Sahara Trekking11 Days from Marrakech
Embark on the ultimate Sahara trekking adventure — 11 unforgettable days crossing the legendary dunes of Erg Zahar and Erg Chegaga on foot and by camel. Sleep beneath a sky blazing with stars, share meals with Berber guides around a campfire, and experience the silence and vastness of Morocco’s most remote desert landscape.
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What Makes This Special
Why Choose Our 11-Day Sahara Trekking?
This is not a day trip — it is a full desert immersion. Our 11-day Sahara trekking from Marrakech takes you deep into landscapes that most travellers never reach, crossing multiple erg systems including the iconic 40 km-long dunes of Erg Chegaga. Whether you are comparing it to our shorter Sahara tours or looking for the most complete desert experience, this trek stands in a category of its own. For those drawn to the western Sahara, our Erg Chigaga tours offer a glimpse into the same extraordinary world.
Real Trekking — Not a Safari
You walk and ride dromedaries through open desert for days at a time, following Berber routes that have connected communities for centuries. This is an authentic physical journey through the Sahara, not a guided bus tour.
Wild Camp Under the Stars
Every night is spent in a different desert setting — from holy nomadic sites to the towering dunes of Erg Chegaga. All camping equipment, mattresses and meals are provided. Prefer comfort? Explore our luxury desert camps.
Multiple Legendary Ergs
Cross Erg Zahar, Erg Essadra, Erg Chegaga, and Erg Bougarn across seven trekking days — a sequence of dune systems almost nowhere else in Morocco offers in a single journey. Learn more about Erg Zahar trips.
Always Small Groups
We limit group sizes to preserve the quality of your experience and the intimacy of the journey. Our guides cook traditional food over the fire, share stories of desert life, and lead you safely through remote terrain. About our team.
Day by Day
Your 11-Day Sahara Trekking Itinerary
Departing from Marrakech, your journey takes you through the High Atlas Mountains, the Draa Valley, and deep into the Sahara — crossing dune sea after dune sea before looping back to Mhamid and returning to Marrakech by bus. This is the complete picture of Morocco’s desert south.
Day 1 — Arrival in Marrakech
We pick you up from Marrakech airport and transfer you to a beautiful riad for your overnight stay. This is your chance to settle in, explore the medina, and prepare for the days ahead.
Day 2 — Marrakech to Mhamid: Gateway of the Desert
Depart in the morning, crossing the Tizi n’Tichka Pass at 2,260 m through the High Atlas Mountains. You’ll visit the UNESCO-listed Kasbah of Aït Benhaddou — backdrop to dozens of Hollywood films — and pass through Ouarzazate before following the lush Draa Valley south to Mhamid. From there, you drive directly into the Sahara for your first night under the stars.
Day 3 — Mhamid to Sidi Naji: First Steps into the Sahara
After breakfast, you begin your trek alongside your dromedary companions heading toward the sand dunes of Zahar. Lunch is taken under a shady palm tree mid-route. By evening, you reach Sidi Naji — a holy place of the nomads — where you set up tents, gather around the campfire for dinner, and fall asleep to absolute silence. Discover more about Erg Zahar and the surrounding desert.
Day 4 — Sidi Naji to Erg Zahar: The Sea of Sand
Cross a landscape of rolling dunes before arriving at the magnificent Erg Zahar — one of Morocco’s most striking dune formations. Watch the sunset from the crest of the highest dune, then gather round the fire for a traditional dinner in the heart of the Sahara.
Day 5 — Erg Zahar to Erg Essadra: Deep into the Dunes
After sunrise and breakfast, the trek continues toward the dunes of Erg Smar. Lunch is a welcome rest under the shade of ancient tamarisk trees in the middle of the Sahara. By afternoon, you arrive at the beautiful Erg Essadra and camp for the night beneath an extraordinary sky.
Day 6 — Erg Essadra to Erg Chegaga: The Crown of the Sahara
Today you reach the destination that defines this trek — the legendary Erg Chegaga, a sweeping dune sea stretching over 40 km and rising up to 300 m. Experience a level of silence and beauty that few ever encounter. Watch the sunset from the high dunes and spend the night in one of the Sahara’s most remote and breathtaking settings. Compare this to our Erg Chegaga tours from Marrakech for shorter alternatives.
Day 7 — Erg Chegaga to Erg Bougarn: The Return Begins
After a restful night, you begin the return journey toward Mhamid. Three hours of trekking in the morning, a lunch break, then an afternoon hike to the dunes of Bougarn — your camp for the night.
