About 10 Days Trekking in M’Hamid El Ghizlane
10 Days Trekking in M’Hamid El Ghizlane is a wonderful immersion into the desert and nomadic life for travelers looking for a deeper and more active Sahara journey. This sporting-level trek includes two travel days and eight days spent in total connection with nature, walking at the pace of the dromedaries and sharing the daily life of the nomads who take great care of you.
Starting from Marrakech or Ouarzazate, this 10 Days Trekking in M’Hamid El Ghizlane adventure crosses the High Atlas Mountains, passes the famous Kasbah Aït-Ben-Haddou, follows the lush Draa Valley, and reaches M’Hamid El Ghizlane, the last village before the vast Sahara.
Along the way, you will discover sublime places and cross different ergs, those great seas of dunes whose landscapes differ from one place to another. During your 10 Days Trekking in M’Hamid El Ghizlane, you will experience nomad hospitality, delicious meals, music, songs, dances, and unforgettable nights under the desert sky.
10 Days Trekking in M’Hamid El Ghizlane Program
Departure from Marrakech early in the morning. The journey to M’Hamid El Ghizlane is by taxi or minibus, depending on the number of passengers. Cross the High Atlas Mountains and discover Berber villages. You cross the Tizi n’Tichka Pass at an altitude of 2,260 meters and discover the ksar of Aït-Ben-Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a remarkable example of southern Moroccan architecture. The journey then continues through the Draa Valley lined with palm trees. Arrival in M’Hamid El Ghizlane in the evening. Dinner and first night in a comfortable permanent bivouac.
The nomadic team welcomes you to the permanent bivouac. The caravan sets off at the rhythm of the camels. You begin by crossing the palm grove of M’Hamid El Ghizlane. Tea and lunch are served in the shade of the tamarisk trees. After a short rest, the trek continues to the dunes near the sanctuary of the marabout Sidi Naji. The bivouac is set up between the dunes, where you can admire your first desert sunset before gazing into the immensity of the Milky Way. The night begins around the fire with a succulent meal and traditional sand bread prepared by the nomads, followed by music, songs, and dances of the “Blue Men”.
Break camp and head for the great dunes of Erg Zahar, called the “howling dunes” because the strong wind makes the grains of sand sing. The largest of them rises to around 150 meters. Prepare to discover a lunar setting of breathtaking beauty. Settling in for the night in this majestic and magical natural setting, you will be able to contemplate a new and unique sunset.
We head toward Erg Smar, an ancient sand-covered town that was abandoned following the drying up of the Draa River. After a picnic, the hike continues through small dunes to Erg Sedra, where the camp is set up for the night in a peaceful desert setting.
This day offers the chance to explore Erg Chegaga, one of the two great ergs of the Sahara Desert in Morocco. Stretching around 40 km long and 15 km wide, some of its dunes rise as high as 300 meters. You can watch the sunset over the waves of dunes before enjoying a good night’s sleep in this extraordinary landscape during your 10 Days Trekking in M’Hamid El Ghizlane.
The caravan heads toward the sacred oasis of Oum Laalag, which stretches for approximately 15 km. The camp is set up for the night in the stony desert of Oued Laatache, offering another striking contrast in Sahara landscapes.
This morning, the caravan reaches Kraat Jemal. Numerous tamarisk trees cover this part of the desert. Lunch is taken in the Draa Valley. You will spend the night in a place where dromedaries roam freely, enjoying the calm and rhythm of desert life.
Along the way, the caravan stops at a well to give the camels water. Then the journey continues to the magnificent Bertham Dunes, where the camp is set up for the night in a beautiful sea of sand.
Return to M’Hamid El Ghizlane where a permanent bivouac welcomes you for a well-deserved shower, a delicious meal, and a night in a comfortable bed after many memorable days of desert trekking.
It is time to hit the road back to Marrakech. Enjoy the magnificent scenery once again as you cross the High Atlas Mountains and reflect on your unforgettable 10 Days Trekking in M’Hamid El Ghizlane adventure.
Trek Highlights
THIS PRICE INCLUDES
- Round-trip transport between Marrakech or Ouarzazate and the desert
- The stay in the desert
- 9 nights in the desert
- Meals during the trek
- Supervision by the Nomades team
- The full trek experience
THIS PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE
- Plane tickets
- Overnight stays in Marrakech
- Overnight stays in Ouarzazate
- Tips for the nomads
- Personal expenses
FAQ About 10 Days Trekking in M’Hamid El Ghizlane
Yes. This is a sporting-level trek designed for travelers who want a deep and active immersion in the Sahara while walking for several days at the pace of the dromedaries. You can also discover more on the official Visit Morocco website.
The price includes round-trip transport between Marrakech or Ouarzazate and the desert, the stay in the desert, the nights, the meals, the supervision by the Nomades team, and the trek. For cultural context, visit the UNESCO page for Aït Ben Haddou.
The price does not include plane tickets, overnight stays in Marrakech or Ouarzazate, or tips for the nomads. You can also review travel information on the Morocco travel info page.
This trip combines two travel days with eight full days immersed in nature and nomadic life, crossing different ergs such as Erg Zahar and Erg Chegaga. You can read more about the Sahara on the Britannica Sahara overview.
You spend 9 nights during this 10 Days Trekking in M’Hamid El Ghizlane experience, including desert bivouacs and the final comfortable stay in M’Hamid El Ghizlane.