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Morocco desert camel trekking – overview:
A camel trekking journey into the Erg Chegaga desert starting from Ouarzazate offers a truly extraordinary experience, taking you deep into the heart of the Sahara. Far from the crowds, this adventure reveals the serene beauty and timeless magic of the desert, where golden dunes stretch endlessly beneath an expansive sky.
The route to this remote paradise leads through the breathtaking Anti-Atlas Mountains, crossing the renowned Tizi-n-Tinfifte pass, and descending into the verdant Dra’a Valley at Agdz. Along the way, there is much to discover, from the historic Kasbah Tamnougalt, the valley’s oldest stronghold, to the Qoranic library and pottery workshops of Tamegroute, south of Zagora. After leaving the Erg Chegaga desert, the rug co-operatives in Taznakht provide a glimpse into Morocco’s rich artisanal heritage.
Close to M’hamid, the final town on the paved road, a desert camp in the Erg Lihoudi dunes becomes the setting for a memorable first night. Here, the vastness of the desert begins to unfold, offering a glimpse of the journey ahead.
The core of the experience is a three-day camel trek that explores the varied landscapes of the Sahara. From undulating sand dunes (erg) to rocky plains (reg), barren plateaus (hammada), and lush oases, the desert reveals its many faces. Guided by seasoned nomads, the pace is yours to choose—whether walking or riding camels. You will spend your two nights in traditional camps, with meals prepared by your camel-men, creating a sense of timeless nomadic life. The trek culminates at the remote Erg Chegaga dunes, where the silence and grandeur of the Sahara are at their most profound.
The return journey takes you westward across 90 kilometres of desert, including the stark beauty of the dried-up Lake Iriqui. From Foum Zguid, the path winds back toward Ouarzazate, offering time to reflect on the unforgettable moments and landscapes of this remarkable desert experience.
Camel trekking in Morocco – highlights:
- Exploring Kasbah Tamnougalte, the Dra’a Valley’s beautiful villages & the Anti-Atlas Mountains landscapes
- Two memorable nights in private, comfortable tents in nomadic camps in M’hamid and the Erg Chegaga dunes
- Trekking through the Sahara Desert for three days and two nights, from M’hamid to the remote Erg Chegaga dunes
- Witness the stunning Sahara landscape and breathtaking sunrises and sunsets from the top of towering dunes
- Dining and sleeping under a star-studded sky while discovering the rich traditions and lifestyle of the nomads
- Gaining insight into traditional crafts, including the green pottery of Tamegroute and Berber rug-making in Taznakht
What is included in desert camel trekking:
- Transport in a private air-conditioned vehicle; 4×4 Toyota Prado TX and fuel
- Pick-up from and drop-off at your hotel or riad in Ouarzazate
- Experienced local English/French/Spanish/Italian-speaking Berber and nomad driver-guide
- Authentic Berber camp in the Erg Lihoudi dunes and in the Erg Chegaga dunes with shared bathroom facilities
- Trekking and camping for 3 days and 2 nights in the Sahara desert
- All meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner – with vegetarian and vegan options available
- Berber drumming and music
- Free time to explore sites such as the Dra’a Valley, Kasbah Tamnougalte, for photos, and tea/coffee breaks
- The opportunity to ask the driver to stop when and where you wish
What is not included:
- Tips
- Extras
Good to know about this camel trek from Ouarzazate:
- This Ouarzazate desert trek can be customised to be more personal and special
- You can always consult your driver about skipping some spots to spend more time elsewhere
- During the 3 days of trekking, you will walk for 3 hours in the morning and another 3 hours in the afternoon
- You can choose to walk behind the camels or ride them when you wish; the other camels carry the luggage and equipment
- Here is a downloadable packing list to help plan for your Moroccan desert tour
- We require a 30% deposit of the total price to book the car, while the balance is payable to us in the office in Ouarzazate
- We accept payment through PayPal, bank transfers in Europe, by credit card, or cash (USD, Euro, GBP or MAD)
- We offer a 25% discount for all children under 12, while, in any one family, one child below 3 can travel free of charge
- These prices are liable to fluctuation according to the current exchange rate
- Our prices can be subject to an increase over the busy season, and, in particular, the Christmas and New Year’s Eve period
- Book early for the Christmas period and the New Year in order to ensure your place at favourable prices and with a wider range of the best accommodation.
