3-Day to Celebrate the New Year Under the Stars in Erg Chegaga
Tour Type
- Private tour for any group size
Languages Support
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Duration
Overview
Welcome to Morocco Desert Trips‘ official 3-Day New Year’s Eve Desert Tour to Erg Chegaga. Experience an unforgettable celebration in the heart of the Moroccan Sahara. Travel from Marrakech through the dramatic High Atlas Mountains, ancient kasbahs, and the legendary Draa Valley before reaching the remote, monumental golden dunes of Erg Chegaga. Spend New Year’s Eve surrounded by the profound silence of the desert, enjoy a special festive Moroccan banquet dinner, traditional Berber music and entertainment around the campfire, and welcome the New Year beneath a sky full of stars.
Quick Overview: New Year’s Eve in Erg Chegaga Desert
Duration: 3 Days / 2 Nights • Departure: Marrakech (December 30 or 31) • Fixed Rate: €290 per person
Transport: Comfortable modern transport throughout the tour + 4×4 off-road desert crossing from M’Hamid to Erg Chegaga dunes.
Accommodation: 1 Night in a traditional guest house/riad in the Draa Valley + 1 Night in a standard desert camp at Erg Chegaga with festive New Year gala dinner & midnight campfire celebration.
Highlights of the Tour
- High Atlas Mountains: Cross the spectacular Tizi n’Tichka Pass (2,260m) with panoramic views of traditional Berber villages.
- Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah: Explore the UNESCO World Heritage fortified village famous for historic earthen architecture and cinema sets.
- Ouarzazate & Draa Valley: Journey through the gateway to the Sahara and Morocco’s longest palm-filled river oasis.
- Tamegroute Pottery & Heritage: Visit the historic artisan village renowned for its green glaze pottery and centuries-old cultural library.
- 4×4 Desert Adventure: Venture off-road from M’Hamid across the wild Sahara desert to reach the majestic Erg Chegaga dunes.
- New Year’s Eve Campfire Gala: Relish a special festive dinner, live Saharan Gnawa and Berber rhythms, and countdown to the New Year under millions of stars.
- Saharan Sunrise: Greet the first sunrise of the New Year rising over the towering golden sand dunes.
The New Year’s Eve Sahara Experience
Tonight is the true highlight of your journey. Settle into your traditional desert tent amidst the silence of Erg Chegaga. As the sun sets over the golden sea of dunes, gather for a special festive New Year’s Eve feast prepared fresh at the camp. Enjoy an evening of authentic Berber drumming, live Saharan Gnawa music, and campfire celebrations under one of the clearest night skies on earth. At midnight, count down to the New Year surrounded by dunes, fire, and starlight.
Reserve Your Place for New Year’s Eve in Erg Chegaga
Seats for the New Year’s Eve Erg Chegaga desert expedition are strictly limited due to camp capacity. Secure your booking early.
Request NYE Availability & Booking
💬 WhatsApp Us (+212 661 32 54 16)
Also check our 1-day/overnight alternative: New Year’s Eve in Agafay Desert (40 mins from Marrakech)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How cold does Erg Chegaga get on New Year’s Eve?
Winter days in the Sahara are sunny with pleasant temperatures around 18°C to 20°C. However, night temperatures in late December drop sharply to between 3°C and 7°C. We recommend bringing warm layered clothing, thermal wear, a warm winter coat, a beanie, and a scarf. Desert camp tents are outfitted with thick, warm Berber wool blankets.
What is the difference between Erg Chegaga and Erg Chebbi (Merzouga)?
Erg Chegaga is significantly wilder, more remote, and untouched than Merzouga. It requires an off-road 4×4 drive across the desert plateaus from M’Hamid, offering genuine wilderness, towering untouched golden dunes, and zero urban light pollution—making it the purest Saharan setting in Morocco to welcome the New Year.
Can vegetarian or special diets be accommodated for the New Year’s dinner?
