On our camel trek in deep south Morocco, south of M’hamid, you will hike superb dunes and oases, explore amazing canyons and experience nomadic way of life
Sahara Camel Trek
Trek in the Dunes of Oued Draa & Djebel Bani
10 Days, 8 Days trek, Period: Autumn to Spring Level: Moderate
Assistance:
Beyond Ouarzazate and Zagora, the gates of the desert open to the infinite. The Draa river, achieving a green
race of 200 km, gave birth to the most beautiful palm groves in Morocco. After the last oases of Mhamid, the
sand overwhelms the environment. Following the steady rhythm of our caravan, we discover the ergs of
Ezzaher, Smar, Chigaga… all names synonym of silent spaces submerged by warm lights. After erg Ebidlya, we
start our way up north to the exploration of the canyons of Oued Mhasser. The miraculous presence of water
gives birth to superb gueltas, and small oases deeply enrooted in the rocks.
Day1.
Ouarzazate
Arrival to Ouarzazate Airport, where you will be welcomed by your guide and transferred to your hotel in the
city. Overnight in 3* hotel on half board basis.
Day2.
Ouarzazate - Mhamid - Dayat Aoutid
After an early breakfast, we drive south to the legendary Draa Valley, a silvery thread of water flanked by
palm groves and ochre Kasbahs, to the town of Zagora in Morocco's deep south. After a picnic near Oulad
Driss, we reach Mhamid, the last village at the end of the Draa palm groves. After 2 hours drive through
desert plateaus, a short warm up walk ( 1H30 hour) to meet our camel men at Dayat Aoutid Where we set our
first camp.
Day3.
Dayat Aoutid - Erg Zaher Dunes / 5h00 trek
After camp breakfast, the baggage, food and equipment will be loaded onto camels and the trek will begin.
From camp we head south across a large tamarisk "forest" and the wide Draa river bed. The first sand dunes
emerge far in the distance. Camp will be pitched at Erg Zaher, very peaceful and pink coloured dunes.
Day4.
Erg Zaher Dunes - Erig Smar Dunes / 4h30 trek
After a quite ballad in the dunes we head off north-west towards Erig Smar. Camp will be pitched close to an
old nomad campsite, near some imposing tamarisk trees.
Day5.
Erig Smar - Chigaga Dunes / 5h30 trek
The trail continues to follow the large clay plateaus and dry oueds. From time to time the sight of dispersed
camel herds brings some animation to the quietness of our walk. Camp will be pitched close to the Chigaga
dunes..
Day6.
Chigaga - Erg Ebidlya Dunes / 6h00 trek
The day will be spent exploring and climbing the dunes of Ebidiiya before we ascent the highest dune of the
Erg: 150 meters, with a superb view on the whole area and our camp site further north. Camp will be pitched
in the dunes of Ebidlya.
Day7.
Erg Ebidlya - Oued Mhasser / 7h00 trek
Today is a long day walk to cross an immense "Reg", "stony plateau" (typical of the Sahara) to join the
amazing Bani range. A total change of ambiance, with small oasis of palm trees and oleander, and amazing
pools curved in the rocky river bed. Camp will be pitched near the pool of Amda n'Oumssaoui.
Day8.
Oued Mhasser - Aferdou / 4h30 hike
A nice day up the Mhasser Canyons, after Sidi Boutouama, our last picnic is served at very beautiful oasis of
Hassi Diabi. Camp will be pitched at Tifekhsit on the foothill of the imposing Aferdou Peak.
Day9.
El Feija - Zagora - Ouarzazate / 3h30 trek - 4h00 transfer
An early start this morning to cross the northern side of the Djebel bani by the Foum Laachar Col. Our
vehicles will be waiting for the return drive to Zagora. The first 20 miles of the journey will be off road on
desert piste before rejoining the tarmac at Zagora. After lunch, continue on by road through the Draa Valley
to Ouarzazate, overnight at 3* hotel on half board basis..
Day10. Return flight
Depend on your flight schedule a transfer is organised to Ouarzazate Airport for your flight back home.
city. Overnight in 3* hotel on half board basis.
Day2.