Day 8 — Erg Bougarn to Mezouaria: Rocky Desert & Final Dunes
The last full day of trekking takes you across dunes and a wide rocky desert. By afternoon, you arrive at the dunes of Mezouaria for one final night under the stars around the campfire — a moment to reflect on eight incredible days in the Sahara.
Day 9 — Mezouaria to Mhamid: Last Sunrise in the Sahara
One last chance to watch the sunrise paint the dunes gold before breakfast and the walk back to Mhamid, arriving in the late afternoon. Your final evening is spent at our camp in Mhamid — a fitting close to your desert journey.
Day 10 — Return to Marrakech by Bus
An early morning transfer to the bus station. The CTM bus departs Mhamid at 6:00 am and arrives in Marrakech around 3 pm. Spend the rest of the afternoon and evening exploring Marrakech — the medina, Jemaa el-Fna, and the souks are all at your doorstep.
Day 11 — Departure or Extended Stay
Your return flight departs today — or, if you’d like, stay on in Marrakech for extra days and let the city enchant you with its colours, flavours, and energy. Our team can help arrange additional nights in the riad.
About The Destination
Erg Chegaga: Morocco’s Remote Sahara
The Gateway: Mhamid el Ghizlane
Mhamid el Ghizlane sits at the very end of the paved road in southern Morocco, just 40 km from the Algerian border. It serves as the true gateway to the Sahara’s western reaches, far beyond the well-trodden tourist routes. From Marrakech, the drive south through the High Atlas and the Draa Valley is itself a remarkable journey. For those looking to reach Erg Chegaga directly, our Erg Chegaga tours from Marrakech offer a faster route.
Erg Chegaga stretches for over 40 kilometres and reaches heights of 300 metres — making it one of the tallest dune systems in all of Morocco. Unlike the more accessible Erg Chebbi near Merzouga, Erg Chegaga requires a genuine commitment to reach, which means the dunes remain pristine, uncrowded, and utterly wild. The best seasons for Sahara trekking are spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November), when temperatures are moderate and the light is extraordinary.
Between Mhamid and Erg Chegaga lies a diverse desert landscape: flat hammada plains, tamarisk-fringed wadis, and smaller erg systems like Erg Zahar that reward those who travel on foot. If you prefer the luxury camp experience or want to compare options, explore our full range of Sahara tours and Erg Chigaga tours.
What’s Covered
What’s Included in Your Sahara Trekking
Included
- Air-conditioned 4×4 Toyota Prado TX with experienced English-speaking driver
- Full board during all trekking days (breakfast, lunch & dinner)
- Overnight accommodation in riad in Marrakech (Days 1 & 10)
- Dromedary camels and experienced cameleer throughout the trek
- All camping equipment — tents, mattresses, dishes and cooking supplies
- Water during all desert trekking days
- English-speaking Berber guide for the full duration
- CTM bus ticket Mhamid–Marrakech (Day 10)
Not Included
- Camel riding (optional add-on — €35 per day)
- Sleeping bag (can be hired locally)
- Meals not listed in the programme
- Drinks outside desert trekking days
- Entrance fees (e.g. Aït Benhaddou)
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Single room supplement — €90 total
- Tips and personal expenses
Pricing & Departures
Trek Prices & Scheduled Dates
Starting from 3 participants. All departures run in small, intimate groups.
Standard Departure
€980 / per person
11-day trek from Marrakech including 4WD transport, full board on trekking days, all camping equipment, and English-speaking Berber guide.
High Season Surcharge
+€55 / per person
Applies to departures between December 20 and January 10. Standard price applies to all other scheduled dates.
Private / Individual
Custom
Want to go on your own dates? We offer private departures year-round. Use our Sahara trip planner or contact us for a quote.
Upcoming Scheduled Departures — 2026 — 2026
Reserve Your Spot
Book Your Sahara Trekking Now
Ready to walk into the Sahara? Fill in the form below and our team will confirm your spot within 24 hours. Have questions first? Visit our contact page or build your own itinerary with the Sahara trips planner tool. You can also explore our Morocco travel agency for the full range of what we offer.
Common Questions
FAQs About Sahara Trekking from Marrakech
Ready for Your Sahara Trekking Adventure?
The dunes of Erg Chegaga are waiting. Let us handle every detail — all you have to do is show up and let the desert do the rest.