- 26 Views
- 2 Min Read
- (0) Comment
If you’re planning a Morocco desert tour from Marrakech, you’ll quickly run into this question: Erg Chebbi or Erg Chigaga? Both are stunning Sahara dune fields, but they suit different trips. Here’s how they compare, based on distance, crowds and what the experience feels like on the ground.
Erg Chebbi (Merzouga)
Erg Chebbi is the more accessible of the two, reached via Ouarzazate and the Dades Valley, typically in two days of driving with a night in the Dades Valley or Ouarzazate on the way. Its dunes rise up to 150 metres and sit right next to the town of Merzouga, which means more developed infrastructure: a wider choice of desert camps, easier logistics, and shorter driving days. It’s the better pick if you want a comfortable first Sahara experience without long stretches of off-road driving.
Erg Chigaga
Erg Chigaga lies further south, past M’Hamid, and is reached by 4×4 across open desert track – there’s no paved road for the final stretch. That isolation is exactly its appeal: fewer visitors, a wilder landscape, and a stronger sense of being genuinely off the beaten path. The first day is a long drive from Marrakech through the Draa Valley, so it suits travellers with at least 3 days – our 3-day tour goes Marrakech – M’Hamid – Erg Chegaga – Marrakech – and 4 or more days if you want more time in the dunes.
So, Which Should You Choose?
- Short on time or travelling with young kids: Erg Chebbi, or the Zagora dunes on a 2-day trip, are the practical choices.
- Have 3+ days and want fewer crowds: Erg Chigaga rewards the extra travel time.
- Can’t decide: tell us your dates and we’ll help you choose, or look at our 6-day desert tour, which crosses the Dades Valley, Jebel Sarhro and the Draa Valley on the way to Erg Chigaga.
What Both Experiences Have in Common
Whichever dunes you choose, a Morocco desert tour from Marrakech typically includes crossing the High Atlas over the Tizi n’Tichka pass, a stop at the UNESCO-listed Ait Benhaddou kasbah, a camel trek into the dunes and a night in the desert.
Our Recommendations
For a shorter Erg Chebbi trip, see our 3-day Marrakech to Erg Chebbi tour or the more relaxed 4-day version. For Erg Chigaga’s remote dunes, see our 3-day desert tour, the 4-day desert trek, the 5-day nomad desert tour or the 6-day desert tour. Not sure which fits your dates and budget? Get in touch and we’ll help you decide.