4 Days in the Heart of Southern Morocco: Agadir to Chegaga Dunes

Tour Overview

This desert journey from Agadir explores Morocco’s cultural and natural riches: Taroudant’s medina, the Drâa Valley’s ksour, the UNESCO-listed Aït Ben Haddou kasbah, Anti-Atlas landscapes, and a magical bivouac night under the stars. A total immersion in the Moroccan desert, blending cultural discoveries, authentic encounters, and breathtaking vistas. Ideal for nature lovers, Berber culture enthusiasts, and adventurers seeking authenticity, this private 4x4 tour with a driver-guide ensures comfort, safety, and flexibility.

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Day 1: Agadir – Taroudant – Taliouine – Aït Ben Haddou – Ouarzazate

Your desert adventure from Agadir to Ouarzazate begins at 8:30 AM from your hotel, traveling through southern Morocco’s diverse landscapes of argan trees, mountains, and Berber villages. First stop: Taroudant, “little Marrakech,” known for its well-preserved mud-brick ramparts, colorful souk, and traditional medina. Continue to Taliouine, Morocco’s saffron hub, to discover this rare spice’s cultivation. Stop in Taznakht, a Berber village famed for handwoven carpets, offering cultural immersion. By afternoon, reach the stunning Aït Ben Haddou kasbah, a UNESCO site and cinematic icon featured in *Gladiator* and *Game of Thrones*. Enjoy a guided tour and lunch at a traditional riad. Proceed to Ouarzazate, the desert’s gateway and Morocco’s cinema capital, visiting the Atlas Studios. Settle into a charming hotel or riad for a restful dinner and overnight stay.

Day 2: Ouarzazate – Anti-Atlas – Drâa Valley – M’Hamid – Chegaga Dunes

After breakfast in Ouarzazate, depart at 8:00 AM for a desert adventure to the iconic Chegaga dunes, among Morocco’s most spectacular. Travel through the Anti-Atlas’s wild landscapes to the Tizgui Waterfalls, a refreshing oasis for photos. Continue to Agdz, the Drâa Valley’s gateway, with its lush palm groves and ancient ksour. Stop for coffee in this picturesque village, then follow the Drâa River through Saharan landscapes of mud-brick kasbahs, swaying palms, and hidden oases. Arrive in M’Hamid El Ghizlane, the last village before the desert, for lunch at a traditional restaurant. Embark on a 66-km off-road journey through hamada (rocky plateaus), ergs (golden dunes), regs (gravel plains), and secret oases, reaching the towering Chegaga dunes (up to 300 m) by late afternoon. Enjoy a camel ride at sunset, soaking in breathtaking views of the sand sea. Spend the evening in a comfortable nomadic bivouac with traditional dinner, nomadic songs, and a starry night in the Sahara.

Day 3: Erg Chegaga – Lake Iriki – Foum Zguid – Fint Oasis – Ouarzazate

Wake to a fairy-tale sunrise over the Chegaga dunes, followed by breakfast at the camp. Take a short walk to savor the desert’s deep calm, then depart by 4x4 along the historic Paris-Dakar rally track through grand landscapes: hamada, mineral plains, and solitary acacias. Reach Lake Iriki, a dried salt flat resembling a mirage, ideal for photography. Continue to Foum Zguid, a desert gateway village, for lunch at a local restaurant with Saharan flavors. In the afternoon, head to Taznakht, known for traditional Berber carpets, then detour to the Fint Oasis, a lush haven with palms, kasbahs, and clear springs. Arrive in Ouarzazate by evening for dinner and an overnight stay in the desert’s cinematic capital.

Day 4: Ouarzazate – Tifoultoute Kasbah – Taznakht – Taliouine – Agadir

After breakfast in Ouarzazate, visit the magnificent Tifoultoute kasbah, a former caïd residence overlooking the Ouarzazate river valley, embodying southern Morocco’s mud-brick architecture. Continue to Taznakht, renowned for handwoven Berber carpets, visiting a cooperative to observe traditional weaving. Proceed to Taliouine, the saffron capital, to explore this precious spice’s cultivation. After lunch at a local restaurant, journey through the Anti-Atlas’s stunning landscapes to Agadir, arriving by late afternoon. This concludes your desert adventure, rich in cultural discoveries and breathtaking vistas.