3 Days Ouarzazate to Erg Chigaga Desert Tour via M’hamid and Foum Zguid

Gallery

4x4 desert adventure in the Sahara from Foum Zguid

Oasis and palm groves in Foum Zguid Morocco

Duration

3 days

Start Location

Ouarzazate

Tour Type

Cultural & City Tours, Desert Tours

Min Age

Overview

Embark on an unforgettable 3-day Sahara Desert tour from Ouarzazate to Erg Chigaga via M’hamid and Foum Zguid. This carefully designed desert circuit offers the perfect balance of adventure, cultural encounters, and breathtaking landscapes.

Starting from Ouarzazate, known as the "Hollywood of Morocco" for its famous film studios and kasbahs, the journey takes you across the Draa Valley, home to Morocco’s longest river and lush palm groves dotted with ancient kasbahs. From there, you’ll reach M’hamid El Ghizlane, the last village before the endless Sahara. Experience the magic of the desert on foot and by camel, walking through dunes and palm groves, and visiting the old kasbah of M’hamid, a living testimony of Morocco’s desert heritage.

The adventure continues with a trek alongside camels and a 4x4 drive across the wilderness to reach the legendary Erg Chigaga dunes — one of the largest and most remote dune fields in Morocco, stretching as far as the eye can see. Nights are spent in authentic Bedouin desert camps, where you can savor traditional Moroccan dishes, listen to desert rhythms around the fire, and admire a sky full of stars.

On the final day, the route crosses the dry Lake Iriki, once a vast body of water, now a lunar-like desert plain. Along the way, discover fossil sites, small oases, and visit Taznakht, the capital of Berber carpets, before returning to Ouarzazate.

This desert tour is ideal for travelers seeking a true Moroccan Sahara experience that combines adventure, culture, and authentic nomadic life.

Included/Excluded

Private transport in a modern 4x4 or minibus with air conditioning
Professional English-speaking driver/guide
2 nights desert accommodation (Bedouin tents in Rass Nkhal and Erg Chigaga)
Camel trekking experience with local guides
Camels to carry equipment
All dinners and breakfasts during the desert stay
4x4 transfer across Erg Chigaga and Lake Iriki
Campfire with traditional desert music
Hotel/riad pick-up and drop-off in Ouarzazate

Lunches (available at local restaurants en route)
Drinks and personal expenses
Entrance fees to kasbahs (if applicable)
Tips for drivers, guides, and camp staff

Tour Plan

Day 1: Ouarzazate – Draa Valley – M’hamid – Rass Nkhal

After breakfast, depart from Ouarzazate and head south through the Draa Valley, a breathtaking stretch of palm groves and fortified kasbahs. Along the way, enjoy the views of traditional Berber villages and fertile oases before arriving at M’hamid El Ghizlane, the last settlement on the edge of the Sahara.

Here, begin your desert experience with a guided walk and camel-assisted trek through the dunes and palm groves. Visit the ancient kasbah of M’hamid, exploring its maze-like alleys made of earth and straw, before continuing on foot towards Rass Nkhal, surrounded by date palms and sandy plains.

In the evening, settle into your Bedouin tented camp. Enjoy a traditional Moroccan dinner, music around the fire, and a magical night under the desert sky.

Day 2: Rass Nkhal – Camel Trekking – Erg Chigaga Desert (4x4 Adventure)

Rise early to watch the sunrise over the desert, painting the dunes with golden light. After breakfast, continue your trek, walking or riding camels for about four hours through the wilderness until reaching the dunes of Sidi Naji. Along the way, enjoy moments of silence, breathtaking landscapes, and the companionship of local guides and camels.

After a well-deserved lunch and rest, switch from camel trekking to 4x4 desert driving, heading deeper into the Sahara until you reach the spectacular Erg Chigaga dunes. These dunes, some rising over 300 meters, are among the most isolated in Morocco, offering a true sense of desert immensity.

Arrive at your desert camp in Erg Chigaga, where you’ll be welcomed with mint tea. In the evening, savor a delicious dinner prepared with local ingredients, then enjoy drumming and traditional Sahrawi songs around the fire before spending the night in permanent Bedouin tents.

Day 3: Erg Chigaga – Lake Iriki – Fossil Site – Foum Zguid – Taznakht – Ouarzazate

Wake up early once again for a stunning desert sunrise over Erg Chigaga. After breakfast, depart westward across the dry bed of Lake Iriki, a surreal desert plain that was once a natural lake. This area was part of the legendary Paris-Dakar rally route and is today a haven for photography lovers.

Continue towards Foum Zguid, stopping to visit a fossil site that reveals traces of Morocco’s prehistoric past. Along the way, discover a small hidden oasis before reaching Foum Zguid for lunch.

In the afternoon, continue your journey through the Anti-Atlas Mountains, stopping at Taznakht, a Berber town famous for its handwoven carpets. You’ll have the chance to see local artisans at work before driving back to Ouarzazate, where the tour ends in the evening.

Why Book This 3-Day Desert Tour from Ouarzazate?

Experience the authentic Moroccan Sahara Desert with camel trekking, camping, and 4x4 adventures
Discover hidden gems: M’hamid Kasbah, Rass Nkhal, Erg Chigaga, Lake Iriki, and Taznakht
Comfortable transport and expert guides ensure a smooth journey
Authentic Bedouin camps with traditional Moroccan meals
Ideal for those seeking an off-the-beaten-path desert adventure