Trekking in the Sahara Desert is a truly unique experience to live once in a lifetime. If you like the great outdoors, walking and calm then this formula is for you. Embark on this adventure with our advice and discover the splendors of the desert in Morocco during a trek.
Why do a desert trek in Morocco?
A trek is a stay of several days during which you will have time to walk to the different stages. A desert trek takes place in the middle of nature with nights in the middle of vast expanses of nature, whether dunes or desert plateaus.
To trek in the desert is to go off the beaten track to return to the essentials of everyday life and meet this need for nature that we all have. For some it will be a sporting challenge, for others the search for new landscapes, still others will come to observe the fauna and the flora.
Whatever your expectations, you will find the calm and serenity specific to the desert. Walking times lead to meditation, rest times lead to contemplation.
During a trek you will also experience a return to a simple comfort, devoid of superfluous. Nights under the stars, access to limited water, take away the minimum of business, it is a good way to let go of what clutters you daily for a total disconnection.
Which trek to choose? Difficulty levels
There are treks that adapt to all levels of sport to make nature spaces accessible to all.
A trek for beginners
If you are beginners, the desert is a first for you, you are not used to walking, we advise you a discovery trek on 3 days and 2 nights in the dunes. This will allow you to gently discover the life of nomads, walk over 2 days at your own pace.
A trek with children
If you travel with family, the trek 3 days 2 nights is also suitable. You can experience the desert adventure without the risk of intense fatigue for children. Camels that accompany us can be a good source of motivation for the children who always enjoy themselves alongside these peaceful animals and who can ride camels in case of fatigue. The route will be adapted to always have places to rest in the shade. Walking hours will also be planned according to their age.
An intermediate level trek
If you like walking and exercise regularly, you can dare to leave on 5 days and 4 nights. You can go further into the dunes and enjoy walking by reaching the goals for each day but knowing that rest is not far:
A sporty trek
If you are sporty and good walker, if you already have the experience of treks in Morocco or in the world, opt for a long trek in total immersion. You will be able to test your physical ability to withstand the special conditions of the desert. Immerse yourself entirely in the lives of nomads who demonstrate incredible endurance.
For this, you can choose a trek that will allow you to make the great crossing of the most beautiful dune areas:
What starting point for a trek? Departure from the big cities
For a desert hike in Morocco, there is nothing like the Iriki National Park and the dunes that run from Erg El Mhazil to Erg Chegaga. You will find the wildest dunes of Morocco, far from the tourist bustle.
Don’t miss our article on Iriki National Park to get a glimpse of the beautiful nature spaces that await you.
These ergs are accessible by 2 places: M'Hamid El Ghizlane, down the Drâa valley or on the other side: Foum Zguid, the authentic and quiet south.
From Foum Zguid, it is the closest access from the largest cities in the south such as Marrakech (6h), Agadir (5h), Zagora (1h30) or Ouarzazate (2h30).
In order to facilitate your stay and avoid unnecessary fatigue, we organize private transfers from these major cities. Departures and returns can be made from your hotel or from the airport. Just ask us. This can be done for any trek, regardless of its duration.
What period for a trek in Morocco?
Depending on where you want to trek, there will be more suitable seasons
What season to do a trek in the Atlas?
To go in the Atlas, this mountainous region, we advise you to favor spring, summer or autumn.
In spring, the mountain valleys are in bloom, like the valley of roses. This is the perfect time to discover green landscapes with mild temperatures.
In summer, temperatures are milder at altitude, which allows you to enjoy a trek in July and August.
In autumn, the temperatures are still mild, you will enjoy a good sunshine to fill up with sun before winter.
What season to trek in the desert?
The desert is known for its hot summer weather. So you will have to organize your trek for the rest of the year.
In spring and autumn (March, April, May and October, November), the days are sunny. It can get hot in late spring but not as hot as in summer, you will find a maximum of 35° but rather around 25° to 30°.
In winter (December, January and February), the days are generally sunny and mild, between 15° and 25° but the nights are cold, between 5 and 10°. January is often the coldest month of the year.
So you have the opportunity to do a trek most of the year.
What is a desert trek like?
Organization of the trek before your departure
We advise you to book your trek as soon as possible because the number of simultaneous departures is limited and some periods are more popular than others. We offer on our site ready formulas but we have the possibility to adapt the content according to your choice because each stay is individual, we do not constitute groups. This is a trek set up exclusively for you and therefore tailor-made. This allows you to live a stay in complete privacy and that meets your expectations.
When the dates and content are set, we are here to advise you on the equipment to plan and answer your questions.
Organization during the trek
From Foum Zguid, our base point, we will depart by 4x4 to Iriki National Park. You can take all your luggage. We will go to the dunes, where the trek begins or another starting point according to the planned program. For the first evening, the camp will already be installed because the team will have gone there upstream, especially with the dromedaries.
The next day, after breakfast, the departure for the walk will be at the cooler hours and so we will adapt the departure time according to the season and weather conditions. You will only carry your backpack with your gourd. Dromedaries will be there to carry your large bags and make walking easier.
Then let yourself be guided by the team who will always know which is the best route to follow according to your pace and the conditions of the day. 3 to 7 hours of walking per day according to your schedule.
The meals are made with care by our cook, always with fresh and varied products, vegetables, starches, proteins, fruits. We take into account specific diets. You will be amazed to see how in the middle of nature and with few resources, our cook manages to serve you delicious dishes, colorful salads with traditional tajines.
After the walk, you have free time. The team sets up camp for the night. You enjoy the grandiose landscapes around, you rest after this intense day.
At nightfall, we light the fire, the central point of the camp. Dinner is served outdoors or in the big tent. Then comes the time to admire the stars in a sky preserved from all lighting and which reveals the splendours of the Milky Way. Enjoy a quiet night in small tents or under the stars for an experience even closer to nature.
What to plan for a desert trek?
We advise you to travel light. No need to bring too many clothes, especially be comfortable.
A sleeping bag will be essential. Its thickness is to choose depending on the period you come.
Cotton or linen clothing that will protect your skin better than sunscreen.
A hat or better, a horse like the men of the desert. We will show you where to find them in Foum Zguid, the real chèches used by nomads, for only a few euros.
A warm outfit for the night, because even if the nights are mild in certain seasons, the fatigue of the day can give you a cold impression.
Comfortable walking shoes that you have already used several times. The ideal is to have light shoes where the sand can not infiltrate.
Sunscreen for the face.
You will then find a more detailed list on this article specially designed to answer your questions: Packing for a trek or a bivouac in the desert
Feeling ready to go on a trek?
You have questions to choose or organize your trek?
We take the time to discuss it with you. You can contact us and we will respond quickly: send an email
Find the list of our treks on our website: Hikes/ Trekkings in the desert