Inside the kasbah you will see walls decorated with stunning mosaics and intricate wood carvings. It is remniscent of the Bahia Palace in Marrakech. The roof terrasse offers a far-reaching view of the valley and mountains.
Then we continue for another hour until we reach the famous Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou. The ksar is a well-preserved fortified city which is listed on UNESCO’s World Heritage site. From here we visit the city, or ksar, on foot together with a local guide. Lunch in Ait Ben Haddou.
After lunch we continue south, through the city of Ouarzazate, also known as Morocco’s Hollywood and nicknamed the «Gate to Sahara».
We finally drive to Agdz, where the lush Draa valley starts. Dinner and sleep in a guesthouse here.
Day 2: Agdz - Zagora - M'hamid - Desert Camp
Draa valley is located along Draa river, which is the longest in Morocco. It is a stunnig oasis with green palmeraies and terracotta-colored mountains.
It is an agricultural area and local Berbers grow a wide range of dates as well as herbs, vegetables, fruits and henna. The valley is also known for its many beautiful kasbahs.
After breakfast there is time to visit one of the oldest kasbahs in the valley, called Tamnougalt Kasbah.
We continue further south and turn off the main road to follow the old caravan route. We drive along the palm trees and pass Berber villages. Eventually we reach the desert town of Zagora. We have our lunch in a beautiful riad in Zagora.
After lunch we visit the ceramic village Tamegroute and you can see how the pottery is made with ancient and traditional methods. There is also time to visit the pottery shop and see all the colorful and beautiful art.
If you want, you can also visit the local Koranic library together with a local guide (entrance fee not included).
We continue our drive to the nomadic village M’hamid El Ghizlane. This is where the paved road stops and the desert starts. We spend the evening in the dunes close to the village. Sleep in nomad tents in a desert camp.
Day 3: M'hamid - Camel trekking - Erg Chigaga dunes - Desert Camp
From M’hamid we start the off-road journey into the desert with our 4×4 car. We pass different landscapes of the desert, such as reg, erg, hammada and oases. The desert camp is situated by the high dunes of Erg Chigaga. The highes dunes are around 300 meters.
Experience the extraordinary feeling of freedom and the desert silence. Try sandboarding and watch a fantastic sunset behind the dunes. Before dinner is served in the restaurant tent, you have time for a shower in the camp. After dinner the nomads take out their drums and play traditional music around the fire place. Enjoy the moment and sing along with the nomads if you want.
Sleep in nomad tent, or outside, under the starlit sky.
Day 4: Erg Chegaga - Lake Iriki - Rally Paris-Dakar route - Foum Zguid - Taznakht - Marrakech
Departure after breakfast, around 8 am. We head off-road across the desert onto Lake Iriki, a dried out lake. We follow the old route of rally Paris-Dakar. After about 3 hours off-road, we reach the paved roads and the town Foum Zguid. Here we stop for refreshments.
We continue and stop in Taznakht village which is famous for its beautiful, handcrafted Berber carpets. Lunch is served here.
We cross the High Atlas mountains once again on the way back. Arrival in Marrakech in late afternoon.
Price information
The starting price is EUR 520 per person, when 2 persons are travelling together on a private basis and transport in 4wd Landcruiser.
Upon request we can upgrade your hotel at an additional cost.
For bigger groups, please contact us for price.
Included:
- Private transport in 4wd Landcruiser
- Guide/driver
- 1 night in a riad style guesthouse in Agdz
- 2 nights in desert camps
- 3 dinners
- 3 breakfasts
- Camel trek
- Sandboarding
- Baking of traditional sandbread with the nomads
- Local music around the camp fire
Not included:
- Lunches
- Drink
- Entrance fee at Tamegroute library (optional visit)
- Tip
Booking & Payment: Click here