4-Day Sahara Morocco Erg Chegaga Tour – Aït Ben Haddou & Taroudant

Embark on an adventure in southern Morocco with this exceptional tour departing from Marrakech.

Cross the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n'Tichka pass and discover the famous UNESCO-listed ksar of Ait Ben Haddou. Continue towards the Draa Valley and the ancient caravan routes to the wild dunes of Erg Chegaga.

Enjoy a magical night in a desert camp, a camel ride, and a complete immersion in the Sahara. Conclude your journey in the authentic city of Taroudant.

Day 1: Marrakech – Tizi n'Tichka Pass – Aït Benhaddou (181 km)

Departure by minibus via the Tizi n'Tichka pass, the highest road in Morocco and all of North Africa. This complete crossing of the High Atlas Mountains clearly distinguishes the two sides: the north still distinctly Mediterranean, the south already Saharan. On the descent, we pass through Aït Benhaddou and visit the old village with its exceptional earthen architecture, which has earned it UNESCO World Heritage status.

Day 2: Aït Benhaddou – Chegaga (248 km)

We continue south, through the city of Ouarzazate, also known as the Hollywood of Morocco and nicknamed the "Gateway to the Sahara." We continue through the lush Draa Valley, where we leave the main road and follow the ancient caravan route. We drive alongside the palm trees until we reach the desert town of Zagora.

After arriving at the village of Tagounite, we leave the car and take a 4x4 to reach the Chegaga dunes. Erg Chegaga (or Chigaga) is one of the two major ergs of the Moroccan Sahara, the other being Erg Chebbi. This dune massif, located in the Souss-Massa-Drâa region, lies approximately 50 km west of the rural commune of M'Hamid El Ghizlane, itself situated about 98 km south of the city of Zagora. Approximately 40 km long and 15 km wide, this erg, with some dunes reaching heights of nearly 300 m (compared to 170 m for Erg Chebbi), is the largest and wildest in Morocco. Due to its relatively difficult access, only reachable by 4x4, camel, or on foot, Erg Chigaga remains less frequented than Erg Chebbi, allowing for a truly authentic desert experience.

Dinner & Overnight at Alladin Bivouac.

Day 3: Chegaga - Taroudant (365 km)

After breakfast, departure for Foum Zguid, by road via Taznakht. Taznakht, like Telouet, Ait Benhaddou, and Taourirt, was a link in the chain of caravan routes. Its strategic location between the Souss, Drâa, and Telouet regions made it a crossroads and trading hub. It played a significant commercial role through the bartering of various goods: grains, hides, dates, pottery, jewelry, salt, sugar, tea, and more. Caravans from the Drâa oases, the Telouet mountains, and the Souss plains converged there. These transactions ensured commercial and cultural connections between Taznakht and other regions of Morocco.

Afterwards, a stop at the carpet cooperative is recommended if you would like to learn about the different types of carpets produced in the region. After a break for lunch (not included), we set off for Agadir, passing through the village of Taliouine. The Taliouine area is the center of saffron production in the Kingdom of Morocco. The Souktana cooperative, an emblematic and showcase organization for the sector in terms of marketing this spice and improving production quality, has been operating there for many years.

We then arrive in the city of Taroudant. Taroudant is located in the heart of the Souss Valley and is bordered by the provinces of Essaouira, Chichaoua, and Al Haouz to the north; the province of Ouarzazate to the east; the provinces of Tata and Tiznit to the south; and the province of Chtouka Ait Baha and the prefectures of Agadir Ida Ou Tanane and Inzegane Ait Melloul to the west. It covers an area of ​​16,500 km², bordered by two mountain ranges: the High Atlas to the north and east, and the Anti-Atlas to the south. To the west, the plain opens onto the Atlantic Ocean. This fertile valley is traversed by the Souss River, which flows alongside the city. The province of Taroudant is home to the highest mountain in North Africa, Mount Toubkal (Jebel Toubkal in Arabic), which rises to 4,167 meters.

Dinner & Overnight at Riad Le Jasmin in Taroudant.

Day 4: Taroudant - Marrakech (269 km)

Transfer from Taroudant to Marrakech

End of our program