3-Day Marrakech to Erg Chigaga Desert Tour: Camel Ride & Dunes

Ride camels into the Sahara, then watch the sun rise over dunes that stretch 40 kilometers across.

A 3-day desert tour from Marrakech to Erg Chigaga combines mountain passes, a UNESCO kasbah, and two nights in the Sahara with a camel ride into the dunes. You travel by air-conditioned 4×4 vehicle with a live guide, stay in nomad tents at the largest dune field in the region, and return to Marrakech on the third day. Children from age 6 are welcome. Pickup from your hotel is included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Marrakech to Mhamid via Ait Benhaddou

• Depart early from Marrakech riad
• Travel through High Atlas Mountains
• Visit kasbahs including Ait Benhaddou
• Continue through Draa river valley
• Stop in Zagora for Moroccan tea
• Arrive in Mhamid, dinner and camp

Day 2: Mhamid to Chegaga Sand Dunes

• Breakfast at camp
• Camel ride into Sahara desert
• Lunch in Mhamid
• 4x4 drive through desert landscape
• Break for Berber tea in sacred oasis
• Reach Chegaga sand dunes
• Dinner with entertainment in nomad tents

Day 3: Chegaga to Marrakech via Taznakht

• Enjoy sunrise on sand dunes
• Breakfast at camp
• Depart by 4x4 via old Paris-Dakar road
• Cross Iriqui lake
• Lunch in Berber village Taznakht
• Arrive in Marrakech around 6:30 p.m.

The experience

The tour leaves early from your Marrakech riad or hotel and climbs through the High Atlas Mountains via the Tichka Pass at 2,260 meters, the highest road pass in Morocco. The route crosses Berber villages and passes through kasbahs including Tamnougalte and Aït Ben Haddou, a 16th-century UNESCO site and one of the best-preserved kasbahs in Morocco. From there the road descends into the palm-lined Draa river valley and continues toward Mhamid, the gateway to the Sahara. You stop for Moroccan tea in Zagora before reaching the desert camp for dinner and your first night.

On day two, after breakfast, you mount saddled camels for a two-hour ride into the Sahara. A break for lunch follows in M'hamid, then you travel by 4×4 vehicle through the desert landscape with a stop for Berber tea at a sacred oasis. The route leads to Erg Chigaga, the largest group of dunes in the region, reaching 300 meters high and spanning 40 kilometers. You spend the evening and night in nomad tents, with dinner and entertainment included.

Day three starts with sunrise over the dunes. After breakfast, you depart in 4×4 vehicles via the old Paris-Dakar road toward Foum Zguid, crossing Iriqui lake. Lunch happens in the Berber village of Taznakht before the drive back to Marrakech, arriving around 6:30 p.m. The air-conditioned vehicle, guide in your choice of English, Spanish or French, and all transport between stops are included throughout.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned 4×4 vehicle throughout.
• camel ride into the Sahara.
• two nights accommodation (guest house in M'hamid and nomad tent at Erg Chigaga).
• all meals.
• Moroccan tea and Berber tea breaks.
• live guide in English, Spanish or French.
• hotel pickup and return to Marrakech.

Information

Lasts 3d, runs every day at 08:00, from US$ 688 per person, with a live guide in English, Spanish and French, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00Another time? ›

GroupPrivate7 group tours ›

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and FrenchOther languages ›

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 3 pickup points.

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (18 to 70 years) · Child (6 to 17 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

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

Prices and times updated 12 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats available

Operated by Desertbrise Travel

Is this one for you?This is a shared tour with a fixed itinerary and schedule, so the three days hold together without you arranging transport, timing or camp logistics yourself: the camel ride, the dunes at sunrise and the nomad camp experience are all built in. If you want the Sahara but only have a few days and prefer not to drive or organize the route yourself, this 3-day version fits better than a longer desert expedition or a self-guided trip.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 17 years). Children under 6 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 is Erg Chigaga and why is it worth the drive?

Erg Chigaga is the largest group of sand dunes in the region, reaching 300 meters high and stretching 40 kilometers across. The 3-day tour is built around spending a full night there so you can watch the sunset and sunrise over the dunes and experience the Sahara atmosphere with nomads.

Do I ride a camel on this tour?

Yes. On day two, after breakfast in M'hamid, you ride saddled camels for two hours into the Sahara before continuing by 4×4 vehicle to the dunes.

Where do I sleep on this tour?

Night one is in a guest house in M'hamid. Night two is in nomad tents at Erg Chigaga in the desert. Both are included in the tour price.

Does the tour include pickup from my hotel in Marrakech?

Yes. The tour includes pickup from your riad or hotel in Marrakech early on day one and returns you there around 6:30 p.m. on day three.

What is Aït Ben Haddou and when do I see it?

Aït Ben Haddou is a UNESCO-listed kasbah from the 16th century and one of the best-preserved in Morocco. It was used as a filming location for Gladiator. You visit it on day one during the drive from Marrakech toward Mhamid.