Private tours · Ouarzazate departures
Ouarzazate Desert Tours: Private Trips to Erg Chegaga and Merzouga
From Ouarzazate you can reach two different deserts: Erg Chegaga, south through the Drâa Valley and M'Hamid, and Erg Chebbi near Merzouga, east through the Dadès and Todra gorges. Our private tours take 2 to 5 days, return to Ouarzazate or continue to Fes, and can be tailored for couples, families and small groups.
Sahara Desert Tours from Ouarzazate at a Glance
Four published tours start in Ouarzazate: one goes to Erg Chegaga, three go to Erg Chebbi near Merzouga, and one of those finishes in Fes; two further cards are custom concepts you can request.
These are Ouarzazate departures, not Marrakech or Fes tours that pass through the town. They differ in which desert you reach, how long you spend on the road, and whether you return to Ouarzazate or continue north to Fes.
Erg Chegaga via the Drâa Valley
The 2-day Erg Chegaga tour follows the Drâa Valley to Zagora for lunch, then continues past M'Hamid by 4×4 track to a camp in the Erg Chegaga dunes; the return crosses what the tourist office calls
"part of the unavoidable Iriqui National Park"— Moroccan National Tourist Office (Visit Morocco), Ouarzazate-Zagora-Tinghir: nature
Erg Chebbi near Merzouga
The 2-day, 3-day and 5-day Merzouga tours head east to the Erg Chebbi dunes beside the village the tourist office calls
"one of the gates of the Sahara"— Moroccan National Tourist Office (Visit Morocco), Errachidia-Midelt-Merzouga
Round trips
The 2-day Erg Chegaga, 2-day Merzouga and 3-day Merzouga tours all return to Ouarzazate.
One way to Fes
The 5-day tour goes from Ouarzazate across the Sahara and the Middle Atlas to Fes, with two nights in Fes at the end.
Sources: Moroccan National Tourist Office, Errachidia-Midelt-Merzouga · Moroccan National Tourist Office, Ouarzazate-Zagora-Tinghir: nature · UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou. Neither organisation endorses any tour operator.
Ouarzazate Sahara Tour Packages
The table compares all six options, four published tours and two custom concepts, by desert, route, finish city and desert nights; the detailed cards follow below.
| Tour | Duration | Main route | Start → finish | Desert nights | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-Day Ouarzazate to Zagora and Erg Chegaga Published tour | 2 days · 1 night | Ouarzazate → Agdz → Drâa Valley → Zagora (lunch) → M'Hamid → Erg Chegaga → Lake Iriqui → Foum Zguid → Ouarzazate | Ouarzazate → Ouarzazate | 1 camp night in Erg Chegaga | A remote desert in two days |
| 2-Day Ouarzazate to Merzouga Desert Tour Published tour | 2 days · 1 night | Ouarzazate → Skoura → Dadès → Todra → Erfoud → Merzouga → Rissani → Nkob → Ouarzazate | Ouarzazate → Ouarzazate | 1 camp night in Erg Chebbi | Merzouga dunes, short on time |
| 3-Day Merzouga Desert Tour from Ouarzazate Published tour | 3 days · 2 nights | Ouarzazate → Valley of Roses → Dadès → Todra (night) → Merzouga → Rissani → Nkob → Agdz → Ouarzazate | Ouarzazate → Ouarzazate | 1 Todra Gorge night + 1 camp night | Merzouga without rushing |
| 5-Day Ouarzazate to Fes via Merzouga Published tour | 5 days · 4 nights | Ouarzazate (arrival) → Drâa Valley → Nkob → Rissani → Merzouga → Midelt → Azrou → Fes (guided day) | Ouarzazate → Fes | 1 camp night | Travelling on to Fes |
| Custom Ouarzazate to Erg Chegaga Journey Custom concept — not a published tour | Flexible | Ouarzazate → Drâa Valley → M'Hamid → Erg Chegaga (extra time) → Ouarzazate or onward | Ouarzazate → Your choice | Planned with you | More time in a remote desert |
| Custom Ouarzazate to Merzouga Journey Custom concept — not a published tour | Flexible | Ouarzazate → gorges → Merzouga (extra time) → your finish city | Ouarzazate → Your choice (e.g. Marrakech) | Planned with you | A different pace or endpoint |
Compare Ouarzazate Desert Tours
Four cards are published tours with full itineraries, and two are clearly labelled custom concepts that we plan on request.
