6-Day Sahara Desert Crossing: Marrakech to Fes via Erg ChigagaThe Remote Dunes, Then North to Fes
6 days / 5 nights·Max 8
About this journey
Erg Chigaga is Morocco's most remote major dune field — reached by a genuine 4x4 track from M'Hamid, not a paved road like Merzouga's Erg Chebbi. This six-day route crosses from Marrakech to Chigaga and continues north to Fes, a one-way desert crossing for travellers who want the least-touristed version of the Sahara experience Morocco offers. The route south runs through Ouarzazate and the Draâ Valley to M'Hamid, then a genuine 4x4 transfer (not the group's usual minivan) into Chigaga itself — higher, more isolated dunes than anywhere else accessible on a standard tour length. From there it's a long push north through the desert corridor and Middle Atlas to Fes. This suits travellers who've read about Erg Chebbi's crowds and want the quietest version of a Sahara trip Morocco offers within a week, and who don't mind a genuinely rugged travel day in exchange for it. It's a smaller group than our other desert departures — max 8, since the 4x4 transfer vehicles seat fewer people. This is not the tour for anyone wanting maximum comfort — the 4x4 track to Chigaga is rough, and the desert-to-Fes drive is long. What you get in exchange is genuinely the road less travelled.
- Erg Chigaga — Morocco's most remote major dune field, reached by 4x4
- The Draâ Valley and M'Hamid on the way south
- One-way crossing ending in Fes, not a repeat of the outbound road
- Smaller group (max 8) due to 4x4 transfer capacity
- The quietest, least-touristed Sahara route we run
Day by day
The route crosses the Tichka Pass, Morocco's highest year-round mountain road, heading south toward Ouarzazate to begin the long push to Erg Chigaga. Overnight in Ouarzazate.
- Tichka Pass
- Overnight Ouarzazate
A long, scenic drive south through the Draâ Valley's palm groves and the town of Zagora to M'Hamid, the last real settlement before the open desert and the jumping-off point for the 4x4 transfer to Chigaga tomorrow.
- Draâ Valley palm groves
- M'Hamid, gateway to the deep desert
A genuine 4x4 track, not a paved road, carries you into Erg Chigaga — higher, more isolated dunes than Merzouga's Erg Chebbi, with a fraction of the visitor numbers. A camel trek and a night at a small bivouac camp follow, under a sky with essentially no light pollution.
- 4x4 track to Erg Chigaga
- Camel trek
- Remote desert bivouac
Sunrise over Morocco's most remote dune field, then a long push north back through M'Hamid and Zagora, retracing part of the outbound route before turning toward Errachidia. It's the longest driving day of the trip. Overnight en route.
- Sunrise over Erg Chigaga
- Long drive north
The route continues north through the Ziz Valley's palm groves and the Middle Atlas cedar forests near Ifrane, arriving in Fes by evening — a genuine change of landscape after four days of desert.
- Ziz Valley
- Ifrane cedar forest
- Arrival in Fes
The tour ends after breakfast, with the morning free for a short walk through the medina before your flight. Airport transfers are arranged around your actual departure time.
- Free time in Fes
- Flexible airport transfer
Inclusions & exclusions
What’s included
- 5 nights accommodation (1 kasbah guesthouse, 1 desert bivouac, 2 en-route hotels, 1 Fes riad)
- Minivan transport plus a dedicated 4x4 transfer for the Chigaga leg
- Licensed English-speaking guide for the full 6 days
- Camel trek and 4x4 dune exploration at Chigaga
- 5 breakfasts, 4 dinners
- Entry fees along the Draâ Valley kasbah route
Not included
- International flights (this tour ends in Fes)
- Lunches (budget $8–$14/day)
- Personal travel insurance (required)
- Tips for guide and driver
- Alcohol and personal purchases
Choose your style
Small-Group Tour
- Max 8 travellers
- 4x4 access to Erg Chigaga included
- 5 nights accommodation included
- English-speaking guide throughout
What travelers say
“This was genuinely the quietest desert experience out of three Morocco trips I've done — didn't see another group at Chigaga at all.”
“Day 4 was rough, no getting around it, but that's clearly the trade-off being sold here and it delivered on the remoteness.”
“Smaller group size made the 4x4 transfer feel like an adventure rather than a logistics exercise.”
Why choose AZA Morocco Tours
- Local expert guides — born and raised in Morocco
- Small groups capped at 10 people maximum
- All-inclusive pricing — no hidden fees
- Free cancellation up to 30 days before departure
- Weekly departures year-round (except desert tours Jul–Aug)
- Verified reviews on TripAdvisor
Questions about this tour
Chigaga is reached only by a 4x4 track, not a paved road, and sees far fewer visitors as a result. The dunes are higher and the sense of remoteness is considerably stronger.
The 4x4 vehicles used for the Chigaga transfer seat fewer people than our standard minivans, so we cap this departure at 8 travellers.
It's a genuine off-road track, not a smooth ride, though nothing technically dangerous with an experienced driver. Anyone prone to motion sickness should plan accordingly.
It follows the natural desert-to-north corridor without backtracking. We help arrange your onward travel or transfer from Fes.
February to May and September to December, avoiding peak Sahara heat in summer.
As a guideline, $8–$10 per traveller per day for the guide and $6–$8 per day for the 4x4 driver, given directly at the end of the tour.