3 Days Desert Trip from Marrakech to Erg Chegaga


3 Days Desert Trip from Marrakech to Erg Chegaga

Experience the majestic dunes of Erg Chigaga and immerse yourself in the unique nomadic culture of the region. Start your journey in Marrakech, travelling through the Atlas Mountains and visiting the Berber town of Ait Ben Haddou. Continue to Erg Chigaga for a warm nomadic welcome at a nomadic camp. Spend a day exploring the Sahara Desert, meeting nomadic families, and learning about their lifestyle.

Itinerary

 Erg Chegaga Or Chigaga takes you to discover an amazing region in the south of Morocco, Ksar, Kasbah, valley, sahara desert Chegaga dunes. 

Day 1 - agdaz night in local hotel or guest house for a restful night 

We will leave early in the morning the racket and the bustle of chaotic Marrakech for a quieter and prettier world: the Atlas Mountains. The particularity of this day is that you will see how varied the landscapes can get in such a short time. It means the route continues from the hectic city of Marrakech up through stunning mountains-the Atlas Mountains-through towering peaks, green valleys, and traditional Berber villages huddled on hillsides

Not your average mountain drive greets you as this road winds over Tizi n'Tichka at one of North Africa's highest mountain passes, with breathtaking panoramic views. Scenic drives will give glimpses into rural Morocco well off the beaten track. You will make a stop at Ait Benhaddou-a UNESCO World Heritage site and backdrop to many Hollywood blockbusters. Working your way through this ancient fortified village builds up your sense of feel and touch with Moroccan history, architecture, and culture.

Closure for the day is made at a local hotel or guest house for a restful night after touring.

Day 2 - night in fixed luxury camp chigaga 

‌After breakfast, meet your desert guides & transport 4×4 are loaded with your luggage/equipment. Your guides will also help you to wrap your turban, ideal protection in the desert and the day’s goal, the large, remote sand dune region, of chagaga, will be reached ,You will experience a Bedouin desert camping trip in Camp chagaga (‘al erg’ meaning dunes). desert camp is located at the base of the remote dunes of Erg Chigaga. 

The camp is encircled by smaller, rolling dunes for shelter, which offers a great vantage point to watch the sunrise/sunset. The tallest of the dunes in Erg Chigaga and enjoy sandboarding, 

The sleeping tents at Camp Al Erg are comfortably furnished with a king-size bed or twin beds, these rooms come with linens and blankets (including one family tent). There is a shower and toilet facility, with hot water. At this campsite there is also a large dining tent and plenty of outdoor space for relaxation and enjoyment around the campfire. In warmer conditions we can dine outside and soak up the beautiful night sky. 

Evening entertainment is around the campfire after dinner - feel free to sing, play drums, read poetry or even tell a few tales.

Also please let us know if you’ll be celebrating a special occasion in the desert and we’ll make suitable arrangements to help you celebrate!

Day 3 Return by 4x4 to the fixed bivouac and transfer to the departure city

After breakfast, meet your desert guides & transport 4×4 are loaded with your luggage/equipment, it's time to say goodbye and return at riad / hotel (or airport) in Marrakech

Traveling solo, with family, as a couple, or with friends? Our Sahara Desert tours promise to enthrall everyone. Our Marrakech desert trips lead you to the heart of the Moroccan desert, satisfying your quest for an authentic and unique experience.

 prices from 2 person

With 1 night at camp 1nght at local hotel or guest house :

• €550 per person with nomadic Bedouin Camp

• €750 per person with Luxury Camp

• Prices based on two people travelling by private vehicle.

What's included in the price?


What are my additional costs?

  The price does not include flights.

Please ensure to carry Moroccan Dirhams for your local extras. ATMs are found throughout big towns

what should i pack ?

Blankets & sheets are provided at the fixed desert camp, and blankets only on desert treks (please bring a 2 or 2-3 season sleeping bag for desert

trekking Nov-March);

Sun protection (cream, hat, sunglasses, scarf for the neck);

Trekking sandals (with socks) or trainers for the desert - we advise against walking boots;

Canvas walking shoes or canvas boots for the mountains (for the foothills, even trainers) - we advise against heavy leather walking boots;

- February particularly so) - however, a campfire is always lit;

Comfortable, loose clothing in the day, especially for the driving days in the car - pack clothing that you can layer easily and don't mind getting a bit dusty (unless you plan to visit very upmarket restaurants/hotel bars you won't need to dress formally in the cities);

Motion sickness tablets (if you might suffer with car sickness on the winding roads across the Atlas mountains, and across the desert terrain);

Electric point adapter - plug points are two-pronged as per Europe - and (purely a suggestion) external power bank/spare batteries;

Spare plastic bag to put garbage in (necessary on treks - ideally transport your own litter out of the desert, or hand it to your trek guide).

Wifi and staying connected

You can expect to find wifi at the guest houses we use on the tours.

There is no wifi service in the Sahara desert. If you have an urgent need to stay connected you should buy a SIM card from network operator Orange. You should be able to find an Orange outlet in the Marrakech medina on Boulevard Mohamed V, or near the Place Febrilities. Alternatively at the Almazar shopping centre which is out of town.

Sometimes, free SIM cards are handed out at the Marrakech airport. These won't work in the desert (only the Orange network works through the Iriqui National Park/Erg Chigaga region

Your driver ? 

He is experienced and knows the roads (and desert terrain) exceptionally well. He is your travel companion and route guide. Please feel free to ask him to stop whenever you need to and don't be afraid to ask him questions-after all, you'll be spending a few hours in the car together and this is a great opportunity to exchange cultural insights (from both sides). He does know the best places for comfort breaks, snacks, views and photos 

What to expect Food ? 

We do ask you to specify any special dietary requirements to us.

On trek and at camp in the desert, you will eat very well indeed-the emphasis is on fresh vegetables & fruit, tagines (meat/vegetable), soup, salads, bread, and lots of mint tea

For trekking, you may consider bringing your own snacks/energy bars if you like to snack on-the-go. You certainly won't go hungry though

At your guest houses, expect the same sort of meals- usually on half-board basis at guest houses there is no a la carte' choice for your evening meal but you can expect to eat three-courses, all home-cooked of course.

Lunch en-route is inexpensive (approx. 100dh pp) for kebab skewers, salad, drink or tagine, drink.

Currency 

The Moroccan currency is the Dirham (MAD) and is a closed currency (although it may be possible to purchase it at certain airport forex desks). We recommend that you simply use an ATM on arrival (at the airport or in town), or change USD, GBP or Euro at a bureau de change. There will be ATMs in towns on tour (e.g. Ouarzazate, Agdz, Zagora, marakkech).

You shouldn't need to carry large amounts of cash with you (just to cover lunch, drinks, souvenirs, etc). Credit cards may be used in city riads/hotels, upscale restaurants/bars and large shops. Rural shops, cafes, and small guest houses will only accept cash, preferably Dirhams or Euro


if you feel like more after this sahara getaway we look forward to hear from you