Desert Hike for 6 Days and 5 Nights

Day 1 · Marrakesh

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   Marrakech

   8 hours

   The first day of the excursion consists of a morning departure from Marrakech, Agadir or Ouarzazate, with transport by private vehicle, to reach the village of Mhamid, located at the edge of the desert. A break is possible in a village in the Atlas, with a visit to Ait Ben Haddou which is near Ouarzazate. Ait Ben Haddou is a Ksar classified as a UNESCO heritage site. In the evening, it is planned to spend the night either with locals in the village, or in a comfortable fixed bivouac, in the heart of the palm grove.

Overnight stay, in a fixed, comfortable bivouac, in M’hamid (the day before departure on foot), with dinner and breakfast.

Day 2 · Hike to Sidi Naji

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   M'Hamid

   5 hours

   The departure for this five-day stay in the desert is from M’hamid, a town located at the gates of the Sahara. In the company of the Desert Morocco Trek team and the camel caravan, we follow the course of the Drâa wadi through the magnificent palm grove of M’hamid. After a few hours of walking, we set up our bivouac between the dunes, near the sanctuary of Sidi Naji, where according to oral tradition, this Marabout lived 18 generations ago. This place is steeped in local history and customs.

Overnight stay in mobile bivouac

Day 3 · Exploring the Zmaila region

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   M'Hamid

   5 hours

   At daybreak, we load the camels before setting off to explore Erg Zmila along the hamada. This place marks the extreme east of the Drâa valley. The walk is based on the gray areas that we encounter on our way. We spend the night on the dunes of Zmila, with a real feeling of being “at the end of the world”.

Overnight stay in mobile bivouac

Day 4 · Hike to Erg Zahar

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   M'Hamid

   5 hours

   We head southwest towards Erg Ezahar, commonly called the “howling dunes” for their light song caused by the wind. These magnificent sand dunes offer a breathtaking view of the entire Drâa Valley. This is one of our favorite places! Little visited, it is the Sahara as we imagine it: lunar and hilly. We set up camp at the foot of the dunes, where everyone is free to sleep under the stars or in their tent.

Overnight stay in mobile bivouac

Day 5 · Erg Zaher Trip to the Ruins of Erg Samar

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   M'Hamid

   5 hours

   It is often on the fourth morning in the desert that the magic happens. We pack up the bivouac and head towards Erg Smar, crossing Wadi Drâa. This stage allows us to experience a typical day in the desert, following the rhythm of the camels and leaving room for possible unexpected and surprising encounters.

Overnight stay, in a fixed, comfortable bivouac, in M’hamid (the day before departure on foot), with dinner and breakfast.

Day 6 · Return to Marrakech or next destination

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   Marrakech

   8 hours

   Departure will be early in the morning from Erg Smar in 4X4 to reach the fixed bivouac, then we return to Ouarzazate, Agadir or Marrakech at the end of the evening.