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Starting in Marrakech, this route heads south across the High Atlas Mountains before reaching the remote desert landscapes near Zagora and Mhamid. The trek begins around Faija and gradually moves deeper into the Sahara, where rocky plateaus, hidden oases and dry river valleys lead towards the impressive dunes of Erg Chegaga.
Over several walking days, you’ll travel with a camel caravan and local support team, staying in desert camps and shared tents along the way. The route is suitable for people with a reasonable level of fitness, with most trekking days lasting around four to five hours and the pace kept steady so you can take in the scenery and atmosphere.
Guided by a trained local team, this experience is built around safe, well-supported trekking and meaningful time in the desert. CFAMM-certified guides lead the route, while camel handlers and cooks support the camp logistics, meals and luggage transport throughout the trek.
Rather than rushing between viewpoints, the itinerary gives you time to understand the rhythm of the Sahara. Walking through varied landscapes, sharing meals at camp and travelling alongside the camel team creates a more grounded way to experience this part of southern Morocco.
Your journey begins at 8am with departure from Marrakech, travelling across the Tizi n’Tichka Pass, one of Morocco’s highest and most scenic mountain roads. The route continues through Ouarzazate and Zagora, passing palm groves, villages and desert-edge landscapes before turning near the famous “52 Days to Timbuktu” sign.
From here, the road leads towards the Faija plateau, where the first overnight camp is set. This first day is mainly a travel day, but it gives a clear sense of the changing landscapes between Marrakech, the High Atlas Mountains and the Sahara.
After breakfast, the camels are loaded and the trek begins properly. The route crosses the Oum Laachar Pass before following a dry riverbed through remote desert terrain, with small climbs and descents adding variety throughout the walk.
A hidden oasis appears between the mountains, offering a welcome contrast to the rocky surroundings. By late afternoon, you’ll reach camp beside the riverbank of Oued Mhasser after around five hours of walking.
Today’s route follows Oued Mhasser before crossing a wide, pebbly desert landscape. On clear days, the dunes of Erg Chegaga begin to appear in the distance, growing larger as the trek moves closer to one of the Sahara’s most impressive dune areas.
Camp is set on a plateau near the dunes, giving you time to enjoy the evening light across the sand before dinner. As night falls, the group settles into traditional tents, with a freshly prepared meal served around camp.
Early risers can climb the dunes before breakfast to watch the desert slowly brighten with the morning sun. The trek then continues across a dry lake and rocky desert, passing through Oued Laatach, also known as the “river of thirst”.
Along the way, you may see nomadic camps and goat herds before crossing another rocky stretch towards the smaller dunes of Bougarne. Although lower than Erg Chegaga, these dunes still offer wide views across the surrounding desert and make a peaceful place to camp.
Leaving Bougarne behind, the route crosses a broad rocky plateau where the mineral colours and open space give the landscape a very different feel from the sand dunes. This is a longer walking day, but the route remains steady and non-technical.
Camp is set near Oued Naam, known for its well, which is an important water source in this dry environment. There may be a chance to wash, but water is limited in this part of the Sahara, so your guide will explain how to use it carefully and respectfully.
An early start allows time to complete the final trekking section, crossing small dunes and a tamarisk forest before reaching Mhamid, the last village before the open Sahara. Here, you’ll say goodbye to the camel team after several days travelling together through the desert.
The return journey to Marrakech then begins by vehicle, passing back through Zagora and Ouarzazate. After a long travel day, you’ll overnight in Marrakech before your final departure the next day.
Accommodation includes a comfortable hotel or riad in Marrakech, alongside desert camping during the trekking section. While in the Sahara, guests stay in spacious shared tents, usually arranged for two people, with foam mattresses provided.
Desert camps are simple but well-supported, with the accompanying team handling meals, camp setup and logistics. Facilities are naturally limited in remote areas, so the experience is best suited to travellers who are comfortable with basic conditions and happy to spend several days away from everyday conveniences.
Yes, this trek is suitable for active travellers who are comfortable walking for several hours a day, even if they have not trekked in the Sahara before. The route is described as easy to moderate, meaning it does not involve technical climbing, but it does require stamina and a willingness to walk across sand, stones and open desert terrain.
Most walking days are around four to five hours, with breaks built into the route. The guide will keep the pace manageable, and the camel caravan carries the main luggage, so you only need to carry a small daypack with essentials such as water, sun protection and personal items.
Most trekking days involve around five hours of walking, although the final trekking section to Mhamid is usually closer to four hours. The first and last main travel days involve longer vehicle transfers, so the physical walking is concentrated across the desert section of the itinerary.
Distances can feel different in the Sahara because walking over soft sand or rocky ground takes more effort than walking on prepared paths. Regular breaks, lunch stops and steady pacing help make the route more comfortable and allow time to enjoy the changing scenery.
This is mainly a walking trek supported by camels, rather than a full camel-riding holiday. The camels carry luggage, camping equipment and supplies between camps, which allows you to walk more comfortably without a heavy pack.
Depending on the conditions, route and guide’s judgement, there may be short opportunities to ride a camel, but this should be seen as a possible extra rather than the main focus. The experience is centred on trekking through the Sahara alongside the camel team.
Erg Chegaga is known for being more remote than some of Morocco’s easier-to-reach dune areas. It lies beyond Mhamid, where the paved road ends, so reaching it requires a longer journey and gives the trek a stronger sense of wilderness.
The area combines large dunes with rocky plateaus, dry riverbeds, tamarisk trees and occasional nomadic camps. This variety makes the journey feel more complete than simply visiting one dune viewpoint, as you experience several different desert environments across the week.
Camps are simple and practical, designed to support trekking in remote Sahara conditions. During the desert section, accommodation is usually in spacious shared tents for two people, with foam mattresses provided for sleeping.
The team sets up camp, prepares meals and manages the main logistics, but facilities are naturally limited. Showers and everyday comforts are not always available in the open desert, so it’s important to arrive with realistic expectations and a flexible attitude.
Full board is included during the trip, along with mineral bottled water, coffee and Moroccan mint tea. Meals are prepared by the accompanying cook and are usually based around filling Moroccan dishes suited to trekking days.
Additional drinks are not included, so you may wish to bring or purchase anything specific before heading into the desert. Water is especially important in the Sahara, and your guide will explain how to manage hydration carefully throughout the route.
About the centre
Marrakech
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