Discover the wild Chigaga dunes on this 3-day tour from Marrakech via Agdz and Zagora. Sahara’s largest dune sea, camel or 4×4 transfer, desert camp. Book online.
For travellers seeking to venture further off the beaten path, this tour follows the Draa Valley—Morocco’s longest palm oasis—south toward Erg Chigaga, the country’s largest and most remote dune sea. Accessible only by 4×4 or camel, Erg Chigaga offers fewer visitors, vast golden dunes, and an authentic sense of desert wilderness.
The route crosses the Tizi n’Tichka Pass through the High Atlas Mountains before descending to Ait Benhaddou, the postcard-perfect UNESCO-listed kasbah, and the historic town of Ouarzazate. From here, the journey enters the Draa Valley, Morocco’s longest river oasis, home to more than 1.8 million palm trees and centuries-old kasbahs.
The overnight stop in Agdz, a charming oasis town nestled beneath the imposing Jbel Kissane massif, includes a visit to the beautifully preserved fortified Kasbah Tamnougalt.
Continuing south through the Draa Valley, the route passes Zagora, famous for its historic signpost marking “52 days by camel to Timbuktu,” before reaching Tamegroute. Here, travellers can explore a centuries-old Koranic library containing beautifully illuminated manuscripts, as well as a local cooperative renowned for its distinctive green-glazed pottery.
Beyond M’Hamid El Ghizlane, the last permanent oasis before the open desert, the paved road comes to an end. From here, a 4×4 or camel transfer leads deep into Erg Chigaga, Morocco’s largest and most remote dune sea, where towering dunes rise up to 300 metres.
The night is spent in a secluded desert camp, far from light pollution, offering an unforgettable experience beneath the vast, star-filled Saharan sky.
After witnessing the desert sunrise and enjoying breakfast at camp, travellers return to M’Hamid by 4×4 or camel. From there, the paved road retraces the Draa Valley, passing through Zagora, Agdz, and Ouarzazate before climbing back across the dramatic Tizi n’Tichka Pass.
The journey continues through the High Atlas Mountains, arriving in Marrakech by late afternoon or early evening, bringing the desert adventure to a memorable close.
Ideal for: Travellers seeking a quieter, more remote dune experience than Merzouga, and photographers chasing untouched Sahara landscapes.
