8 Day itinerary in Morocco, Africa
Sahara Desert Trek Adventure Challenge
Rediscover true adventure in the awe-inspiring Sahara Desert. This five day trek covers 100 km passing through Morocco’s forbidding landscape punctuated by peaks, gorges, dunes and oases. At night, sleep under Africa’s star strewn skies and enjoy traditional Berber hospitality. This challenge goes... Read More
By Lahcen
Overview
Physical Difficulty
Demanding
Recommended Age
Everyone
Operated in
English, Spanish
GUIDANCE
Tour Leader
starting point
Marrakesh
trip type
Private
trip attributes
Hiking
Meet local people
Purposeful Travel
Start/End
Night
Highlights
Experience the land, the people and the wildlife of the Sahara Desert
Pass through valleys, gorges, plateaus, sand dunes and oases
Climb Jebel Lamrakeb for incredible views of the region
Celebrate the group’s impressive achievement in Ouarzazate
Experience the land, the people and the wildlife of the Sahara Desert
Pass through valleys, gorges, plateaus, sand dunes and oases
Climb Jebel Lamrakeb for incredible views of the region
Celebrate the group’s impressive achievement in Ouarzazate
Itinerary
Standard Accommodation
Accommodation Categories
Day 1
Welcome to Morocco!
Upon arrival, you will be transferred from the airport to Ouarzazate to a local hotel for the night.
Accommodation:
- Standard Accommodation: 3* Hotel
Day 2
Ouarzazate to Mharech Dunes
Ouarzazate to Mharech Dunes (approx. 6 hrs drive; then 9 km/2 hrs trekking) The day starts in a 4x4 as you head via the Tizi n'Tinifift pass to Achbarou, the ‘Door of the Desert’. From here it’s onwards along the Draa Valley until Tansikht. Enjoy the panoramic views of Saghro, a volcanic massif, before reaching Mecissi where you'll leave the tarmac road and venture off-road for 25 km. After the bumpy journey, you'll appreciate leaving the vehicles behind and hiking into your first desert camp at Mharech. Accommodation: Camping
Guide: Included for the day
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation:
- Standard Accommodation: Camp El Mharech
Day 3
Mharech Dunes, Rhris riverbed to Mharech Gorge
Mharech Dunes, Rhris riverbed to Mharech Gorge (approx. 30 km/7-8 hrs) A traditional Berber breakfast will provide the much-needed fuel for the toughest day of trekking. Prepare for a true desert experience as you face four hours of undulating sand dunes before descending onto the flat, dry bed of the Rhris River for lunch. After a well-earned break from the midday sun, you follow the riverbed past nomadic communities to a camp beneath the Mharech Gorge. Accommodation: Camping
Guide: Included for the day
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation:
- Standard Accommodation: Camping
Day 4
Climb Jebel El Mrakib to Tafrouat camp
Climb Jebel El Mrakib to Tafrouat camp (approx. 23 km/6-7 hrs) Be prepared for another long and challenging day. The route cuts through a dramatic gorge, into two low flat-bottomed valleys. From here it’s a spectacular climb over the multi-coloured sand covered rock of Jebel El Mrakib. On a clear day, you will experience spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding plains, dunes and mountains. In the afternoon, the beautiful orange dunes are replaced by the open expanse of the plateau, leaving our overnight camp exposed to the desert winds. NB: Should you suffer from vertigo, on the ascent of Jebel El Mrakib there is some exposure to drops. Accommodation: Camping
Guide: Included for the day
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation:
- Standard Accommodation: Camping
Day 5
Tafrouat camp to Bouzaine camp
Tafrouat camp to Bouzaine camp (approx. 24 km/6-7 hrs) Today covers around 24 km, starting from the crisp, broken mud of the dry Rhris River. It’s then back onto the low dunes, tackling a variety of rocky and sandy terrain. Tonight’s camp lies at the bottom of the Bouzaine dunes, home to some of the biggest dunes in the region and perfect for a photo or two. Accommodation: Camping
Guide: Included for the day
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation:
- Standard Accommodation: Camping
Day 6
Bouzaine Dunes to Announ Baadi
Bouzaine Dunes to Announ Baadi (approx. 16 km/6-7 hrs) The final day of challenge follows the path up and over high sand dunes, passing many Acacia and Tamarisk trees along the way. Weaving around the small dunes and onto the plains, the trek aims for the palm groves of the local nomadic villages and into the final camp. Once the finish line is crossed, it’s time to celebrate with guides. Accommodation: Camping
Guide: Included for the day
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation:
- Standard Accommodation: Camping
Day 7
Return to Ouarzazate
Return to Ouarzazate (approx. 6-7 hrs drive including stop for lunch) Rest those weary legs on the transfer back to Ouarzazate. The vehicle passes along the Tafilalet Road via Tineghir and the Kasbah trail, for a night in Ouarzazate.
Guide: Included for the day
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation:
- Standard Accommodation: 3* Hotel
Day 8
Departure Day
Departure Ouarzazate to Marrakech airport. Expect to feel elated and emotional as you head to the airport for your international flight.
Meals: Breakfast
What’s Included
Accommodation
- 3* Hotel
- Camp El Mharech
- Camping
Meals
- Breakfast (7)
- Lunch (6)
- Dinner (6)
Transport
- Private transportation & Driver (Private Taxi & 4x4)
Activities
- As per itinerary
Extras
- Camping and Bedouin Tents
- Professional Trekking Desert Guide
- 3 Camels To carry Staff and Equipment
- 1 Chef Cook
Not Included
- Monuments Entrance fee
- Tips
- Personal Spending
- Single Supplement
- Optional activities
- International flight
- Travel Insurance
- Water can be purchased in Ouarzazate
About Lahcen
TEAM LEAD
Baboo Certified
Professionals of trekking and adventure travel in Morocco, we are a structure on a human scale, which allows us much more flexibility in the realization of your projects "a la carte". Very present in the field, we choose the best hikes and Trips
Travel that Makes a Difference
By choosing to travel with us, you support local communities, wildlife, and the environment. We are dedicated to positively impacting the world through every journey we offer.
Let’s regenerate the planet together
We overcompensate your entire journey’s carbon footprint including flights - for free.
$1,418.00 USD