Morocco Desert trek Destinations Travel To Mountains

Best travel season:

October - March

Trip duration:

11 days

From/to:

Marrakech

Trek duration:

6 days

Accommodation:

Hotel / Tent

Difficulty:

Easy

Difficulty

Easy

See our detailed Travel Notes (PDF Download)

Group size:

8 to 12 travellers

Tour leader:

Local English & French speaking guide

Price:

€ 990,- land only

Hike the Moroccan Sahara desert with camel caravan

Walk through the Moroccan Sahara for six days, accompanied by our Berber caravan and their camels.

Start the trek at Oulad Driss at the far end of the large, lush Drâa Oasis.

Hike across the rocky and sandy desert to the big Erg Chegaga and climb southern Morocco’s largest sand dunes.

Let yourself be enchanted by the large sand dunes, the indescribable play of light at sunrise and sunset as well as the absolute silence of the desert.

Make the unforgettable experience of Morocco’s dreamlike landscapes and the Berber nomad‘s hospitality.

Visit the big bazaar of Marrakech and enjoy free time to explore this fascinating city on your own.

Detailed itinerary

DAY

1

Individual arrival in Marrakech

Transfer from the airport to your comfortable hotel in the new, modern part of Marrakech. Relax after the flight and/or take a walk around Marrakech. In the evening, you’ll be welcomed by our trekking guide and given a short briefing. Then it’s time to enjoy dinner with your trekking mates.

Accommodation:	Hotel, Marrakech
Meals:	D

DAY

2

Trip from Marrakech to the oasis of Drâa and on to M‘Hamid

After breakfast we‘ll leave Marrakech and take the scenic route across the High Atlas via Tizi n‘Tichka (pass, 2260 m). After lunch at Ouarzazate, our minibus will take us across the Anti Atlas at Tizi n‘Tinififft (1660 m) and on to the almost 200 km long green oasis of Drâa. Driving along lush palm groves - bordered by the barren mountain desert of the Sahara - and past the oasis city Zagora, we‘ll finally meet our dromedary caravan at the palm grove of Oulad Driss. We’ll stay overnight at the camp in Bonou, a typical clay village.

Drive:	approx. 450 km / 8 - 10 h
Accommodation:	Tent in the palm grove at Bonou
Meals:	B L D

DAY

3

Start of the desert trekking

After breakfast, the loads will be packed onto the waiting dromedaries. Touareg nomads will lead the caravan, heading south today.
After crossing the wide river valley of the Oued Drâa, you’ll walk past the big sand dune of Bonou and the last few houses of the village M‘Hamid, the last settlement of the big oasis Drâa. After a leisurely lunch under palm trees, you’ll finally leave the palm groves behind and enter the desert itself. Late afternoon, you’ll set up camp in the dunes.

Walking Time:	approx. 5 h
Accommodation:	Tent in the dunes
Meals:	B L D

DAY

4

Into the great wide Saharan desert

Today, following the rhythm of our dromedaries, you’ll hike through the wide stone desert ("Reg"). Small sand dunes ("Erg") and the odd shade-giving tamarisk are welcome points of reference in the infinity of the Sahara and also a welcome change in the flat stone desert shimmering in the heat of the sun.
Contrary to popular belief, only 15 % of the Sahara can be classified as sand desert in the sense of the word. By far the largest part of the huge desert consists of stone plateaus and gravel plains, the so-called "Reg".
Lunch break will be at the Marabout of Sidi Naji, which was used as a resting place by the desert caravans on their way to Timbuktu.
After a short afternoon stage, you’ll set up camp near a watering hole.

Walking Time:	approx. 5 h
Accommodation:	Tent at a waterhole
Meals:	B L D

DAY

5

To the great Erg Zaher

Trekking on old caravan trails, you’ll follow the dry riverbed of the Oued Drâa and reach the big sand dune of Erg Zaher in the early afternoon. Camp will be set up at the foot of the dune.
After lunch, you can climb the big sand dune. From the vantage point at the top, the size and vastness of the surrounding desert is a truly breathtaking experience. You will also be impressed by the shades and nuances of the sun light later in the day and at dawn!

Walking Time:	approx. 6 h
Accommodation:	Tent at the foot of Erg Zaher
Meals:	B L D

DAY

6

To Erg Sedrate

Today, you’ll cross the dry riverbed and trek through gravel desert all the way to the abandoned village of El Block, where lunch will be served in the shade of big tamarisk trees.
In the afternoon, still heading west, you’ll reach the small Erg Sedrate. Camp will be set up in the middle of the dunes.

Walking Time:	approx. 6 h
Accommodation:	Tent in the dunes
Meals:	B L D

DAY

7

To Aouinat Naji

This short stage will take you northwest through wide, open desert land. You’ll experience many different kinds of desert landscape: stones and gravel, dunes of red sands and dried out riverbeds – the latter bearing water very rarely but if they do, the water gushes forth in a huge flood.
Lunch will be served at Aouinat Naji, where camp will be set up. Enjoy a free afternoon to explore the dunes and the surrounding desert.

