Sahara Trekking13 Days from Marrakech
The most complete Sahara trekking adventure we offer — 13 days crossing the most beautiful places of the Moroccan desert, from Erg Ezzmaila and Erg Zahar to the legendary 40 km dunes of Erg Chegaga. Travel on foot alongside a dromedary caravan, sleep under the stars, eat traditional Berber food around the campfire, and experience a depth of silence and freedom that only the deep Sahara can offer.
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What Makes This Special
Why Choose Our 13-Day Sahara Trekking?
This is our most extensive desert journey — two extra days of wilderness compared to the 11-day Sahara tour, giving you a full rest day at Erg Smar to absorb the silence and recover for the final push to Erg Chegaga. For those looking for a shorter route to the western dunes, our Erg Chegaga tours from Marrakech and Erg Chigaga tours are excellent alternatives.
13 Days of True Desert Life
You walk alongside a dromedary caravan for seven full trekking days, following ancient Berber routes through a succession of dune systems that most travellers never reach. This is real immersion — not a tour, a way of life.
A Rest Day in the Dunes
Unlike shorter treks, Day 7 at Erg Smar is entirely yours — no walking, no schedule. Sit in the silence, read a book on the dunes, or simply watch the light change across the sand all day. Prefer a luxury stay? See our Erg Chebbi luxury camps.
Five Legendary Erg Systems
Cross Erg Ezzmaila, Erg Zahar, Erg Smar, Erg Chegaga, and Erg Bougarn — a sequence of contrasting dune landscapes impossible to experience any other way. Learn more about Erg Zahar and what awaits beyond.
Nomadic Culture Around the Fire
Each evening your guides prepare traditional food over an open fire, play local music, and share stories of nomadic life. These moments around the campfire are what travellers remember most, long after the dunes. Meet our team.
Day by Day
Your 13-Day Sahara Trekking Itinerary
From Marrakech across the High Atlas, through the Draa Valley and deep into the Sahara — this itinerary crosses five erg systems, includes a full rest day, and brings you face to face with the raw, untouched western Sahara before looping back to Mhamid and returning to Marrakech by bus.
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 remarkable journey ahead.
Day 2 — Marrakech to Mhamid: Crossing the Atlas
We depart from your riad in the morning and head towards the High Atlas Mountains, crossing the Tizi n’Tichka Pass at approximately 2,260 m. We visit the famous UNESCO-listed Kasbah of Aït Ben Haddou — a 17th-century masterpiece and backdrop to dozens of Hollywood films — then continue through Ouarzazate and the lush Draa Valley to Zagora for a tea break. From Mhamid, we drive directly into the Sahara for your first night under the stars.
Day 3 — Mhamid to Sidi Naji: The Caravan Begins
Once the dromedaries are loaded, the caravan sets off into the desert. We follow the route to Sidi Naji, resting in the shade of a tree for lunch along the way. By evening we arrive at a beautiful camp near a holy nomadic site — dinner is served around the campfire under a sky full of stars.
Day 4 — Sidi Naji to Erg Ezzmaila: Into the Sand
After breakfast on the open sand dunes, we set off toward the dunes of Erg Ezzmaila. A midday break gives you time to rest before the caravan moves on to camp. The afternoon is yours — a small tea ceremony at sunset is followed by a tasty dinner prepared by your camp chef around the fire. Sleep in a tent or under the open sky.
Day 5 — Erg Ezzmaila to Erg Zahar: The Singing Dunes
After breakfast and loading the camels, we trek for around four hours through a fascinating desert landscape. A short break with nuts mid-route gives you energy for the final stretch to the magnificent Erg Zahar — one of the highest dune formations in Morocco. Watch the sunset from the crest of the tallest dune, dine around the campfire with local music, and fall asleep beneath thousands of stars. Discover more about Erg Zahar and the western Sahara.
Day 6 — Erg Zahar to Erg Smar: Desert Silence
Today we walk in silence between the dunes through a flat open desert. The route passes through an attractive desert region before crossing a dry Draa Valley. Erg Smar awaits for tonight’s camp — after dinner, guides share nomadic culture and music around the fire.
Day 7 — Full Rest Day at Erg Smar
This day belongs entirely to you. Relax in the beauty and silence of Erg Smar, refresh your body and soul, or simply watch the dunes shift colour through the day. A full rest in the middle of the Sahara is a rare and deeply restorative experience — and it prepares you perfectly for the push to Erg Chegaga.
