Sunset over our desert camp, with camels and an acacia tree

2-day expedition

Erg Chegaga in 2 days from Foum Zguid

Two days and one night from Foum Zguid, the last stop before the great open spaces of the Sahara. A private 4×4 across the stony desert and the dry bed of Lake Iriki, the high dunes of Chegaga at sunset, and a night under the stars with a local team that loves sharing this region.

Foum Zguid ⇄ Erg Chegaga

Route: Via Lake Iriki
Meals: Dinner + breakfast
Nights: Desert bivouac
Difficulty: Easy

Journey day by day

Day 01 · Into the erg

From Foum Zguid to the Erg Chegaga dunes

Meet your Foum Zguid Experience team, take the track in your private 4×4 and watch the colours change as the horizon opens, until the big dunes appear.

14:00Departure from Foum Zguid
A warm welcome with mint tea, then off in your private 4×4 across stony ground, past lone acacias and into the open desert.
16:00Wild landscapes and Lake Iriki
Depending on track conditions, several stops let you see the rocky reliefs, the mineral plains and the dry bed of Lake Iriki, with plenty of chances for photos.
17:30Arrival at Erg Chegaga
Settle into your camp, then ride a dromedary to the dunes to watch the sand turn gold and orange at sunset.
20:00Traditional dinner and Saharan evening
A Moroccan dinner with mint tea, then time by the fire. Some evenings, traditional music and drums join in. You sleep in an equipped tent under the stars.

Private 4×4Sunset dromedary ride

A desert track leading towards a table mountain

Day 02 · Desert sunrise

Sunrise on the dunes and return to Foum Zguid

Wake up at the pace of the desert, watch the first light on the dunes, have breakfast at camp and drive back to Foum Zguid, seeing the same landscapes in a new light.

07:00Sunrise and breakfast
The first light of the day over the Erg Chegaga dunes, then breakfast at camp before you take the track again.
09:00Back through the Saharan landscapes
You leave the dunes and head for Foum Zguid, with photo stops depending on conditions and the time available.
11:30Arrival in Foum Zguid
Your excursion ends in Foum Zguid, with good memories and photos of the Sahara.

Sunrise on the dunesBreakfast at camp

Dunes of the Erg Chegaga with desert shrubs under a blue sky

Times are approximate and may change with track conditions, the weather and how the excursion goes.

Highlights of your adventure

Desert crossing in a private 4×4 from Foum Zguid.
The landscapes of the dry Lake Iriki and the national park.
Panoramic stops among rocky reliefs and mineral landscapes.
Arrival at the dunes of Erg Chegaga.
A dromedary ride at sunset.
Traditional Moroccan dinner and an evening by the fire.
A night in an equipped tent at a desert camp.
Sunrise over the dunes and breakfast at camp.
A local driver-guide with you throughout.

Included in the price

Private 4×4 transport
Local driver-guide
Night at a desert camp in an equipped tent
Traditional Moroccan dinner
Breakfast at camp
Dromedary ride
Mint tea
Mineral water during the trip

Not included

Lunches during the excursion
Extra drinks
Personal expenses
Tips, at your discretion

A night in the Sahara: more than a place to sleep

At camp the evening follows the pace of the desert. Once you have settled in, you can stroll among the dunes, watch the last light of the day or simply relax over a glass of tea.

Dinner is a moment to share, followed by an evening by the fire when conditions allow. Then comes one of the best parts of the trip: looking at the stars, far from city lights.

You sleep in an equipped tent, with bedding and blankets according to what the camp provides.

Our guide serving bread to guests sitting on rugs under an acacia

When is the best time to visit Erg Chegaga?

The excursion is especially pleasant from September to early June, depending on the weather and the state of the tracks.

October and November usually bring pleasant temperatures for outdoor activities. From February to April the days are often ideal for discovering the desert, while the nights can stay cool.

In winter, bring warm clothes for the evening and early morning. In very hot periods, the departure and activity times have to be adapted to the weather.

Date palms in a rocky valley of the Iriki region

Travelling with Foum Zguid Experience

Our idea is simple: to show you the desert honestly, with respect and warmth. You travel with a local team that knows the landscapes and tracks of the region.

The vehicle is reserved for your group, for more freedom, comfort and flexibility. We prefer taking the time to look, discover and share over simply crossing the desert.