Sahara desert camel trekking – itinerary
1st day: Ouarzazate – M’hamid
Your trekking adventure begins with an 08:30 departure from your hotel in Ouarzazate, taking you on a scenic journey to M’hamid at the edge of the Sahara Desert. The first leg of the journey offers a stunning drive through the Anti-Atlas Mountains, crossing the Tizi-n-Tinfifte pass before descending into the charming town of Agdz.
At the gateway to the Dra’a Valley, you will have a short break to visit Kabash Tamnougalt, the oldest Kasbahs in southern Morocco and the largest in the Dra’a Valley. While some parts of the Kasbah are still inhabited, others, such as the Jewish quarter, are now crumbling and abandoned, reflecting its long and storied history.
From here, you continue off-road along the valley’s ancient paths. This route provides you with sweeping views of endless palm groves, fortified kasbahs, and verdant oases—a glimpse into Berber life in a region shaped by its dry and rugged environment.
As you travel, you follow the historic caravan route once used by traders bringing goods from distant lands far south of Morocco. After a leisurely lunch in Zagora, you will visit the green pottery workshops and the centuries-old Quranic Library in the village of Tamegroute, located about 45 minutes away.
The journey then continues through Berber villages, leading to M’hamid, where the paved road ends, and the vast expanse of the Sahara begins. At a desert camp nestled in the Erg Lihoudi dunes, you will be welcomed with a refreshing glass of tea. From here, the dunes invite you to ascend their golden peaks, offering an unforgettable view of the sunset and a profound sense of tranquillity in the heart of the desert.
As night falls, a delicious dinner is served under the canopy of a star-filled sky. The evening is enriched with the rhythm of Berber music and drumming around a glowing campfire. You will spend the night in a comfortable private tent near the dunes, surrounded by the serene beauty of the Sahara.
2nd, 3rd, 4th day: Desert Trekking in Erg Chegaga:
Your three-day trek begins after breakfast at the camp, with the option to rise early and watch the gentle, golden light of a desert sunrise.
Over three days and two nights, you will journey through the mesmerising Erg Chegaga dunes, celebrated as one of Morocco’s most striking desert landscapes. Along the way, you will encounter the Sahara’s diverse features, including sweeping sand dunes (erg), rocky plains (reg), barren plateaus (hamada), and hidden oases. This experience offers you the chance to step away from modern life, savour tranquil sunrises and sunsets, and create cherished memories far from the stresses of daily routines.
Each day involves approximately six hours of trekking, divided into three hours in the morning and three in the afternoon. The pace and distances are adjusted to suit your preferences, allowing you to take breaks whenever desired. You can choose to walk alongside the camels or ride them, while additional camels carry the trekking equipment. Your meals and campsites are carefully prepared by nomadic guides and camel-men, adding a touch of authenticity to your adventure.
On the fourth afternoon, you will reach the iconic Erg Chegaga dunes, home to the tallest dunes in Morocco’s Sahara, standing at an impressive 300 metres. From the summit, you can admire breathtaking views of the endless desert and experience a sunset that paints the dunes in stunning golden hues.
As night falls, you will return to the camp, where a relaxed dinner awaits under a canopy of stars. The evening continues with traditional nomadic music and drumming around a campfire before you settle into an authentic Berber camp nestled among the Chegaga dunes.
5th day: Erg Chegaga – Ouarzazate:
If you rise early, you can witness the breathtaking sunrise as the shifting colours of the dunes and the interplay of light and shadow create a mesmerising spectacle.
After breakfast, your journey continues with 90 kilometres of off-road driving across the Sahara Desert. The route traverses the rugged stony plains known as “reg,” the vast barren expanses of “hammada,” and the fascinating terrain of the dried-up Lake Iriqui.
In the heart of this ancient lakebed, you may encounter the illusion of a mirage—a shimmering lake that appears tantalisingly real yet vanishes as you approach. Unless there has been unusually heavy rain, which is a rare occurrence, the lake remains an optical trick of the desert. This area is also a treasure trove for fossil enthusiasts, with some specimens scattered loosely on the surface and others embedded firmly in the rock.
Leaving the desert behind at Foum Zguid, the route takes you north to Taznakht, a town renowned for its exquisite Berber gelims and carpets. After lunch, the journey heads eastward, passing through several Berber villages and a few scattered oases, offering glimpses of traditional life in this rugged landscape.
The day concludes with your arrival in Ouarzazate in the late afternoon, bringing this memorable desert adventure to a close.
Map of desert trekking from Ouarzazate to Erg Chegaga:
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