For travelers who want the Sahara without the crowds. This private, round-trip 5-day adventure leaves the well-worn Merzouga route behind for Erg Chigaga, Morocco's largest and most remote dune sea, reached via the historic caravan town of Zagora and the palm-lined Draa Valley.
Depart Marrakech and climb into the High Atlas over the Tizi n'Tichka pass, stopping at the UNESCO-listed kasbah of Ait Benhaddou before continuing through Ouarzazate. The road then follows the Draa River south through Agdz and Morocco's largest palm oasis, with mud-brick kasbahs rising from the green valley floor, arriving in the desert outpost of Zagora by evening — famed for its centuries-old "Timbuktu, 52 Days" caravan sign.
Continue south past the last palm groves of Tagounite to M'Hamid El Ghizlane, the final outpost before the open desert. From here, a 4x4 carries you off-road across hamada plains to Erg Chigaga, Morocco's largest and most remote sea of dunes — reaching heights of over 300 meters and far removed from the crowds of Merzouga. A short camel trek delivers you into the heart of the dunes for sunset, dinner under the stars, and a night at a private desert camp.
Wake for sunrise over Morocco's most remote dune sea, then spend the day exploring by 4x4 and on foot — visiting nomadic encampments scattered across the desert, climbing the tallest dunes for panoramic Sahara views, and sandboarding down their faces. As night falls, gather again around the campfire for traditional Berber music beneath one of the darkest, clearest skies in Morocco.
Leave the dunes behind after breakfast and retrace the route north through M'Hamid and Zagora, following the Draa Valley's palm oases back to Ouarzazate. Time permitting, stop to see the historic Taourirt Kasbah and the film studios where countless international productions have brought the desert to the big screen, before settling in for the night.
A final look at Ait Benhaddou's fortified kasbah in the morning light precedes the drive back over the Tizi n'Tichka pass, with sweeping High Atlas views the whole way. Your Morocco Boutique Tours driver-guide provides a private drop-off at your riad, hotel, or the airport in Marrakech, bringing your Sahara adventure to a close.
All accommodations listed above are our recommended selections — if you'd like to upgrade to a different property or make any changes, just let us know when you enquire and we'll gladly arrange it.
Price per person, based on the room occupancy selected · private vehicle & driver-guide included throughout
This 5-day Marrakech → Marrakech (Round Trip) journey is entirely private — you'll have your own driver-guide and vehicle for your party alone, from pick-up to drop-off, with no other travelers joining your group.
The €797 per person (twin/double share) rate covers your private driver-guide and vehicle, handpicked accommodation each night, daily breakfast and 3 dinners, and all site and monument entrance fees noted in the itinerary. International flights, most lunches, and personal expenses aren't included — see the full breakdown above.
Yes — since it's a private departure, you choose your own start date rather than joining a fixed group. If you'd like the Marrakech → Marrakech (Round Trip) route itself reshaped around your interests, our Tailor-Made service can rebuild it from scratch.
Spring (March–May) and fall (September–November) offer the most comfortable temperatures across Morocco, including the Sahara sections of this itinerary. Summer brings intense desert heat, and desert nights turn cold in winter.
No special fitness is required. The camel trek and any walking sections are paced for everyday travelers, and your driver-guide handles the logistics — you're free to go at your own pace throughout the 5 days.
Send us your preferred travel dates and group size — we'll confirm availability and pricing within 24 hours.
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