2-day Erg Chigaga desert tour from Mhamid: Dunes and nomadic camp

Spend a night in the dunes under the stars, then watch sunrise from the top of Erg Chigaga.

A 2-day tour from Mhamid to Erg Chigaga, Morocco's highest sand dunes, by private 4x4 with an experienced local guide. Day one takes you across the Sahara's varied terrain to the sacred Foam La'alag oasis and nomad camps, ending with a camel ride and sunset from the dunes before sleeping in a Berber tent. Day two brings an optional sunrise, breakfast, and a return drive through different desert landscape back to Mhamid by mid-morning.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Desert Tour From Mhamid to Erg Chigaga

• Depart Mhamid by 4x4 at 10:00
• Cross Sahara desert features
• Visit Foam La'alag oasis and nomads
• Arrive Erg Chegaga desert camp
• Lunch and free time
• Walk to learn nomadic life
• Camel ride in afternoon
• Watch sunset from dunes
• Enjoy musical evening and dinner
• Overnight in Berber tent or stars

Day 2: Return from Erg Chegaga to Mhamid

• Watch sunrise from dunes
• Breakfast at camp
• Drive back to Mhamid via different route
• Stop at El Khandag and Erg Smar
• Take photos during stops
• Arrive Mhamid around 11:00

The experience

What does a night in the Sahara actually feel like? The tour leaves Mhamid at 10:00 in a comfortable, air-conditioned 4x4 and crosses the desert's different zones (Reg, Hammada and Erg) to reach the Foam La'alag oasis, where you'll meet nomadic families before arriving at the camp in Erg Chigaga. The afternoon is yours to rest after lunch, then your guide takes you out to walk the dunes and explain how nomads live here. A camel ride follows in the late afternoon, timed so you're on top of the dunes when the sun drops.

The night happens in a Berber tent or under open sky in the middle of the dunes, with dinner and a musical evening around the campfire. If you wake early enough on day two, you can climb to watch sunrise from the same high point. After breakfast, the drive back to Mhamid follows a different route, passing El khandag and Erg Smar, with stops for photos and information about the desert. You arrive around 11:00, leaving the rest of the day free in town.

What’s included

• Lunch and dinner on day one, plus breakfast on day two.
• private 4x4 transportation with air conditioning.
• experienced local guide.
• one-and-a-half-hour camel ride in Erg Chigaga.
• overnight accommodation in a Berber tent or under the stars at the desert camp.
• hotel pickup included.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day9 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 12:30

AgesAdult (25 to 44 years) · Senior (45 to 70 years) · Youth (15 to 24 years) · Child (5 to 14 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, French and Arabic

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 17 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePets welcomeNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Desert Amnir Tours

Is this one for you?Two full days means you leave Mhamid in the morning and return by mid-morning on day two, leaving your afternoon free for the town or onward travel. If you have only one day, the overnight in the dunes won't fit. If you want to explore deeper into the Sahara, a longer tour goes further.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

4 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, French and Arabic.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (15 to 24 years); Child (5 to 14 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the Foam La'alag oasis, and why does the tour stop there?

Foam La'alag is a sacred oasis in the Sahara between Mhamid and Erg Chigaga where nomadic families live. The tour visits it on the way to the dunes so you can meet the people and see how settlements work in the desert.

How long is the camel ride, and when does it happen?

The camel ride lasts one and a half hours and takes place in the afternoon after you arrive at Erg Chigaga camp, timed to end as the sun sets from the top of the dunes.

Can I see sunrise from the dunes on the second morning?

Yes, if you wake early enough. Sunrise from the top of Erg Chigaga's dunes is optional on day two, and breakfast follows before the drive back to Mhamid.

What's included in the tour price?

The tour includes private 4x4 transportation with an air-conditioned vehicle, an experienced local guide, all meals (lunch and dinner on day one, breakfast on day two), the camel ride, and overnight accommodation in a Berber tent or under the stars at the desert camp.