For the traveler, the Moroccan South is a true miracle, a condensed dream: landscapes, hospitality, nature, and culture come together in this little piece of Africa just a stone's throw from Europe.
A collection of the most beautiful journeys in the Moroccan desert - discovery - hiking - trekking - offered by DESERT FOUM ZGUID
Morocco... A trek in the Moroccan southern desert, made of rocks and stones, oases, and dunes, for a 'sand' interlude conducive to reverie and meditation. But also the discovery of villages with famous kasbahs and fossils that the region is rich in, not to mention the friendly atmosphere created by the camel drivers and their caravan. All aspects of the desert in one journey!
For the pleasure of the eyes, for the ambiance, for a sensory awakening and a return to forgotten simplicity...
Trekking through the Great Ergs of the Moroccan South
The Southeast boasts a full range of Saharan landscapes: vast hamadas (plateaus), majestic sand seas (ergs), majestic dunes, rugged massifs, wadis dotted with tamarisks, and lush oases exuding the scent of mint. Here, you will discover millennia-old rock paintings and engravings, sheltered from the passage of time, as well as fossils.
With a team of desert experts (guides, cooks, camel handlers) who intimately know the desert they were born in, the desert trek unfolds at a comfortable pace, always respecting yours. From ridge to ridge, from dune to dune, the caravan weaves its way through the terrain to reach the campsite, nestled amidst the most beautiful dunes in the middle of nowhere.
It is here, after admiring the sunset from the highest crests and savoring the famous and essential tea, that we feel at peace, far from everything. Under the stars, in the vast silence of the Sahara, when gazes speak volumes and memories of the day flood in, we fully absorb the magic of the desert.
Trekking in the Iriki National Park and Erg Chegaga
A true sand island amidst a vast rocky expanse, the Erg Chegaga is a mesmerizing wonder: golden dunes constantly shifting, with the tallest reaching a height of 300 meters (the highest sand dune in Morocco). The ever-changing colors and the song of the shifting sand captivate the senses.
The camel trekking adventure can start from various points, such as Zagora, Foum Zguid, Mhamid el Ghizlane, or Zaouïat Sidi Abdenabi, a small oasis near the dried-up lake Iriki, which ceased to exist after the construction of the El Mansour Eddhabi dam in 1971 and a decline in rainfall over the years. As the days go by, a succession of contrasting and wild landscapes lead us to the dunes of the Erg Chegaga, a vast dune massif that remains untamed and thus preserved from mass tourism.
The return journey to Ouarzazate and then Marrakech follows the road that traverses the Draa Valley. Along the way, you can discover the kasbahs of Aït Benhaddou and Telouet, as well as the Ounila Valley with its splendid red villages clinging to the mountainside. If you head back to Agadir via Foum Zguid, you will pass through Tazenakht, the capital of Berber carpets, Taliouine, the city of gold where precious saffron is cultivated in Morocco, and finally Taroudant, known as the "little Marrakech," a citadel with proud ramparts nestled between the mountains and the sea, offering breathtaking views of the Atlas and Anti-Atlas mountains.
From the Atlas Mountains or the ocean to the desert
What itinerary to discover the south of Morocco, from the desert to the Atlantic coast?
A great travel idea to explore both the Berber villages and the desert with camels in the beautiful region of the Iriki National Park and its great dune Erg Chegaga. Start with the various valleys at the foot of Mount Toubkal. Dominated by the 4,167 meters high peak, the highest in North Africa, and dotted with authentic villages lined with walnut trees, they are very pleasant to discover. Authentic encounters, numerous salam aleikum greetings, invitations to share mint tea, walnuts, and flatbreads. It's also a gentle hike, following the rhythm of the work in the fields and the village, to discover an ancestral way of life. We pass by terraced crops and watermills under the walnut trees. Not to mention the landscapes dotted with argan trees, from which the precious argan oil is extracted in the Agadir region if you come to the desert from the ocean. Then, head South... Walk with the caravan of camels, learn to tie a cheche, make sandbread, sleep under the tent, stroll on the dunes, or explore prehistoric engravings and the numerous fossils that abound in the region... A dream journey. A week of total immersion in the Moroccan desert, amidst dunes, palm groves, Saharan villages, and lost oases.
The grand trek, far away in the depths of the desert
A trek in the south of Morocco! South of the Atlas Mountains, over more than 800 kilometers, lies the vast region that announces the Sahara. The desert gently takes its place, less present against the mountains, but truly unfolding its grandeur in the far reaches of the south. From the oasis of Foum Zguid, one of the gateways to the desert, you can already sense the famous Sahara with its rocky expanse dotted with acacias on the first part of the itinerary towards Lake Iriki. Along the way, you catch a glimpse of the rocky plateaus of Madouar Shrir and Madouar El Kebir (known as the Colorado of the Moroccan desert) in the distance. Then, you encounter the immense sand plain of Lake Iriki, mostly dry throughout the year, but occasionally filling up with around 50 cm of water during periods of abundant rainfall. Finally, the endless sand dunes unfold before you – Erg El M'hazil, Erg Bougarn, Erg Zahar, Erg Smar, Erg El Ghoul, and the grand dune of Erg Chegaga with its vast sea of sand stretching into infinity. The silence and the shimmering sky of millions of stars will soothe your soul and leave you with an unforgettable memory.
It's a beautiful trek, with the option to trek for 3 to 15 consecutive days depending on your choice, to truly experience the Moroccan desert in all its dimensions!
An exhaustive discovery in two weeks.
The ideal journey to discover all the facets of the Southeast of Morocco in two weeks, showcasing the diversity of its landscapes and atmospheres: from canyons to grand sand dunes, from granite mountains to tassilis by the ocean, from Essaouira to kasbahs and fortified villages, immerse yourself in the colors, mint tea, music, and flavors, embracing the rich culture and traditions of the Berber people.
An audacious coastline facing the Atlantic: tassilis as if the Sahara plunges into the ocean. A red granite massif: the Anti Atlas, a watchtower over the nearby Sahara.
Explore the vast ergs: Chegaga, Erg Chebbi. Follow the legendary wadis, with their ribbons of greenery: Dra, Dadès, Todra.
Journey at the pace of a caravan of camels, experiencing unforgettable bivouacs near stone forests or nestled in the great dunes, with the delicate and soothing rhythm of mint tea punctuating the stages, passing through villages and ochre pisé fortresses.
A melting pot of colors, music, and flavors, reflecting the cultures and traditions of the Berber and Saharan peoples.
Why not consider a trek with your children in the South Moroccan desert?
The desert, an infinite playground for children where they can ride on camels' backs, camp in the wilderness of the Iriki National Park, learn to make the famous sandbread, and experience the nomadic culture during evening gatherings around the fire. They will appreciate the value of water, the source of life in the desert, and learn to care for it during the journey. Throughout this adventure, the vast desert expanses from Foum Zguid offer a wonderful opportunity to discover the concept of "wide-open spaces" and the stunning Saharan landscapes. It's like a geography lesson in real life, and it promises precious moments of bonding between children, parents, and the Moroccan team, not to mention the loyal camels that are essential to our journey.
So, if you also dream of beautiful adventures in Morocco, contact DESERT FOUM ZGUID, and together, we will create your most unforgettable travel memories.