Chigaga vs Chebbi debate
Replies: 11 - Last Post: May 22, 2012 5:49 PM Last Post By: Marocfan
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Chigaga vs Chebbi debate
Hi All,I am going to Morocco in 1 week, and being interested in the physical environment, am trying to decide between Chigaga or Chebbi. We are interested in experiencing extremes, and therefore want to see some good examples of sand dunes, rather than just an arid environment. Would be hoping to do some sort of overnight (at least 1 night) trip - preferably on camel - I have seen you can stay in a Berber tent, but wasn't sure if this is possible in Chigaga, with it being more remote? Either way, we would prioritse the scenery.
We will be on a week trip, starting and ending our trip in Marrakech, then on to Toubkal, and after the desert want to head to the coase, so not sure if that would influence the decision too?
I have been reading threads and have looked in LP to try help my decision, but wanted to guage opinion based on our specific preferences.
Thanks in advance,
Heidi
1
.... in total how long will you be in Morocco, and how are you planning to travel there ?After your Desert trip, consider travelling via Ouatzazate, Talouine, Taroudannt towards the Atlantic coast south of Agadir/Inezgane, to the remote seaside villages of Mirhleft and Legzira Beach. Sidi Ifni is a little further south and a terrific destiontion, few tourists bother to to go that far south, much depends on your time and mode of transport.
Map for research .. http://www.looklex.com/morocco/map02.htm
2
HiThe difference between Erg Chebbi and Erg Chigaga is mostly that Erg Chebbi has much more tourist, because it is easy accessible and Chigaga is more quiet become it is more remote. Chigaga needs a 4x4 car, it is 60 km off-road from M'hamid. Both have beautiful high dunes and in both is a overnight in a bivouac possible. If you like to go to the bivouac by camel, Erg Chebbi would be more reasonable, since it would be a much longer ride from M'hamid to Chigaga.
Enjoy your time.
3
In my opinion, sand dunes are more nice and colorful in Erg Chebbi than Erg Chigaga. But you can read this if you wish and then decide: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?threadID=2124115But, if you have only one week in Morocco, you need to plan your itinerary careful because distances are big and travel is going slowly. So try to not do so big itinerary, choose really only what you think is most important for you to see.
5
Hi All,Thank you for your replies - I am in Morocco for 2 weeks, so hoping to fit this itinerary in. We are not planning on booking anything before we go, so if we find we are trying to squeeze too much in then we'll cut something out.
Re. erg chebbi - is it possible to get there from Imlil direct, or would it be better going back to Marrakech?
Also, to get over to Mirhleft, would we have to go via Marrakech from either of the dunes?
6
From Erg Chebbi to Imlil you must go via Marrakech.It is long way from Erg Chebbi to Mirhleft, more than 900km.
You can go from Rissani against Alnif on N12, in Agdz cross N9 to N10 against Taroudannt - Tiznit - Mirhleft.
Or you can continue N12 from Agdz via Foum Zguid to Guelmim and Sidi Ifni to Mirhleft.
Or go also via Marrakech against Agadir and along the coast to Tiznit etc. Still the same distance, around 900km from Erg Chebbi.
Edited by: khamlia
7
..... from the dunes you don't have to go via Marrakech to reach Inezagane/Agadir, (use the N10 from Ouarzazate), the key area to access beaches further south.Which airport/s are you using, can you fly into one and out of another on to avoid backtracking ?
To answer your question on Imlil, its a bit of a cul-de-sac, one way in the same way out, have you got a good map to look at.
To ask again how are you travelling in Morocco ?
No need to book anything, tourist numbers are down and there's lots of capacity
8
Yes it is right, you want to go to Erg Chebbi from Imlil, not opposite, sorry for my mistake. Anyway you have to go back to N9 and continue to Ouarzazate etc.But anyway, you are in Morocco only one week so you have not time to travel so far and so much. Maybe you would forget actually the desert and make only Toubkal and the coast.
9
..... khamlia,.... hboj is going to Morocco for two (2) weeks.... see #5.I think you're still on the "Berber Whiskey" since you got home. ;~)
