7-Day Sahara Desert Trek from Marrakech with Erg Zahar and Bougarn

7 Days Duration

Experiences

About This Tour

Go on a 7-day tour to the Sahara Desert in Morocco, starting from Marrakech and trekking through the vast desert frontier village of M'Hamid. Head to Erg Zahar,...

Duration: 7 Days · Tour type: Shared · Activity level: Moderate · Accommodation: Included · Standard · Transport: Included · Wheelchair access: No · Cities: Marrakech, Zagora, Erg Chegaga · Languages: Arabic, English, French

Know before you go: Good trainers for valley treks or normal walking boots; Sandals may be suitable for sand dunes; Sleeping bags; Daysack; Duffel bags for the camels; Personal first-aid kit; Lightweight waterproof over-trousers/rain pants; Lightweight daypack; Sunglasses; Sunscreen; Torch and batteries; Towel & all personal toiletries

About Erg Chegaga

Morocco

Erg Chegaga

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What's Included

Transport
English-speaking Moroccan tour guide
Cook
Hotel in Marrakech (B&B)
Camping material
All meals during the trek
Camel for luggage during the trek

Not Included

Travel insurance
Soft/alcoholic drinks
Tips and personal expenses
Lunch and dinner in Marrakech
Entrance fee to monuments

Itinerary

1

Day 01

Arrive in Marrakech

Arrive at Marrakech and meet with the tour guide. Take a short city tour, depending on the time of your arrival. Travel to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
2

Day 02

Marrakech- M'Hamid

Wake up early in the morning and transfer to the desert frontier village of M’hamid El Ghezlane, at the end of the tarmac road, on the Draa Valley. Traverse through the High Atlas mountains via Morocco's highest main road pass (the Tichka Pass at 2260m) and pass typical Berber villages and lush valleys. Cross the Anti-Atlas mountain range before meeting the course of the Draa River valley (the longest river in Morocco and flanked by glorious date palm oases & crumbling kasbahs) and driving via Agdz and Zagora. Arrive at the hotel in M’hamid El Ghezlane in the palm grove of Bounou for dinner and an overnight stay.
3

Day 03

Sidi Naji- Erg Zahar

Have breakfast, then drive to the large, remote sand dune region of Zahar. Begin the trek through the flat terrain, plateau-like earth (a dried lake), which gradually transforms into rolling sand dunes, with far less vegetation visible today. Arrive at the camp, established at the foot of the tall dunes, and have lunch there. Explore Zahar, head to the highest point to enjoy the wide-reaching views across the 'erg' (sand sea) and watch the sunset. From this vantage point, it will be possible to look towards the next day's route, the settlement at Erg Smar. Zahar is also known as the 'screaming dunes', a legend that tells of a village buried beneath the sands there. Travel back to the camp for dinner and overnight stay. Trek time: 4hrs, depending on the pace of the group.
4

Day 04

Erg Zahar- Erg Smar

Have breakfast, then depart from M’hamid and cross the bed of the Draa River to its northern banks. Trek to the abandoned desert settlement of Erg Smar, where, once, up to 35 families lived and farmed the land. The size of the Draa river bed is astonishing, given it now runs dry but once flowed in abundance through the desert. Water does still run deep underground here, and there is a well on the banks of the dried river where you will replenish the water supply. Arrive under the shade of large tamarisk trees, where the camp is established in the heart of desert terrain. Have lunch, then explore the settlement. Travel back to your camp for dinner and overnight stay. Trek time: 3hrs, depending on the pace of the group.
5

Day 05

Erg Smar- Dunes of Bougarn

Have breakfast, then trek to the dunes of Bougarn. Departing Erg Smar, leave the dense vegetation behind to cross small dunes and then a broad, earth plateau, passing through an area where it may be possible to see traces of gazelle. Have lunch under the shade of trees. Continue through the vegetation and sand to reach a plateau before the rolling dunes of Bougarn. Head to the camp, established in the shelter of small dunes, for dinner and overnight stay. Trek time: 5-6hrs, depending on the pace of the group.
6

Day 06

Exploring the Dunes of Bougarn

Spend the day at leisure and explore the dunes of Bougarn.
7

Day 07

Erg Chagaga- Ould Dress Village

Have breakfast, then head to the village of Oulad Dress to complete your circuit. The terrain once more becomes marked by desert scrub and earth banks, and palm groves become more apparent the closer you reach M’hamid. Take a lunch break in the shade before reaching the village. Transfer to the hotel in Bounou for dinner and overnight stay. Trek time: 3-4hrs, depending on the pace of the group.