Itinerary
- Day 1
Marrakech to Mhamid
Head out early from Marrakech and drive through the High Atlas Mountains, passing through Tichka Pass. You'll stop at several historic kasbahs along the way, including Ait Benhaddou which is protected by UNESCO. The route takes you through the Draa river valley toward Mhamid, where the Sahara begins. After arriving, you'll have dinner and settle into a nomadic camp for the night.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Drive through High Atlas Mountains via Tichka Pass (2260m)
- Visit kasbahs including Tamnougalte and Ait Benhaddou (UNESCO site)
- Travel through Draa river valley
Landmarks/POIs Tichka Pass Ait Benhaddou Tamnougalte Kasbah Draa River Valley - Day 2
Mhamid - Camel Trek to Sidi Naji Dunes
After loading up the camels in Mhamid, trek for about 2 hours with your guide and camel handlers to reach the palmary. Break for lunch under the palm trees and rest during the heat of the day. Then walk another 2 hours to Sidi Naji dunes, a sacred location in the desert. Set up your camp and watch the sun go down before your first night sleeping under the stars.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch under the shade of palm trees), Dinner (Moroccan soup and meat tajin)
Included Activities
- Camel trek from Mhamid to palmary (approximately 2 hours)
- Lunch under palm trees
- Trek to Sidi Naji dunes (approximately 2 hours)
- Sunset viewing from dunes
Landmarks/POIs Sidi Naji Dunes - Day 3
Sidi Naji to Erg Zahar Dunes
This is a longer trekking day covering 4 hours total to reach Erg Zahar, the third largest dune in the Mhamid desert. The walking is split into two 2-hour sections with lunch and a rest break in the middle. The terrain shifts between plateau and sand throughout the journey. You'll arrive as the sun sets and can see all the way toward the Algerian border from the dunes.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch under the shade of Tamarist trees), Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Erg Zahar dunes (approximately 4 hours - 2 hours morning, 2 hours evening)
- Traverse plateau and sand terrain
- Sunset ride on dunes with views of Algerian border
Landmarks/POIs Erg Zahar Algerian Border - Day 4
Erg Zahar to Erg Sedra
Start with breakfast at Erg Zahar, then trek to an old desert city that was originally built by nomadic settlers. After lunch in the shade of Tamarist trees, continue walking for 2 hours to reach Erg Sedra dunes where you'll camp for the night. Later, enjoy traditional songs and watch locals make sand bread (harcha cooked in hot sand).
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch under the shade of Tamarist trees), Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit old desert city (nomadic settlement)
- Trek to Erg Sedra dunes (approximately 2 hours)
- Traditional singing and entertainment
- Sand bread making demonstration
Landmarks/POIs Old Desert City Erg Sedra - Day 5
Trek to Erg Chegaga
Trek across the desert to Erg Chegaga, which is Morocco's largest dune at 300 meters high and stretches for roughly 15 kilometers. The landscape around it is dotted with green desert plants that have adapted to survive with very little water. Set up camp at the dunes and climb to the summit for views across the landscape.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Erg Chegaga (Morocco's largest dune)
- Explore dunes at 300 meters height
- Sunset viewing from dune summit
Landmarks/POIs Erg Chegaga - Day 6
Erg Chegaga to Kraaite Jmal Plateau
After breakfast, walk across a wide plateau with rocky ground and slopes where you can spot fossils and meteorites scattered around. Stop for lunch at Ouad Laatach (which means River of Thirsty), a place where Berber nomads still draw their water from wells. From there, continue to Kraaite Jmal and camp among the first Tamarist trees you'll find.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at Ouad Laatach (River of Thirsty)), Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek across plateau with fossil and meteorite observations
- Visit Ouad Laatach well area with Berber nomad interactions
- Lunch at Ouad Laatach
Landmarks/POIs Ouad Laatach Kraaite Jmal - Day 7
Kraaite Jmal to Lour
Following breakfast at Kraaite Jmal (the name translates to the foot of camels), trek through green, lush terrain toward Ouad Naam, especially if visiting in winter months. Along the way, you might come across wild camels roaming the area and have chances to meet with nomadic groups and try fresh camel milk. After lunch at the well, walk another 2 hours through desert forest to reach Lour, where you'll spend your final night in the Sahara.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch near the well of Ouad Naam), Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Kraaite Jmal to Ouad Naam
- Meet nomadic people and observe wild camels
- Taste camel milk (optional interaction with nomads)
- Lunch near Ouad Naam well
- Desert forest trek to Lour (approximately 2 hours)
Landmarks/POIs Ouad Naam Lour - Day 8
Lour to Mhamid
Your last day in the desert involves trekking about 3 hours back to Mhamid. Once you arrive at the camp, you can take a shower and freshen up. Lunch and dinner in Mhamid wrap up the desert trekking portion of your journey.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek back to Mhamid camp (approximately 3 hours)
- Day 9
Mhamid to Marrakech
Depart early from your guesthouse in Mhamid and begin the drive back to Marrakech, retracing the same route from day one. You'll pass through the Draa river valley and travel back through the High Atlas Mountains. After driving most of the day, you'll arrive at your riad or hotel in Marrakech during the late afternoon.
Included Activities
- Return drive through High Atlas Mountains via Tichka Pass
- Drive through Draa river valley
