Two Days South to the Dunes of Mhamid or Erg Chigaga
A private two day trip down the Draa Valley to a desert camp, either at the Mhamid dunes where the road ends or further off road at Erg Chigaga.
Here you decide where the road ends. Near Mhamid, just northwest of the village and right where the tarmac gives out, rise the dunes locals call Erg Lihoudi. Push on roughly ninety extra minutes of track and you reach Erg Chigaga, emptier and wilder.
The evening plays out the same at both: camels at sunset, then a night in a Berber camp beneath tents of camel and goat wool. Either site can offer a luxury camp instead, on request and at extra cost.
Highlights
- Tamnougalt, its kasbah and its village
- A lunch stop in Zagora
- Tamegroute, with its potters and old manuscript library
- Camels at sunset and a night among the dunes
- An optional look at the old Jewish quarter of Amzerou
Day by day
Day 1: Ouarzazate, Draa Valley, Mhamid or Erg Chigaga
We collect you from your hotel at 8 am and set off over the Anti Atlas into the palm groves of the Draa. You stroll through the kasbah and village of Tamnougalt, have lunch in Zagora, then visit Tamegroute, home of potters and an old library of manuscripts. The road leads on by Tagounit to Mhamid, or further to Erg Chigaga, where a camel ride at sunset and a night in a tent await.
Day 2: back to Ouarzazate
Rise early to see the sun come up over the dunes, then have breakfast before heading back to Ouarzazate along the Draa Valley through Agdz. Any stop skipped on the way down can be made now, and you can add the old Jewish quarter of Amzerou near Zagora.
Where it happens
After crossing the Anti Atlas into the Draa palm groves, you walk through Tamnougalt, eat lunch in Zagora and stop in Tamegroute, then continue by Tagounit to Mhamid or beyond to Erg Chigaga. Count on around four and a half hours from Ouarzazate to Mhamid and about six to Erg Chigaga.
Who it suits
A good fit if you are based in Ouarzazate or Skoura and want a night in the dunes without going all the way to Merzouga. Pick Mhamid to keep the driving down, or Erg Chigaga for more isolated sand. Mention children or health concerns when you write to us.
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 tented camp inside Erg Lihoudi or Erg Chigaga
- Dinner and breakfast in the desert
- Sunset camel ride
Not included
- Luxury camp upgrade, on request at extra cost
What to bring
- Warm layers for the evening and early morning
- A head torch
- A scarf against sand
- Sunglasses and sun cream
- A small overnight bag
Good to know
- From Ouarzazate, Mhamid takes about four and a half hours and Erg Chigaga about six.
How to book
When you write to us online or on WhatsApp, give your date and say whether you want Mhamid or Erg Chigaga. We confirm availability and the final price per person, which depends on group size. No payment happens online.
Questions and answers
How much is the 2 day Mhamid or Erg Chigaga tour?
Per person, it costs 476 USD for one traveller, 316 USD each for two, 228 USD each for three and 180 USD each for a group of four or more. A luxury camp costs extra.
Mhamid or Erg Chigaga, which should I choose?
Mhamid keeps the driving shorter, since its dunes begin close to where the paved road stops. Erg Chigaga means roughly ninety more minutes of track and a more isolated setting.
Is the camel ride included?
Yes. A camel ride at sunset is part of the trip at either location.
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.
