From Marrakech to Erg Chegaga – 3 Days Sahara Desert & Ait Ben Haddou Adventure

About this experience

Price by number of adults

The displayed price is the unit rate applied to each adult for a private booking.

Highlights

• Discover Aït Ben Haddou Ksar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Travel through the spectacular Draa Valley, surrounded by palm groves and desert oases
• Spend a night in the Erg Chegaga desert with a camel ride and sunset over the dunes
• Cross the remote landscapes of Lake Iriki, Foum Zguid and Taznakht

Detailed itinerary

1. Day 1 : Marrakech - Tizi n’Tichka - Aït Ben Haddou - Agdez - Zagora

2. 07:00

   Departure from Marrakech

3. Depart in the morning from your hotel or accommodation in Marrakech and head south. The road gradually climbs into the High Atlas Mountains, offering beautiful views of valleys and traditional Berber villages.

4. Tizi n’Tichka Pass

5. Cross the famous Tizi n’Tichka Pass, one of the main mountain crossings of the High Atlas. Enjoy a few stops along the way to admire the spectacular mountain scenery and take photographs.

6. Journey to Aït Ben Haddou

7. Descend towards the southern side of the Atlas through increasingly arid landscapes, heading towards the Ounila Valley and the Ouarzazate region.

8. Aït Ben Haddou

9. Arrive at Aït Ben Haddou, one of Morocco’s most iconic ksours. This historic fortified village, built mainly from earthen materials, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most remarkable cultural landmarks in southern Morocco.

10. Visit of Aït Ben Haddou Ksar

11. Explore the narrow lanes of the old ksar, traditional earthen houses and panoramic viewpoints overlooking the surrounding valley. The site is also famous for having appeared in several international film and television productions.

12. Lunch in Aït Ben Haddou

13. Enjoy a lunch break at a local restaurant before continuing towards the Draa Valley.

14. Agdez & Draa Valley

15. Continue towards Agdez through spectacular mountain and desert landscapes. The route then reaches the Draa Valley, renowned for its vast palm groves, green oases and traditional villages.

16. Arrival in Zagora

17. Arrive in Zagora, an important oasis town at the gateway to the Sahara. Enjoy some free time to relax and discover the unique atmosphere of this southern Moroccan town.

18. Overnight in Zagora

19. Check in at your accommodation, enjoy dinner and spend the night in Zagora.

20. Day 2 : Zagora - Tamegroute - M’Hamid - Erg Chegaga

21. Breakfast in Zagora

22. Start the day with breakfast before continuing your journey through the landscapes and cultural heritage of the Draa Valley.

23. Tamegroute

24. Depart towards Tamegroute, a historic village known for its religious heritage, ancient Quranic library and traditional craftsmanship.

25. Quranic Library & Traditional Pottery

26. Discover the cultural heritage of Tamegroute and, depending on visiting conditions, observe local artisans at work in traditional pottery workshops, famous for their distinctive green-glazed pieces.

27. Journey to M’Hamid El Ghizlane

28. Continue through the Draa Valley, passing palm groves, oases and increasingly vast desert landscapes.

29. M’Hamid El Ghizlane

30. Arrive in M’Hamid, the last major oasis before the vast Sahara and one of the main gateways to the dunes of Erg Chegaga. Once an important stop along ancient caravan routes, the town marks the transition from oasis landscapes to the open desert.

31. Lunch in M’Hamid

32. Enjoy a lunch break before heading onto the desert tracks.

33. Crossing the Desert Landscapes

34. Leave the paved roads behind and gradually enter the wild landscapes of the Sahara. The desert tracks cross rocky plateaus, sandy areas and increasingly remote scenery.

35. Arrival at Erg Chegaga

36. Discover the impressive Erg Chegaga dunes, one of the largest and most remote dune areas in Morocco.

37. Camel Ride in the Dunes

38. Enjoy a traditional camel ride through the dunes and experience the peaceful atmosphere of the Sahara while watching the changing colors of the sand.

39. Sunset in the Sahara

40. Climb the dunes and find a perfect viewpoint to admire the spectacular sunset over the vast desert landscape.

41. Desert Camp

42. Arrive at the desert camp and settle into your accommodation in the heart of the Sahara. Enjoy some time to relax and take in the peaceful surroundings.

43. Saharan Evening

44. Enjoy a traditional Moroccan dinner followed by an evening around the campfire beneath the spectacular star-filled desert sky.

45. Overnight at the Erg Chegaga desert camp.

46. Day 3 : Erg Chegaga - Lake Iriki - Foum Zguid - Taznakht - Marrakech

47. Sunrise over the Dunes

48. Wake up early to admire the first light of the day over the Erg Chegaga dunes. Enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the desert before beginning the return journey.

49. Breakfast at the Camp

50. Enjoy a traditional breakfast at the camp before leaving the desert.

51. Departure from Erg Chegaga

52. Leave the dunes and follow the desert tracks towards Lake Iriki and Foum Zguid.

53. Iriqui National Park

54. Cross the remote landscapes of Iriqui National Park, known for its vast desert spaces, rocky plateaus and remarkably isolated scenery.

55. Foum Zguid

56. Arrive in Foum Zguid, a small town located between the desert and the Anti-Atlas Mountains. Take a lunch break before continuing towards Taznakht.

57. Journey to Taznakht

58. Continue through the landscapes of the Anti-Atlas towards Taznakht, a region renowned for its traditional crafts and Moroccan carpets.

59. Taznakht – Traditional Berber Craftsmanship

60. Discover the traditional craftsmanship of Taznakht, particularly its handmade carpets produced using techniques passed down through generations.

61. Return to Marrakech

62. Continue towards Marrakech through the mountainous landscapes of southern Morocco.

63. 19:30

    Arrival in Marrakech

64. Arrive in Marrakech and drop off at your hotel or accommodation. End of your journey through the landscapes of the Moroccan Sahara. Note: This Program Can Be Customized to Suit Your Wishes