7-day desert trek departing from Marrakech
In summary
-
Sports
-
Duration7 days
-
LevelAll levels
-
DestinationAtlas Mountains / Marrakech
-
AgeFrom 16 - 75 years
-
CO₂-Emissions157.82 kg CO2
-
Type of stayIn a group
-
Languages
French
English
In a few words
Explore the Moroccan Sahara on a 7-day nomadic immersion off the beaten track. Guided by local guides born in the desert , you will walk on ancient caravan routes in the heart of the dunes of the Great South .
Your leisurely trek winds its way between majestic ergs , wild plateaus , and unspoiled oases . Each evening, the camel caravan stops at an exceptional location to set up your bivouac under a starry sky .
More than just a hike, this trek prioritizes cultural exchange . Share the life of your nomadic team, discover their time-honored hospitality , savor traditional meals cooked over a wood fire , and participate in camp life as you wish. An authentic escape to slow down and reconnect with what truly matters .
The highlights
-
Trekking with a camel caravan
-
Immersion in Berber culture
-
4 nights in a wild bivouac
Photos
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
The expert's opinion
This trek is accessible to anyone in good physical condition. No prior desert or hiking experience is necessary.
The pace is leisurely and adapted to the group, with plenty of breaks to enjoy the scenery, rest, and learn about nomadic culture. The camels carry the luggage and equipment, so you only need to carry a small daypack with your personal belongings.
The main objective of this trip is to experience an authentic immersion in the Sahara, walking at a pleasant pace, accessible to both beginners and more experienced hikers.
In figures
Hiking
- Average duration/day: 1h
- Exposed Passages: Yes
Trekking
- Average duration/day: 4h
- Average distance/day: 9 km
- Exposed Passages: Yes
Management
French
English
Born and raised in the heart of the Sahara desert, in M'Hamid El Ghizlane, Ali Ennaji comes from a nomadic family that has perpetuated Saharan traditions for several generations.
He works to showcase an authentic Sahara through treks, camel caravan expeditions and adventure trips that respect local people and the environment.
An experienced local guide, he knows the routes connecting the Djebel Bani, the oases, and the dunes of Erg Chegaga perfectly. He accompanies travelers safely, sharing his experience of the desert, nomadic traditions, the history of ancient caravans, and the richness of Saharan flora and fauna.
Its ambition is to offer human and sporting experiences, far from the usual tourist routes, promoting responsible tourism and an authentic immersion in the heart of the Moroccan Sahara
Program
-
Marrakech – Ouarzazate – M’Hamid
- Transportation Bus - 08h - 450km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 1h
- Exposed passages Yes
- Accommodation Riad
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Meet at 8:00 am in Marrakech or at 12:30 pm in Ouarzazate.
Lunch is taken en route. Arrival at the Moroccan desert is scheduled for late afternoon at our riad.
According to Sahrawi tradition, travelers are always welcomed with mint tea. After a traditional dinner, you share an early evening before spending a comfortable night, preparing for your week of adventure.
Day 1 -
M'Hamid – Erg Sidi Naji
- Activity Trekking
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Distance 15 km
- Exposed passages Yes
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
The immersion in the Moroccan desert begins on foot from our base camp. The caravan is loaded with the equipment and supplies needed for a week in the desert.
You head towards Erg Sidi Naji, which preserves the imprint of a famous marabout who lived in these dunes.
Discover the ancestral way of life of the nomads. If you wish, you can participate in setting up the tents and gathering wood for the evening around the fire.
Day 2 -
Erg Zahar the Screaming Dune
- Activity Trekking
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Distance 17 km
- Exposed passages Yes
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
The adventure in the Moroccan desert continues towards the colorful dunes of the Great Dune. Little by little, the vegetation disappears, giving way to an immense sea of sand.
There's nothing better for completely disconnecting than immersing yourself in these iconic Saharan landscapes.
The camp is located in the heart of the Erg Zahar, where the night sky is filled with thousands of stars. This night in the dunes lets you experience the Sahara from the inside.
Day 3 -
Erg Aït Ounir
- Activity Trekking
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Distance 12 km
- Exposed passages Yes
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 1h
- Exposed passages Yes
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
A few hours' walk will take you to Erg Aït Ounir.
The dunes may seem similar, but to the experienced eye of the nomadic guides, each landform tells a story. Their ancestral knowledge of the desert allows them to choose the best routes, suitable even for camels, which cannot climb the steepest slopes.
As the days go by, you immerse yourself in Sahrawi traditions and discover a way of life deeply linked to the desert.
Day 4 -
Erg Aït Ounir- Erg Douib
- Activity Trekking
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Exposed passages Yes
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 1h
- Exposed passages Yes
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
The hike continues towards Erg Dwib, nicknamed "the Wolf Dune". The landscapes change throughout the day, alternating between golden dunes and vast desert spaces where calm and silence reign.
In the late afternoon, the bivouac is set up in the heart of the dunes. You enjoy a final sunset over the Sahara before sharing a last evening around the campfire with your nomadic guides. It's a special time to talk, relive the best memories of the week, and enjoy one last night under the stars.
