For the wilder, less-visited Sahara: down the Draa Valley to M'Hamid, the last village before the sand, and out to the remote Erg Chegaga dunes — a true 4x4 desert adventure from Ouarzazate.
Day by day
Your 5-day plan
- 1
Day 1
Ouarzazate to Agdz
Cross the Tizi n'Tinififft into the Draa Valley to Agdz, touring Kasbah Tamnougalt and walking the first of the great palm groves.
- Tizi n'Tinififft
- Agdz
- Kasbah Tamnougalt
- 2
Day 2
Draa Valley to Zagora & Tamegroute
Follow the palmeraie south to Zagora and the 'Timbuktu 52 days' sign, then Tamegroute for its Quranic library and green pottery, overnighting near the oases.
- Zagora
- Timbuktu sign
- Tamegroute library & pottery
- 3
Day 3
M'Hamid to Erg Chegaga
Reach M'Hamid, the end of the tarmac, then a 4x4 run across stony reg and oued to the towering Erg Chegaga dunes — far more remote than Erg Chebbi. Camel trek to a camp deep in the sand.
- M'Hamid el Ghizlane
- Erg Chegaga dunes
- 4x4 desert crossing
- Remote camp
- 4
Day 4
Chegaga to the Draa lakes
Sunrise in the dunes, then drive out via Lake Iriqui (a seasonal salt flat) and the desert tracks back toward the Draa, overnighting in the valley.
- Erg Chegaga sunrise
- Lake Iriqui basin
- Desert tracks
- 5
Day 5
Return up the Draa to Ouarzazate
Drive the Draa palm groves north past Agdz and back over the pass to Ouarzazate, arriving by late afternoon.
- Draa palmeraie
- Return to Ouarzazate
Good to know
Practical notes
- Erg Chegaga is reached only by 4x4 over off-road terrain — a guide and proper vehicle are essential.
- It is far quieter than Erg Chebbi/Merzouga; choose it for solitude and a wilder feel.
- Lake Iriqui holds water only after rain; in dry spells it is a vast pale flat.
Frequently asked
What is the difference between Erg Chegaga and Erg Chebbi?
Erg Chegaga, reached via M'Hamid past Zagora, is larger, wilder and far less visited, accessible only by 4x4. Erg Chebbi at Merzouga is taller and easier to reach but busier.
Where does the road end in the Draa Valley?
At M'Hamid el Ghizlane, the last village before the open Sahara. From there it is 4x4 and camel only to reach the Erg Chegaga dunes.
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