Morocco: Sahara Desert

22 november: flight to Marrakech

Meeting at the airport, check-in and departure for Marrakech. Transfer to our accommodation and, depending on the remaining free time, we visit some attractions of the picturesque old fortified citadel (Medina), Jamma el Fna square, Berber souks, labyrinthine markets full of fabrics, jewelry, spices and various ceramics. Return to the hotel and dinner at a traditional restaurant.

23 november: transfer to the gates of desert

Breakfast. In the morning, transfer by private vehicle to the town of M’Hamid el Ghizlane located at the confluence of the Draa River at the gates of the desert. The journey lasts about 7-8 hours and will allow us to admire the landscape of the Hammada, the typical rocky plateau. From here we continue to our accommodation in a comfortable oasis. Dinner and overnight stay.

24 november: Sidi Naji

After breakfast, our first real day of desert adventure begins. We head towards the dunes and the sanctuary of Sidi Naji, between plateaus and undulating desert formations. We will camp in the heart of the dunes for the first night under the stars of the Sahara desert! Dinner and overnight.

25 november: Erg Ezzahar

Typical breakfast and departure for the magnificent dunes of Erg Ezzahar (the screaming dunes, for the light sound caused by the wind similar to a sigh), after crossing another endless desert plateau. This giant sea of sand dunes will offer us a spectacular view of the entire course of the Draa River with the characteristic tamarinds. It is the typical Sahara landscape that we have always imagined and we will feel indescribable emotions thinking that this is a route that has always been traveled by Bedouin merchants in this part of the desert. Dinner and overnight stay.

26 november: Erg Smar

We continue our crossing with our guides and camels towards the dunes of Erg Smar with its ancient abandoned village, in another succession of infinite panoramas. While we wait for our camp to be prepared we relax with a good mint tea enjoying the sunset and the feeling of peace and serenity that only the desert can give. Dinner and overnight stay.

27 november:  Erg Chegaga

After breakfast, we leave the Erg Smar dune area to gradually enter the Erg Chegaga dunes, the highest dunes in Morocco. A nomadic atmosphere between simplicity and sharing will now accompany us on this last day of trekking in the desert. Dinner and overnight stay.

28 november: towards M’Hamid and transfer to Ait  Ben Haddou

After breakfast, we will be picked up by a 4×4 off-road vehicle to return to the town of M’Hamid and from there we will say goodbye to the desert and move with a private minibus towards the fortified town (Ksar) of Ait-Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After dropping off our luggage at the facility, we visit this suggestive town built around in 1600AD with organic materials such as red mud. Situated on a hill, this fortification dominates the valley at the foot of the Atlas Mountains and in the past has often been used as a location in scenes of epic films such as Gladiator or Lawrence of Arabia. Possibility of booking a Hammam (Turkish bath) in the city. Overnight stay in hotel and dinner.

29 november: return to Marrakech

After breakfast, taxi to Ouarzazate and then at midday
bus to Marrakech. Free afternoon to discover the suggestive corners of this wonderful city on your own!
Dinner and overnight stay.

30 novembre:  flight back home

Breakfast, then transfer to the airport, check-in formalities, passport control and return flight to Milan / Bergamo or other airport. End of tour.

Technical information about hiking in the desert
We walk 4 to 5 hours a day, covering around 15 km per stage
We sleep in a large tent, max 14 people, however those who want can sleep open-air under the stars!
Mattresses are provided, you must bring your own sleeping bag suitable for cold temperatures +3-5C.
Full meals/drinks provided during trekking, heavy baggage transported by camels.

Guide for this trekking: Alessandro Oprandi and local desertguides (French/English speaking)

Note: Excursions may be modified due to weather issues or other unforeseen events.

diFFICULTY LEVEL:

Moderately challenging. The walk involves average distances of about 15km per day on sand, with slight differences in altitude. It does not present any technical difficulty, however a bit of resistance and good fitness is required. Pleasant temperatures during the day (about +20-25C) but in the evening heat evaporates and it becomes cold up down to +4-5C. It therefore requires a spirit of adaptation both to withstand changes in temperature as well as to spend the night in spartan conditions in a tent. No toilet or shower in the desert. These small inconveniences are largely compensated by the magnificent and impressive nature of the Sahara, which will give fairytale emotions in contact with the infinite! You walk on average 5-6 hours per day including stops.

group size:

Max. 14 participants

trail info:

You walk on desert tracks, always on sand, with a local guide and accompanied by camels, used to transport luggage, kitchen and food. We have a cook who prepares all meals.

hiking gear:

Lightweight shoes or trekking sandals, with profiled soles. 25-30l day backpack (you will receive a detailed list of what to bring before departure), suitable clothing with hiking pants (NO JEANS!) and technical shirts. You will also need a hat and warm clothes for cold evenings. Bring your own sleeping bag that keeps minimum temperatures at +3-5C.

Climate:

Ideal for hiking on pleasant and relatively warm days, highs between +18C°-22C°. Quite cold mornings and evenings. Bring both short-sleeved and warm clothing (fleece or long-sleeved sweater, light gloves, windbreaker).