Erg Chigaga in Three Days: a Sahara Loop by Zagora, Mhamid and Iriki Lake
A Sahara loop to the remote dunes of Erg Chigaga, 60 km off road beyond Mhamid, with a night in Zagora, a night in camp and the return by Iriki Lake.
Erg Chigaga feels remote for a simple reason: it is. Nobody has built a hotel out there, because the dunes sit 60 km of rough track, roughly two hours, past Mhamid, so every visit means sleeping in a Sahara camp under canvas.
Reaching them from Ouarzazate takes six hours of driving, so we split the trip into three days. The first night is in Zagora, you reach the sand with time to spare, and the drive home loops back a different way, across the great dry lake of Iriki.
Highlights
- The old ksars and kasbahs around Agdz and Tamnougalt
- Tamegroute and its potters
- Crossing the track to the Erg Chigaga dunes
- Camels at sunset and a night in the Sahara
- Coming home by Iriki Lake, Foum Zguid and Tazenakht
Day by day
Day 1: Ouarzazate, Draa Valley, Zagora
We collect you at 8:30 am and head south over the Anti Atlas. In Agdz and Tamnougalt you visit old ksars and kasbahs, then the road traces the Draa River past its Berber villages to Zagora, where you have lunch and check in. Late in the afternoon, Tamegroute and its pottery village are on the programme.
Day 2: Zagora, Mhamid, Erg Chigaga
You pause at Ait Isfoul and in the village of Mhamid before the tarmac ends and the track leads to Erg Chigaga. A camel ride at sunset follows, then a night in the standard or luxury tented camp you chose.
Day 3: Erg Chigaga, Foum Zguid, Tazenakht, Ouarzazate
Walk out onto the dunes at sunrise and take in the silence, then have breakfast in camp. The return crosses the great lake of Iriki and passes Foum Zguid and Tazenakht on the way to Ouarzazate.
Where it happens
On day one you cross the Anti Atlas to Agdz and Tamnougalt, then follow the Draa River down to Zagora and Tamegroute. Day two runs on through Ait Isfoul to Mhamid, where the off road leg to Erg Chigaga begins. On day three the loop swings west past Iriki Lake, then through Foum Zguid and Tazenakht back to Ouarzazate.
Who it suits
For people who would trade the busier Merzouga dunes for wilder, quieter ones and who enjoy a long stretch of track. The standard option is a traditional nomad camp; a luxury tent can be arranged on request at extra cost. Tell us about children or health concerns, since the off road section is lengthy.
Included
- Private SUV with fuel and passenger insurance
- English speaking driver
- Pickup and drop off at your hotel or riad in Ouarzazate
- Night in a Zagora hotel with dinner and breakfast
- Night in a tented camp inside the Erg Chigaga dunes
- Dinner and breakfast in the desert
- Sunset camel ride
Not included
- Luxury tent upgrade, available on request at extra cost
What to bring
- Warm clothes for the night, the desert cools fast after sunset
- A head torch
- A scarf or chèche for wind and sand
- Motion sickness tablets if bumpy tracks bother you
- A small overnight bag
Good to know
- Allow about six hours from Ouarzazate to Erg Chigaga, of which 60 km is off road track from Mhamid.
How to book
Let us know your dates and preferred camp, online or on WhatsApp. We confirm availability and the final price per person, which varies with group size. No payment happens online.
Questions and answers
How much does the Erg Chigaga 3 day tour cost?
Per person, it costs 840 USD for one traveller, 490 USD each for two, 414 USD each for three and 340 USD each for a group of four or more. A luxury tent costs extra.
Are there hotels in Erg Chigaga?
No. With 60 km of track between the dunes and Mhamid, the night there is always spent in a desert camp.
Why three days?
Six hours separate Ouarzazate from the dunes. Stopping overnight in Zagora splits the drive and leaves more time to enjoy the desert.
Request this trip
Choose an activity and a date. Our team replies to confirm availability, the meeting point and the final price. Nothing is charged online.
