6 days 5 night walking with nomadic Bedouin to  Erg Chegaga Morocco

6 days 5 night walking with nomadic Bedouin

 to Erg Chigaga Morocco

Desert trek Morocco, M'hamid, Grande Dune, erg Chegaga, erg Smar dunes, tamarisk, well, Sahara

Walk on the two largest ergs in the Moroccan desert, Zahar and Chigaga

Route which connects the village of Mhamid El Ghizlane to the dunes of Erg Chigaga.

A unique circuit which allows you to reach on foot the 2 most beautiful ergs of the Drâa valley: erg Zahar & Chigaga

A mainly "sand" trek with the possibility of meeting nomadic shepherds with their flocks anunforgettable experienced  walking trip offers beautiful views of the entire Sahara desert

Nights in a nomadic bivouac in the heart of the dunes, 

A return in 4X4 which allows you to discover another type of landscape: the regs & hamadas

ITINERARY

Day 1 - Transfer to M'hamid - Night in fixed bivouac.

Departure from Marrakech in the morning to reach the village of  Mhamid El Ghizlane, at the edge of the desert (455 km, through the Atlas and the Drâa Valley). The journey alone is a real change of scenery between the ocher mountains of the Atlas, and the immensities of the hamada of Drâa. Visits and stops offered during the journey: Atlas village, Col Tichka, Ait Ben Haddou, Zagora, pottery.... After Mhamid El Ghizlane, the road stops! we take the track to reach the  bivouac located a few kilometers at the foot of the dunes. In the evening, night in a fixed “comfort” bivouac shower, toilet, electricity 

Day 2 - Departure on a trek to a site rich in history and tradition 3h30  walk to marbout

After loading the camel caravan, departure from the fixed bivouac, on foot  to reach the dunes of the Erg.Sidi Naji, where a famous marabout lived more than a century ago. The landscape takes place, from scattered dunes to groves of tamarisks,

Discover the tradition of Bedouin life, the wood collected for the fire, the establishment of the camp and the gentleness of the sunset and an unforgettable night under stars

Day 3: Continuation of the trek will walk with camel to Erg Zahar 3h30 walk

The camp rises to the rhythm of the sun for a departure towards Erg Zahar, the howling dune. Little by little, the trees become rarer and the kingdom of sands takes place.

The landscape is lunar and the great dune stands out on the horizon. At its summit is a breathtaking 360° view of the Sahara, framed by the Algerian mountains. 

DAY 4 -  Walk to Erg Smar and  nomadic bivouac under the stars 4h walk

After breakfast, camp is struck. This morning, for the first time since leaving M’hamid, you will cross the bed of the Draa River, to its northern banks, to trek to the abandoned desert settlement of Erg Smar (where, once, up to was  families lived and farmed the land). The size of the Draa river bed is astonishing, given it now runs dry following the construction of the Ouarzazate dam., but once flowed in abundance through the desert. Water does still run deep underground here and there is a well on the banks of the dried river where you will replenish the water supply (and freshen up with a quick shower). Evidence of human existence is everywhere, the outline of agricultural plots & gardens, abandoned pise-mud buildings which were homes. Your day’s trek finishes under the welcome shade of large tamarisk trees, where camp is established – hard to believe you’re still in the heart of desert terrain, given the size of the the trees at this village. After lunch, you may explore the settlement, the banks of the Draa and the sand dunes that have since started to encroach on the buildings.

DAY 5 -  Walk to Erg Chegaga and nomadic bivouac under the stars3h30 walk  *fixed bivouac optional

Last day of trek towards the second nugget of Moroccan Saharan heritage. The caravan is heading towards Erg Chegaga. This majestic dune of approximately 300m is the largest in the region.

The surroundings of Erg Chegaga are greener than elsewhere. Depending on the season, many plants and fine grass grow even at the foot of this dune. It is a place favored by herds of wild goats and camels.

DAY 6 -  Return by 4x4 to the fixed bivouac and transfer to the departure city

At breakfast, it's time to say goodbye to the camels who were the faithful companions of this trek. The latter will return on foot with their camel driver while a 4x4 joins the crew for a return to the fixed bivouac. The return road passes through the sacred oasis, an island of greenery in the middle of the desert, and through the valley of thirst.

Then the return transfer joins the city of origin for a late arrival in the evening

Price: group of 4 person / per person 

Price for a private trek on quote

 Child: under 6 years old

Departure City  :

Marrakech           :  Adult    540  euro          / child    475  euro 

Agadir                     :  Adult          560 euro          / child   495 euro 

Ouarzazate        :  Adult   490 euro        / child    400  euro 

M'Hamid             :  Adult     475  euro       / child    400 euro