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Highlights
Camp under the stars and explore the Sahara Desert by camel on this 8-day guided tour
Spend each night camping in the desert wilderness in traditional native style.
Explore the beautiful landscapes of the Chigaga and Bougarn dunes.
Witness stunning mountain scenery as you drive through the Atlas Mountains and over the Tizi n’Tichka Pass.
Trek through the heart of the Sahara Desert for an authentic Moroccan experience.
An “erg” is a sand sea or a field of dunes, and the Erg Chigaga is one of the most stunning examples in the world. The Erg Chigaga Camel Trek lets you spend a week exploring this amazing region of the Sahara Desert in Morocco by camel.
You’ll see the beauty of the Atlas Mountains as you cross over the Tizi n’Tichka Pass along the way from Marrakesh to the Sahara. Then your trek begins as you make your way through the incredible region around the Erg Chigaga. Sleep in traditional camps surrounded by sand dunes and experience the heart of the desert. Don’t miss this unforgettable desert adventure in Morocco.
An “erg” is a sand sea or a field of dunes, and the Erg Chigaga is one of the most stunning examples in the world. The Erg Chigaga Camel Trek lets you spend a week exploring this amazing region of the Sahara Desert in Morocco by camel.
You’ll see the beauty of the Atlas Mountains as you cross over the Tizi n’Tichka Pass along the way from Marrakesh to the Sahara. Then your trek begins as you make your way through the incredible region around the Erg Chigaga. Sleep in traditional camps surrounded by sand dunes and experience the heart of the desert. Don’t miss this unforgettable desert adventure in Morocco.
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Erg Chigaga Camel Trekking Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Marrakesh
Welcome to Morocco! Salam Alaikum! Arrive at the Marrakesh Menara International Airport, or Ouarzazate Airport, where a transfer is waiting to take you to your hotel. Get a good night’s rest to prepare you for your trekking adventure!
Overnight Location: Riad Viewpoint, Marrakesh
Distance: N/A
Meals: None
Day 2 Transfer to Ouarzazate and Trek to Faija
Leave Marrakesh after breakfast and travel to the town of Ouarzazate, otherwise known as the “Gateway to the Desert.” Along the way, you’ll cross the scenic Tizi n’Tichka Pass (2,260 m/7,415’). Stop to visit Telouet, the well-known Glaoui Kasbah, then continue through the towns of Agdz and Zagora. When you arrive in Faija, your camp will be ready and waiting.
Overnight Location: Camping in Faija
Distance: 400 km of driving
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 Trek over Oum Laachar Pass to Oued Lemhasser
After breakfast, begin walking along the desert plateau. You’ll pass some farms that are near the base of the Djebel Bani mountains. Climb to the famous Oum Laachar Pass, then continue walking to reach your camp at Oued Lemhasser.
Overnight Location: Camping in Oued Lemhasser
Distance: 5-6 hrs, 17 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 Trek through the Chigaga Dunes
Leave from Oued Lemhasser in the morning and walk to the beautiful Chigaga Dunes. Your camp for the night will be tucked away between the dunes in this amazing area.
Overnight Location: Camping in Chigaga Dunes
Distance: 5-6 hrs, 20 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 Trek to the Bougarn Dunes
Experience the heart of the Sahara Desert today as you walk from your camp at Chigaga Dunes to the lovely Bougarn Dunes, where you’ll camp for the night.
Overnight Location: Camping in Bougarn Dunes
Distance: 5 hrs, 16 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 Trek to Oued Naam
Walk today from your camp at Bougarn Dunes and cross the desert to reach the rural community of Oued Naam to camp for the night.
Overnight Location: Camping in Oued Naam
Distance: 5-6 hrs, 16 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 Trek to Mhamid Dunes, then Transfer to Marrakesh
Complete your tour today with a lovely walk to the Mhamid Dunes, then continue on to the town of Zagora. From here, you’ll begin the 8-hour drive back to Marrakesh.
Overnight Location: Riad Viewpoint, Marrakesh
Distance: 3 hrs walking / 8 hrs driving
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 8 Departure Day
Sadly, your Erg Chigaga Camel Trek tour has come to an end. Transfer back to the airport is included. Have a wonderful journey!
