Sahara Camel Trek

from USD 1633 for 15 days

Visiting: Morocco

Starting in the desert city of Marrakech we follow the ancient camel caravan routes through Morocco, across a part of the Sahara Desert to the south of Jebel Saghro. Trekking on foot, with the camels to carry baggage and equipment, we camp each night at small oases with palm trees or acacias and water wells, where the silence of the desert is unforgettable. The trek ends at the great dunes of Erg Chebbi, spending a night in Todra Gorge en route back to Marrakech.

Detailed Description Show brief

Day 1 - MARRAKECH

Arrival day.

Marrakech
Charming, chaotic and charismatic, Marrakech has a truly unique atmosphere. Heaving with activity, Djemaa el Fna, the central square, has been a meeting point for centuries. Your senses will go wild over the sights, sounds and smells. Packed full of traders, Berber musicians, acrobats, snake charmers, witch doctors, wise men and tooth pullers, the square’s hypnotic charm will soon rub off on you. There's no better way to experience Djemaa el Fna than to sample the local specialities on offer at the night-time food stalls. With lights flickering and smoke rising, watching the hive of activity from a café overlooking the square is a perfect way to capture the mystical atmosphere. Marrakech has lots more to offer with souqs bursting with Moroccan crafts, the immense Koutoubia Mosque, and countless museums, palaces, gardens and cultural sites. After a hectic day, head for the calm haven of the Marjorelle Gardens, full of cacti and vivid blue buildings, or a sunset drink in the gardens of La Mamounia Hotel.

Day 2 - MARRAKECH

A free day to explore the souqs of Marrakech, visit some of the sites or simply relax and watch life go by in the famous Djemaa el Fnaa square. (B)

Day 3 - MARRAKECH - OUM JRANE

First we cross the High Atlas by jeeps and then head across the plains south of Jebel Saghro to the small village of Oum Jrane nestled amongst the dunes of the Sahara, where we meet our camel team. Approx. 10 hours driving. (BD)

Tizi 'n Tichka
The Tizi ‘n Tichka is the modern road built to connect Marrakech with the desert regions of the south east. The highest point, known as the Tizi ‘n Tichka pass, is at 2,260m. As the road winds its way over the High Atlas Mountains you’ll have spectacular views of the mountain range and the valleys below, with villages perched precariously on the edges of deep chasms. In winter months the mountains and passes can be covered in snow creating a magical sight.

High Atlas Mountains
This is North Africa's greatest mountain range. It is a harsh and rugged range that is also a place of great beauty. Lush valleys full of apple, cherry and walnut trees give way to stark, jagged landscapes. All of this is overshadowed by the highest peak in North Africa – Djebel Toubkal (4,167m). These mountains provide some of the country’s finest trekking and there is a wide variety of flora and fauna to be discovered.

Day 4 - TREK - OUM JRANE to MAADER BOUZIANE

Trekking east across the Sahara we leave the sand dunes behind as the terrain becomes firmer. 4 hours trekking. (BLD)

Desert Trek
This trek starts from the village of Oum Jrane and runs east to the great dunes of Merzouga (Erg Chebbi). You travel across plains and through mountain passes. You mostly follow stony paths, but sometimes cross sandy plains with little or no path markings, relying on the skill and knowledge of your local guide and camel drivers. Weather and availability of water alters the landscape in the desert, and can sometimes mean a change to the planned route.

Our daily distances and routes are variable as they are mostly determined by the spacing of water wells en route, distances of +/- 15-25km per day. We generally camp in the vicinity of a water source each night. Weather conditions can also necessitate a change to the route. It is not uncommon to encounter a sandstorm. Your guide and camel drivers know the desert well, and your safety is their first concern.

This trek is undertaken in the winter (in the months from November to April) when daytime temperatures in the desert are reasonably pleasant, averaging between 16-25°C. Nights can be cold but they usually stay above freezing, averaging between 0-10°C.

Day 5 - TREK - MAADER BOUZIANE to MAIDER EL KEBIR

Continue trekking through the moonlike landscape of Maider el Kebir plain. 5 hours trekking. (BLD)

Day 6 - TREK - MAIDER EL KEBIR to OASIS OF MHARESJ

We cross a plain that is strewn with fossils and camp tonight at a lovely oasis with palm trees and old ruins. 7 hours trekking. (BLD)

Day 7 - REST DAY

A day of rest and recovery. There is a small auberge where we can buy soft drinks, take a shower and relax. (BLD)

Day 8 - TREK - MHARESJ TO OASIS OF BOURIKA

Continue trekking across a sandy river bed and past the ruins of an ancient fort. Our camp tonight is at an oasis with palm and acacia trees. 5 hours trekking. (BLD)

Day 9 - TREK - BOURIKA TO AFFERDOU

A short day of trekking as we head for a huge ‘table mountain’. There is time in the afternoon for the more adventurous to climb the mountain. 4 hours trekking. (BLD)

Day 10 - AFFERDOU to RUINS OF EL ATROUS

We follow a path up a valley to a ridge dotted with ancient lead mines. Tonight we camp by a water well situated amongst ancient ruins. 6 hours trekking. (BLD)

Day 11 - TREK - EL ATROUSS TO ZNAIGAE

Today we reach the great dunes of Erg Chebbi and see the Sahara in all its majesty. We climb the dunes for a stunning desert sunset. 5 hours trekking. (BLD)

Day 12 - TREK - ZNAIGAE TO TANAMOUSTE

Our last day of trekking we follow a striking path through black rocks and yellow sand. 5 hours trekking. (BLD)

Day 13 - TODRA GORGE

Transfer by minibus to the spectacular Todra Gorge, where we stay in a small hotel in the oasis valley. Approx. 4 hours driving. (B)

Todra Gorge
A journey into the south of Morocco is simply incomplete without a visit to the Todra Valley and the gorge for which it is famous. Rising out of the desert floor, a clash between the Anti-Atlas and High Atlas mountain ranges, the stunning Todra Gorge soars to 300 metres high. We spend two nights in this breathtaking setting and have plenty of time to explore the area, which is teeming with wildlife - especially birds.

Day 14 - TODRA TO MARRAKECH

We travel along the ‘Valley of 1000 Kasbahs’, passing Ait Ben Haddou, a famous and picturesque collection of kasbahs. Our route takes us over the spectacular Tizi ‘n Tichka pass in the High Atlas and ends in Marrakech. Approx. 8 hours driving. (B)

Valley of 1000 Kasbahs
The unique architectural feature of the south, the Kasbah, is a stunning sight to behold in the midst of the stark desert landscape. Kasbahs are found in large numbers throughout the valleys of southern Morocco. This is particularly true of the Dades Valley, which has been dubbed the "Valley of 1000 Kasbahs". Built to defend profitable trade routes, these fortified family dwellings have housed Berber tribes for centuries. Constructed from the natural surroundings, with mud walls and palm structures, they feature intricately decorated turrets and Berber tattoos carved into the walls. Either beautifully restored or slowly eroding back to the earth, the Kasbahs will be one of the most memorable sights from your time in south Morocco.

Ait Ben Haddou
Appearing out of the harsh desert landscape, your first glimpse of Ait Ben Haddou will be of a spectacular collection of Kasbahs perched upon a hilltop. You’ll soon realise just why film-makers were attracted here to film movies such as ‘Gladiator’, ‘Jesus of Nazareth’ and ‘Lawrence of Arabia’. Explore the village in the late afternoon light and wind your way slowly up to the agadir (grain storehouse), for a beautiful view of the valley below.