Ouarzazate - Mhamid - Dayat Aoutid
After an early breakfast, we drive south to the legendary Draa Valley, a silvery thread of water flanked by
palm groves and ochre Kasbahs, to the town of Zagora in Morocco's deep south. After a picnic near Oulad
Driss, we reach Mhamid, the last village at the end of the Draa palm groves. After 2 hours drive through
desert plateaus, a short warm up walk ( 1H30 hour) to meet our camel men at Dayat Aoutid Where we set our
first camp.
Day3.
Dayat Aoutid - Erg Zaher Dunes / 5h00 trek
After camp breakfast, the baggage, food and equipment will be loaded onto camels and the trek will begin.
From camp we head south across a large tamarisk "forest" and the wide Draa river bed. The first sand dunes
emerge far in the distance. Camp will be pitched at Erg Zaher, very peaceful and pink coloured dunes.
Day4.
Erg Zaher Dunes - Erig Smar Dunes / 4h30 trek
After a quite ballad in the dunes we head off north-west towards Erig Smar. Camp will be pitched close to an
old nomad campsite, near some imposing tamarisk trees.
Day5.
Erig Smar - Chigaga Dunes / 5h30 trek
The trail continues to follow the large clay plateaus and dry oueds. From time to time the sight of dispersed
camel herds brings some animation to the quietness of our walk. Camp will be pitched close to the Chigaga
dunes..
Day6.
Chigaga - Erg Ebidlya Dunes / 6h00 trek
The day will be spent exploring and climbing the dunes of Ebidiiya before we ascent the highest dune of the
Erg: 150 meters, with a superb view on the whole area and our camp site further north. Camp will be pitched
in the dunes of Ebidlya.
Day7.
Erg Ebidlya - Oued Mhasser / 7h00 trek
Today is a long day walk to cross an immense "Reg", "stony plateau" (typical of the Sahara) to join the
amazing Bani range. A total change of ambiance, with small oasis of palm trees and oleander, and amazing
pools curved in the rocky river bed. Camp will be pitched near the pool of Amda n'Oumssaoui.
Day8.
Oued Mhasser - Aferdou / 4h30 hike
A nice day up the Mhasser Canyons, after Sidi Boutouama, our last picnic is served at very beautiful oasis of
Hassi Diabi. Camp will be pitched at Tifekhsit on the foothill of the imposing Aferdou Peak.
Day9.
El Feija - Zagora - Ouarzazate / 3h30 trek - 4h00 transfer
An early start this morning to cross the northern side of the Djebel bani by the Foum Laachar Col. Our
vehicles will be waiting for the return drive to Zagora. The first 20 miles of the journey will be off road on
desert piste before rejoining the tarmac at Zagora. After lunch, continue on by road through the Draa Valley
to Ouarzazate, overnight at 3* hotel on half board basis..
Day10. Return flight
Depend on your flight schedule a transfer is organised to Ouarzazate Airport for your flight back home.
Day by day
From 490 €
Trek Prices
This trek in deep Moroccan desert will deconnect you from the stress of modern life. Our hike starts south of Mhamid the last city before the wideness of
the Sahara. Following the steady rhythm of our camels, each day you will hike amazing sand dunes of Zaher, and Chigaga and enjoy the peacefulness
the desert. At the end, we will trek pre Sahara range of djebel Bani with a completely different ambiance of oases and amazing canyons.
the Sahara. Following the steady rhythm of our camels, each day you will hike amazing sand dunes of Zaher, and Chigaga and enjoy the peacefulness
the desert. At the end, we will trek pre Sahara range of djebel Bani with a completely different ambiance of oases and amazing canyons.
DOWNLOADS
• 2 night 3* Hotel in Ouarzazate (HB)
• English speaking guide, and cook
• Camel men and camels for assistance
• Full board on trek with coffee and tea
• 1 picnic + 1 restaurant on transfers
• Ground transfers by 4x4 & minibuses: (airport -
hotel - trek - hotel - airport)
• All camping equipment (except sleeping bags)
• 7 nights camping (FB basis)
• International flight to and from Ouarzazate &
Airport taxes
• Morocco Visa fees
• Travel insurance
• Soft/alcoholic drinks
• Optional trips and sightseeing tours
• Additional nights at the beginning or end of trip
• Tips and personal expanses
