6-Day Sahara Desert Camel Trek & Bivouac
6 Days / 5 Nights · Moderate to Challenging
Discover the Sahara Desert in the most authentic way — on foot and by camel. This 6-day trek departs from Marrakech, crossing the High Atlas Mountains to M'Hamid, the gateway to the great Sahara. From there, embark on a multi-day camel trekking expedition through the desert with experienced nomadic guides. Follow the ancient Draa River through palm groves, trek across flat plateau terrain that transforms into rolling sand dunes, explore abandoned desert settlements, and camp under billions of stars each night. The journey culminates at Erg Chigaga, Morocco's longest sand dune field, where you can choose between wild camping or a luxury desert camp. Your guides will share tea around the campfire, teach you desert cooking techniques, and tell captivating stories of nomadic life. This is caravan travel as it has been practiced for centuries — an unforgettable immersion into Saharan culture and landscape.
Highlights
- Marrakech departure and return
- Cross the High Atlas and Anti-Atlas Mountains
- 3 days of camel trekking with wild camping in the Sahara
- Follow the ancient Draa River through palm groves
- Zahar dune region — remote and rarely visited
- Abandoned desert settlement of Erg Smar
- Erg Chigaga Great Dunes — Morocco's longest sand dune field
- Optional luxury desert camp or wild camping at Erg Chigaga
- Foum Zguid and Taznakht Berber carpet village
- Campfire dinners, stargazing, and nomadic storytelling
What's Included
- Private transportation in comfortable, air-conditioned 4x4 vehicle
- Convenient pick-up and drop-off at your riad or hotel in Marrakech
- All-inclusive meals during the trek (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
- Vegetarian and vegan meal options available
- Experienced desert guides and camel caravan
- All camping equipment and supplies
- Accommodations in riads on first and last nights
- Complimentary water during travels and trek
Itinerary
Day 1: Marrakech to M'Hamid
Depart from Marrakech in the morning, crossing the High Atlas Mountains and winding through the breathtaking Tizi n'Tichka Pass. In the afternoon, reach Ouarzazate and continue via the Anti-Atlas Mountains, driving through stunning desert landscapes towards M'Hamid. Arrive in M'Hamid by evening, the gateway to the great Sahara Desert, where you check into your riad and enjoy dinner before the trek begins.
Day 2: Draa River & Sidi Naji
After breakfast, meet your desert guides and camel caravan and follow the southern banks of the Draa River through vast palm groves. Visit ancient pise-mud buildings in M'Hamid's original settlement, enjoy lunch at Ras Nkhal, then continue trekking to Sidi Naji throughout the afternoon. As evening falls, set up camp near the small dunes of Sidi Naji Marabout for a traditional Berber dinner and stargazing by the campfire.
Day 3: Zahar — The Remote Dune Region
Trek across flat, plateau-like terrain in the morning as it transitions to rolling sand, gradually leaving all vegetation behind as the dunes grow taller. Arrive at the remote Zahar dunes in the afternoon, rarely visited and pristine, where lunch is served in the shade before you explore these magnificent formations. Camp at the foot of the tall dunes between smaller formations for the evening, watching the sunset paint the dunes gold before enjoying dinner under the stars.
Day 4: Erg Smar — Abandoned Desert Settlement
Cross the Draa River bed to its northern banks for the first time in the morning, where the river once flowed abundantly and water still runs deep underground. In the afternoon, trek to the abandoned settlement of Erg Smar, once home to 35 families, and discover ancient agricultural plots, mud buildings, and a desert well. Camp among tamarisk trees in this unexpected desert oasis for the evening, learning desert cooking from your guides and dining under the stars.
Day 5: Erg Chigaga — The Great Dunes
Embark on the final trek towards Erg Chigaga, Morocco's longest sand dune field, as the dunes grow increasingly larger and more challenging to walk on. Arrive at the towering Erg Chigaga Great Dunes by lunchtime and spend the afternoon exploring the vast dunes, with optional sandboarding and ATV rides available. In the evening, choose between wild camping or a luxury desert camp and enjoy a farewell dinner with traditional Saharan music under the stars.
Day 6: Erg Chigaga to Marrakech
Enjoy a hearty breakfast and bid farewell to the desert before beginning the three-hour 4x4 crossing of the Sahara towards Foum Zguid. Stop for lunch in Foum Zguid village and visit Taznakht, renowned for its intricately woven Berber rugs, in the afternoon. Arrive back in Marrakech by evening with unforgettable desert memories and enjoy drop-off at your riad or hotel.