Should one choose Merzouga or Zagora for a circuit in the desert ?

Merzouga offre the most hautes dunes of the Morocco (Erg Chebbi, 150 m) in a decor grandiose, ideal for the photos and the show. Zagora offre the dunes de Chigaga, more sauvages and isolated, for a experience more authentic and intime. Merzouga requires 3 days minimum, Zagora 2 days.

What desert is the moins cher from Marrakech ?

Zagora is moins cher car more proche in Marrakech (360 km vs 560 km). Le circuit Zagora starts to €280/person. contre 380€ for Merzouga. La price difference reflects the trajet more court (1 jour de moins).

What desert is the mieux for children ?

Zagora, car the circuit is more court (2 days/1 night minimum) and the trajets moins longs. Children love the deux destinations for the camels and the bivouac, but Zagora limite the fatigue.

Can you do Merzouga ET Zagora ?

Yes, the Grand Tour Merzouga + Zagora en 4 days/3 nights combine the deux deserts for €560/person. all-inclusive. It is the circuit the most complete, with the crossing of the Djebel Saghro between the deux.

What desert a the most beau lever de soleil ?

Merzouga. Le lever de soleil on the dunes of the Erg Chebbi is l'un of the most beaux shows naturels of the Morocco. The dunes de 150 m create a jeu de light unique, of the rose au golden. Zagora offre of the levers de soleil more sobres but tout also moving in a cadre more sauvage.

What is the best choice for a first trip in the desert ?

For a first trip, Merzouga is often recommended for son side spectacular and your infrastructures. The dunes of the Erg Chebbi correspondent exactement to l'image que l'on se fait of the Sahara. Zagora conviendra mieux for travellers that recherchent l'authenticity and the solitude.

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Merzouga or Zagora : Quel Desert Choose for Your Circuit ?

Merzouga offers the most hautes dunes in Morocco (Erg Chebbi, 150 m) in a decor grandiose, from €380/person. for 3 days. Zagora offers the dunes sauvages de Chigaga, more isolated and less touristiques, from €280/person. for 2 days. Merzouga is to 560 km of Marrakech (3 days minimum), Zagora to 360 km (2 days minimum). Les deux destinations incluent bivouac, camels and dinner under the stars.

It is LA question que tous our travellers se posent. Merzouga with your dunes spectaculaires of the Erg Chebbi, or Zagora with the Sahara sauvage and preserve de Chigaga ? Les deux are magnificents, but the experience is very different. This guide helps you to choose depending on your temps, your budget and this que you are looking for.

Caravan in the dunes of Merzouga — comparatif Merzouga vs Zagora

Le comparatif complete

Criterion	🏜️ Merzouga (Erg Chebbi)	🏜️ Zagora (Chigaga)
Distance of Marrakech	560 km (2 days de route)	360 km (1 days de route)
Duration minimum	3 days / 2 nights	2 days / 1 night
Type de dunes	Erg (grandes dunes) — up to 150 m de haut	Dunes more basses but immenses and sauvages
Couleur of the sable	Orange golden intense	Sable clair, almost blanc
Affluence touristique	Moderate to high	Very faible — sentiment de solitude
Atmosphere	Grandiose, spectaculaire, photogenic	Intime, authentic, sauvage
Points forts of the journey	Gorges of the Todra, valley of the Dades, Erfoud	Valley of the Draa, Tamgroute, M'hamid
Lever de soleil	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Spectaculaire sur 150 m de dunes	⭐⭐⭐⭐ Sobre and moving
Ideal for	First voyage, photos, couples, familles	Aventuriers, travellers aguerris, solitude
Prix (package all included)	from 380 € / pers. (3j)	from 280 € / pers. (2j)

Choisissez Merzouga si...

