Tour Plan
This 7 or 8-day trip offers an authentic experience of the Moroccan desert, blending camel trekking with cultural exploration and traditional hospitality. The highlight of the journey is the serene nights spent under the stars in the dunes of Erg Chegaga.
01
8:00 am to 4:00 pm
DAY 1: Across the High Atlas to Dades (Marrakesh – Tizi n'Tichka – Boumalne Dades)
You will begin your journey early in Marrakesh, crossing the High Atlas mountains via the scenic Tizi n'Tichka pass. Arrive in the beautiful Dades Valley for an overnight stay. The day offers stunning views of mountain landscapes, traditional Berber villages, and ancient kasbahs.
*OPTIONS: hike Boumalne Dades (enjoy a scenic hike in the Boumalne Dades area, discovering the rugged beauty of the Dades Valley and its rock formations)
02
8:00 am to 4:00 pm
DAY 2: Discover Zagora and the Draa Valley (Boumalne Dades – Nkob - Draa Valley – Zagora)
After breakfast, continue your trip through the Draa Valley, stopping to explore Zagora, a town known for its historical significance and proximity to the Sahara. Visit local landmarks and prepare for your desert adventure. Overnight stay in Zagora.
*OPTIONS (possible to add): palm groves (explore lush oases filled with towering date palms and traditional irrigation systems)
03
8:00 am to 4:00 pm
DAY 3: Mhamid Gateway with Couscous Lunch (Zagora – Mhamid)
On this day, you’ll travel to Mhamid, the gateway to the Sahara desert. Enjoy a traditional couscous lunch with a local family before beginning your camel trek into the desert. After the meal, you will embark on your camel trekking adventure.
*OPTIONS (possible to add): couscous with a Moroccan family (share a traditional couscous meal with a local family and learn about them during lunch about the life in the desert)
04
8:00 am to 4:00 pm
DAY 4-6: Camel Trekking Through Sahara Dunes (Mhamid – Erg Chegaga)
For the next three days, you will journey deeper into the Sahara on camels. Trek through the golden sands, exploring the beauty and serenity of the dunes. Each night, you will camp under the stars in desert camps, where you will enjoy traditional meals and local music. The trek will take you through Erg Chegaga’s towering dunes.
*OPTIONS (possible to add): sandboarding (enjoy sliding down the desert dunes) + nomadic family (visit a nomadic family to experience their traditional lifestyle and hospitality in the heart of the desert) + oasis Secret (visit a desert oasis and experience the lush greenery amidst the arid surroundings) + sandbread baking (learn how to bake traditional bread in the sand, a unique desert experience)
05
8:00 am to 4:00 pm
DAY 7: From Erg Chegaga to Ouarzazate (Erg Chegaga – Iriqui Lake - Foum Zguid – Tazenakht – Ouarzazate)
After completing your camel trek, you’ll travel from Erg Chegaga to Foum Zguid as finally to Ouarzazate, passing through scenic desert landscapes as also the Iriqui Lake. Relax and enjoy an overnight stay in Ouarzazate, where you can visit local attractions and unwind.
*OPTIONS (possible to add): cooperative Berber carpet (learn the art of traditional Berber carpet weaving and the techniques passed down through generations)
06
8:00 am to 4:00 pm
DAY 8: Scenic Return to Marrakesh (Ouarzazate – Ait Ben Haddou – High Atlas – Marrakesh)
Your adventure concludes as you return to Marrakesh. Reflect on your incredible journey through the Sahara as you travel back through the High Atlas mountains.
*OPTIONS (possible to add): Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou (explore the iconic kasbah and UNESCO World Heritage site)