Yes, absolutely. Moroccan cuisine features delicious vegetarian tagines, fresh salads, and couscous. Please notify us of any dietary preferences (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free) when booking so the camp chef can prepare your festive meal accordingly.
Tour Plan
Day 1: Marrakech - High Atlas Mountains - Ait Ben Haddou - Ouarzazate - Agdez & Draa Valley
Your New Year’s desert adventure begins in Marrakech with pickup from your accommodation and departure towards the High Atlas Mountains. Cross the spectacular Tizi n’Tichka Pass, reaching around 2,260 metres above sea level, while enjoying breathtaking mountain landscapes and traditional Berber villages scattered along the slopes.
Continue towards Ait Ben Haddou, one of Morocco’s most famous and impressive fortified villages and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take time to explore its narrow streets, earthen buildings and panoramic viewpoints.
After the visit, continue to Ouarzazate, known as the gateway to the Sahara and famous for its kasbahs and cinematic landscapes. From here, continue south towards Agdez and the Draa Valley, one of Morocco’s most beautiful palm-filled valleys. Enjoy the changing scenery as you enter the valley, with its palm groves, ancient kasbahs and traditional villages.
Overnight: Traditional guest house / riad in the Draa Valley (Dinner included).
Day 2: Draa Valley - Zagora - Tamegroute - Erg Chegaga – NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION
After breakfast, continue your journey through the magnificent Draa Valley, following the palm groves and ancient villages towards Zagora, the famous gateway to the Sahara.
Continue to Tamegroute, a historic village renowned for its traditional green pottery and centuries-old cultural heritage. Take some time to discover its authentic atmosphere before continuing towards M’Hamid.
From M’Hamid, leave the paved roads behind and switch to a 4×4 vehicle for the adventure across the desert. Travel through the spectacular desert landscapes towards the remote Erg Chegaga dunes, one of the wildest and most impressive areas of the Moroccan Sahara.
Upon arrival at the camp, settle into your traditional desert tent and enjoy the peaceful surroundings of the dunes. As the sun begins to set, the desert transforms into a spectacular landscape of golden colours.
New Year’s Eve in the Sahara: Tonight is the highlight of your journey. Enjoy a special New Year’s Eve dinner prepared at the desert camp, followed by an evening of traditional Moroccan music, live desert entertainment and festive celebrations around the campfire. Gather under the stars, listen to traditional Berber rhythms and experience the unique atmosphere of welcoming the New Year in the middle of the Sahara. At midnight, celebrate the arrival of the New Year surrounded by the Erg Chegaga dunes, music, fire and an incredible Saharan sky.
Overnight: Standard desert camp at Erg Chegaga (Special Gala Dinner included).
Day 3: Erg Chegaga - M’Hamid - Marrakech
Wake up early to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the desert and, if you wish, watch the first light of the New Year rise over the dunes.
After breakfast, leave Erg Chegaga by 4×4 and return towards M’Hamid, enjoying one final drive through the spectacular desert landscapes.
From M’Hamid, begin the return journey towards Marrakech, travelling back through the Draa Valley and across the dramatic landscapes of southern Morocco.
Continue north towards Ouarzazate and cross the High Atlas Mountains once again, with scenic stops along the way. Arrive in Marrakech in the evening, marking the end of your unforgettable New Year’s Eve Sahara adventure.
Included
- Shared transportation throughout the tour
- Professional and experienced driver, English/French/Spanish speaking
- Pickup and Drop-off from and to your accommodation in Marrakech
- 1 night in a nice standard guest house/riad in the Draa Valley
- 1 night in a standard desert camp at Erg Chegaga
- 4x4 desert transportation to/from Erg Chegaga
- Dinner × 2
- Breakfast × 2
- Special New Year’s Eve dinner at Erg Chegaga
- Traditional music, entertainment and New Year’s Eve celebration at the desert camp
Excluded
- Lunch on the way
- Drinks
- Tips
