Traveller in a yellow robe sitting on the high dunes of the Sahara

Private 4-Day Tour · From Agadir

4-Day Desert Tour from Agadir to Erg Chigaga

A deep Sahara loop from the Atlantic coast — by 4x4 across Lake Iriqui to two nights in the remote dunes of Erg Chigaga, then out through M’hamid, the Draa Valley and Zagora to a night in the kasbah of Aït Benhaddou.

  • Duration4 days / 3 nights
  • Start & endAgadir
  • Desert2 nights in Erg Chigaga
  • Kasbah nightAït Benhaddou
  • MealsAll included
  • Tour type100% private

Tour overview

A deep Sahara loop from the Atlantic

This four-day private tour is made for travellers who want the real, remote Sahara. Leaving Agadir at dawn, you follow the road through Taroudant, the saffron hills of Taliouine and the carpet town of Taznakht to Foum Zguid, where the legendary off-road track begins — past the Elagairmia oasis and prehistoric fossil sites, and across the vast white bed of Lake Iriqui.

Two nights in a traditional camp among the high dunes of Erg Chigaga give you time to truly slow down: sunrise over the sand, tea with a nomad family, a visit to the old ksar and marabout of Zawia, and a sunset camel trek.

Rather than returning the same way, the tour continues east through M’hamid and the Draa Valley to Tamegroute and Zagora, then on to Ouarzazate and a night in the UNESCO-listed kasbah of Aït Benhaddou before the drive back to the coast. All meals are included, featuring local Berber cuisine.

Tour highlights

Deep desert, kasbahs & nomads

The Iriqui off-road track

Fossil sites, oases and a vast dry lake.

Two nights in Erg Chigaga

Morocco’s wildest, most remote dunes.

Sunset camel trek

Across the dunes as the sand turns gold.

Nomad families

Mint tea and a visit to a nomad school.

Ksar & marabout of Zawia

Sacred sites hidden in the desert.

Tamegroute

An ancient Koranic library and green pottery.

The Draa Valley

A green ribbon of palm groves and kasbahs.

A night in Aït Benhaddou

Sleep beside the UNESCO-listed ksar.

Day-by-day itinerary

Your four days, day by day

Day01
Agadir to Erg Chigaga via Foum Zguid & Lake IriquiAgadir → Taroudant → Taliouine → Taznakht → Foum Zguid → Lake Iriqui → Erg Chigaga

An early pick-up from your hotel in Agadir. Your first stop is Taroudant, known as “little Marrakech”, with its ochre ramparts and an art gallery. Continue between the High and Anti-Atlas through Taliouine, the heart of Morocco’s saffron region, and Taznakht, a centre of hand-woven Berber carpets.

After lunch in Foum Zguid, your 4x4 leaves the tarmac for the legendary off-road track: past the Elagairmia oasis and prehistoric fossil sites, then across the vast white bed of Lake Iriqui. Arrive at the dunes of Erg Chigaga in time for sunset, followed by dinner and a night in your desert camp.

  • Distance approx. 380 km
  • Overnight Desert camp, Erg Chigaga
  • Meals Lunch & dinner
Day02
A Full Day in the Heart of Erg ChigagaErg Chigaga → Ksar of Zawia → Erg Chigaga

Wake early for sunrise over the dunes, then enjoy a traditional Berber breakfast at camp. Explore the surroundings with your guide: the ancient ksar of Zawia and its sacred marabout, and a small nomad school where you learn about the customs and daily life of the desert community.

Share mint tea with a nomad family in their tent, then relax at camp through the heat of the day. In the late afternoon, set off on a camel trek across the dunes towards the sunset, before returning for dinner around the fire and an evening of stargazing.

  • Distance approx. 30 km
  • Camel trek Sunset ride
  • Overnight Desert camp, Erg Chigaga
  • Meals Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day03
Draa Valley, Tamegroute & Aït BenhaddouErg Chigaga → M’hamid → Tamegroute → Zagora → Ouarzazate → Aït Benhaddou

After breakfast, leave the dunes by 4x4 towards M’hamid El Ghizlane, stopping at a sacred oasis and crossing the stony hamada. Follow the Draa Valley north, lined with palm groves and earthen villages, to Tamegroute, home to an ancient Koranic library and workshops making the famous green-glazed pottery.

Continue through Zagora and over the mountains to Ouarzazate to visit the Kasbah of Taourirt, then end the day at Aït Benhaddou, the UNESCO-listed ksar seen in countless films. Dinner and overnight in a local guesthouse close to the kasbah.

  • Off-road approx. 30 km
  • Overnight Guesthouse, Aït Benhaddou
  • Meals Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day04
Aït Benhaddou back to AgadirAït Benhaddou → Taznakht → Taliouine → Agadir

Explore Aït Benhaddou in the soft morning light, climbing through its lanes to the old granary for a view over the ksar and the Ounila valley.

Then begin the scenic drive back to the coast via Taznakht and Taliouine, through ever-changing mountain landscapes — a chance to reflect on your journey from the heart of the desert back to the Atlantic. Drop-off at your hotel in Agadir.

  • Distance approx. 300 km
  • End Drop-off in Agadir
  • Meals Breakfast & lunch

Photo gallery

What you’ll see along the way

What’s included

Everything taken care of

Included

  • Pick-up and drop-off at your hotel or riad in Agadir
  • Private 4x4 with an experienced, English-speaking Berber driver-guide, fuel and tolls
  • 2 nights in a traditional desert camp in Erg Chigaga
  • 1 night in a local guesthouse in Aït Benhaddou
  • All meals during the tour, featuring local Berber cuisine
  • Sunset camel trek across the dunes
  • Visits to the ksar of Zawia, a nomad family and Tamegroute, with listed entrance fees

Not included

  • Drinks
  • Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
  • Optional activities: sandboarding, quad biking, film studios
  • Personal expenses and souvenirs
  • Tips for drivers, camel guides and camp staff

Good to know

Questions about this tour

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What is the difference between the 3-day and 4-day Erg Chigaga tours?

The 4-day tour gives you a full extra day of cultural visits and returns by a different, more varied route — through M’hamid, the Draa Valley, Tamegroute, Zagora and Ouarzazate — with a night in Aït Benhaddou. All meals are also included.

Why go to Erg Chigaga instead of Merzouga?

Erg Chigaga is larger and far more remote than Merzouga’s Erg Chebbi. It can only be reached by 4x4 across open desert, so there are fewer visitors, no hotels at the foot of the dunes and a much more authentic nomadic atmosphere.

How long are the driving days?

Day one is the longest, about 380 km including the desert piste. Day two is spent in the dunes with very little driving, day three crosses the Draa Valley to Aït Benhaddou, and day four is about 300 km back to Agadir. There are plenty of stops along the way.

What is the desert camp like?

The camp is a traditional bivouac among the dunes, with Berber tents, beds and blankets, and meals served at the camp. Facilities are simple because of the remote location; upgraded tents with private bathrooms can be arranged on request.

What should I pack?

Comfortable shoes, warm layers for cold desert nights, a scarf or cheche against the sun and sand, sunglasses, sun cream, a torch and a refillable water bottle. Your main luggage stays safely in the 4x4.

Can the tour finish in Marrakech instead of Agadir?

Yes. From Aït Benhaddou it is a short drive over the Tizi n’Tichka pass to Marrakech, so we can end the tour there instead. It can also be extended with extra desert nights or a stay in the Draa Valley.

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  • Tour4-Day Desert Tour from Agadir to Erg Chigaga
  • DepartureAny day, from Agadir
  • GroupPrivate — your group only
  • CancellationFree within seasonal notice

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