Walking Time:	approx. 6 h
Accommodation:	Tent at Aouinat Naji
Meals:	B L D

DAY

8

Last stage to the great Erg Chegaga

Trekking through a vast landscape of sand dunes, you’ll finally reach the big dune Laabidlya at Erg Chegaga, almost 100 meters tall and the tallest sand dune in the Moroccan southeast. From the top, you’ll enjoy an impressive panorama of the endless sea of sand ("Chegaga" means "sea of sand") from the Djebel Bani mountains in the north all the way to the Djebel Ouarkziz in the south.
The last camp will be set up at the foot of the big dune. Once again, you’ll experience the stunning play of light at sunset and enjoy the absolute silence of the desert.

Walking Time:	approx. 5 h
Accommodation:	Tent at the foot of Laabidlya
Meals:	B L D

DAY

9

Return to Marrakech via Foum Zguid

After breakfast, we‘ll say goodbye to the cameleers and their animals, who will journey back through the wide desert.
We’ll be met by off-road vehicles and taken past the salt lake Iriki to the small desert town of Foum Zguid at the edge of the Anti-Atlas. After a short stop, we’ll continue via Tazenakht back over the High Atlas to Marrakech, arriving at our hotel in the late afternoon. After washing off the dust and desert sand, we’ll enjoy our last dinner together and reminisce about the last few days‘ impressions.

Drive:	approx. 400 km / 8 - 9 h
Accommodation:	Hotel, Marrakech
Meals:	B L D

DAY

10

Free day in Marrakech

Day at your disposal to visit Marrakech and its medina (old town). Explore the huge labyrinth of souks, palaces, madrasas (Koranic schools), gardens and of course the world-famous Djemma-El-Fna (Juggler‘s Square) and spend time at the places that are most interesting to you.

Accommodation:	Hotel, Marrakech
Meals:	B

DAY

11

Flight home or onward journey

Transport to Marrakech airport. On request the stay in Marrakech can be extended individually.

Meals:

B

B: Breakfast L: Lunch D: Dinner

Difficulty rating - altitude acclimatisation - preparation

Overall difficulty

Easy

Fitness and stamina

Easy

Desert trekking on mainly easy, flat terrain. Walking times can add up to 5 to 7 hours a day. Rocky and sandy ground alternates. Some of the bigger sand dunes are a little bit more demanding to climb or traverse ("Erg").
Should you be unsure about your level of fitness, we recommend renting a riding dromedary, which you can fall back on if you feel like a change from walking. One riding dromedary can be shared among several trekkers.

Requirements and preparation

If you have a good level of fitness and follow a regular regimen of (endurance) sports you won’t need any special preparation for the desert trekking in Morocco. You should be accustomed to day hikes of 1000 m of ascent/descent and not shy away from tours covering longer distances.
Please keep in mind that the efforts add up over the days.
Regular endurance training is the best way to prepare yourself: running (jogging), swimming and long mountain hikes carrying a moderate daypack are best for developing cardiovascular fitness and stamina.

09.12. - 19.12.2020

Available

€ 990,-

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06.01. - 16.01.2021

Available

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03.02. - 13.02.2021

Available

€ 990,-

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24.02. - 06.03.2021

Available

€ 990,-

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27.10. - 06.11.2021

Available

€ 990,-

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24.11. - 04.12.2021

Available

€ 990,-

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22.12. - 01.01.2022

Available

€ 990,-

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PLEASE NOTE: Prices quoted are land only and do not include international flights. Flights SHOULD NOT be booked until the departure is showing 'Guaranteed' or 'Almost full'.

Inclusions & Exclusions

What's included

Local English and French speaking mountain guide
Experienced, local cook - excellent catering in the desert
Local cameleers and their dromedaries for your luggage and the trekking equipment - approx. 15 kg baggage allowance per traveller
3 nights in a quiet 3* hotel in Marrakech - twin-share room including breakfast
Camping in spacious TRAVEL TO MOUNTAIN tents while trekking - 2 travellers share a three-person tent
Full board during the trekking incl. hot beverages (tea, coffee, etc.)
Meals before and after the trekking according to the detailed itinerary
Bottled water during the desert trekking
All transports and transfers by private minibus or off-road vehicle - including airport transfers
Entrance fees according to the detailed itinerary

What's not included

International flight to Morocco
Travel insurance - you can take out travel insurance and/or trip cancelation/ interruption insurance through TTM.
Beverages in towns and during the transfers
Tips
Personal expenses
Costs incurred for itinerary changes due to clients' actions/decisions
Single room supplement: € 90,- - if available a room can be shared with another solo traveller of the same sex. Please let us know your preferences at the time of booking.
Surcharge for single tent use: € 75,-
Surcharge for personal riding dromedary: € 150,- - several trekkers can share one riding dromedary.
All other costs not mentioned under "What's included"

Morocco Sahara desert trek

Hike the Moroccan Sahara desert with camel caravan

Detailed itinerary

Individual arrival in Marrakech

Trip from Marrakech to the oasis of Drâa and on to M‘Hamid

Start of the desert trekking

Into the great wide Saharan desert

To the great Erg Zaher

To Erg Sedrate

To Aouinat Naji

Last stage to the great Erg Chegaga

Return to Marrakech via Foum Zguid

Free day in Marrakech

Flight home or onward journey

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