Agadir to Erg Chegaga Desert Tour, 2 Days
Agadir to Erg Chegaga Desert Tour: 2 Days in the Sahara
Feel the heartbeat of the Sahara on an adventure that starts and ends in Agadir. Cross the Anti-Atlas to the immense, wild dunes of Erg Chegaga, ride a camel at sunset and sleep in a nomad tent or under a sky full of stars, then come back by 4×4 across the dry bed of Lake Iriqui.
This Agadir to Erg Chegaga desert tour takes you through the northern edge of the Sahara and some of the most dramatic landscapes of southern Morocco. On the way you stop in Taroudant for its old ramparts and souk, in Taliouine, known for its saffron, and in Taznakht for lunch, before heading to the dunes via Foum Zguid, the last town before the sand.
At the dunes you enjoy a sunset, a camel ride of about an hour, dinner and a night in the Sahara, in the spirit of the nomadic Berber tribes. Erg Chegaga is wilder and quieter than the better known dunes, which is exactly why travellers who want a real desert feeling choose it.
- Duration2 days, 1 night
- Start and endAgadir
- RouteTaroudant, Taliouine, Foum Zguid, Erg Chegaga
- Camel rideAbout 1 hour
- OvernightNomad tent or bivouac
- ReturnVia the dry Lake Iriqui
Agadir to Erg Chegaga Desert Tour Highlights
- Stop in Taroudant to see its old ramparts and souk
- Discover Taliouine, known for its saffron
- Pause in Taznakht on the way into the deep south
- Reach the immense dunes of Erg Chegaga, far from the main tourist trails
- Ride a camel for about an hour at sunset
- Sleep in a nomad tent or under the stars in a bivouac
- Watch the sunrise over the dunes and have breakfast in the desert
- See the dry Lake Iriqui from your 4×4 on the way back
2-Day Agadir to Erg Chegaga Itinerary
Two days, two very long road sections and one unforgettable evening in the middle. The pace is early starts and steady driving, with stops that break up the distance and show you the real south.
Day 1: Agadir to Erg Chegaga
Depart early in the morning from Agadir and drive inland to Taroudant, where you can enjoy a stop at its old ramparts and souk. The road then climbs into the Anti-Atlas to Taliouine, a town known for its saffron, which grows on the slopes around it. After a few hours on the road you reach Taznakht for lunch.
From Taznakht the route continues via Foum Zguid and then onto the sandy tracks leading to the immense dunes of Erg Chegaga, a huge field of golden sand with no road and no village in sight. Here you admire a scenic sunset and enjoy a camel ride of about one hour before dinner and a night in nomad tents, or under the stars in a bivouac.
Day 2: Erg Chegaga back to Agadir
Enjoy the sunrise over the dunes and breakfast in the desert, then leave in a 4×4 towards Foum Zguid, crossing the dry bed of Lake Iriqui on the way, a vast flat clay plain that rarely holds water and plays tricks with light and distance.
After a break in Foum Zguid, you continue to Taznakht and Taliouine, where you stop for lunch, then return through the Anti-Atlas and Taroudant. The journey ends in Agadir by sunset, with the desert still in your head and sand in your shoes.
Why Book This Tour With Visit the Desert
The wild Sahara
Erg Chegaga is a vast dune field far from the main tourist trails, so the silence, the stars and the sense of space are the real thing.
Private tour
The tour is run as a private tour, with standard or luxury camp options, so you set the rhythm of the stops and keep the group to people you know.
All from Agadir
You start and end in Agadir, with no need to travel to Marrakech first, and you return to the coast in just two days.
What Is Included in the Agadir to Erg Chegaga Desert Tour
Included
- Pick-up and drop-off at your hotel in Agadir
- Air-conditioned tourist vehicle and a 4×4 for the dunes
- English-speaking guide and driver
- Camel ride
- Overnight in a desert camp with dinner and breakfast
- Multiple stops to visit kasbahs on the way
Not included
- Drinks and snacks
- Lunches, unless agreed with us
- Tips (optional)
- All other extras
Good to Know Before You Go
Long driving days
Both days involve a lot of driving, well over 400 km each way, including tracks near the dunes. Bring snacks, water, a light jacket and a travel pillow if you tend to sleep in the car.
Camp comfort
You can choose between a standard camp and a luxury camp. Tell us your preference when you book and we confirm what is available, from simple nomad tents to more comfortable options.
What to pack
Pack a small overnight bag, closed shoes, a scarf or hat for sun and sand, sunscreen and a warm layer, because desert nights are cold even after a hot day.
Phone and charging
Signal and electricity can be limited in the dunes, so charge your phone and camera before you leave Taznakht and bring a power bank.
Best season
Autumn to spring is the best time. Summers are very hot in the desert, and the long drive is less pleasant in the heat.
Ready for Erg Chegaga?
Pick your travel dates in the booking form on this page, or message us to adjust the route, the camp or the number of nights.
Agadir to Erg Chegaga Desert Tour: Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the camel ride last?
The camel ride lasts about one hour, usually at sunset, and takes you across the dunes towards your camp. The pace is slow and easy, and no previous experience is needed.
Where do we sleep in Erg Chegaga?
You sleep in nomad tents or, if you prefer, under the stars in a bivouac at Erg Chegaga. Dinner and breakfast are included, and we can confirm standard or luxury camp options when you book.
Where does the tour start and end?
The tour starts and ends in Agadir, with pick-up and drop-off at your hotel. You arrive back in the city around sunset on day 2, so plan your evening accordingly.
What is Lake Iriqui?
Lake Iriqui is a huge dry lake bed that you cross by 4×4 on day 2, on the way from the dunes to Foum Zguid. It is a flat plain of cracked clay that rarely holds water, and it is a favourite for photos and mirages.
What is the difference between Erg Chegaga and Erg Chebbi?
Erg Chegaga is wilder and more remote, with fewer visitors and a longer approach by track, while Erg Chebbi, near Merzouga, is easier to reach and more visited. If you want a quieter desert night, Chegaga is the better choice, and if you prefer a longer trip towards Merzouga, see our Agadir to Merzouga desert tour.
Is the Agadir to Erg Chegaga tour private?
Yes, it is run as a private tour, so you travel only with your own group, with a driver and an English-speaking guide. This makes it easy to adapt stops, ask for a break or choose your preferred camp.
What should I bring and wear?
Bring warm clothes for the evening, sun protection and a small overnight bag, and wear closed shoes you can walk in on sand. Light, breathable clothes work during the day, and a scarf is useful against sun and wind.
Is two days enough, and can I extend the trip?
Two days is a short and intense version, with a lot of driving and a single night in the dunes, so it suits travellers who are short of time. If you would like a slower pace, or a second night in the desert, contact us and we plan a longer version with you.
