Desert Trip From Ouarzazate To Erg Chigaga On 3 Days
Ouarzazate
Duration
3 days
Tour Type
Overview
Set off on this charming 3-day desert trip from Ouarzazate to Erg Chigaga. And immerse yourself in the most beautiful places of southern Morocco to experience the excitement of a real desert adventure. Enjoy the magical evenings spent in your own nomad tents in opulent desert camps. Under the huge and starry Saharan sky. And amidst the massive dunes as you ride a camel across the golden dunes.
Discover the secrets hidden by verdant valleys and historic Kasbahs around Ouarzazate as you develop a close and meaningful relationship with the captivating desert and the culturally diverse landscape that adorns Morocco’s southern region. This remarkable adventure from Ouarzazate promises to take you deep into the region. Where you’ll make experiences that will last a lifetime.
This desert trip from Ouarzazate promises to provide an adventure. And lasting memories that will stay carved in your soul long after the Ouarzazate desert tour’s finish. In every sand dune, starry night, and cultural contact.
Included/Exclude
- Transportation in a private air-conditioned vehicle; 4×4 Toyota Prado TX
- Experienced English, French speaking driver-guide
- Pick-up from and drop-off at your hotel in Ouarzazate
- Accommodation in air-conditioned rooms/suites with private bathrooms
- Two nights in luxury desert camps in the Erg Lihoudi and Erg Chigaga dunes: private tents with bathroom & shower, king-sized beds, mattresses, sheets, pillows, blankets, lamps & traditional furniture
- All meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Bottled water in the vehicle
- Bottled water, tea, and coffee in the desert camp
- Sunset camel ride with guide plus free sandboarding if desired
- Free time to explore sites of interest, for walks, photos and tea/coffee breaks
- Luggage service to the desert camp and all accommodation
- Travel insurance
- Entrance fees and local guides
- Soft Drinks
- Tips
Tour Plan
On your three-day desert journey from Ouarzazate to Erg Chegaga, depart in the morning at 8:30 from your hotel and head south. You cross the Anti-Atlas Mountains to the south and arrive at Agdz, an oasis town renowned for its assortment of palm dates. The breathtaking vistas of the vast green oases and many palm trees, signifying the beginnings of the Dra'a Valley, will astound you as you begin to descend the Tizi-n-Tinfifite pass (1660m).
Agdz lies along the historic Caravan Road, which once carried products from Mali and Niger over the Sahara. These days, an astounding 44 different types of dates are produced by its vast palm plantations.
We take a quick detour off-road via the Dra'a Valley, which is situated between the mountains and the river. We travel by a number of towns along the way to get a better understanding of the way of life along the oases. The oldest kasbah in the valley, Kasbah Tamnougalte, will be the site of your visit. While some areas of the Kasbah remain occupied, others—especially the Jewish quarter—have been abandoned and are slowly collapsing.
From here, you resume your three-day journey through the Erg Chegaga desert from Ouarzazate, heading south along the historic Caravans road to Zagora, the valley's final, largest oasis and the location of today's lunch. You visit an ancient Quranic library in Tamgroute hamlet and the green pottery cooperatives nearby, just outside of Zagora.
Your desert trip continues in the afternoon all the way to M'hamid, where the sand at the side of the road marks the start of the vast Sahara Desert. The end of the paved road and the entrance to the Sahara are located in M'hamid Village.
Here, you can take a camel ride to the top of the dunes to witness a breathtaking sunset. You dine and spend the night in a private tent in an opulent desert camp furnished with king-sized beds, mattresses, sheets, cushions, blankets, carpets, and lamps in addition to a private restroom and shower.
Get up early to see the sun rise from the top of the dunes. You'll have time to explore the desert dunes and take in peaceful moments. After breakfast is provided back at the camp, you embark on your journey to see the area.
The ancient settlements situated here are typical of desert homes, with all-adobe construction. The thick walls of this superb building material keep out the intense summer heat. You will visit these settlements and discover what it's like to live in this hard but stunning place.
Following lunch, you drive another 65 km off-road through the "erg" (dunes), "hammada" (stony desert), and oasis that make up the Sahara Desert before arriving at the Erg Chegaga dunes.
You settle into your tent at the campsite and nosh on some Moroccan pastries and a soothing drink of tea. After that, you ride a camel to the top of the Erg Chegaga dunes, which are 300 meters high and provide breathtaking sunset views. The vastness of the sand and the solitude are overpowering, and these dunes are remote from any kind of civilization.
Dinner is served back at the camp, and then there's an evening around a campfire with nomad music and drumming. You spend the night in your own tent, which has a king-sized bed, mattresses, sheets, cushions, blankets, and rugs, as well as lovely Moroccan furnishings that have been thoughtfully placed to improve your stay. It also has a private bathroom and shower.
An amazing morning, when the color of the dunes and the movement of shadows is a breathtaking sight, awaits those who rise early enough. You will also have time to take in the peace and quiet of this enchanted location as you ponder the dunes.
Breakfast is served back at the camp. Your three-day Erg Chegaga desert tour from Ouarzazate then travels another ninety kilometers over the Sahara Desert, passing by Lake Iriqui, where you might see a large mirage in the heat, the mountains, and a fossil-hunting chance.
From here, you head west on the former "Rally Paris-Dakar" route to Foum Zguid, the first settlement after the desert and the lunch stop. After there, head north on paved roads past amazing rock formations to the tiny village of Taznakht, which is well-known for its Berber rugs and carpets. You can see women working on looms in a display area if you're interested.
By late afternoon, you reach Ouarzazate after reversing your direction and heading east. Your 3-day desert journey from Ouarzazate to Erg Chegaga will come to a conclusion when your driver drops you off at your accommodation.
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