6-Day Sahara Desert Camel Trekking Adventure
6 Days / 5 Nights · Moderate
Discover the Sahara Desert and Morocco in the most enchanting way by trekking with camels. This tour includes 3 days of camel trekking in the Sahara desert. This age-old tradition of caravanning, once used by Nomads to transport salt, spices, and other goods for trade, offers a unique glimpse into their culture and way of life. Our seasoned guides will enhance your experience by sharing tea around the campfire, teaching you how to prepare food in the desert, and telling captivating stories. You'll conclude your adventure by gazing at the vast, star-filled sky of the Sahara.
Highlights
- Marrakesh departure and return
- Cross the High Atlas Mountains
- Visit Ait Ben Haddou UNESCO World Heritage Site
- 3 days of camel trekking with wild camping
- Zahar dunes: the highest dune in Morocco
- Erg Chigaga Great Dunes exploration
- Optional luxury desert camp in Erg Chigaga
- Foum Zguid and Taznakht Berber carpet village
What's Included
- Private transportation in comfortable, air-conditioned 4x4 vehicle
- Convenient pick-up and drop-off at your riad or hotel
- All-inclusive meals (breakfast and dinner, except in major cities)
- Vegetarian and vegan meal options available
- Accommodations in luxury riads, hotels, and desert camps
- Flexible itineraries with freedom to customize stops
- Complimentary water during travels
- Guided city tours with expert local guides
Itinerary
Day 1: Journey to the Sahara: Marrakesh to M'hamid
Depart from Marrakech in the morning, crossing the majestic High Atlas Mountains and winding through the breathtaking Tizi n'Tichka Pass at 2,260 meters. In the afternoon, visit the legendary Ait Ben Haddou UNESCO World Heritage kasbah before passing through Ouarzazate and the stunning Draa Valley. By evening, arrive in M'hamid, the gateway to the Sahara Desert, where you check in to your riad and enjoy a traditional Moroccan dinner.
Day 2: Draa River & Sidi Naji
After breakfast, meet your desert guides and camel caravan and begin trekking along the Draa River through lush palm groves. Pause for lunch at Ras Nkhal amidst ancient mud buildings, then continue trekking through the desert landscape to Sidi Naji. As evening falls, set up camp near the small dunes of Sidi Naji and enjoy a traditional Berber dinner followed by stargazing by the campfire.
Day 3: Zahar Region: The Singing Dunes
Trek through flat, plateau-like terrain as it gradually transitions to rolling sand, eventually reaching the remote Zahar dunes, the highest dune in Morocco. Spend the afternoon exploring the famous 'singing' dunes and enjoying panoramic desert views, with a lunch break in the shade accompanied by refreshing Berber tea. As the day draws to a close, watch a spectacular sunset from the dune summit before settling in for a campfire dinner with traditional music under the stars.
Day 4: Erg Smar: Desert Oasis
Cross the Draa River bed in the morning, heading deeper into the Sahara and trekking towards the abandoned settlement of Erg Smar. Throughout the afternoon, discover ancient agricultural plots, mud buildings, and desert wells, exploring this unexpected oasis in the heart of the desert. Camp under tamarisk trees in this hidden oasis for the evening, learning desert cooking techniques from your experienced Berber guides as you dine beneath the stars.
Day 5: Erg Chigaga: The Great Dunes
Head towards Morocco's longest sand dune field, Erg Chigaga, trekking through increasingly challenging and spectacular dunes throughout the morning. Arrive at the towering Erg Chigaga dunes by lunchtime and spend the afternoon exploring the vast sand sea, 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: Return to Marrakech
Enjoy a hearty breakfast before bidding farewell to the desert, then begin the 4x4 transfer crossing the vast Sahara towards Foum Zguid. Stop for lunch in Foum Zguid village and visit Taznakht, renowned for its intricately woven Berber rugs. By evening, arrive back in Marrakech with unforgettable desert memories and enjoy drop-off at your riad or hotel.