9-Day Morocco Tour: Marrakech, Agadir & Chegaga DesertAgadir, Chegaga & the Saharan South
9 days / 8 nights·Max 8·4.9 / 5·24 reviews
About this journey
This 9-day journey takes you through Morocco's spectacular south — a route most tourists never discover. Starting from Marrakech you head to the Atlantic coast city of Agadir before diving inland to Taroudant, the authentic walled city known as 'Little Marrakech'. Through saffron country in Taliouine and the dramatic desert road to Foum Zguid, you arrive at the wild Chegaga dunes — far more remote than Merzouga, with a genuine sense of being at the edge of the Sahara. The return journey threads through the Draa Valley's palm groves, the UNESCO Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, and the High Atlas via Tichka Pass, finishing with a full guided day in Marrakech.
- Camel ride across the remote Chegaga dunes to a luxury desert camp
- Visit a saffron cooperative in Taliouine — one of the world's finest saffron regions
- Nomadic tea ceremony with Saharan Berbers beside Lake Iriki
- Taroudant's medieval medina — Morocco's best-kept secret
- Sunrise over the Chegaga Desert dunes
- UNESCO Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou and the dramatic Tichka Pass
- Full guided city tour of Marrakech with belly dance dinner show
Day by day
Upon arrival at Marrakech Menara Airport you are welcomed by your English-speaking guide and transferred by private 4x4 vehicle to Agadir. Enjoy a scenic drive through the changing southern landscapes before checking into your hotel for a relaxing evening.
- Airport welcome by English-speaking guide
- Scenic 4x4 drive to Agadir through the Souss plain
- Hotel check-in and relaxation
After breakfast, explore Agadir on a guided city tour visiting Agadir Port, the panoramic Kasbah Oufella, and the Ensemble Artisanal craft market. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit Agadir Inoumar before continuing to Taroudant — a beautifully preserved walled medina city known as 'Little Marrakech' for its authentic atmosphere without the tourist crowds.
- Agadir Port and panoramic Kasbah Oufella viewpoint
- Ensemble Artisanal local crafts market
- Agadir Inoumar visit
- Taroudant medina — Morocco's best-kept secret
Departing Taroudant after breakfast, you drive into Morocco's saffron heartland. In Taliouine, visit a saffron cooperative to learn about the cultivation and harvesting of 'red gold'. A cultural stop at Ifri Imadiden follows before lunch in Tazenakht. The afternoon drive winds through palm groves and dramatic arid landscapes to reach the frontier town of Foum Zguid.
- Saffron cooperative visit in Taliouine — learn about Morocco's 'red gold'
- Ifri Imadiden cultural stop
- Lunch in Tazenakht
- Palm grove photo stops along the desert road
Today you leave the road behind and enter the Chegaga Desert — one of Morocco's most remote and wild. En route, stop to share tea with a nomadic family in their traditional tent, a genuinely memorable encounter. Visit the vast dry lakebed of Lake Iriki for photos, then enjoy lunch under the open desert sky. Arriving at the dunes, meet your camel handlers and ride one hour across the golden sands to your desert camp.
- Nomadic tent visit with traditional Berber tea ceremony
- Lake Iriki photo stop
- Lunch in the open desert
- 1-hour camel ride across the Chegaga dunes to camp
Rise early for a breathtaking sunrise over the Chegaga dunes. After breakfast at camp, transfer to Mhamid El Ghizlane and visit an ostrich nature reserve — a surprise highlight. Stop at a lush palm grove for photos before lunch in Mhamid. The afternoon is culturally rich: visit the Ouled Driss Museum and the legendary Tamegroute village, home to one of Morocco's oldest Quranic libraries, before arriving in Zagora.
- Spectacular Sahara sunrise over the Chegaga dunes
- Mhamid El Ghizlane ostrich nature reserve
- Palm grove photography stop
- Ouled Driss Museum
- Tamegroute Quranic library
After a second desert sunrise and breakfast, set off through the spectacular Draa Valley with a brief stop in Agdz. Continue to Ouarzazate — Morocco's 'Hollywood' — for lunch and a visit to the imposing Kasbah Taourirt. The late afternoon brings you to Ait Ben Haddou, one of Morocco's most iconic UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
- Draa Valley scenery and Agdz stop
- Kasbah Taourirt visit in Ouarzazate
- Arrival at UNESCO Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou
After breakfast, explore the magnificent Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou on foot — a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has starred in Game of Thrones, Gladiator and Lawrence of Arabia. The return to Marrakech takes you over the dramatic Tichka Pass (2,260m) in the High Atlas Mountains. After a roadside lunch, arrive in Marrakech, visit Jamaa El Fna square, then enjoy dinner with a traditional belly dance show.
- Ait Ben Haddou guided walking tour (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Tichka Pass High Atlas crossing (2,260m)
- Jamaa El Fna square arrival
- Dinner with traditional belly dance show
A full day to discover the wonders of the Red City with your guide. Visit Madrassa Ben Youssef, a masterpiece of Moroccan Islamic architecture; the opulent Bahia Palace; the labyrinthine medina souks; the iconic Jamaa El Fna square with its street performers and food stalls; and the tranquil Menara Gardens. Lunch is served at a local restaurant.
- Madrassa Ben Youssef
- Bahia Palace
- Traditional medina souks
- Jamaa El Fna square
- Menara Gardens
After a final breakfast, your guide will transfer you to the airport for your departure flight. We hope this journey through Morocco's spectacular south has left you with memories to last a lifetime.
- Final breakfast at hotel
- Airport transfer
- Departure assistance
Your journey on the map
Inclusions & exclusions
What’s included
- English-speaking guide for the entire tour
- 8 nights accommodation on half-board basis (breakfast & dinner daily)
- Nomadic tent visit with traditional tea ceremony
- 1-hour camel ride to the Chegaga desert camp
- Kasbah Taourirt guided visit in Ouarzazate
- Full-day guided city tour of Marrakech
Not included
- International flights to/from Morocco
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Personal expenses, souvenirs and shopping
- Tips and gratuities for guides and drivers
- Alcoholic beverages
- Optional activities not listed in the itinerary
- Visa fees (if applicable)
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
Chegaga is Morocco's most remote desert — far less visited than Merzouga and genuinely wild. The dunes stretch for over 40km with no roads or towns nearby, giving you an authentic Sahara experience that feels like the edge of the world. Getting there requires a 4x4, which adds to the adventure.
Yes. The one-hour camel ride to the Chegaga camp is gentle and guided, suitable for most guests including older travellers and children. Your guide walks alongside. If you prefer not to ride, a 4x4 transfer to the camp can be arranged.
Your Chegaga camp features traditional nomadic-style tents equipped with proper beds, quality linens, and basic bathroom facilities. You will enjoy a candlelit dinner under the stars and a freshly cooked breakfast at the camp.
All accommodation is on a half-board basis (breakfast and dinner). Lunches are also included on most touring days (Days 2–8). Alcoholic beverages are not included.
Desert nights can be cold even in summer. Bring a warm fleece or jacket, comfortable walking shoes for the kasbahs, and strong sun protection for daytime. A scarf or hat is recommended for both sun and sand.
October through April is ideal — comfortable temperatures in the desert (15–25°C by day) with cool, clear nights perfect for stargazing. Summer (June–August) is possible but expect very high desert temperatures above 40°C.
Yes — all AZA Morocco Tours operate as fully private tours for couples, families and groups. The itinerary, pace, and accommodation level can all be adjusted. Contact us for a personalised quote.