Private 4-Day Sahara Desert Tour from Marrakech with Erg Chigaga

Summary

Morocco Desert Adventure: Ouarzazate, Draa Valley & Nomad Life

You’ll travel deep into southern Morocco—crossing mountains, meeting Berber families over home-cooked meals, sleeping under Saharan stars at Erg Chigaga, and riding camels across real dunes. If you want more than just snapshots—if you want stories—you’ll find them here.

What’s the experience like?

The first morning kicks off early—bags packed, we’re winding up into the Atlas Mountains before the sun’s really warmed the air. Tizi n’Tichka Pass is all switchbacks and sudden views; you can smell the pine sap when the windows are down. By midday, we’re in Ouarzazate. Our guide, Hassan, points out film studios and old kasbahs as we roll through town. Lunch is simple but good—flatbread and olives at a roadside café. The afternoon brings us to Agdz and Tamnougalt. The kasbah here looks like it’s grown right out of the earth itself; mud walls, palm groves rustling in the breeze. Dinner’s served family-style at our guest house—a tagine bubbling away with saffron and lemon.

The next day, we follow the Draa River south. Zagora is dusty and busy—kids wave as we pass by. In Tamegroute, a local family welcomes us for lunch; their bread comes straight from a clay oven and there’s mint tea poured high into tiny glasses. We wander narrow lanes lined with green pottery before heading further toward the desert. By late afternoon, sand starts to swallow the road—Erg de Juif’s dunes appear suddenly, golden under a wide sky. At Chegaga, campfire smoke mixes with cool night air while someone drums on a darbouka nearby. I remember looking up: so many stars it almost didn’t seem real.

Waking up in a nomad tent has its own rhythm—the quiet is different here, broken only by camel bells somewhere behind camp. After breakfast (strong coffee and sweet bread), we climb onto dromedaries for a slow ride over soft sand. There’s time to visit with local nomads; their stories come through gestures and smiles more than words sometimes. By evening, we’re back in Ouarzazate at a small hotel that feels almost too comfortable after the desert chill.

The last day takes us to Ait Ben Haddou—a place that looks familiar if you’ve watched any big movies set in Morocco. We get lost in its maze of alleys before sitting down for lunch overlooking the old ksar walls. The drive back to Marrakech is quiet; everyone’s tired but no one really wants it to end just yet.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Ouarzazate and Draa Valley

• Depart 8:30 AM via Tichka Pass
• Visit Ouarzazate and Draa Valley
• Visit Kasbah of Tamnougalt
• Dinner and overnight in Tamnougalt guest house

Day 2 — Desert, Oasis, Berber Village

• Explore Draa Valley and Zagora
• Lunch at local family in Tamegroute
• Visit Tamegroute village
• Travel to Erg de Juif dunes and Sacred Oasis
• Evening at Chegaga dunes with local drums
• Overnight in nomadic bivouac tents

Day 3 — Desert Camels and Nomads

• Dromedary ride in dunes
• Visit nomads
• Return and dinner in Ouarzazate hotel

Day 4 — Kasbah and Return to Marrakech

• Return to Marrakech via Ait Ben Haddou
• Visit and lunch in Ait Ben Haddou
• Arrive Marrakech late afternoon

Top questions

Is this desert tour suitable for kids or older travelers?

Yes—it’s family-friendly and accessible for most ages. There are infant seats available and prams can be used in some places. Just keep in mind there are long drives and some uneven ground.

What should I pack for this trip?

Layers work best—the desert gets cold at night but warm during the day. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, sturdy shoes for walking around kasbahs or dunes, and maybe a scarf for dust.

Are meals included? Is vegetarian food available?

Dinners and breakfasts are included each day; lunches are often shared with locals or at cafés along the way. Vegetarian options can be arranged—just let your guide know ahead of time.

How comfortable are the tents at Erg Chigaga?

The bivouac tents are quite cozy—proper beds with blankets inside each one. There’s basic bathroom access at camp too.

What’s included

Your private tour covers air-conditioned transport throughout, half-board stays in traditional riads or guest houses (including one night in a luxury bivouac tent), camel rides across Erg Chigaga dunes, guided visits to kasbahs and Berber villages—and plenty of mint tea along the way!