Zagora to Erg Chegaga Desert Tour: Sahara Dunes & Nomad Tent

Sleep under stars in the Sahara's largest dunes, then ride camels at sunrise across the sand.

A 2-day tour from Zagora to Erg Chegaga takes you into Morocco's Sahara desert by 4X4, with a camel trek through the dunes, a night in a nomad tent bivouac and a guide who speaks English, French or Arabic. The route includes the Koranic library at Tamegroute, the Sacred Oasis, and a return to Zagora by mid-morning on day two. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Zagora to Chegaga desert

• Breakfast in Zagora
• Visit Koranic library of Tamegroute
• Drive to Mhamid for lunch
• Travel to Sacred Oasis and Chégaga dunes
• Watch sunset at highest dune
• Dinner and folkloric animation
• Overnight in nomad tent bivouac

Day 2: Chegaga to Zagora return

• Early Berber breakfast
• Camel ride at sunrise through dunes
• Return to Zagora around 11:30 am
• Enjoy hot shower at Guest House

The experience

You have two days and want to see the Sahara without flying south or committing to a week in the desert. This tour moves fast: after breakfast on day one, a 4X4 takes you from Zagora through Tamegroute (a town twenty kilometers away on the old road to Timbuktu, where you'll visit the Koranic library), then on to M'hamid for lunch. From there the road opens into the sea of sand. Erg Chegaga is the largest in Morocco, a dune field over forty kilometers long with peaks reaching three hundred meters. You arrive in time to watch the sunset, eat dinner and settle into a nomad tent for the night while the stars come out.

Day two starts before dawn. A typical Berber breakfast comes first, then you ride camels through the dunes to see the sunrise from the sand itself. The return to Zagora is timed for around 11:30 am, leaving the afternoon free. A hot shower waits at the guest house. Your guide is a local man who speaks English, French or Arabic and knows the region well enough to talk you through what you're seeing: the oasis, the nomadic traditions, the music and the way people live here. The 4X4 has air conditioning and fuel is included. Pickup from your hotel in Zagora and the return drop-off are part of the booking.

You choose between a standard tent bivouac or a luxury one at checkout. Both sit in the same camp and include the same meals and camel ride. The difference is in the tent itself and what comes with it.

What’s included

• The 4X4 with air conditioning and fuel.
• camel trek through the dunes at sunrise.
• breakfast on both mornings and dinner on night one.
• one night in a nomad tent bivouac (standard or luxury, your choice at checkout).
• pickup and drop-off from your hotel in Zagora.
• a live guide in English, French or Arabic.

Options for this experience

2 options

Standard one-night bivouacGuide in English, French or Arabic · 09:30Standard tent, includes pickup

Luxury bivouac for one nightGuide in English, French or Arabic · 09:30Luxury tent, pickup is included

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:30

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (12 to 90 years) · Child (under 12)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, French and Arabic

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 13 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 6 days before the start.Between 2 and 6 days before the start, 50% refund.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 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by KARIM SAHARA PRESTIGE

Is this one for you?Book the standard bivouac if you want the full desert experience at a lower price, or the luxury bivouac if you prefer upgraded tent accommodations after a full day of travel and dune time. Either way, the two-day length gets you to Morocco's largest sand dunes and back to Zagora by lunchtime, so it fits a short window without feeling rushed.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, French and Arabic.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 12).

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 6 days before the start.

What is the Koranic library at Tamegroute that we visit on day one?

Tamegroute is a town about twenty kilometers from Zagora on the historic route to Timbuktu, and the library there holds Koranic manuscripts. The stop gives you a sense of the region's place on old trade routes before you head into the desert itself.

What's the difference between the standard and luxury bivouac tents?

Both options include the same location, meals and camel ride. The luxury bivouac tent offers upgraded accommodations compared to the standard tent, but the specific amenities are not detailed in the itinerary. You choose at checkout based on your comfort preference.

Are drinks included in the meals?

Breakfast and dinner are included, but drinks are not covered by either bivouac option. You may want to bring water or arrange beverages separately.

Does the tour include hotel pickup in Zagora?

Yes, pickup from your hotel in Zagora and drop-off after the return on day two are both included in the tour price.