Overnight Location: N/A
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
Erg Chigaga Camel Trekking Tour Dates and Prices
This guided camel trekking tour of the Sahara Desert is always run as a private tour for your group only and the pricing always depend on the size of your group. Prices below are per person sharing a double or a triple room:- Guided group of 4: from EUR785 per person
Please note that the pricing might change depending on the size of your group
Accommodation on the Erg Chigaga Camel Trekking tour
Accommodation along your trek will be in wilderness camps. Before and after your trek, stay in a 3-star Riad (bed and breakfast) in Marrakesh. Rooms are double occupancy, and single travelers will pay a supplement.
In some cases, accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other, comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
You can pay a supplement to have a private room as a solo traveler. In some cases, there may be other solo travelers, and we can match you with participants of the same sex.
What’s included in the Erg Chigaga Camel Trekking tour?
Meals
7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, and 5 dinners are included. Water is also included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 7 nights are included as described. The first and last nights are in a Riad in Marrakesh and the remaining nights are spent wilderness camping along the trail.
Transportation during the Tour
Transportation from Marrakesh to the trailhead and then back to Marrakesh after the trek is included. Transfers to and from the airport are also included.
Also Included
- Mountain guide and cook on the trek
- Camel for luggage transport
- Camping equipment: tents and mattresses
- Airport Transfers to and from the Marrakesh airport
Not included
- Flights to and from Marrakesh
- Lunches and dinners in Marrakesh / Meals other than those listed in the itinerary
- Soft drinks or alcoholic beverages
- Entrance fee for monument visits
- Personal gear
- Tips and other personal expenses
- Travel insurance
Optional Extras
- Gear rentals (€2-5 EUR/day per item)
- How hard is the Erg Chigaga Camel Trekking tour?
- Do I ride the camel or do I walk?
- Do I need a visa to travel to Morocco?
- Are meals included on the Toubkal Circuit trek?
- Do I need insurance?
- How do I get to Marrakesh to start this tour?
- Is the Erg Chigaga Camel Trekking tour in English?
- Where does the Toubkal Circuit trekking tour end?
- What about my luggage during the trek?
- What kind of gear is needed?
- sturdy hiking boots and socks
- sandals for dune walking
- personal first aid kit
- sleeping bag
- rain gear (jacket and pants)
- soft-sided bag (duffel bag)
- lightweight daypack
- sunglasses and sunscreen
- flashlight and batteries
- towel and personal toiletry items
- What clothing is appropriate?
- Can I combine the Erg Chigaga Camel Trek with other treks or tours in Morocco?
- Do I need special vaccines to travel to Morocco?
- Are there any travel restrictions for Morocco?
- When is the best time to travel to Morocco for this tour?
We rate this tour as a 4 / 5. This trip involves early mornings and some strenuous trekking days. Camels will be carrying your baggage to make the trek easier for you, but some distances are quite long.
Your camel will take your belongings and the tents, and you’ll follow (or lead) your camel on this trip. There may be opportunities to ride a camel on this trip.
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, and 5 dinners are included. Meals on your arrival day in Marrakesh are not included.
Yes, it is mandatory to have Health and Medical insurance to join this trip. Get your Travel Insurance.
Fly to Marrakesh Menara International Airport or Ouarzazate Airport.
Yes, the tour guide is English speaking.
The tour ends where it began, in Marrakesh. Airport transfer is included.
All personal luggage, as well as food and cooking equipment for the group, are carried by camels. Pack a daypack with water and any essentials needed along the trail.
Please respect the conservative religious culture of Morocco when choosing your clothing. Knees and shoulders should be covered, as well as the “private“ areas in between.
This tour can easily be combined with other adventure tours in Morocco!
Check with your family doctor.
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
This tour is available year-round, but the best time to travel to Morocco for this trek is during the warmer months from June – October.
Customer Ratings
Aztat Treks (also known at Atlas Trek Shop) is a trekking holiday specialist based in Morocco. Learn about the incredible history, culture and food of Morocco with brothers Mohamed and Ibrahim and their handpicked team of guides, drivers, cooks and muleteers. Aztat has been featured in The Guardian, BBC Radio, Lonely Planet and the Sunday Times.
