From Foum Zguid, Erg Chegaga is two and a half hours of desert track away — not two days of driving. This is the shortest route to Morocco's largest wild dunes: the tarmac ends at the edge of town, the trail crosses the dry bed of Lake Iriqui, and the first sand ridges appear before sunset.
This 2-day, 1-night tour is our most requested trip. It gathers everything the Moroccan Sahara is loved for: a 4x4 crossing of Iriqui National Park, the red rocks of the 'Moroccan Colorado', the fossil plateau, arrival at camp as the dunes turn orange, a camel ride, a Berber dinner by the fire — and a night under a sky no city lights can wash out.
You travel in a private 4x4 with a Saharan guide born in Foum Zguid. Daily departures from September to early June.
Highlights
- The shortest route to Erg Chigaga (2.5 h off-road)
- Crossing of Lake Iriqui and Iriqui National Park
- Sunset and sunrise in the dunes
- Night at a desert camp: nomad tent, Berber dinner, campfire
- Camel ride included
- Private 4x4 with a local Foum Zguid guide
Itinerary
- Day 1 · 2:00 pm
Departure from Foum Zguid onto the track
Meet in the village. After welcome tea, the 4x4 leaves the tarmac: stony hamada, acacia trees, then the vast white bed of Lake Iriqui, the ancient Saharan lake once crossed by the Paris-Dakar rally.
- Day 1 · 4:00 pm
Moroccan Colorado and the fossil plateau
Stop at the red formations of Jbel Madouar — the "Moroccan Colorado" — then the fossil plateau. The landscape changes three times in an hour: reg, hamada, and finally the first dunes.
- Day 1 · 5:30 pm
Arrival at Erg Chegaga, camels and sunset
Settle in at the camp at the foot of the dunes. Camel ride to a ridge for sunset — the erg stretches over 40 kilometres of dunes, with no streetlight within 60 kilometres.
- Day 1 · 8:00 pm
Berber dinner and a night under the stars
Tajine, sand-baked bread, mint tea around the fire, traditional music. Sleep in a nomad tent (beds and blankets provided) or out under the stars if you wish.
- Day 2 · 7:00 am
Sunrise and breakfast
Wake for sunrise over the ridges. Breakfast at camp before heading back onto the track.
- Day 2 · 11:30 am
Return to Foum Zguid
Return by a different track, with a photo stop overlooking Lake Iriqui. Arrival in Foum Zguid late morning.
What's included
✓ Included
- Private 4x4 with driver-guide
- Night at desert camp (equipped nomad tent)
- Berber dinner and breakfast
- Camel ride
- Mint tea and mineral water
✕ Not included
- Lunches
- Other drinks
- Tips (at your discretion)
Our 4x4 and your guide
You travel in a Land Cruiser serviced before every season, carrying sand ladders, a compressor, a second spare wheel and a cool box. Mineral water is unlimited, at no extra charge. Your driver-guide was born in Foum Zguid: he speaks English and French, knows every variant of the track depending on the state of the lake, and adapts the pace to you. Some guests want to move fast between photo stops; others want to pull over at every acacia. Both are right.
The vehicle is private to your group. We never fill the remaining seats with other clients, even in high season.
An evening at the camp, honestly told
So you know what to expect, here is the evening without staging. You reach the camp around 5:30 pm, drop your bags in your tent, then everyone climbs the ridge for sunset with a glass of tea. Dinner comes around 8 pm: harira soup, tajine, fruit, at a shared table or in front of your tent if you prefer. Then the fire, drums if the crew is in the mood, and no imposed programme. Some nights the music runs late; other nights everyone goes quiet and watches the sky. The silence is part of the service.
The tents close properly, the blankets are heavy, and if you want to drag your mattress outside and sleep under the stars, nobody will stop you. We wake you thirty minutes before sunrise, never earlier.
Season and climate
The tour runs from September to early June. The finest months are October–November and February–April: 22–28 °C days and cool nights (bring a fleece from December to February). In summer we offer sunrise trips to Lake Iriqui instead of dune nights.
Frequently asked questions
Why start from Foum Zguid rather than M'hamid?
Both routes reach Erg Chegaga, but the Foum Zguid track is the shortest (about 2.5 h versus 3.5–4 h) and crosses Lake Iriqui and the Moroccan Colorado — more varied scenery than the southern track. It is also the most direct approach if you arrive from Marrakech, Agadir or Ouarzazate via Taznakht.
Does the €140 price really include everything?
The displayed price covers the private 4x4, guide, camp night, dinner, breakfast and camel ride, based on 2 travellers. Only lunches and extra drinks are at your expense. No surprise supplements on site.
Is it suitable for children?
Yes — the track is smooth and the stages are short. Families with children from age 4 do this tour regularly. We adapt the pace and provide child seats on request.
Where exactly do we sleep?
At our camp at the foot of the Erg Chegaga dunes: wool nomad tents with real beds and blankets, shared bathrooms. A luxury camp option with private tent and ensuite is available as an upgrade.
How do I get to Foum Zguid?
Foum Zguid is about 4.5 h by paved road from Marrakech (via Taznakht), 2.5 h from Ouarzazate and 4 h from Agadir. We can also arrange your transfer — see our tour from Marrakech if you prefer everything included.
More questions? See our full FAQ and our traveller reviews.
