6-Day Tour: Zagora, Erg Chegaga and Essaouira

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Duration: 6 days / 5 nights
Departure: Marrakech to Erg Chegaga tours
Type: Private, tailor-made

6-day tour from Marrakech: Zagora, Erg Chegaga, Taroudant and Essaouira

6-day tour from Marrakech: a private, tailor-made trip with your own driver and a flexible itinerary.

This tour links the Erg Chegaga desert with the lesser-known south of Morocco. First, you visit Telouet, Ait Ben Haddou and the Draa Valley. Then you continue to Taroudant and the coast at Essaouira. Finally, you return to Marrakech through the argan forests.

Day 1: Marrakech – Tizi n’Tichka – Telouet – Ait Ben Haddou – Ouarzazate

We leave early and cross the Tizi n’Tichka at 2,260 metres. Then we turn off to Telouet to visit the Glaoui kasbah. Next, we follow the old caravan route for 32 km, past Berber villages, to Ait Ben Haddou. After the visit we reach Ouarzazate. Dinner and night at the hotel.

Day 2: Ouarzazate – Agdz – Draa Valley – Zagora

We head for Zagora over the Tizi n’Tinifift pass, at 1,660 metres. We make a short stop in Agdz. Then we follow the Draa Valley, with palm groves and old kasbahs. We have lunch at the Tamnougalt kasbah. Dinner and night at a hotel in Zagora.

Day 3: Zagora – Tamegroute – Erg Lihoudi – Erg Chegaga

At 10 am we leave for M’Hamid. First, we stop in Tamegroute to see the Koranic library, the underground kasbah and the pottery. Then we cross the valley via the Ouled Brahim oasis and its kasbah. We have lunch in the Erg Lihoudi dunes and take a one-hour camel ride. Next, we drive 64 km of track to Erg Chegaga, with dunes up to 300 metres high. Dinner and night at a Berber camp.

Day 4: Erg Chegaga – Lake Iriki – Foum Zguid – Taznakht – Taroudant

After breakfast we cross Lake Iriki by 4×4 to Foum Zguid. Then we continue through Taznakht and visit a rug cooperative. Next, we pass Taliouine and Aoulouz. In the afternoon we reach Taroudant, a “little Marrakech” with red walls, and visit it. Dinner and night at the hotel.

Day 5: Taroudant – Essaouira

We head for the Atlantic coast. In the afternoon we reach Essaouira. You have time for the Skala, the medina souks and the beach. Dinner and night at the hotel.

Day 6: Essaouira – Marrakech

After breakfast we drive back to Marrakech. On the way we stop at an argan forest and a small Berber village.

Why choose this tour

You combine the desert, kasbahs, Taroudant and the coast in one tour. Erg Chegaga is also much quieter than other deserts. The tour is private, so we adapt it to your pace.