Sahara Desert Trek

DURATION

09 days

ACCOMMODATION

Riad & Camping

Trip Difficulty
DIFFICULTY
rating yellow

Long Days of Trekking

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LOCATION

Africa, Morocco, Sahara Desert Trek

MEETING POINT

London or Marrakech Airport

GROUP SIZE

2-16

REVIEWS

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FROM
£1250

Challenge rating

difficulty
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Let’s find out more about this Sahara Desert Trek.

Upon touch down in Marrakech you’ll experience a manic party for the senses like no other. But head south-east for 8 hours and it’s another story altogether. 

Welcome to the Sahara Desert. Enjoy the quiet. The peace. The tranquillity. 

And the camels, of course. (They snort, by the way.)

On this adventure like no other, you’ll experience heat, Berber life, delicious food, and the raw, unparalleled beauty of the great Sahara Desert.

But let’s not beat around the bush. There are no toilets on this trip. Loos look more like a hole in the ground inside a little tent, and there’s certainly no porcelain in sight. 

But if you can make do without mod-cons, you’ll reap the rewards of embracing this Sahara desert trek through the biggest hot desert in the world. 

The lack of light pollution and remoteness from civilisation means you’re guaranteed the most breath-taking views of the stars above. Think camping in deepest, darkest rural Wales and then take it to a whole different level. Ten levels, more like. 

Read our article “How hard is it to trek the Sahara Desert” 

BucketList TrailMaps Sahara scaled

You don’t need to be the world’s most experienced hiker to trek the Sahara. The only special requirements for this trip are a huge sense of adventure and a pair of calves that are up to a challenge. 

That’s because there’ll be as many as 7 hours’ walking to do during each day of your adventure. But with views like these and the camels to keep your spirits up, you’ll be desperate for more when it’s time to go home.

Every step of the way, your Berber crew will look after you; preparing your meals, looking after your luggage and boosting your morale. Honestly, they are truly incredible people, and you’ll learn so much trekking with them. 

And not only will you find out what life is like for Berbers and Bedouins, but you’ll also see some of the most sublime sights on your trek through the dunes. 

Once you’ve arrived in the desert and hooked up with your camel, your trekking begins. The desert might be lacking in vegetation but it certainly makes up for it in starkly spectacular oases, riverbeds and dunes. 

We’ll take in the sheer vastness of this wilderness through the Abbes pass and from atop the dunes of Chegaga as we home in on the small oasis town of M’hamid. 

Surveying the dawn from the dunes, taking your tagine under the trees and supping your mint tea beneath the stars, you’ll get the physical and mental nourishment you’ve been craving for so long. And when you’re this far from civilisation? You won’t want to leave the magic behind. 

But Marrakech will cast a different kind of spell on you, with free days in the city bookending the desert trek. And you really will taste all the incredible flavours this amazing country has to offer. 

What is 'Sahara Desert Trek' like?

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Sahara Desert Trek Gallery

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Whats Included In Our Sahara Desert Trek

  • whats_included_textAll Activities Mentioned In The Itinerary
  • whats_included_textMax 16 Travellers Per Group
  • whats_included_text3* Hotel & Tents (Twin Share)
  • whats_included_textPrivate Transport
  • whats_included_text7 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 5 Dinners
  • whats_included_textPorters To Carry 12kg During The Trek
  • whats_included_textExpert Guides With You Throughout The Trip

Sahara Desert Trek Itinerary

You will meet your Bucket List Leaders at the airport and fly out as a group for Bucket Lister + Trips. If you have booked a Bucket Lister Trip we will see you in Morocco soon!

If you have transfers with us we will take you to the hotel. For those making their own way, we will see you in Marrakech.

Special Information: Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm today.

We take a scenic drive across the High Atlas Mountains to Ouarzazate and then Zagora. This takes almost 8 hours, passing date palm oases, Berber villages, and incredible landscapes. In Zagora, we turn off the main highway and drive out to Faija. There we camp, and meet the camels and their cameleers.

Today your Sahara desert tour really begins. In the morning we load the camels and head to Hamada. We have good views of the Saghro Mountains, with little vegetation, and maybe some Bedouin nomads. After lunch in an oasis, we walk along dried riverbeds and arrive at the campsite at sunset.

We climb to the Abbes pass, from where we can observe the vastness of the stony desert. Out there is our next solitary campsite, which we will reach later in the afternoon.

Today we trek and far away; we can already spot the dunes of Chegaga in the distance. We’ll get to them later today.

After walking the many small dunes of Chegaga, we continue in the direction of M’hamid. We eat under the trees of Tamares, and in the evening, we arrive at the dunes of Bougarne, a site rarely frequented by tourists.

