Every route into the Moroccan Sahara we run, beyond the flagship 3-day trip — Zagora’s quieter dunes, the remote Erg Chigaga crossing, and longer circuits that add the imperial cities or Fes.
Merzouga and its Erg Chebbi dunes get most of the attention, and for good reason — but it isn’t the only Sahara worth seeing. Zagora and the Draa Valley offer a quieter, less-visited route into the desert, and Erg Chigaga (reached by 4x4 track) is remote enough that you’ll likely have the dunes to yourself.
A 4-day one-way tour from Marrakech to Fes via the Sahara: Aït Benhaddou, Dades Gorge, a night in the Merzouga dunes, then north through the Ziz Valley to Fes.
A 3-day one-way desert tour from Marrakech to Merzouga: Aït Benhaddou, the Dades Valley, camel trek and a night in the dunes. Ends in Merzouga — ideal if you're continuing to Fes or beyond.
A 4-day desert tour from Marrakech to the Sahara via Zagora and the Draâ Valley — a quieter alternative to the busier Merzouga route, with camel trekking and a desert bivouac.
A 6-day one-way desert crossing from Marrakech to Fes via the remote Erg Chigaga dunes, reached by 4x4 track — a rougher, quieter alternative to the standard Merzouga route.
A 7-day desert tour covering both Zagora and the Merzouga corridor before continuing to Fes and the imperial cities — small group, max 10.
Discover Morocco's lesser-known south on this 9-day adventure. From Agadir's Atlantic coast and Taroudant's 'Little Marrakech', through Taliouine saffron fields and the remote Chegaga desert camp, to Ait Ben Haddou and a full guided day in Marrakech.
Merzouga’s Erg Chebbi dunes are taller and more visited; Zagora and the Draa Valley are quieter, with a different, more remote feel. Both include a camel trek and a night in a desert camp. See our dedicated guide, Merzouga vs Zagora vs Erg Chigaga, for the full comparison.
Year-round except July and August, when Sahara daytime temperatures regularly exceed 45–48°C and we pause desert departures for safety and comfort.
Yes — several routes here do exactly that, ending in Fes or looping through the imperial cities rather than returning directly to Marrakech.
