Hiking in the Moroccan Desert

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Tour Description

This trek through the Moroccan desert lets you experience the sand desert without difficulty. The route first takes you along the Draa River, dropping you off near Oulad Driss — where the desert suddenly opens up before you, stretching as far as the eye can see…

Progressing at the steady pace of the dromedaries, with less than five hours of walking per day, you’ll have all the time in the world to immerse yourself in desert life, savoring the unique atmosphere of caravan travel in the breathtaking setting of Morocco’s far southeast.

What You’ll Love

The superb Draa Valley with its palm groves and imposing earth-built architecture
Moving through the dunes at the calm, measured pace of the dromedaries
An itinerary that lets you discover the Saharan world without difficulty
Nights under the starry sky in the heart of the dunes, or in the wonderful coolness of the oases

Included/Excluded

Airport transfers (arrival & departure)
Transfers: Marrakech / M'hamid / Marrakech
Accommodation: 2 nights in hotels/Riads (suggestions will be sent with your quote)
Desert hike
Dromedaries to carry luggage and supplies
Cooking and bivouac equipment (tent, mattresses, sheets, and blankets)

Tour Plan

1 Marrakech → Ouarzazate

Upon your arrival at Marrakech Airport, you'll be picked up by your driver and taken to Ouarzazate. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

2 Ouarzazate → M'hamid → Rass N'khel (2h walking)

Your route runs along Jebel Tiffernine before entering the Saghro Massif, which you cross through the Tizi n'Tinififft pass. You then enter the magnificent Draa Valley with its ksour and kasbahs, following it down to the village of M'hamid, where the camel drivers will be waiting for you. After lunch, your hike begins — heading past the palm grove to the Rass N'khel dunes.

3 Rass N'khel → Ait Ounir Dunes (4h walking)

Your caravan sets off toward the Ait Ounir dunes, through a landscape of sand and regs (stony desert plains) dotted with tamarisk trees. In the distance, you'll already spot the first dunes of Erg Zaher as well as the Draa Hamada.

4 Ait Ounir → Erg Smar (4h walking)

You'll cross the Draa River and head north, with Jebel Bani as your focal point. You'll climb toward Erg Smar and the Tel Attin Well, where you'll set up camp for the night.

5 Erg Smar → Oued Mezouaria (5h walking)

The dunes gradually thin out, giving way to the vast plateau forming the foothills of Jebel Bani. After a few breaks in the shade of tamarisk trees, you'll reach Oued Mezouaria by the end of the afternoon.

6 Mezouaria → Oulad Driss (4h walking)

You'll cross Erg Lehoudi to reach the palm grove of Oulad Driss. Along the way, you'll see numerous irrigation canals carrying water to the crops. Rest and shower at our bivouac.

7 Oulad Driss → Ouarzazate → Marrakech

You'll meet your vehicles to leave Oulad Driss and travel back up the Draa Valley to Ouarzazate, then cross the mountains back to Marrakech.

8 Marrakech (Departure)

Transfer to the airport with assistance until boarding. Alternatively, you can extend your stay in Marrakech.