We are picked up from the dunes and start our long picturesque drive back to Marrakech.

Today is a free day in Marrakech.

Enjoy a brief rest in the peaceful inner courtyard, before heading out to explore the city for the afternoon. Browse local handicrafts in the bustling souks, visit the stunningly-tiled Ben Youssef Madrasa or see the entertainers of Jemaa el-Fnaa square.

Alternatively, book your add-on hot air balloon experience in advance and you can spend the day soaring over the beautiful Moroccan countryside.

This marks the end of our Saharan adventure.

  • Day 1 3* Riad – Twin room
    breakfast Not included
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    Lunch Not included
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    Dinner Not included
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  • Day 2 Camping
    Breakfast included
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    Lunch included
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  • Day 3 Camping
    Breakfast included
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    Lunch included
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    Dinner included
    Dinner
  • Day 4 Camping
    Breakfast included
    Breakfast
    Lunch included
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    Dinner included
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  • Day 5 Camping
    Breakfast included
    Breakfast
    Lunch included
    Lunch
    Dinner included
    Dinner
  • Day 6 Camping
    Breakfast included
    Breakfast
    Lunch included
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    Dinner included
    Dinner
  • Day 7 3* Riad – Twin room
    Breakfast included
    Breakfast
    Lunch included
    Lunch
    Dinner Not included
    Dinner
  • Day 8 3* Riad – Twin room
    Breakfast included
    Breakfast
    Lunch Not included
    Lunch
    Dinner Not included
    Dinner
  • Day 9 Flight
    breakfast Not included
    Breakfast
    Lunch Not included
    Lunch
    Dinner Not included
    Dinner

Sahara Desert Trek Dates & Availability

Our Trip Types

Our Bucket Lister Trips

Bucketlister trips are our standard for all our incredible trips. When you book a Bucketlister trip we will organise everything for you from the first to the last location on your adventure and you'll have a local guide with you every step of the way. All you'll need to organise is your own flights and transfers. (Additional Options for Land Only Transfers)

Our Bucket Lister+ Trips

Bucketlister+ trips are a done-for-you service from start to finish. We organise everything for you. You'll have a UK Guide with you every step of the way and the additional option to book UK Group Flights & Transfers through us. All you'll have to do is pack your bag.

Our Trailblazer Trips

Trailblazer trips are our first run-throughs of our trips. Get the benefits of a Bucketlister+ Trip at the cost of a Bucketlister and all we'll ask for in return is your feedback! For more information click here!

Bucketlister trips are our standard for all our incredible trips. When you book a Bucketlister trip we will organise everything for you from the first to the last location on your adventure and you’ll have a local guide with you every step of the way. All you’ll need to organise is your own flights and transfers. (Additional Options for Land Only Transfers)

Sahara Desert Trek Reviews

Sahara Desert Trek Addons

We've got add-ons just for you...

Supercharge your trip by adding another unique experience!

Duration: 5 | Region: Morocco

Explore Essaouira

From: £495

Duration: 1 | Region: Morocco

Hot Air Balloon Flight

From: £200

Sahara Desert Trek Frequently Asked Questions

A visa is not required when travelling as a tourist for up to 90 days. A valid passport is mandatory. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date you expect to leave Morocco.

For Morocco, there are two associated plug types, types C and E. Plug type C is the plug which has two round pins and plug type E is the plug which has two round pins and a hole for the socket’s male earthing pin.

There are no compulsory vaccinations required for Morocco, however, we recommend you consult with your local travel clinic for the most up-to-date recommendations, particularly in regards to malaria prophylactics.

The currency used throughout the country is the Moroccan dirham. Credit cards are widely accepted and ATMs are common, dispensing local currency.

Yes, you can leave any unnecessary items for your trek at the Riad where all of your belongings will be secured safely in the luggage room (this is where you may find having an extra bag beneficial)

On the trek, a porter will carry around your duffel bag of around 13kg weight (no wheels) for you which stores all of your trekking equipment and you will need a rucksack/daypack for any additional weight such as a water bottle, snacks, phone etc. to carry on yourself.

The longest trekking day will be day 5 and a total of 17 miles – this sounds intense but the guides look after the groups so well and ensure plenty of breaks and water for the duration of the trekking and are there for full support! There is a chance to ride the camels on the trek too and all of your equipment will be carried by porters.

Mineral water is supplied to you during your trek. We still recommend you bring emergency purification tablets!

The tents will be put up for you.

Yes some of the nights you are camping in the dunes, so it is advised to be prepared for this.

There will be plenty of time for everyone to get some great shots of the trip!

There is a chance to ride the camels if you want to.

Sahara Desert Trek Related Articles

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Bucket List Guide - Sahara Desert Trek

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