Marrakech – Ouarzazate – Zagora – Faija

At 8 AM our Sahara trekking trip will start, we leave Marrakech, driving through the spectacular Tizi n’ Tichka Pass (2260m above sea level). This beautiful mountain road has unforgettable scenery and is the highest road in Chegaga trekking 7 Days / 5 Nights the country. We continue through the towns of Ouarzazate and Zagora, enjoying the palm groves and local villages. Our direction changes just before the famous sign “52 Days to Timbuktu” and we continue along the plateau of Faija. We overnight at a camp in Faija.

Faija – Oum Laachar – Pass – Oued Mhasser

After breakfast and loading the camels, we start our hike by crossing the pass of Oum Laachar. We continue along a dry river and pass a hidden oasis between the mountains. We continue with short climbs and descents till we reach our camp on the riverbank of Oued Mhasser. About a 5-hour trek.

Oued Mhasser – Chegaga camping in the desert – Chegaga

Today we start walking along the river of Oued Mhasser and cross a pebbly desert. If it’s clear, we can begin to see the great dunes of Chegaga, which appear more impressive the closer we get. We join our team in camp on a plateau and enjoy an amazing sunset over the dunes. As the stars come out, we relax in traditional tents and have a tasty meal around the campfire. About 5 hours walk.

Dunes of Chegaga – Dunes of Bougarne

If you wake up early, you can enjoy a breathtaking sunrise on the dunes before breakfast, after which, we continue our trek. We cross a dry lake and rocky desert to reach Oued Laatach (‘river of thirst’) and along the way see nomad camps with their flock of goats. We cross another rocky desert to reach our camp near the dunes of Bougarne. These dunes are smaller than those of Chegaga, but still, provide panoramic views across the landscape as we watch the sunset.

Dunes of Bougarne – Oued Naam

Our desert trek today starts across a rocky desert plateau, which gives a mineral edge to the landscape. After a long walk, we arrive at our camp next to Oued Naam, with its famous well. We can have a wash but must be conscious of this fragile resource. About a 5-hour walk.

 Oued Naam – Mhamid – Marrakech

We depart very early because we have a long trip back to Marrakech. We trek across a plateau of small dunes and then a forest of Tamaris. Around noon, we arrive in the village of Mhamid, the last village before the vast Sahara. We say goodbye to our team of camel drivers and drive back to  Marrakech, passing through Zagora and Ouarzazate, We overnight in Marrakech before full departure the following day. About 4 hours walk.

 Return flight

Transfer to the Marrakech airport for your return flight according to schedule.

End of your trip: Sahara trekking in Chegaga for 7 Days and 5 Nights