The Sahara, with its classic desert grandeur, offers a uniquely memorable trekking adventure. You’ll travel through winding wadis, rugged plateaus, remote villages, and sweeping dunes, beginning with a traditional Berber camp and continuing along quiet desert trails. Expect star-filled nights, glowing red sunrises, and stunning scenery from the Draa Valley to the great dunes of Zahar, ending your journey in magical Marrakech.
Duration
9 Nights
Activity Level
Moderate
Price
From €undefined
Destinations
Marrakech, Mhamid El Ghizlane
Marrakech
Mhamid El Ghizlane
Package Inclusions
3 nights Camping
2 nights Fixed Camp
3 nights Hotel
Meals: 6 dinners, 6l unch
Highlights
Walk through the greatest desert on earth and sleep under Saharan skies
Stay at a traditional Berber camp and experience breath-taking scenery
Wander through magical Marrakech and camp amongst magnificent dunes
Witness beautiful sunsets after hiking through dramatic wadis and acacia trees
Marrakech
Mhamid El Ghizlane
Highlights
Walk through the greatest desert on earth and sleep under Saharan skies
Stay at a traditional Berber camp and experience breath-taking scenery
Wander through magical Marrakech and camp amongst magnificent dunes
Witness beautiful sunsets after hiking through dramatic wadis and acacia trees
Itinerary
Day 1 Meet at the group hotel in Marrakech. Transfers from Marrakech Airport are provided.
Your holiday starts at the hotel in Marrakech. On arrival at Marrakech airport you will be met by a AOT representative who will assist with the short transfer to the group hotel in the city. Depending on your flight arrival time, after settling in you may have the opportunity to do a little exploration. Marrakech is a friendly city and quite easy to get around and most people head for the central square of the Djemaa-el-Fna beneath the imposing tower of the Koutoubia Mosque. Our evening meal will be taken at the group hotel for ease.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: D
Day 2 Transfer across the Atlas to Ouled Driss on the end of the Sahara.
Transfer across the Atlas to Ouled Driss on the end of the Sahara.
This morning we depart Marrakech and travel across the High Atlas via the Tichka Pass (2260m), the highest road in Morocco. After crossing the mountains we descend to Ouarzazate where we enter the Draa Valley. This is the largest palm grove in the country and stretches for more than 100km along the banks of the River Draa. Next we pass Agdz, Zagora, and Tagounit to reach Ouled Driss on the edge of the Sahara desert. During the journey we are rewarded with ever-changing scenery and opportunities to stop and take photos. We'll arrive at our fixed camp in Ouled Driss late in the afternoon where we'll experience a traditional Berber camp with tents or 'Khaimas' which have been upgraded with certain western comforts such as hot showers. Tonight we'll enjoy dinner surrounded by the desert.
Accommodation: Fixed Camp
Meals: B L D
Day 3 To the holy shrine of Sidi Naji through palm groves, traditional villages and dunes
Whilst we are enjoying breakfast the camels are loaded and we'll prepare for our desert adventure. We set off and travel in an eastwardly direction crossing palm groves to reach the edge of the sands. We'll be able to see the dramatic cliffs of the hamada of Draa to the south. Our camels will follow slowly and meander their way through the dunes towards El Ghizlane. We'll pass through a small, deserted village before reaching a flat plateau and our first golden dunes. Stopping for an early lunch at Rass Nkhel we enjoy the shade of a large tree and the stillness that surrounds us. This afternoon we walk for around two hours to reach the holy shrine of Sidi Naji. After making camp and settling in, we'll have dinner among the dunes and enjoy one of the magnificent sunsets.
Accommodation: Camping. Meals: B L D. Ascent: 35 M. Descent: 70 M. Time: 7 - 8 hrs trekking. Distance: 22 KM
Day 4 The meeting of the wadis and the magnificent dunes of Zahar.
After breakfast we hike along the left bank of the Draa surrounded by a desert landscape shaped by the wind. The Sahara Desert has its own special vocabulary to describe the different forms. 'Wadi' is a dry river valley, 'hamada' a wind-swept stony plain whilst 'reg' is plain of gravel. The classic desert of everyone's imagination is a vast sea of sand rippled with sand dunes and known as 'erg'. Today we'll encounter all these forms as we walk from our camp towards the distant dunes of Erg Ez-Zahar. After a morning of walking we'll be joined by our camels as we head to Malga Ouedane - the meeting of Wadis and stop for lunch. After a leisurely break we continue through a vast empty expanse to reach the magnificent dunes of Zahar. Here we make camp among these dunes and as we sip tea we can watch the incredible sunset. Finally we'll enjoy dinner before settling down for another night beneath the stars.