Day 8 — Erg Smar to Erg Chegaga: The Crown of the Sahara
We walk with the caravan through a flat open area before arriving at the legendary Erg Chegaga — a sea of sand stretching over 40 km and rising up to 300 m high. The sunset on these dunes is unforgettable. Spend the night here with dinner and nomadic entertainment in one of the most remote and breathtaking settings in all of Morocco. Compare to our Erg Chegaga tours from Marrakech for shorter itineraries.
Day 9 — Erg Chegaga to Erg Bougarn: The Return Begins
After breakfast, the trek turns back toward Mhamid. We walk for around three hours before a lunch break and a short rest. By afternoon, the caravan reaches the dunes of Bougarn — tonight’s camp. Time to search for stars in an extraordinary sky.
Day 10 — Erg Bougarn to KrayAt Jmal: Final Night Under Canvas
The desert landscape has a way of making heavy legs forget themselves. Today’s route leads to the edge of a river valley and open land, where we build our camp for the last time. The final campfire dinner, the music of the nomads, and the stars overhead — a night to carry with you always.
Day 11 — KrayAt Jmal to Mhamid: Farewell to the Caravan
One final effort to walk from the Sahara back to Mhamid — the gateway to the desert. We say farewell to the caravan, the guides, and the camels, and arrive at our camp in Mhamid in the late afternoon. A memorable end to the trekking chapter of your journey.
Day 12 — 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 at around 3 pm. The riad awaits, along with the medina, Jemaa el-Fna, and whatever Marrakech magic remains on your list.
Day 13 — Departure or Extended Stay
Your return flight departs today — or stay on in Marrakech and let the city enchant you with its colours, flavours, and the flair of a thousand and one nights. Our team can help arrange additional riad nights.
About The Destination
Erg Chegaga: Morocco’s Most Remote Sahara
Starting Point: Mhamid el Ghizlane
Mhamid el Ghizlane sits at the very end of the paved road in southern Morocco, the last settlement before the open desert stretches toward Algeria. It is the true gateway to Morocco’s western Sahara and the starting point for this 13-day trek. The drive from Marrakech through the High Atlas and the Draa Valley is itself a journey worth savouring. For a faster route to Erg Chegaga, see our Erg Chegaga tours from Marrakech.
At 40 km long and up to 300 m high, Erg Chegaga is the most dramatic dune system in Morocco — far larger and more remote than the more famous Erg Chebbi near Merzouga. Reaching it on foot, after days of trekking through Erg Zahar and Erg Smar, gives the arrival a weight and meaning that no jeep tour can replicate. The best seasons are spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November).
The landscape between Mhamid and Erg Chegaga is extraordinarily varied — flat hammada plains, tamarisk-lined dry wadis, and the singing dunes of Erg Zahar. For the full range of desert experiences we offer, explore our Sahara tours, Erg Chigaga tours, and hiking tours in Morocco.
What’s Covered
What’s Included in Your 13-Day Sahara Trekking
Included
- Air-conditioned 4×4 Toyota Prado TX with experienced English-speaking driver
- Full board during all trekking days (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
- Overnight accommodation in riad in Marrakech (Days 1 and 12)
- 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 12)
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
€1,150 / per person
13-day trek from Marrakech including 4WD transport, full board on trekking days, all camping equipment, and English-speaking Berber guide.
High Season Surcharge
+€60 / per person
Applies to departures between December 20 and January 10. Standard price applies to all other scheduled dates.
Private / Individual
Custom
Prefer your own dates? Private departures are available year-round. Use our Sahara trip planner or contact us for a tailored quote.
Upcoming Scheduled Departures — 2026
Reserve Your Spot
Book Your 13-Day Sahara Trekking
Ready to walk into the Sahara for 13 days? Fill in the form below and our team will confirm your place within 24 hours. Have questions first? Visit our contact page or plan your itinerary with the Sahara trips planner tool. You can also explore the full offering of our Morocco travel agency.
Common Questions
FAQs About the 13-Day Sahara Trekking from Marrakech
Ready for 13 Days in the Sahara?
The dunes of Erg Chegaga are waiting. Let us handle every detail — all you have to do is show up and walk.