Embark on a 4-day expedition to the wild dunes of Chegaga, the largest and most authentic in Morocco. This tour takes you well off the beaten path: cross the lush Draa Valley, explore the pottery workshops and library of Tamgroute, before experiencing a 4×4 adventure on the tracks of Lake Iriqui. After a magical night under the stars at the foot of 300-meter dunes, the return journey plunges you into history with visits to the grandiose Kasbahs of Aït Ben Haddou and Telouet.
Day 1: Marrakech – Zagora: En route to the desert Morning departure to cross the Tizi n’Tichka pass (2260 m) with its spectacular landscapes. Drive south through the High Atlas, then along the lush Draa Valley to Zagora. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 2: Zagora – Tamgroute – M’hamid – Chegaga Visit the Quranic library and pottery workshops in Tamgroute. Lunch in M’hamid, the “gateway to the desert,” then depart by 4×4 along the sandy tracks to reach the immense dunes of Chegaga (300m high). Sunset, dinner under the stars, and overnight stay in a Berber tent.
Day 3: Chegaga Dunes – Ouarzazate After breakfast at the bivouac, cross the dry Lake Iriqui and fossil sites. Pass through Foum Zguid and Taznakht (famous for its carpets) before reaching Ouarzazate for the night in a riad.
Day 4: Ouarzazate – Aït Ben Haddou – Marrakech Visit the famous Kasbah of Aït Ben Haddou (UNESCO), the setting for many films (Gladiator, Lawrence of Arabia). Visit the Kasbah of Telouet (former residence of the Pacha Glaoui) before returning to Marrakech via the Tizi n’Tichka pass in the early evening.
Transport: Air-conditioned vehicle with an experienced driver/guide.
Accommodation (3 Nights):
2 Nights in Hotel/Riad (Zagora & Ouarzazate).
1 Night in a Bivouac under a Berber tent (Chegaga).
Meals: Half-board (3 Dinners and 3 Breakfasts).
Activities: Camel ride and Sandboarding.
