Erg Chegaga Desert Tour Zagora: Camel Ride & Sandboarding

Two days crossing dunes, riding camels, sandboarding at sunset

A 2-day desert tour from Zagora to Erg Chegaga with camel ride, sandboarding, and overnight in a Berber nomad tent. The itinerary departs Zagora in the afternoon, crosses two hours of off-road desert to reach the big dunes, includes dinner and breakfast, and returns the next morning after a stop at the Koranic library in Tamagroute. Air-conditioned vehicle, guide and all meals are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Desert journey and night in Berber tent

• Depart Zagora around 14:00
• Travel through Tizi Anagame and Ben Selmane
• Off-road to Erg Chegaga dunes
• Camel ride before sunset
• Tea and dinner in nomad Berber tent
• Sleep in Berber tent or under stars

Day 2: Sunrise and return to Zagora

• Enjoy sunrise in desert
• Breakfast at camp
• Leave Chegaga towards Zagora off-road
• Stop at Koranic library in Tamagroute
• Arrive Zagora around noon

The experience

Departure from Zagora is around 14:00, heading toward M'Hamid through Tizi Anagame and Ben Selmane before turning off-road for two hours into the open desert. The route reaches the Erg Chegaga dunes in time for a camel ride before sunset. Tea and dinner follow in a Berber tent, where you can choose to sleep under canvas or on the dunes themselves under the stars.

The next morning starts with sunrise on the dunes. After breakfast, the return journey heads back toward Zagora by another off-road route, this time through the last village in the Draa Valley. A stop at the Koranic library in Tamagroute breaks up the drive, and you arrive back in Zagora around noon. The air-conditioned vehicle stays with you both days, and your guide speaks English, Spanish, Italian, French or another language depending on the group.

Sandboarding happens on the dunes themselves. The tour includes the activity and the dunes provide the slope. What you bring matters less than what the desert offers: the camel herds you'll see, the nomadic atmosphere the camp creates, and the sky at night when the stars come out.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle for both days.
• camel ride at sunset on day one.
• sandboarding on the Erg Chegaga dunes.
• dinner and breakfast.
• coffee and tea.
• overnight in a Berber nomad tent or under the stars.
• guide in your chosen language.
• hotel pickup from Zagora.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (18 to 49 years) · Senior (50 and older) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (5 to 12 years) · Infant (under 5)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, Italian and Arabic

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 8 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Zagora Desert Travel

Is this one for you?If you're staying in Zagora without a car, pickup is included, so the two-day commitment starts and ends at your hotel: the desert trip doesn't require arranging your own transport to the trailhead. The overnight in the tent or on the dunes means you're sleeping where the dunes are biggest, not driving back to town after dark.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, Italian and Arabic.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (5 to 12 years); Infant (under 5).

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

The tour departs Zagora around 14:00 on day one and returns around noon on day two, so you have the first afternoon and the full second morning in the desert.

Do I have to sleep in the tent, or can I sleep under the stars?

You choose: the Berber tent or the open dunes. Either way, you're sleeping at Erg Chegaga after dinner and waking for sunrise.

Is the camel ride included, or do I pay extra?

The camel ride is included in the tour price, along with sandboarding, all meals, and the air-conditioned vehicle both days.

What is the Koranic library stop on the way back?

Tamagroute's Koranic library is a historic collection in the last village of the Draa Valley, visited on the return drive to Zagora as a break from the road.

What should I bring for sandboarding and the desert?

The tour includes sandboarding on the dunes. Bring sun protection, a hat, and layers for the temperature drop at night. Formal dress code applies, so avoid very casual clothing.