Accommodation: Camping. Meals: B L D. Ascent: 40 M. Descent: 60 M. Time: 4 - 5 hrs trekking. Distance: 16 KM
Day 5 Superb day through tamarisk and acacia trees to the charming dunes of Tilhatine.
This morning after breakfast as we head north and cross a wide bed of the Draa dotted with tamarisk and acacia trees. These incredible desert fauna seem to be able to find water and nourishment from the dry and stony desert floor. Acacia belongs to a species of plant that is mainly native to Africa and Australia. However they are not only desert dwellers and are at home in rainforests, woodlands, coastal dunes, alpine settings and deserts. Tamarisk trees can grow up to 18m in height and are at home in drier and desert areas. With slender branches and grey-green foliage, the trees tend to flower between March and September, with pink and white flowers appearing on the end of spikes. We shall take lunch in the shade of a dense patch of tamarisk before continuing through the desert to reach the smaller dunes of Tilhatine. Tonight we camp near a well which gives the camels a well-earned drink and us the opportunity to enjoy a wash if we wish!
Accommodation: Camping
Meals: B L D
Ascent: 80 M
Descent: 60 M
Time: 7 - 8 hrs trekking
Distance: 20 KM
Day 6 Wadi trekking, dunes and palmtrees - before returning to the Berber camp.
We start today on the right bank of a wadi which has remained dry for the past 35 years since the construction of the El-Mansour-Eddhabi dam near Ouarzazate. Before the dam and during desert rainstorms, the waters would reach Iriki Lake which supported a rich ecology of fish and birds. Today dunes block the passage of any water and the former lake is now a dry plateau. After lunch at Ras Nkhile taken in the shade of the palm trees, we will cross a dry river bed to walk on a plateau dotted with small dunes to reach our fixed camp at Ouled Driss.
Accommodation: Fixed Camp
Meals: B L D
Ascent: 80 M
Descent: 50 M
Time: 7 hrs trekking
Distance: 23 KM
Day 7 Mhamid Transfer to Marrakech
After an early breakfast, we depart Mhamid and begin our journey back toward Marrakech. The drive takes us once again across the High Atlas, with a scheduled stop for lunch in the historic village of Ait Benhaddou—an iconic ksar renowned for its earthen architecture and cinematic setting.
We continue over the mountain passes and arrive in Marrakech by late afternoon. Once checked into the hotel, the remainder of the evening is yours to enjoy at leisure. You may wish to relax, stroll through the lively streets, or simply take in the evocative atmosphere of the Red City at your own pace.
Accomodation: Riad
Meals: B, L
Day 8 Free Day in Marrakech
Enjoy a relaxed day in Marrakech with a choice of inspiring experiences offered by Atlas Odyssey Travel. You may tailor your day as you wish, selecting from:
✓ Hot Air Balloon
✓ Marrakech City Tour
✓ Cooking Class
The rest of the day is free for you to explore the Red City at your own pace. In the evening, why not meet for a farewell dinner to celebrate the end of our journey together.
Day 9 Departure day. Marrakech Airport transfers are provided
Your holiday ends after breakfast. After breakfast the day is free for you to explore Marrakech until your transfer to the airport. However the city is a great place to spend an extra day or two so if you wish to extend your stay in the group hotel or in a traditional riad then the AOT office can help you arrange this. We also offer an extension on the coast if you'd like to see the pretty UNESCO town of Essaouira on the Atlantic Coast. An airport transfer to Marrakech Airport is provided for anyone departing today.
Meals: B
Itinerary
Day 1
Day 1
Meet at the group hotel in Marrakech. Transfers from Marrakech Airport are provided.
Day 2
Day 2
Transfer across the Atlas to Ouled Driss on the end of the Sahara.
Day 3
Day 3
To the holy shrine of Sidi Naji through palm groves, traditional villages and dunes
Day 4
Day 4
The meeting of the wadis and the magnificent dunes of Zahar.
Day 5
Day 5
Superb day through tamarisk and acacia trees to the charming dunes of Tilhatine.
Day 6
Day 6
Wadi trekking, dunes and palmtrees - before returning to the Berber camp.
Day 7
Day 7
Mhamid Transfer to Marrakech
Day 8
Day 8
Free Day in Marrakech
Day 9
Day 9
Departure day. Marrakech Airport transfers are provided
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