M’Hamid: 3-Day Experience the Route of the Desert Caravans
US$314.37per person
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Photo · M’hamid El Ghizlane, Morocco — The last village on the Draa road, and the way into Erg Chigaga.
Draa valley, southern Sahara
Things to do in M’hamid El Ghizlane
The last village on the Draa road, and the way into Erg Chigaga.
M’hamid El Ghizlane sits at the end of the tarmac where the Draa valley runs out into the desert, about 100 km south of Zagora. It is the launch point for Erg Chigaga, the larger and far less visited of Morocco’s two dune seas.
Getting to the dunes takes a two-hour 4x4 crossing of stony hamada, which is exactly why they stay quiet. The valley behind is a long ribbon of palm groves, ksour and abandoned mud villages.
Travel guide to M’hamid El Ghizlane
Best things to do
A 4x4 crossing to Erg Chigaga, a night in a nomad-run camp, camel treks from the village and the Draa palm groves.
Best time to visit
October to April. Sandstorm season peaks in spring; midsummer is extreme.
How to get there
Roughly 10 hours by road from Marrakech via Ouarzazate and Zagora. Most routes reach it on day two or three.
How long to stay
One night in Erg Chigaga is the minimum that justifies the drive; two is better.
Local experiences
Desert music at the camps, bread baked in sand, and the ksour of the lower Draa.
Top attractions in M’hamid El Ghizlane
Photo · Erg Chigaga Dunes, M’hamid El Ghizlane, Morocco
Erg Chigaga Dunes
Morocco’s largest dune field, 40 km long and reached only by 4x4 or camel.
Related tours →Photo · Draa Valley Palm Groves, M’hamid El Ghizlane, Morocco
Draa Valley Palm Groves
The longest oasis strip in the country, running back towards Zagora.
Related tours →Photo · Old M’hamid Ksar, M’hamid El Ghizlane, Morocco
Old M’hamid Ksar
The half-abandoned mud village across the riverbed from the modern one.
Related tours →Photo · Lake Iriqui, M’hamid El Ghizlane, Morocco
Lake Iriqui
A dry salt lake on the route west, filling only in exceptional years.
Related tours →Photo · Oum Lâalag sacred Oasis, M’hamid El Ghizlane, Morocco
Oum Lâalag sacred Oasis
A spring-fed grove used by nomad families on the edge of the erg.
Related tours →Photo · Erg Zahar Dunes, M’hamid El Ghizlane, Morocco
Erg Zahar Dunes
Related tours →Photo · Erg Lihoudi Dunes, M’hamid El Ghizlane, Morocco
Erg Lihoudi Dunes
Related tours →Photo · Zagora, M’hamid El Ghizlane, Morocco
Zagora
The valley town two hours north, and the usual overnight stop on the way in.
Related tours →Trekking and Hiking Sahara Desert
Best-selling tours in M’hamid El Ghizlane
M’Hamid: 3-Day Experience the Route of the Desert Caravans
US$314.37per person
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Best for first visits 14 Days Authentic Morocco Tour – Grand Tour From Casablanca
US$2,810per person
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M’hamid: Quad Biking Adventure Across Palm Groves & Desert
US$29.67per person
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10 Days Morocco Desert Tour and Hiking with Nomads – Ecotourism
US$2,256per person
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3 Days Morocco Tour from Marrakech to the Sahara Desert
US$731per person
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More things to do in M’hamid El Ghizlane
M’hamid Sahara Desert ToursM’hamid Desert ExcursionsM’hamid Desert TrekkingM’hamid Camel TreksM’hamid 4x4 Desert CrossingsErg Chegaga ToursErg Zahar TreksM’hamid Multi-Day Desert ToursM’hamid Overnight CampsM’hamid Nomad VisitsM’hamid Cultural ExperiencesM’hamid Stargazing EveningsM’hamid Sandboarding
Frequently asked questions about M’hamid El Ghizlane
What are the best things to do in M’hamid El Ghizlane?
Cross to Erg Chigaga by 4x4 and sleep at a camp, trek by camel from the village, and drive the Draa palm groves and ksour.
How many days should I spend here?
Two nights, one of them in the dunes. The drive from Marrakech is long enough that a single night feels rushed.
Is Erg Chigaga better than Erg Chebbi?
It is bigger and much quieter, but harder to reach. Erg Chebbi at Merzouga is easier if your time is tight.
How do I get to Erg Chigaga?
A two-hour 4x4 crossing from M’hamid, or a longer camel trek. There is no surfaced road.
When should I avoid the southern desert?
June to August, when daytime heat is extreme, and windy spells in March and April.
Nearby destinations
Keep exploring M’hamid El Ghizlane
1Erg Chigaga Dunes2Draa Valley Palm Groves3Old M’hamid Ksar4Lake Iriqui5Oum Lâalag sacred Oasis6Erg Zahar Dunes7Erg Lihoudi Dunes8Zagora9Tamegroute10Foum Zguid11Ksar Ouled Driss
1M’hamid Sahara Desert Tours2M’hamid Desert Trekking3M’hamid Camel Treks4M’hamid 4x4 Desert Crossings5Erg Chegaga Tours6Erg Zahar Treks7M’hamid Multi-Day Desert Tours8M’hamid Overnight Camps9M’hamid Nomad Visits10M’hamid Cultural Experiences11M’hamid Stargazing Evenings12M’hamid Sandboarding
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