from Marrakech to Erg Chigaga, Erg Chigaga, not one ridge (erg) however an impressive stretch of golden sand ocean some 56km southwest of M’Hamid. it’s the biggest sand ocean in Morocco, snaking on the horizon for 40km and bordered to the north and south by mountain ridges. the most effective way to reach them is in classic picture style: by camel, which takes 5 days or per week round-trip.
A sea of golden crescents, peaking at 300 m, hides in its troughs small, non-permanent settlements. The desert atmosphere here is therefore peaceful and enveloping, offering beautiful night skies illuminated by the Milky Way’s wide arc.
Your Accommodation / Airport, Train-Bus Station or wherever you want
30 Minutes Before Departure
After breakfast you will be joined by an official local guide to see all the sites with historical and cultural interest, including the Koutoubia Minaret; the Saadian tombs; the beautiful Palace of Bahia, and the Ben Youssef Koranic School. Finally, end the morning by walking through the medina alleys -getting a chance to admire all of the different artisans performing their crafts before arriving at the famous Jamaa El Fna Square. In the afternoon you will have a chance to walk around the famous square on your own.
After breakfast a road trip is going to take you through some of Morocco’s beautiful landscapes, passing via the Atlas Mountains through the high *Tichka Pass*, in the middle of the road you will veer out to take a sideway to visit the very beautiful Kasbah of Telouat, with its ruins that have a very long history to tell and then we continue our way via the salt way to join the famous Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou which is a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1987, and which serves as a replacement for Jerusalem in so many movies such as “Kingdom of Heaven”. Arrived at Ouarzazate or Hollywood of Africa as it is referred to because of its famous studios and also because of the movies that were filmed in it.
After breakfast we depart to the pearl of the south the town of M’hammid via the ancient caravan route, to visit the lost city of Zagora which was once a very important stop for caravans coming from the sub-Saharan countries going to the north of Morocco and which they used to bring spices, leather, and slaves. Along the way, we will visit the traditional pottery shops in Tamgroute village where a demonstration of how to make plates and jars in a traditional way will be demonstrated to you and we will visit the old Quranic school with its very ancient books.
After driving 60km off-road we will arrive at the edge of Erg Chgaga one of the longest and also remotes ergs in the Moroccan Sahara where you will spend a night under nomad tents in a camp in the middle of the desert.
After breakfast and after refreshing up, an off-road trip of 100km will take us to the heart of the desert, along the way some of the very beautiful and dry deserts, like landscapes, are to be enjoyed. Along the trip and in the middle of the desert, a dry lake lies in the middle of nowhere; Iriqui Lake is worth a visit.
This journey will take us back to the red city of Marrakesh via the Berber city of Taznakht which is also known for its Berber handmade carpets. Then we continue our way by crossing the High Atlas Mountains to join the red city.
After having a great time with us in Morocco, we will transfer you to the airport according to your flight time.
