7 Days Trek Through East Morocco's Hidden Routes And Sahara Desert

We drive across the High Atlas Mountains via Tizi N Tichka (2,260m) to Ouarzazate, the gate way to the Sahara and then Draa palm grove, the largest palm oases in Morocco stretching more than 100 km. Next, we pass many towns along the way like Agdz, Zagora, Tagounit to Ouled Driss the Edge of the Sahara where we meet the camels and their cameleers. We will spend the night in traditional Berber camp with tents or “Khaimas” which have been upgraded with certain western comforts such as hot showers.

Our trek starts today. In the morning we load the camels and head to Hamada. Enjoy a spectacular view of Jebel Saghro and Banni Mountains. We pass through a deserted village before reaching a flat plateau with little vegetation, and maybe some Bedouin nomads to get to our first golden dunes. After lunch in an oasis at Rass Nkhel, we take two-hour walk to get to our camp near the holy shrine of Sidi Naji. Dinner among the dunes while enjoying the magnificent sunset.
DISTANCE: 35km
TIME: 7-8 hrs trekking

After breakfast we start our day trekking along the left bank of the Draa surrounded by a desert landscape shaped by the wind. We walk through different terrains, such as 'Reg', a gravel plain, ‘Hamada’, a wind-swept stony plain, and ’Wadis’, dry riverbeds, as we make our way towards the dunes of Zahar. After a leisurely lunch break, we continue through a vast empty expanse to reach the magnificent dunes of Zahar. Here we set up our camp among these dunes and watch the incredible sunset while enjoying the tea. Finally, we settle down for another night beneath the stars after dinner.
DISTANCE: 16Km
TIME: 4-5 hrs Trekking

Today we walk through small sand dunes of Zhar, then continue towards north and cross a wide bed of the Draa dotted with tamarisk and acacia trees. We have 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!
DISTANCE: 20km
TIME: 7-8 hrs Trekking

Wake up early to contemplate the sunrise on the Dunes of Tilhatine. The last stage of our trek starts 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. Previously during desert rainstorms, the waters would reach Iriki Lake and supported a rich ecological system of fish and birds. Today dunes block the passage of any water and the former lake is now a dry plateau. After lunch in the shade of the palm trees at Ras Nkhile, we will cross a dry riverbed to walk on a plateau dotted with small dunes to reach our campground at Ouled Driss.
DISTANCE: 23km
TIME: 7 hrs Trekking

Meet our driver and drive back to Marrakech along the Draa Valley via the desert towns of Zagora and Ouarzazate. Arrive at Marrakech in the afternoon and free time to explore the city and its Medina.

Depending on your flight schedule, you could spend some time exploring the city before our pre-arranged transfer takes you back to the Airport.