Over the days, you became more familiar with this inspiring nomadic culture, an experience that can only truly be understood by living it every day.
Day 5 -
Erg Dwib – M'Hamid
- Activity Trekking
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Exposed passages Yes
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 1h
- Exposed passages Yes
- Accommodation Riad
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
The caravan resumes its journey across a vast desert plateau. Gradually, the landscape changes and the first tamarisk trees appear, announcing the arrival of the last oasis in the Drâa Valley.
In the early afternoon, you return to the village of M'Hamid and settle into your riad. After several days of walking, a traditional hammam in the village offers a well-deserved moment of relaxation and well-being. The evening unfolds in a convivial atmosphere around a final dinner.
Day 6 -
M'Hamid – Tamgroute – Ouarzazate – Marrakech
- Transportation Bus - 07h - 450km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 1h
- Exposed passages Yes
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
After breakfast, departure towards Ouarzazate and then Marrakech.
Along the way, visit the famous pottery village of Tamgroute, renowned for its traditional green ceramics, as well as its ancient Koranic library, which houses precious ancient manuscripts.
Arrival in Ouarzazate in the late afternoon, then continuation of the journey towards Marrakech.
Day 7
Accommodation
The final night is spent at Dar Nomads, a local, family-run riad located in M'Hamid El Ghizlane, on the edge of the Sahara. The rooms are comfortable and air-conditioned (subject to availability), with private or shared bathrooms. After several days of trekking, it's the perfect place to relax, take a shower, and share a final, convivial dinner.
During the trek, we use lightweight, collapsible tents, transported by camel along with all the bivouac equipment. They are set up each evening in a new location, in the heart of the desert, to offer you a true nomadic experience.
Depending on availability and your preferences, you will sleep either in a traditional portable Berber tent or in small, single or double hiking tents (like those from Decathlon). All are comfortable, adapted to desert conditions, and allow you to fully enjoy the peace and starry skies of the Sahara.
Access
The meeting point is set for early morning in Marrakech. A private transfer is arranged to the starting point of the trek, passing through the Tizi n'Tichka pass, Ouarzazate, and the Draa Valley. Breaks are planned along the way.
End of stay: Marrakech
After a final night in a riad, the return journey to Marrakech takes place the following day via Tamgroute, Zagora, Ouarzazate, and the High Atlas Mountains. Arrival in Marrakech is expected in the late afternoon or early evening, depending on traffic conditions.
We recommend not scheduling an international flight until the evening of the last day, or ideally the following day, in order to travel with complete peace of mind.
Go to the starting point
Transfers are provided in comfortable, air-conditioned tourist vehicles.
Depending on the group size, travel is by private car (4x4 or SUV) or minibus. All vehicles are driven by experienced drivers familiar with the roads of southern Morocco to ensure a comfortable and safe journey.
Price details
The price includes
- 4 nights camping in the desert under the stars
- 2 nights in our guesthouse (Riad)
- Trekking with a camel caravan
- Experienced local guide
- Cultural visit
- Camel drivers
- Dinner of day 1
- Cook for the entire expedition
- All meals (breakfasts, lunches and dinners)
- Drinking water during the trek
- An authentic immersion in nomadic life
- Friendly evenings around the fire with traditional music under the stars
The price does not include
- Flights
- Personal expenses
- Breakfast and lunch for day 1
- Lunch of day 7
- Any service not mentioned in the "Price includes" section
Options
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment provided on site
- Bivouac mattress
- Covers
- Shared nomadic tents
- Mess tent for meals
- Kitchen equipment
- Dishes (plates, cutlery, bowls and cups)
- Camping tables and chairs
- Drinking water during the trek
- Luggage transport by camels
- Support vehicle (4x4) at the end of the trek
- Community first aid pharmacy
Equipment to bring
- Hiking backpack (30 to 40 L)
- Travel bag or duffel bag (carried by camels)
- Sleeping bag (comfort rating 0 to 10°C depending on the season)
- Water bottles or hydration packs (2 to 3 liters)
- Hiking poles (recommended)
- Headlamp with spare batteries
- SPF 50+ sunscreen
- Lip balm
- Microfiber towel
- Toiletry bag
- Personal medications
- Small first aid kit
- hand sanitizer
- External battery (power bank)
- Camera (optional)
Clothing to bring
- Hiking cap or hat
- Sunglasses (category 3 or 4)
- Neck warmer or buff
- Breathable technical T-shirts (2 to 3)
- Lightweight fleece
- Windproof and waterproof jacket
- Lightweight down jacket (depending on the season)
- hiking shorts
- Hiking pants
- Breathable underwear
- Hiking socks (3 to 4 pairs)
- High-top hiking boots or trail running shoes
- Sandals or light shoes for camping
The Ali team
Based in the Moroccan Sahara, our local expert orchestrates authentic desert adventures departing from M'Hamid El Ghizlane. A specialist in camel treks and tailor-made tours, he operates his own guesthouses and desert camps. His local, multilingual team (French, English, Arabic, Berber) passionately shares nomadic culture. Committed to responsible tourism away from the crowds, he guarantees safe and memorable expeditions into the heart of the dunes.
