Morocco Desert Trekking in M’hamid – Wild experience

Guided Itinerary for your trekking experience in M’hamid

Day 1:  Marrakech – M’hamid                                                             

Morning departure from Marrakech to the gateway to the desert: M’hamid. You will cross the High Atlas via the Tizi n’Tichka Pass, where you will enjoy panoramic views from the highest road in Morocco (2,260m). You arrive in the desert in the afternoon and spend the night in the heart of the dunes in a permanent bivouac.

Day 2: SIDI NAJI Trekking journey

Departure from the permanent bivouac by camel sled. We walk to the rhythm of the camel caravan and leave the palm trees behind. The desert sea begins. We pass several old dwellings where we can find pottery that bears witness to the ancient civilizations that inhabited the desert. After this desert walk, we will have lunch and tea under the shade of the trees. 

In the afternoon we will visit the marabout mausoleum of Sidi Naji, an opportunity to learn about local history and customs. 

The bivouac will be set amidst the sand dunes.

Day 3: Erg Zahar Trekking journey

Today we drive to the orange dunes of Erg Zahar. The further into the desert’s heart, the rarer the tamarisk trees are and the more spectacular the views become. We visit an old nomadic market. It was once a place where nomads traded with caravans from Africa. After lunch in the shade of a tamarisk tree, we will reach the spectacular Erg Zahar dunes with their unique shapes sculpted by the wind. But when you reach the top, you will be amazed at the beauty of the view of the surrounding dunes. Our bivouac will be set up in the heart of the dunes for a night under the stars.

Day 4:  Erg Smara Trekking journey

Continue towards Erg Smara, the distinctive dunes in shades of orange and gold. We cross the plateau and then the Draa valley. This valley, drained by the construction of the Ouarzazate dam, is the longest in Morocco. It was the main source of water for M’Hamid’s Sahara. Lunch takes place in the shade of a tamarisk tree accompanied by nomadic tea. In the afternoon you will walk to the well where our camels are watered. You will have the opportunity to refresh yourself with a natural shower. On the way back you will be able to visit the remains of ancient nomadic dwellings at Erg Smara.

Day 5: Erg Ait Unir trekking journey

We leave Erg Smar and reach Erg Ait Unir. We cross a hilly plateau with dunes. After a few hours of walking, the scenery changes when we reach Erg Ait Unir. Under the large Tamarisk, the vegetation becomes richer. In the evening the dromedaries eat all the edible plants and the nomads make bread which they bake for us on the sand. The magnificent dunes of Erg Ait Unir will be the backdrop for our bivouac.

Day 6: Erg Douib Trekking journey

Like the nomads, we will wake up with the sun. We will travel to Erg Douib. An inevitable break for tea and lunch at Bo Rabra, where a few camels can be found near a well. After lunch, we will continue our trek towards Erg Dwib where we will bivouac. At the end of this stage, we will spend our last evening in the desert in a nomadic atmosphere of simplicity and sharing.

Day 7: Transfer to Marrakech

After breakfast, the day stage returns us to Marrakech. We leave M’hamid and cross the magnificent desert landscape one last time before reaching Marrakech.