Chegaga Desert
A 4x4 desert escape from Ouarzazate
A short, intense escape to the dunes of Erg Chegaga. You follow the Drâa valley and its million date palms down to M’Hamid, then leave the tarmac for desert tracks and a sunset over the dunes. The return crosses the dry lake Iriki and Foum Zguid, before reaching Ouarzazate through the Taznakht region.
- Duration
- 2 days / 1 night
- Departure
- Ouarzazate
- Transport
- 4x4
- Price
- Price on request
- 2 days / 1 night
- Departure at 8am from your hotel in Ouarzazate
- Around 1 million date palms in the Drâa valley
- 90 km of track to Foum Zguid
Highlights
- The Drâa valley, the largest palm grove in Morocco
- The Ouled Outhmane kasbah, a former pasha’s residence
- Sunset and sunrise over the Erg Chegaga dunes
- Crossing the dry lake Iriki, south of the jbel Bani
- Taznakht, the capital of Berber carpets
Day-by-day itinerary
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Day 1
Ouarzazate – Zagora – Erg Chegaga
Departure at 8am from your hotel in Ouarzazate, heading for the Drâa valley, the largest palm grove in Morocco: around a million date palms, a true lifeline for many families. On the way, visit the Ouled Outhmane kasbah, a former pasha’s residence, tastefully restored while preserving its Berber architecture.
Lunch break in Zagora at a local restaurant. In the afternoon we continue to M’Hamid, the last village in the palm grove, then leave the tarmac for desert tracks, reaching the famous dunes of Erg Chegaga at the end of the day. You watch the sun set over the dunes. Dinner and overnight in a nomad tent.
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Day 2
Erg Chegaga – Foum Zguid – Ouarzazate
A stunning desert sunrise, not to be missed! The camp team serves breakfast, then at 9am we get back in the 4x4 and head for the dry lake Iriki, a vast plateau of packed earth south of the jbel Bani range.
We reach the village of Foum Zguid for lunch, a welcome break after 90 km of track. In the afternoon we return to Ouarzazate through the Taznakht region, the capital of Berber carpets in southern Morocco. If you wish, you can visit a women’s weaving cooperative to discover this craft, practised mostly by women to support their families. Arrival in the late afternoon, with transfer to your riad or hotel.
Included in the programme
- Pick-up from your hotel in Ouarzazate
- Tour by 4x4
- Visit of the Ouled Outhmane kasbah
- Dinner and overnight in a nomad tent at Erg Chegaga
- Breakfast served by the camp team
- Transfer to your riad or hotel in Ouarzazate
As described in the itinerary. Final details are confirmed in your quote.
Accommodation
Nomad tent at a desert camp in Erg Chegaga.
Optional
- Visit of a women’s weaving cooperative in Taznakht (if you wish)
Places on this trip
Chegaga Desert
2 days / 1 night · From Ouarzazate
Request this trip
Answers before you even ask
1.How do I book a trip?
Contact us by phone, WhatsApp, email or through our forms. Once the programme is agreed, you can place an option, valid for 8 days. Your booking only becomes effective once we receive your signed booking form with a 30% deposit and have confirmed it, subject to availability.
2.When is the balance due?
The balance must be paid no later than 30 days before departure; failure to pay it may lead to automatic cancellation of the booking. If you book less than 30 days before departure, the full price is payable on booking.
3.What are the cancellation charges?
If you cancel, the following amounts are retained: more than 30 days before departure, a flat fee of €50 per person; between 30 and 21 days, 35% of the trip price; between 20 and 14 days, 50%; between 13 and 7 days, 75%; less than 7 days, 90% of the trip price.
4.How do I make a complaint?
Any complaint about a trip must be sent to Atlas Experience by registered post or by email, with the original supporting documents, within one month of your return date.
5.What facilities does the desert camp have?
It depends on the tour. In Merzouga, some programmes include a comfort camp with private showers and toilets, others comfort tents. At Erg Chegaga, you sleep in nomad tents or comfort tents, with separate or shared showers and toilets. Details are given in each programme.
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