- Morocco
- 12 Days
Live with Nomads in the Moroccan Sahara
- Multi Destination Journey
- Cultural Immersion
- 12 days; 11 nights
- 1 to 10 travelers
- Begins & ends in Mhamid
At a Glance
Creature comforts
Physical activity
Ground support
Terrain
- Desert
- Village Life
- Pastoral
Practicalities
- For ages 18+
- Proficient english
Activities
- Trekking
- Camping
- Digital detox
- Historic sites
- Permaculture
- Indigenous culture
- Stargazing
- Rural homestay
Your Local Expert
Stephanie Ackland is a British journalist and travel organiser living in Morocco. She has spent her recent years in the desert town of M’Hamid El Ghizlane, doorway to the Moroccan Sahara, where she has developed a deep connection to this formidable place, its landscapes, people and tempo. She remains constantly fascinated by the contradictions of the desert; powerful, beautiful, magical, changeable, comforting, vast and unpredictable. Together with Brahim Laghrissi, local Bedouin, born in the desert and a team of native guides, she now shares this passion, offering insights into nomadic life and Sahawian culture and exploring the amazing beauty of the Sahara desert.read more
The Journey
Arrive M’Hamid El Ghizlane
On your first day, arrive at a traditional desert eco-lodge, built in the Saharian style architecture of rammed earth. You will be welcomed with tea, dinner and opportunity to meet your hosts and other travelers.
Doorway to the Desert
Today, you will visit the desert town of M’Hamid El Ghizlane, the doorway to the Sahara. Explore the old Jewish Kasbah, the meeting point for the Caravans to Timbuktu. Visit the private Sahara Museum with a local historian for an insight into desert life. Make any final preparations for your trek into the Sahara.
The Caravan Departs
Early this morning, join your camel caravan and guides to follow the southern banks of the Draa River. Trek north to El Bour, a nomadic farmland of wheat, corn and barley. Eat lunch under the desert’s largest tamarind trees. Watch the terrain change from dunes to stone desert as you make your way to the camel gathering place, Kraiaat Jmal. Camp among the small dunes.
Camp with Nomads
Wake up early to watch your first desert sunrise. Eat breakfast, then trek to Oum Laatach to set up camp with a nomadic desert family. Discover Sahara life first hand; make tea on a coal fire, bake sand bread, and learn the art of tent-making. Observe daily life, eat and talk around an open campfire.
The Sacred Oasis
After breakfast, say farewell and trek on to Oum Laalag, the Sacred Oasis, an important nomadic meeting point on the caravan route to Timbuktu. Set up camp in a small farm oasis and watering point for local camel flocks. Eat lunch with nomadic shepherds and explore the locale. Spend the evening around the campfire watching the stars.
The Great Dunes
After breakfast, leave the Oasis to head for L’Aabidila Sghira, the great dunes of Erg Chigaga, the largest and most stunning dunes of Morocco. Take the lesser known route past farms and through the green valley of Chigaga. Set up camp and watch the sunset over the endless dunes.
The Red Dunes
Today, our trek continues south to Erg Sidra, also known as the red dunes for its breath-taking colors and magnificent sunset and sunrise. Tie up your camel and fetch firewood for an evening singing and star-gazing around the campfire.
The Desert Farm
After breakfast, you will trek to Erg Smar, an abandoned agricultural settlement and former home to desert farming families, rich both in history and archaeological remains. You will spend the day at a working desert farm to learn about nomadic farming techniques and agricultural cultivation in the desert. Pick your own vegetables for dinner and wait for visiting birds and wild-life. Camp at the Farm.read more
The Singing Dunes
After breakfast and a morning on the Farm, you will trek to the vast, remote dunes of Erg Zahar, named because of the humming sound of the sand when walked across it. Legend tells of a village buried beneath the sand. Explore the remote, virgin dunes and take in the magnificent views before dinner.
The Desert Saint
Today you will trek to an important pass of the former Caravan route to Timbuktu. Crossing remote, virgin desert, you will arrive at Bousnina, an old desert village, with plenteous evidence of human habitation, including the remains of human skulls and skeletons. Upon leaving the village, you will trek north to the shrine of the ancient desert saint, Sidi Naji. Revered traveller, tribal leader and holy man, Sidi Naji was sought out for his sage advice, wisdom and healing abilities. Tonight’s camp is set up near the shrine of Sidi Naji.read more
The Caravan Returns
After breakfast, the caravan will be prepared for your return. Your final trek is across rolling dunes and through the lush green Palm Groves of M’hamid to arrive back at the eco-lodge. You can rest, relax or explore before your farewell dinner accompanied by music and Mechoui.
Depart M'Hamid
After breakfast, depart M’Hamid. Make your own travel arrangements to your onward destination, or we can arrange transfers to airports or cities to suit your post-tour arrangements and/or departure points (please ask).
Included
Lodging
3 x nights eco-lodge 8 x nights desert camping
Meals
11 x Breakfast 11 x Lunch 11 x Dinner
Water
- bottled mineral water for desert trek
Equipment for Desert Trek
Transportation
4 x 4 for additional supplies and desert use
Sahara Museum
Entrance ticket and talk
English Speaking Guide
Farewell Dinner & Music
Not Included
Flights to and from Morocco
Transfers to and from M'Hamid
- can be arranged (please ask).
Personal Travel Insurance
Emergency Evacuation
- should be included in personal travel insurance
Personal Expenses
Additional Food & Drinks
Tips & Gratuities
Other Useful Items
- a full packing list will be forwarded before your arrival
Join the Journey
Join a likeminded community of curious and active explorers
Private Departures
Private departures, for just you and your friends or family
Flexible dates
- 1 travelers$1595 per person
- 2 travelers$1395 per person
- 3 travelers$1195 per person
- 4 travelers$995 per person
- 5 travelers$995 per person
- 6 travelers$995 per person
- 7 travelers$995 per person
- 8 travelers$995 per person
- 9 travelers$995 per person
- 10 travelers$995 per person
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$1995 / person