2-day Erg Chigaga desert tour from Zagora: 4x4 & camel trek

Two days in the Sahara: off-road dunes, sunrise camel trek, and a night under the stars

A 2-day tour from Zagora to Erg Chigaga combines a 4x4 off-road safari through desert terrain with a camel trek at sunrise, a night in a Berber nomad tent, and a traditional Berber dinner. The route leaves Zagora at 1 pm, crosses the Tizi Anagame and Ben Selman Mountains, then trades tarmac for sand dunes and a Stones River crossing. Day two includes sunrise and a stop at Tamegroute village to visit a Koranic school and watch green pottery being made. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included. A live guide speaks English, Spanish, French or Arabic.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Zagora to Erg Chigaga desert journey

• Pick up from Zagora at 1 pm
• Drive through Tizi Anagame and Ben Selman Mountains
• Leave tarmac for off-road drive
• Stop at Oases
• Arrive at Erg Chigaga desert camp
• Dinner at Berber desert camp
• Overnight in nomad tent

Day 2: Erg Chigaga to Zagora via Tamegroute

• Sunrise camel trek in dunes
• Breakfast at desert camp
• Depart Erg Chigaga for Zagora
• Stop at Tamegroute village
• Visit Koranic school
• Watch green pottery process
• Return to Zagora

The experience

The tour departs Zagora at 1 pm from your hotel, heading south toward M'Hamid through mountain passes and oases. After two hours of off-road driving through stone riverbeds and sand dunes, you arrive at the Erg Chigaga camp, where a traditional Berber dinner and a nomad tent await. The overnight stay puts you in position for the next morning's main event.

Sunrise is when the dunes come alive. After breakfast, you mount a camel for a trek through the majestic dunes: the moment most travelers come for. The ride is unhurried, and the light at that hour is what makes the landscape shift color across the sand. Afterward, the route heads back toward Zagora with a stop at Tamegroute village, where you can watch artisans at work in the green pottery studios and visit the Koranic school before returning to town.

A private 4x4 vehicle carries the group, and a driver-guide handles navigation and commentary throughout. The pace is built around the camel trek and the overnight camp, so there's no rushing between stops. Children and infants can travel. Specialized seats are available if needed.

What’s included

• Transport by private 4x4 vehicle.
• hotel pickup and drop-off.
• a live driver-guide.
• a camel trek at sunrise.
• one night in a Berber nomad tent at Erg Chigaga.
• traditional Berber dinner and breakfast.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French and Arabic

Audio guideEnglish, Spanish, French and Arabic

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 10 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by caravane les dune d'or

Is this one for you?Book this 2-day tour if you want to sleep in the Sahara and experience the dunes at sunrise without a longer commitment. A 1-day version cannot include the overnight camp and camel trek. A 4-day option adds more remote dunes and extra villages but takes twice the time.

Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French and Arabic.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What time does the tour leave Zagora and when do I get back?

Departure is at 1 pm from your hotel in Zagora. You return to Zagora on day two after the stop at Tamegroute, typically in the late afternoon.

What's included in the overnight stay at Erg Chigaga?

The camp stay includes a nomad tent for sleeping, a traditional Berber dinner on day one, and breakfast on day two before the camel trek. The tent is basic but comfortable, and you sleep under open sky.

How long is the camel trek and what is it like?

The camel trek happens at sunrise on day two and lasts through the morning. You ride through the dunes at a walking pace. No prior camel experience is needed, and the trek is suitable for all fitness levels.

What happens at Tamegroute village?

Tamegroute is a stop on the return to Zagora where you visit a Koranic school and watch potters make the village's distinctive green pottery by hand. It's a working village, not a tourist site.

Is hotel pickup included, and which hotels are covered?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for selected hotels in Zagora. Confirm your hotel is on the list when you book, or arrange a meeting point in town.