5 Day Sahara Desert Trekking Experience from Marrakech

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Marrakech - high atlas mountain - M'hamid el ghizlane
1 stop
1
M'Hamid
You will meet your driver at the reception of your accommodation, and your journey will begin from Marrakech toward M’Hamid El Ghizlane, crossing the Tizi n’Tichka Pass in the High Atlas Mountains. Lunch will take place in Ait Ben Haddou, where you will have time to climb the old kasbah and enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of the surrounding landscape. Afterward, you will continue the journey toward M’Hamid. Upon arrival, you will spend your first night in our desert camp, where you can relax, enjoy the star-filled sky, and prepare for the beginning of your Sahara adventure.
7 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 2
M’Hamid Village – Sidi Naji Marabout (Holy Man)
1 stop
2
M'Hamid
Your adventure begins with pickup from your accommodation (Riad, hotel, or camping) in M’Hamid. You will meet your local desert guide who will accompany you to the starting point of the trek, where the rest of the nomadic team and camels will be waiting. After a short briefing and preparation, we begin trekking toward Sidi Naji Marabout, a sacred site dedicated to a holy man respected by local nomads. The walk takes approximately 3 hours across diverse desert landscapes. You have the option to: Continue trekking on foot, or Ride a camel for a more traditional Sahara experience. Upon arrival at Sidi Naji, we set up our first desert camp. As the sun sets, the team prepares dinner around the fire. In the evening, enjoy traditional desert music performed by the nomadic staff while admiring the peaceful silence of the Sahara and its brilliant starry sky.
4 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 3
Sidi Naji – Erg Zahar (The Highest Dunes)
1 stop
3
After breakfast, we continue our trek toward Erg Zahar, known as one of the highest dune areas in the region, with dunes rising up to 300 meters. The walk takes around 3 hours. As we approach Erg Zahar, the landscape transforms into vast golden dunes stretching endlessly toward the horizon. The silence here is powerful and unforgettable. Upon arrival, camp is set at the foot of the dunes. You will have free time to climb the high dunes and enjoy panoramic views, especially beautiful during sunset when the sand changes color from gold to deep orange. Dinner is served at camp, followed by another magical evening under the stars.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 4
Erg Zahar – Erg Ait Ounir (Old Caravan Route)
1 stop
4
Today’s journey is approximately 4 hours of trekking as we follow part of the historic Old Caravan Road, once used by traders transporting goods across the Sahara. The route offers a mixture of dunes, rocky desert (reg), and open plains, allowing you to experience different desert terrains. Along the way, your guide will share stories about nomadic life and the history of trans-Saharan trade. Upon arrival at Erg Ait Ounir, camp will be prepared. This evening, you will witness the preparation of traditional sand bread (also called Berber bread), baked directly in the sand under hot embers — a unique desert cooking method. Enjoy dinner together and relax by the fire.
4 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 5
Erg Ait Ounir – Douib Dunes
1 stop
5
After breakfast, we continue toward the peaceful area of Douib, a less-traveled part of the desert known for its serene atmosphere and wide open landscapes. The trek today allows you to fully appreciate the raw beauty of the Sahara — endless horizons, soft dunes, scattered tamarisk trees, and sometimes traces of nomadic life. Douib offers a tranquil setting ideal for reflection, photography, or simply enjoying the deep silence of the desert. Upon arrival, camp is set up for your final night in the Sahara. In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner with your desert team. Music, storytelling, and laughter around the fire create unforgettable memories of your trekking adventure.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 6
Douib – M’Hamid Village - Return to Marrakech
1 stop
6
Marrakech
Early risers may wake before dawn to climb a nearby dune and enjoy a charming Sahara sunrise over the golden sands a peaceful and emotional moment as the first light touches the desert. After breakfast, we begin the final day of the journey toward Marrakech, passing through the village of M’Hamid. This last stretch allows travelers to fully absorb the beauty and calmness of the desert before returning to civilization. Upon arrival in M’Hamid, we say goodbye to the nomadic team, and the driver will meet the group for the transfer back to the accommodation in Marrakech. End of your unforgettable Sahara Desert trekking experience.
7 hours • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

Tags

Rating