Private tours in Morocco

Family Desert Tour to Erg Chigaga, 5 Days

A desert trip for families with young children. The driving days are shorter, you stop for a night at Aït Benhaddou on the way, and you get two nights in the Erg Chigaga dunes with time to play in the sand.

5 days / 4 nights

Marrakech, round trip

Private tour

Your riad or hotel

Price on request

About the Tour

Long days in the car are the hardest part of a desert trip with children. Over five days the road is spread out, with stops every hour or two, a first night at Aït Benhaddou and a whole day in the dunes without driving.

Erg Chigaga is quieter than Merzouga and its camps are spread out, so there is plenty of open sand. You agree the pace with your driver each morning, and we can ask the camp for a family tent and simple meals for small children.

Highlights

A night beside the ksar of Aït Benhaddou
The Draa Valley palm groves and kasbahs
Two nights in the Erg Chigaga dunes
Camel rides and sandboarding at the children's pace
A free day in the dunes with no driving

Day by Day

How the five days go, from your pickup in Marrakech to the drop-off.

Day 1 · Marrakech to Aït Benhaddou

A late-morning pickup and a gentle drive over the Tizi n’Tichka pass, arriving at Aït Benhaddou in the afternoon to explore the ksar when it is cooler.

Day 2 · Down the Draa Valley to Erg Chigaga

The longest day, broken into short stretches: Ouarzazate, Agdz, the palm groves to Zagora and M’hamid, then two hours by 4×4 to camp and a short camel ride for sunset.

Day 3 · A day in the dunes

A day without driving. Children can try sandboarding, look for animal tracks in the morning sand, ride a camel or play at camp while the adults rest in the shade.

Day 4 · Across Lake Iriki to Ouarzazate

Across the dry lake to Foum Zguid and up through Tazenakht to Ouarzazate, with time to rest at the hotel.

Day 5 · Ouarzazate to Marrakech

A shorter drive back over the High Atlas, four to five hours with stops.

What's Included

Included

Private vehicle and driver for the five days, with a 4x4 for the desert tracks
Pickup and drop-off at your riad or hotel in Marrakech
One night: kasbah hotel near Aït Benhaddou, dinner and breakfast
Two nights: family tent at a desert camp in Erg Chigaga, dinner and breakfast
One night: hotel in Ouarzazate, dinner and breakfast
Camel rides in the dunes
Sandboards at the camp
Child seats in the vehicle on request
Fuel and road costs

Not included

Questions About This Tour

Can we shorten it to four days?

Yes, by driving from Erg Chigaga back to Marrakech in one long day. With children we suggest keeping the night in Ouarzazate.

What is the desert camp like?

You sleep in a tent at a camp in the dunes, with dinner and breakfast. Camps range from simple to comfortable tents with a private bathroom; tell us the level you want and we suggest camps that fit.

What should I pack?

Light clothes for the day, a warm layer for the desert night, a hat, sun cream and a small bag for the camp. Your main luggage stays in the vehicle.

Can we change the route or the hotels?

Yes. We can add nights, change hotels or swap the order of the stops, since only your group is on the tour. Tell us what you have in mind when you enquire.

How do I book?

Send an enquiry with your dates and group size and we reply with availability and a quote. When online booking is open for this tour, you can also reserve with a deposit by card or PayPal.

Book this tour

Price on request

Send your dates and group size and we reply with a quote.

Private tour, only your group
Free enquiry, no obligation

Questions? Call +212 667 897 512

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