8-day Morocco trip: Sahara Desert expedition
The south of Morocco offers relatively easy access to the spectacular Sahara, the largest desert on Earth. With enormous dunes, seemingly endless expanses of sand, and an incredible climate, the deserts of Morocco offer an extraordinary experience. This extreme area is a magnet for all adventure-seekers visiting Morocco.
On this eight-day tour, you will be guided across a six-day/five-night hiking expedition into the magnificent desert with a team of professionals. Sleep under the stars at a desert camp and immerse yourself for a few days in the world of the Moroccan nomad.
Services
Included:
- Seven nights accommodation in hotels/riads/tented accommodation
- Breakfast, lunch & dinner as per the itinerary
- Transfers as per the itinerary
- English-speaking guide throughout the tour
- All camping equipment
- Cook & camels for luggage transport
Excluded:
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Visa fees
- Any meals & drinks not mentioned in the itinerary
- Any activities not mentioned in the itinerary
- Sleeping bags
- Tips & gratuities
Optional:
- Camel ride supplement (€25 per day)
Itinerary at a Glance
Marrakech
Welcome to Morocco!
Marrakech - Zagora - Erg Bounou
Venture into the desert
Erg Bounou - Marabout Sidi Naji
Hike across sweeping sand dunes
Marabout Sidi Naji - Erg Lazher
Experience total Sahara Desert immersion
Erg Lazher - Ait Ounir
Impressive desert vegetation
Ait Ounir - Ras Ounir N’khel
A final day of desert hiking
Ras Ounir N'khel - Marrakech
Journey back to Marrakech
Marrakech
Goodbye, Morocco!
Detailed Itinerary
Marrakech
Day 1: Welcome to Morocco!
You will be welcomed at Marrakech's international airport, then transferred to your hotel in this mythical walled ocher city. After check-in, set out to discover the vibes of this unparalleled destination, where music and local folklore combine in a setting reminiscent of the Arabian Nights tales. The cultural heritage of Marrakech is amazing, and you'll find monuments of great wealth and fine architecture everywhere.
Marrakech - Zagora - Erg Bounou
Day 2: Venture into the desert
This morning, leave Marrakech through the Al Haouz plains and head southeast, winding your way up into the High Atlas Mountains and over the Tizi N’ Tichka, the highest vehicular pass in Morocco (2,260m). The hills and deep gorges of the Atlas gradually give way to parched desert as you drop down to Ouarzazate.
After a picnic lunch, climb up the volcanic mountains of Jbel Saghro. This mountain range has been formed over millions of years by volcanic activity; it's an area of stark black jagged rocky pinnacles, lunar-like plateaus, deep gorges, and remote villages with breathtaking views across arid landscapes.
At the village of Agdz, 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. Tonight, you'll spend your first night under the starry sky.
Erg Bounou - Marabout Sidi Naji
Day 3: Hike across sweeping sand dunes
After breakfast at the campsite, begin your walk across a stunning landscape of sand dunes, arid plateaus, and tamarisk and acacia trees. As you journey across this otherworldly landscape, gaze in awe at the mountain ranges of Jebel Zagora. After stopping for lunch, you'll then continue to the dunes of Sidi Naji. Overnight at the desert camp.
Marabout Sidi Naji - Erg Lazher
Day 4: Experience total Sahara Desert immersion
Set off on another hike this morning, following the left bank of the Draa. Take in the extraordinary desert landscape shaped by the wind as you continue across dry lake beds bordered with tamarisk. Experience total Saharan immersion across some of the most beautiful and wild dunes of Morocco.
After lunch taken in the shade of tamarisk trees, you'll continue to the dunes of Erg Lazher - the highest dunes of the trek at an elevation of about 120m. After a glass of mint tea, climb the big dune to enjoy an incredible sunset. Overnight at the desert camp.
Erg Lazher - Ait Ounir
Day 5: Impressive desert vegetation
Today, head north to cross a wide bed of the Draa dotted with tamarisk and acacia trees. This incredible desert vegetation is somehow able to find water and nourishment from the dry and stony desert floor.
Tamarisk trees can grow up to 18m in height and are at home in dry desert areas. With slender branches and grey-green foliage, the trees tend to flower between March and September, with pink and white flowers appearing at the ends of their spikes.
Enjoy lunch at the camp. Then, later in the evening, enjoy the campfire and spend time learning how the nomads cook bread in the sand.
Ait Ounir - Ras Ounir N’khel
Day 6: A final day of desert hiking
Wake up this morning and get ready to enjoy your last full day in the desert. Today will be your final day of hiking in this magnificent desert environment.
Your Moroccan desert trek will take you to the dunes of Ras N’khel near M’hamid. Spend your last evening with the desert caravan here, and enjoy one final night at the desert camp.
Ras Ounir N'khel - Marrakech
Day 7: Journey back to Marrakech
Say goodbye to the desert this morning as you walk for approximately 30 minutes across the dunes to your waiting minibus. Enjoy the journey back to Marrakech via Ouarzazate and Zagora. You will arrive at your hotel in town in the late afternoon.
The rest of the day is yours to spend as you wish. Take some time to explore the Medina, and pick up some souvenirs from your Moroccan adventure at the colourful souk stalls.
Marrakech
Day 8: Goodbye, Morocco!
Your eight-day trip to Morocco comes to an end today. Depending on the time of your flight, you will be transferred from your hotel in Marrakech to the airport.
We hope you have had an unforgettable adventure in the deserts of Morocco and wish you pleasant travels as you make your way back home.
