3 days / 2 nights
Erg Chigaga by 4x4
Erg Chigaga is the dune field most travellers never reach: 300 km of dunes beyond Zagora, accessible only by 60 km of off-road track from M’Hamid. That barrier is the point — the camps are isolated and you will see very few other people. It is 4x4 and private only, three days, from €290 per person for two.
Why it is different from Merzouga
Merzouga is reachable by tarmac, which means coaches, quad rental and camps within sight of each other. Chigaga needs two hours of piste in a Land Cruiser, and that filters out almost everyone.
The dunes themselves are higher and the field is far larger. What you give up is convenience: no shops, no tarmac, and no possibility of changing your mind halfway.
The route
- Day 1 — Marrakech, Tizi n’Tichka, Aït Benhaddou, Draa valley, night in Zagora or M’Hamid.
- Day 2 — off-road from M’Hamid across the reg to Erg Chigaga, camel trek, night at an isolated camp.
- Day 3 — sunrise over the erg, back by piste, and the drive to Marrakech.
Practical
- Private only — a Toyota Land Cruiser with an off-road driver-guide.
- Book at least three days ahead; the vehicle and driver are dedicated to you.
- Not advisable with a bad back: two hours of piste is genuinely rough.
- Bring everything you need. The last shop is in M’Hamid.
Frequently asked questions
How much is an Erg Chigaga tour from Marrakech?
From €290 per person for two over three days, dropping to €240 for three or four and €210 for five or more. It is private only.
Can I reach Erg Chigaga without a 4x4?
No. There are 60 km of off-road track from M’Hamid, and a normal car will not make it. Some travellers do the last stretch by camel over two days instead.
Is Chigaga better than Merzouga?
For solitude and scale, yes. For convenience and price, no. If it is your first time in the Sahara and you have three days, Merzouga is the safer choice; if you have seen Merzouga, Chigaga is the reason to come back.
3 days / 2 nights
from 290 € / person