Marrakesh Desert Tour: Oasis and Desert (8 Days)
Overview
In the heart of the Moroccan Sahara, this camel trek takes you through a string of oases, kasbahs, and pisé-built ksour… It leads you to the vast desert and the towering dunes of Erg Zaher, overlooking the Draa Valley. From Oulad Driss to Erg Zaher, your Berber guides and their camel caravan, carrying our “campsite,” will guide you through the delicate silhouettes of the dunes in the great Moroccan South. An ideal and comprehensive trek for a first experience in the desert!
HIGHLIGHTS
- 5 to 6 hours of easy camel trekking per day.
- The Draa Valley, its palm groves, and oasis architecture.
- A good balance between experiencing oasis life and the serene solitude of Erg Zaher’s dunes.
Included / Not Included
- A very comfortable and air conditioned Vehicle
- Fuel for entire journey
- English speaking Tour Leader during the tour (you can specify other languages)
- Camel trekking
- Berber music and animation
- Dinners during the tour ( vegetarian welcome ) check itinerary for details.
- Breakfast daily
- Pick up & Drop off at Hotels / Airport
- Real life experiences
- Taxes
- Ticket flight
- Travel Insurance
- Personal expenses (such as souvenirs)
- Tips for guides and staff.
Tour Plan
Airport pickup, transfer, and check-in at your hotel. Dinner on your own.
You leave the "pink city" early in the morning and head towards the Atlas Mountains, crossing over the Tizi Tichka pass. After Ouarzazate, you follow the Draa Valley and its string of oases, passing through Agdz, Zagora, and Tagounit. It takes about 8.5 hours to reach the small village of Mhamid, where you meet your camel team. The trek begins through gardens and pisé-built structures towards the old village of Mhamid and the edge of the palm grove. Overnight camping.
Accommodation: Camping in tents
Heading west, you follow the Draa River between palm groves and tamarisk trees, passing through the old village of Mhamid. After the palm grove, you cross the Sidi Naji plateau before reaching the dunes bearing the same name. Set up camp in the dunes.
Accommodation: Camping in tents
You leave the Sidi Naji dunes to enter the vast desert landscapes. The dunes fill the scenery, and you eventually reach the large dunes of Erg Zaher. Water resupply and meeting with the nomadic Aït Khabbach at the Zaher well.
Accommodation: Camping in tents
Heading north, you leave Erg Zaher towards Ait Ounir. Enjoy beautiful and diverse days amidst dunes, tamarisk trees, and acacias. Camp in the dunes of Ait Ounir.
Accommodation: Camping in tents
After climbing the dunes of Erg Ounir, you set course to the southeast. This beautiful day of trekking in the dunes gradually concludes at Ras Nkhal, located at the entrance of the Mahmid palm grove. Spend the night among palm trees, tamarisk trees, and sand.
Accommodation: Camping in tents
Traverse a sparse forest of tamarisk trees, and after 1 to 2 hours of walking, you reunite with your minibus in the remote village of Mhamid. Start the return transfer to Ouarzazate and continue towards Marrakech, where you arrive in the late afternoon. Check-in at the hotel in Marrakech and free evening.
Accommodation: Camping in tents
Transfer to the airport.
