4x4 Desert ToursPrivate trip

5-Day Erg Chigaga Tour via Skoura and the Dades Gorge

Kasbahs, a gorge and two nights in a comfortable camp at Erg Chigaga

Duration: 5 days / 4 nights
Group: Your group only
Difficulty: Easy
Starts in: Marrakech

Why you'll love it

Cross the High Atlas by the Tizi n'Tichka pass (2,260 m)
Telouet, Ait Ben Haddou and the 17th-century Kasbah Amridil
A walk in the Dades Gorge

Your route

Marrakech Ait Ben Haddou Ouarzazate Skoura Oasis Dades Gorge Draa ValleyZagoraM'Hamid Erg Chigaga Marrakech

Day by day

5 days

A five-day private 4x4 loop from Marrakech. You cross the High Atlas to Telouet and Ait Ben Haddou, sleep in the Skoura palm grove, walk into the Dades Gorge and drive to Zagora, then spend two nights at Erg Chigaga with a camel ride at sunset and a full day among the dunes. The return passes the Iriqui dry lake, Foum Zguid and Taznakht.

Day 1Atlas crossing to Skoura

Marrakech → Tizi n'Tichka pass → Telouet kasbah → Ait Ben Haddou → Ouarzazate → Skoura Oasis

Leave Marrakech at 8:00 and cross the Tizi n'Tichka pass, with visits to the Telouet kasbah and Ait Ben Haddou and a stop in Ouarzazate, before a night in a hotel in the Skoura palm grove.

Overnight: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 2Kasbah Amridil, the Dades Gorge and the Draa Valley

Kasbah Amridil → Dades Gorge → Draa Valley → Zagora

Visit the 17th-century Kasbah Amridil, walk through the Dades Gorge, then drive back west through the Draa Valley to a riad in Zagora.

Overnight: Riad
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

+3 more daysShow fewer days

Day 3Desert arrival: Tamegroute to Erg Chigaga

Tamegroute → M'Hamid → Erg Chigaga

See the manuscript library and the pottery workshops of Tamegroute, then drive through M'Hamid and about two hours off-road to the dunes. A sunset camel trek with Berber music ends at a comfortable camp.

Overnight: Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4A full day among the dunes

Erg Chigaga

Explore Erg Chigaga by camel or 4x4, with lunch under acacia trees, optional sandboarding, stargazing and stories by the campfire. A second night in the camp.

Overnight: Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5Homeward by Iriqui, Foum Zguid and Taznakht

Iriqui dry lake → Foum Zguid → Taznakht → Marrakech

Watch the sunrise, then cross the Iriqui lake bed, with its fossil deposits, to Foum Zguid and the carpet-weaving town of Taznakht, and over the High Atlas back to Marrakech.

Overnight: No overnight
Meals: Breakfast

What's included

Included

Private 4x4 with an English-speaking driver-guide
Four nights: hotel in Skoura, riad in Zagora, two nights in a comfortable desert camp with private tents and bathrooms
Moroccan meals prepared by Berber cooks at the overnight stops
Sunset camel trek and stargazing at Erg Chigaga

Not included

Travel insurance
Tips and personal expenses

Good to know

Difficulty: Easy: no fitness needed beyond short walks on sand
Best season: October to April (Best from October to April; summer is possible with adapted timings but very hot)
Crew and guide languages: English

Meeting point

Pick-up at your hotel or riad in Marrakech around 8:00. The exact place and time are confirmed with the team.

Preparation

Bring sun protection, comfortable shoes for the gorge and the dunes, and a warm layer for the nights. Pack a small bag; the camp provides bedding.

What to bring

Closed, comfortable shoes (trainers or light boots)
Warm layers: desert nights are cold from October to March
Sun hat, sunglasses and sun cream
Headlamp and a scarf for wind and sand

Read before you go: How Much Does a Sahara Desert Tour in Morocco Cost?

Questions

What makes Erg Chigaga different from Erg Chebbi?

Erg Chigaga is bigger, more remote and quieter, reached by piste, so you meet very few other visitors. Erg Chebbi has taller dunes and is easier to reach from the north.

What are the camps like?

A comfortable desert camp with private tents, proper beds, private bathrooms and solar lighting. It is simpler than a hotel, but you do not have to share facilities.

Is it suitable for older travellers?

Yes. The walks are short and optional, the camel ride and dune walks can be adapted, and the days are mainly in the vehicle. Tell us about any mobility needs.

When is the best time to go?

Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the most comfortable, with warm days and fresh nights. Winter nights are cold, so bring warm layers. Summer is very hot and not recommended for walking.

What should I pack?

Comfortable closed shoes, light clothes you can layer, a warm layer for the night, sun protection, a scarf and a headlamp, in a small bag. The camp provides bedding.

How do I book this trip?

Send an enquiry from this page with your dates, group size and any wishes. We reply by email, confirm availability and agree the details with you. There is no online payment on the website.