Published tour
2-Day Ouarzazate to Zagora and Erg Chegaga
Ouarzazate → Agdz → Drâa Valley → Zagora (lunch) → M'Hamid → Erg Chegaga → Lake Iriqui → Foum Zguid → Ouarzazate
- Duration
- 2 days
- Ends in
- Ouarzazate
- Nights
- 1 night
- Desert stay
- 1 camp night in Erg Chegaga
Down the Drâa Valley's palm groves, lunch in Zagora, then by 4×4 track beyond M'Hamid to a camp in the Erg Chegaga dunes; back off-road via Lake Iriqui.
Price: request a private quote
Published tour
2-Day Ouarzazate to Merzouga Desert Tour
Ouarzazate → Skoura → Dadès → Todra → Erfoud → Merzouga → Rissani → Nkob → Ouarzazate
- Duration
- 2 days
- Ends in
- Ouarzazate
- Nights
- 1 night
- Desert stay
- 1 camp night in Erg Chebbi
A fast loop to the Erg Chebbi dunes: out through the Valley of Roses and the gorges, back through Rissani and the Anti-Atlas villages. Long drives both days.
Price: request a private quote
Published tour
3-Day Merzouga Desert Tour from Ouarzazate
Ouarzazate → Valley of Roses → Dadès → Todra → Merzouga → Rissani → Nkob → Agdz → Ouarzazate
- Duration
- 3 days
- Ends in
- Ouarzazate
- Nights
- 2 nights
- Desert stay
- 1 Todra Gorge night + 1 camp night
The Merzouga loop at an easier pace, with a night at the Todra Gorge, a nomad visit and a track through the Valley of Roses.
Price: request a private quote
Published tour
5-Day Ouarzazate to Fes via Merzouga
Ouarzazate (arrival) → Drâa Valley → Nkob → Rissani → Merzouga → Midelt → Azrou → Fes (guided day)
- Duration
- 5 days
- Ends in
- Fes
- Nights
- 4 nights
- Desert stay
- 1 camp night
A one-way crossing north: arrival night in Ouarzazate, a camp night in Erg Chebbi, then the Middle Atlas to Fes with a guided day in the medina.
Price: request a private quote
Custom concept — not a published tour
Custom Ouarzazate to Erg Chegaga Journey
Ouarzazate → Drâa Valley → M'Hamid → Erg Chegaga (extra time) → Ouarzazate or onward
- Duration
- Flexible
- Ends in
- Your choice
- Nights
- Planned with you
- Desert stay
- Planned with you
For travellers who want more than one night in Erg Chegaga: a proposed private route with extra time in the dunes, planned around your dates.
Proposed itinerary — price and nights on request
Custom concept — not a published tour
Custom Ouarzazate to Merzouga Journey
Ouarzazate → gorges → Merzouga (extra time) → your finish city
- Duration
- Flexible
- Ends in
- Your choice (e.g. Marrakech)
- Nights
- Planned with you
- Desert stay
- Planned with you
A proposed private route for extra time around Merzouga or a different finish city, such as Marrakech, planned around your plans.
Proposed itinerary — price and nights on request
How to Choose a Desert Tour from Ouarzazate
Choose by which desert you want, how many days you have, and whether you return to Ouarzazate or continue to Fes.
Which desert can I visit from Ouarzazate?
You can visit Erg Chegaga, south via the Drâa Valley and M'Hamid, or Erg Chebbi near Merzouga, east via the Dadès and Todra gorges.
Is Erg Chegaga or Merzouga right for my trip?
Choose Erg Chegaga for a remoter camp reached by 4×4 track beyond M'Hamid, and Merzouga for the Erg Chebbi dunes on a route that can continue to Fes.
Can my tour finish in Fes?