You want the grand show. The dunes of the Erg Chebbi are the most hautes in Morocco — a ocean de sable orange that ondule sur 22 km. Le sunrise sur these dunes is one of the most beaux shows naturels of the pays. It is also the destination ideal if you voyagez for the first fois in the desert : l'infrastructure is rodee, the bivouacs are comfortable, and the journey by the gorges of the Todra ajoute a dimension spectacular au circuit. › Circuit Merzouga 3j/2n from €380

circuit desert of Merzouga dunes Erg Chebbi from Marrakech

Choisissez Zagora si...

You cherat the Sahara brut, without filtre. The dunes of Chigaga are accessibles only en 4×4 or by camel — pas de route, pas de touristes, pas de network telephone. Juste the sable, the ciel and the silence. It is also the choice malin si you have less than temps (2 days suffisent) or a budget more serre (from €280). Et the crossing of the valley of the Draa — 200 km de palmeraies between the mountains — is one of the most belles routes in Morocco. › Circuit Zagora 2j/1n from €280

Le sunset flamboyant on the desert of Zagora

Et if you ne voulez pas choose ?

Le Grand Tour Merzouga + Zagora combine the deux deserts en 4 days / 3 nights (from €560/person.). You enjoy of the dunes spectaculaires of the Erg Chebbi ET of the Sahara sauvage de Chigaga, with the crossing of the Djebel Saghro between the deux — a massif volcanique for paysages lunaires. It is the circuit the most complete of the Sahara Moroccan.

Tous our circuits desert

Circuit	Duration	Destination	From
Zagora Express	2j/1n	Zagora, Chigaga	280 €
Merzouga Essentiel	3j/2n	Todra, Merzouga	380 €
Merzouga Complet	4j/3n	Todra, Erg Chebbi, Draa	250 €
Grand Tour 2 Deserts	4j/3n	Merzouga + Zagora	560 €
4×4 Grand Sud	4j/3n	Saghro, pistes sahariennes	490 € / 2

Betreatment de tips ?

Eric knows the deux deserts on the bout of the doigts. Describe-lui your envies by WhatsApp at +212 600 608 608 and il you recommends the circuit parfait.

› Book your circuit desert

Questions frequent

Faut-il choose Merzouga or Zagora for a first voyage ?

For a first voyage, Merzouga is often recommended for son side spectaculaire. The dunes of the Erg Chebbi correspondent exactement to the image que l'on se done of the Sahara. Zagora conviendra mieux for travellers that recherchent l'authenticity and the solitude.

Quel desert is the cheaper ?

Zagora : from €280/person. for 2j/1n, contre 380€ for Merzouga (3j/2n). Zagora is more proche of Marrakech (360 km vs 560 km), d'where the prices lower.

Peut-on faire Merzouga ET Zagora ?

Yes ! Le Grand Tour Merzouga + Zagora combine the deux en 4j/3n for €560/person. It is the circuit the most complete of the Sahara Moroccan.

Quel desert for a New Year's Eve of the Nouvel An ?

Les deux are magiques for the New Year's Eve. Merzouga for the show grandiose (from €450), Zagora for the privacy of absolue (from €350). Le New Year's Eve se passe en bivouac with musique gnaoua and feu de camp.

Quel desert a the most beau sunrise ?

Merzouga. Le sunrise sur the Erg Chebbi is one of the most beaux in Morocco. The dunes of 150 m create a game de light of the rose au golden. Zagora offers of the levers more sobres but all also moving.

Quel desert for children ?

Zagora, because the circuit is more court (2j minimum). The enfants adorent the deux for the camels and the bivouac, but Zagora limite the fatigue.

Desert Tours from Marrakech

All Desert Tours Merzouga Excursion 4 Days Merzouga Tour 3 Days Zagora Tour 3 Days Merzouga + Zagora 4j 4×4 Grand South Tour

New Year's Eve Celebrations

New Year's Eve in the desert New Year's Eve Marrakech Christmas in Marrakech

Learn more

What to See in the Desert When to Visit Prepare Your Tour FAQ Desert (25 questions)

Le Riad Vendôme is classified by the Moroccan Ministry of Tourism.