Overview
Experience Morocco’s remote Chegaga dunes on this 4-day journey from Marrakech. Travel through the High Atlas Mountains, explore the Draa Valley, and venture into the isolated Chegaga Desert. This tour offers a more authentic and less-visited desert experience compared to the popular Merzouga route.
Duration: 4 days and 3 nights
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Marrakech to Zagora via Ait Benhaddou
Depart from Marrakech in the morning and head south toward the Atlas Mountains. The journey takes you over the Tizi n’Tichka pass at 2,260 meters, offering spectacular mountain views.
Ait Benhaddou: Stop at this UNESCO World Heritage Site, Morocco’s most famous fortified village. Walk through the ancient kasbah, climb to the top for panoramic views, and explore the narrow alleyways between clay buildings. This location has appeared in many films including Gladiator and Game of Thrones.
Continue through Ouarzazate, Morocco’s film production center, and enter the Draa Valley. The landscape changes from mountains to desert plains as you travel south.
Zagora: Arrive in Zagora in the late afternoon. This desert town sits at the edge of the Sahara and was once an important stop on the trans-Saharan trade route. Check into your chosen hotel or guesthouse for the night. The town offers a first glimpse of desert life with palm groves and traditional architecture.
Day 2: Zagora to Chegaga Dunes via M’Hamid
After breakfast, continue south through the Draa Valley, one of Morocco’s longest river valleys.
Draa Valley: Drive through extensive palm groves that line the river. Stop at traditional Berber villages where life has remained largely unchanged for centuries. The valley produces dates, and you’ll see thousands of date palms creating green corridors through the desert.
M’Hamid: Reach M’Hamid, the last village before the desert proper begins. This small settlement marks the end of the paved road. From here, the journey continues into the true Sahara.
Chegaga Dunes: Travel into the desert by 4×4 or camel, depending on your arrangement. The route takes you deeper into remote desert landscapes. Chegaga dunes are Morocco’s largest dunes, reaching heights of up to 300 meters. These dunes are more isolated and less visited than Merzouga, offering a more authentic desert experience.
Arrive at your desert camp location before sunset. Watch the sun set over the dunes. If you’ve arranged accommodation at a desert camp, spend the night under the stars. Chegaga’s remote location means minimal light pollution and excellent stargazing.
Day 3: Chegaga to Taznakht via Iriqui Lake
Wake early to see the sunrise over the dunes. After breakfast, begin the journey north by 4×4 vehicle. The route crosses remote desert terrain that’s not accessible by regular vehicles.
Iriqui Dry Lake: Pass through this ancient lake bed, now dry most of the year. The flat expanse was once a large lake and is now part of Iriqui National Park. You might spot desert wildlife such as gazelles or desert birds.
Foum Zguid: Stop in this small desert town, a gateway between the Sahara and the mountains. The town offers a chance to stretch and take refreshments.
Continue north through changing landscapes as you leave the deep desert behind. The terrain becomes more rocky and mountainous.
Taznakht: Arrive in Taznakht, a town known for its Berber carpet weaving. The town sits at the crossroads between the desert and the Anti-Atlas Mountains. Check into your chosen accommodation for the night. If interested, you can visit local carpet cooperatives where traditional rugs are hand-woven.
Day 4: Taznakht to Marrakech
After breakfast, begin the final leg of your journey back to Marrakech. The route takes you north through the Anti-Atlas Mountains.
Drive through Berber villages and valleys, with opportunities to stop for photos of the mountain scenery. The landscape gradually changes from arid mountains to greener valleys as you approach Marrakech.
Arrive in Marrakech by late afternoon or early evening. Your driver will drop you at your accommodation, concluding your 4-day desert adventure.
What’s Included
- Private air-conditioned vehicle (4×4) for the entire tour
- Professional English-speaking driver
- 4×4 transport from M’Hamid into Chegaga Desert
- Camel trekking option (can be arranged)
- Guided stop at Ait Benhaddou
- Flexible stops throughout the journey
What’s Not Included
- Accommodations in Zagora (Night 1), Chegaga (Night 2), and Taznakht (Night 3)
- Meals and drinks
- Entrance fees to sites
- Desert camp fees if camping in Chegaga
- Personal expenses and tips
Important Information
Accommodation: You need to book your own accommodations in Zagora, Chegaga Desert, and Taznakht in advance. For Chegaga, there are basic desert camps that should be arranged beforehand. Our driver can recommend options based on your budget.
Desert access: The Chegaga dunes are only accessible by 4×4 or camel. The route from M’Hamid to Chegaga is off-road and takes several hours. This is included in your tour.
Best time to travel: Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) offer the most comfortable temperatures. Summer is very hot (40°C+), and winter nights in the desert can be cold (near 0°C).
What to bring: Sunscreen, sunglasses, comfortable clothes, warm layers for cold desert nights, scarf or bandana for wind protection, flashlight, and camera. Bring enough cash as ATMs are not available in remote areas.
Physical level: Moderate. Long driving days with stops for breaks and sightseeing. The desert portion requires traveling over rough terrain in 4×4 vehicles.
Chegaga vs Merzouga: Chegaga is more remote and less touristy than Merzouga. The journey is longer and more adventurous, offering a true desert expedition feel. The dunes are larger but facilities are more basic.
Good to Know
Remote experience: This tour ventures into truly remote desert areas. Mobile phone coverage is limited or non-existent in the desert sections. This isolation is part of the authentic experience.
Vehicle type: A 4×4 vehicle is necessary for the desert sections between M’Hamid and Chegaga, and for the crossing to Foum Zguid. This is included in your tour.
Flexibility: The itinerary can be adjusted based on your interests and the time you want to spend at each location.
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