In the vicinity of Zagora, close to Jbel Bani, the most extended plateau of dunes in Morocco stretches out. Our caravan crosses this desert where real nomads still live and where you can discover its great diversity in a short time.
Explore the different faces of the Sahara desert on this four day fully supported trek.
Challenge yourself, go solo, or go with a small group. This terrain is unforgiving, vast, breathtaking and you will feel your place in this world. A trek like this will challenge you in many ways, physically, mentally, emotionally and may well be transformational. The vastness of it will give you time for reflection, your mind can internalise and turn over buried issues and thoughts. It may be expansive in ways that you could not imagine. Whatever it is for you, you will leave with an unforgettable memory.
On this four day trek, you will see the remains of ancient civilisations. You will see the reality that it has undergone changes from being an ocean, to a savanah to the desert you now see and you will see evidence of this. Imagine, you will stand on what was perhaps 400 million years ago; the seabed.
You will follow in the footsteps of the nomads who trek from well to well in the hopes of finding water. You will camp in amazing wild places with the stars overhead. This is as near as you can get to leaving no trace, off the beaten track, into the wild and reconnecting back to nature. This is an authentic desert trekking experience. You may meet nobody, or you may meet nomads. You will see no vehicles unless they are military taking supplies to the border posts. You are responsible for taking care of your health, your feet, your gear, making sure you drink enough water, eat properly and sleep comfortably.
If this is for you, then get in touch because these treks are exclusive to us and our partner companies, you will not find them advertised elsewhere.
Day 01- Marrakech - Ouarzazate - Zagora - Faija.
We leave Marrakech early in the morning via the spectacular Tizi n'Tichka-pass (2260m above sea level). The beautiful mountain road with unforgettable sceneries is the highest road in the country. We continue via Ouarzazate and Zagora, with its magnificent palm grove. We change direction just before the famous sign ’52 days until Timbuktu’ to continue the plateau of Faija. Overnight stay in the camp in Faija.
Day 02- Faija - Oum Laachar-pass - Oued Mhasser.
After loading the camels, we start our hike with crossing the pass of Oum Laachar. Next we go along a dry river until a hidden oasis between the mountains. We continue with short climbs and descents till we reach our camp on the river bank of Oued Mhasser. About 5 hours walk.
Day 03- Oued Mhasser – Chegaga.
We walk along the river of Oued Mhasser and cross a pebbly desert. If it is clear, we can already see the great dunes of Chegaga. First very small, but as we get closer more and more impressive. When we reach the plateau of dunes, we join our team in the camp. At night we enjoy an amazing sunset over the dunes and we have a tasty meal around the campfire. About 5 hours walk.
Day 04- Dunes of Chegaga – Dunes of Bougarne.
We get up early to enjoy a splendid sunrise over this beautiful location. We continue our hike and cross a dry lake and rocky desert to reach Oued Laatach (‘river of thirst’). Along the way we see camps of real nomads with their flock of goats. We cross another rocky desert to reach our camp near the dunes of Bougarne. These dunes are less high then those of Chegaga, but are also very beautiful. From the top of the dunes, we can enjoy another impressive sunset. About 5 hours of walking.
Day 05- Dunes of Bougarne - Oued Naam.
To enjoy a beautiful sunrise, we get up early. We cross a rocky desert plateau, which gives a mineral edge to the landscape. After a long walk, we arrive in our camp next to Oued Naam, with his famous well. We can have a wash, nonetheless without misusing the precious water. About 5h30 walk.
Day 06- Oued Naam - Mhamid - Marrakech.
We leave on time, because a long journey awaits us. First we walk across a plateau of small dunes and then a forest of Tamaris. At the end of the morning, we arrive in the village of Mhamid, the last village before the vast Sahara. We say goodbye to our team of camel drivers and drive back to Marrakech, via Zagora and Ouarzazate. About 4 hours walk. Overnight at the hotel/riad.
Recommended Period: from October through April are the suitable months of the year to do undertake this camel trek. The days are usually warm, sometimes hot in October and late April. The temperatures are excellent, winds and sandstorms are very rare.
Trip grading: walking in the sahara desert offers an easy pace, 3 to 5 hours walking or camel riding daily. This trip is accessible to all without exception, not forgetting that little preparation is required and always advisable.
Outdoor Accommodation: during the trek, the overnight stay will be in bivouac. Camping is the most practical option to discover some of the Morocco’s authentic areas. With us you will camp in comfort, spacious igloo tents with foam mattress provided. We also provide shower and toilet tents, all crockery and cutlery.
Staying in bivouac, under tent allows you to enjoy nights out in the open air with moments of real pleasure to live and to discover the stars.
Trip Escorting: the accompaniment of our journeys is entrusted to a competent staff with human high qualities. Explore Morocco Trekking provides you with professional people, lovers of the adventure, respectful for the nature and human beings.
The success of your trip is our main objective. The accompanying team devotes its energy and resources to make you holidays an unforgettable experience and help you discover just as much about the landscape as to the lifestyle of the locals, traditions and customs alongside current everyday life… We make sure your trip is peaceful and secure.
Necessary Logistic: when we go hiking in the sahara desert, we usually hire camels to carry your luggages, food supplies and necessary logistic to install the camp. Your bags are transported by the mules. Therefore, all you need to take with you are the essential items for the walking day: water bottle, sun cream, camera and a warm fleece…
Itinerary and Breaks: the stages of this trek are well calculated so to permit you taking pauses and picture breaks. You will have enough time to discover beautiful sites, meet the locals, taking the pictures and admiring the landscapes.
TRIP PRICES
The trip rates: the cost of this trip is subject to change depending on the number of persons in the group, the accommodation category, the number of days
The Package includes:
•Airport arrival and departure transfers.
•All transfers on the ground by air-conditioned and very comfortable vehicles.
•Accommodation in comfortable hotels or authentic riads, 3 or 4 stars.
•Professional and certified English speaking guide.
•Full board during the trip.
•Spacious igloo tents, 2 persons per tent except individual one.
•Foam mattress, 5 cm thickness, per person.
•Mules to carry your luggage’s during the hike.
•Services of the accompanying staff: guides, cooks, muleteers…
•A first aid kit with standard equipment.
•The necessary logistic for the trip.
•The beverages include are: mineral bottled water, coffees, Moroccan mint tea…
The Package excludes:
•Flights.
•Tips.