Yes, the 5-day Ouarzazate to Fes tour finishes in Fes, so you don't need to return to Ouarzazate.
Should I choose a round trip or a longer tour to Fes?
Choose a 2- or 3-day round trip if you are based in Ouarzazate, and the 5-day tour if you are travelling north and want to end in Fes.
How many nights will I spend in the desert?
Each published tour includes one desert-camp night; the 3-day Merzouga tour adds a night at the Todra Gorge, and the 5-day tour adds a riad night in Ouarzazate and two in Fes.
Can I visit Aït Ben Haddou on the way?
Yes, the 5-day tour visits Aït Ben Haddou on day one if your arrival time allows, and it can be added to other tours on request; UNESCO describes it as
"a striking example of the architecture of southern Morocco."— UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou
What Is Included in a Private Desert Tour?
The published tours include a private vehicle with a driver, the desert-camp night, a camel ride and dinner and breakfast; flights, most lunches, drinks and entrance fees are not included.
The details differ by tour. The Erg Chegaga tour uses a 4×4 beyond M'Hamid, the 3-day Merzouga tour lists lunch, and the 5-day tour includes a guided day in Fes. Camp standard and driver language are confirmed with your quote. You can arrange Ouarzazate pickup, request a private 4×4 tour, ask about a desert camp, or ask to avoid camel riding when you enquire. See our Merzouga desert page for camp options.
Why Plan Your Ouarzazate Desert Tour with Us
Moroccan Desert Trips is a local, Berber-run team that plans private desert journeys, speaks English, French and Spanish, and adapts routes, start and finish cities to your plans.
Locally planned Morocco journeys
Routes planned by our own team in Morocco.
A choice of desert landscapes
Erg Chegaga or Erg Chebbi, with flexible onward destinations.
A clear itinerary before you book
You receive a day-by-day proposal and price to review first.
Reviews you can check
Read what travellers say on our TripAdvisor page.
Ouarzazate Desert Tours FAQs
All our Ouarzazate desert tours are private; the published ones last 2 to 5 days and go to Erg Chegaga or Merzouga.
Are these tours private?
Yes, every tour on this page is private. Only your group travels in the vehicle, with your own driver-guide.
Where are you picked up in Ouarzazate?
You are picked up at your hotel or riad in Ouarzazate, or at Ouarzazate airport on the 5-day tour. We confirm the exact point in your proposal.
Is Zagora the camp destination on the Erg Chegaga tour?
No, Zagora is a lunch stop; the camp is in the Erg Chegaga dunes beyond M'Hamid.
Are Erg Chegaga and Erg Chebbi the same?
No, they are different dune fields: Erg Chegaga lies beyond M'Hamid in the south-west, and Erg Chebbi lies beside Merzouga in the east.
How much does a private desert tour from Ouarzazate cost?
The price depends on your dates, group size, route and accommodation, so we quote each tour individually. Request a quote through the form.
What are the custom concepts?
They are proposed private itineraries, not published packages; we plan the route, nights and price with you after you enquire.
Do you run small group tours?
Our tours are private; if you'd like to travel as a small group of friends or family, tell us your group size when you enquire.
How do I book?
You book by sending the form with your dates, group size and preferred tour. You can also email or WhatsApp us.
Private tour enquiry
Request an Ouarzazate Desert Tour Quote
To book, send us your travel dates, group size and preferred tour through the form, and we'll reply with a private itinerary and price.
What to include
- Your travel dates, and your hotel or riad in Ouarzazate
- Number of travellers, and children's ages
- Preferred desert: Erg Chegaga or Merzouga
- Where you want to finish: Ouarzazate, Fes or elsewhere
- Accommodation preferences, and whether to avoid camel riding
How it works
- 1Send your detailsUse the form, email or WhatsApp.
- 2Get your proposalWe reply with a private itinerary and price.
- 3Adjust and confirmChange anything you like before you book.
Send your trip details
Private tours only — your group, your dates.
By sending the form you agree to our privacy policy and terms and conditions.
Start Planning Your Desert Tour from Ouarzazate
Choose a tour above or tell us your plans, and we'll send a private itinerary with your pickup and finish city confirmed.