7 Days Erg Chigaga Grand Dunes Expedition

Here’s a warm, flexible plan for your 7-day Zagora and Erg Chigaga itinerary. It’s paced for comfort yet rich with experiences—and fully customizable to match how you like to travel. From kasbahs and palm oases to the vast silence of the dunes, this Erg Chigaga desert tour 7 days journey will balance scenic drives with unhurried moments, private touches, and excellent local hospitality.

Day 1: Marrakech → Aït Benhaddou → Ouarzazate → overnight Ouarzazate

Erg Chigaga desert tour 7 days begins with an early start from your riad in Marrakech around 08:00. You’ll cross the High Atlas via the Tizi n’Tichka Pass, climbing dramatic switchbacks and pausing for panoramic photos and mint tea. Expect about 192 km / 3h 28m of driving plus leisurely stops. By late morning you’ll stroll the earthen lanes of Aït Benhaddou, the UNESCO-listed ksar where mud-brick architecture glows gold in the sunlight.

After lunch on a terrace overlooking the oasis, continue to Ouarzazate, the “door of the desert,” where film studios and a tranquil palm-fringed pace set the tone for your trip. You will step into history as you explore the fortified granaries and kasbah silhouettes that line the route. You will also travel with a private, English-speaking driver who handles every detail—from comfort breaks to the best viewpoints—so you can simply relax and enjoy the scenery. Settle into your riad and enjoy a gentle first night.

Day 2: Ouarzazate → Draa Valley → Zagora → overnight Zagora

After breakfast, you’ll depart around 09:00 toward the legendary Draa Valley, a ribbon of palm groves, earth-toned villages, and ancient ksour. Today’s route covers roughly 158 km / 2h 20m of driving, with plenty of scenic stops. You’ll wind past Agdz and the crumbling yet romantic Tamnougalt kasbahs, then follow the Draa River as it threads through fields of wheat, henna, and dates. A short cultural pause in a pottery workshop or a cooperative (time permitting) gives you a window into oasis life.

Arriving in Zagora mid-afternoon, you’ll feel the desert air deepen and the sky open wide. You will cruise through palm-filled lanes and meet artisans whose families have lived here for generations. You will also taste local flavors—perhaps a fragrant tagine with Draa valley dates—before a peaceful evening at your guesthouse. Stargazing is superb here; let your driver guide you to a dark-sky spot if you wish.

Day 3: Zagora → M’hamid → 4×4 into Erg Chigaga → overnight desert camp

This is your leap into the Sahara. Depart Zagora at ~09:00 for M’hamid (about 96.8 km / 1h 26m). At the end of the asphalt, you’ll shift into a comfortable 4×4 and trace caravan paths across stony hamada and sandy tracks toward Erg Chigaga. As the dunes rise, you’ll feel the world fall quiet.

On arrival, settle into your private desert camp—ensuite tents, hot showers, and thoughtful amenities. Climb a nearby dune for a cinematic sunset, or opt for a short camel ride just before the light fades. Around the fire, you’ll share a Berber music session under a spectacular canopy of stars. You will watch the sky erupt with constellations while sipping mint tea in the warm glow of lanterns. You will sleep to the hush of the sand and the soft rustle of canvas, a memory that tends to linger long after the trip.

Day 4: Chigaga → Lake Iriqui → Foum Zguid → overnight Ouarzazate/Taznakht

Wake early for a dune-top sunrise, then depart the camp around 08:00. Today’s adventurous track crosses the dry expanse of Lake Iriqui toward Foum Zguid —passing acacia-dotted plains and fossil-rich ground. After a tea break in Foum Zguid, continue on paved roads toward Taznakht (~92.6 km / ~1h 26m) or onward to Ouarzazate (~161 km / ~2h 36m) depending on where you prefer to overnight. Taznakht is famed for hand-knotted rugs; if you’re curious, your driver will introduce you to a reputable cooperative for an authentic, pressure-free visit.

You will trace the contours of the Anti-Atlas as colors shift from ochre to saffron and rose. You will also enjoy a gentle, scenic pace with curated photo stops so the day never feels rushed, even with the off-road segment. Arrive by late afternoon and unwind in your chosen base—quiet village charm in Taznakht or broader dining options in Ouarzazate.

Day 5: Skoura oasis & kasbahs → overnight Skoura

After breakfast, set off around 09:30 for Skoura (roughly 44.5 km / 42 minutes from Ouarzazate; add ~2 hours if coming from Taznakht with stops). Skoura is a living oasis: a mosaic of date palms, pomegranate orchards, and irrigation channels called khettaras. You’ll explore the storied Kasbah Amridil, whose towers and inner courtyards reveal centuries of caravan trade and oasis stewardship. Walk or take a gentle bike ride among garden plots and meet families tending the fields. Pause for a homemade lunch—fresh bread from a clay oven, olive oil, and seasonal produce.

You will feel the tempo slow as birdsong and rustling palms replace the road’s hum. You will also discover the art of oasis agriculture and the subtle architecture that keeps homes cool and crops watered. As sunset colors brush the palm fronds, retire to a charming lodge; perhaps book a hammam or pool time before a restful night under the stars.

Day 6: Skoura → Marrakech → overnight Marrakech

Today you’ll journey back to Marrakech, departing around 08:30 to make the most of the drive over the High Atlas. Plan on about 234 km / 3h 59m including scenic pauses over the Tizi n’Tichka Pass. If you wish, detour to Telouet and the Glaoui Kasbah (adds ~1–1.5 hours) for intricate zellij, carved cedar, and sweeping valley views. Lunch will be along the route—your driver will steer you to reliable, clean spots with flavorful tagines and fresh salads.

Rolling into Marrakech mid- to late-afternoon, you’ll settle into your riad, then perhaps enjoy an early evening Medina stroll: lantern-lit lanes, spice-scented souks, and the hum of Jemaa el-Fna coming to life. You will wander through artisan quarters and discover hidden courtyards that feel worlds away from the lively square. You will also enjoy concierge-style support for dinner reservations, hammam bookings, or a guided night photo walk, ensuring a smooth, pampered return to the Red City.

Day 7: Marrakech → depart

Your final morning will be unhurried and tailored to your flight schedule. Enjoy breakfast on the riad terrace and a last espresso as the city stirs. Depending on timing, you might slip into a nearby garden or boutique for keepsakes before your private transfer to the airport—typically 20–30 minutes from the Medina, traffic permitting. You will receive curb-to-check-in assistance and baggage support to keep things effortless from door to door.

You will leave with a camera full of desert sunsets, kasbah silhouettes, and palm-lined paths—plus the comfort of knowing this itinerary can be adjusted anytime, from pacing and hotel level to experiences like quad biking, stargazing sessions, or chef-led cooking lessons tailored just for you. Safe travels and shukran—until next time.