Itinerary
DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN MARRAKECH
You will depart the UK for the trip of a lifetime! If you have booked flights with us (option available for Bucket Lister + trips only), we’ll provide all the information you’ll need to meet your guide. If you are arranging your own flights, have a safe journey!
On arrival in Marrakech you’ll make your way to the accommodation. If you have booked transfers through us, we’ll send you the details before your trip.
Special Information: Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm today.
DAY 2: MARRAKECH TO FAIJA
We take a long (8 hour), scenic drive across the High Atlas Mountains, first to Ouarzazate and then on to Zagora. We’ll pass along 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.
DAY 3: FAIJA TO OASIS CAMPSITE
Today, our 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 their lunar landscape and little vegetation. We may even see some Bedouin nomads. After lunch in an oasis, we walk along dried riverbeds and arrive at the campsite at sunset.
DAY 4: FROM CAMPSITE TO AN EVEN MORE REMOTE CAMPSITE
We climb to the Abbes pass, from where we can observe the vastness of the stony desert, and get our first sighting of the dunes of Chegaga (our day 5 destination). We’ll reach our camp for the night later in the afternoon.
DAY 5: CAMPSITE TO DUNES OF CHEGAGA
Today we trek to the distant dunes of Chegaga. Erg Chigaga (“erg” meaning “sea of dunes”) is the largest erg in Morocco.
DAY 6: DUNES OF CHEGAGA TO DUNES OF BOURGANE
After walking the many small dunes of Chegaga, we continue towards the town 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.
DAY 7: BACK TO MARRAKECH
We are picked up from the dunes and start our long picturesque drive back to Marrakech.
DAY 8: RETURN FLIGHT TO THE UK
This marks the end of our Moroccan adventure.
Food & Accommodation
- Day 1 3* Riad - Twin roomBreakfast
Lunch Dinner - Day 2 CampingBreakfast Lunch Dinner
- Day 3 CampingBreakfast Lunch Dinner
- Day 4 CampingBreakfast Lunch Dinner
- Day 5 CampingBreakfast Lunch Dinner
- Day 6 CampingBreakfast Lunch Dinner
- Day 7 3* Riad - Twin roomBreakfast Lunch Dinner
- Day 8 3* Riad - Twin roomBreakfast Lunch Dinner
- Day 9 FlightBreakfast Lunch Dinner
What’s the Food Like on The Sahara Desert Trek?
Food on the Sahara Desert Trek is simple, hearty and designed to keep you fuelled during long days in the desert. Meals are freshly prepared by the local Berber team and enjoyed together at camp, often under the open sky.
You can expect traditional Moroccan dishes such as tagines, stews, rice, couscous, lentils and plenty of vegetables, alongside fresh bread baked over the fire. Breakfasts are typically light but energising, while dinners are warm, filling and one of the highlights of the day after trekking across the dunes.
Hot drinks like mint tea are a staple and there’s always plenty of water provided throughout the trek. While the food isn’t fancy, it’s surprisingly satisfying and an important part of the desert experience, shared meals, simple flavours and the chance to slow down and enjoy life in the Sahara.
What Makes Our Trip Different?
How Difficult Is It?
How Hard Is the Sahara Desert Trek?
We rate the Sahara Desert Trek as a Challenge Rating 2. This trek is more about endurance and immersion than technical difficulty, making it accessible to anyone with a reasonable level of fitness.
You’ll be walking for several hours each day across sand and desert terrain, which can feel tiring due to the heat and soft ground rather than steep ascents or altitude. The pace is steady, with plenty of breaks, and camels carry the main luggage so you only trek with a daypack.
There’s no technical hiking involved, but conditions are basic and the remote environment adds to the challenge. If you’re comfortable with long days on your feet, simple camping and stepping away from modern comforts, this is a rewarding and achievable adventure.
What's Included?
What’s Included on the Sahara Desert Trek
Your Sahara Desert Trek includes everything you need for a fully supported journey into one of the world’s most remote landscapes. Here’s exactly what’s covered:
All accommodation during the trek, including desert camping under the stars.
All transport within Morocco as outlined in the itinerary (this excludes international airport arrival & departure transfers – unless added to your booking, or if you have added Group Flights to a BL+ trips).
Selected meals as outlined in the itinerary.
Experienced local desert guides, including a head guide and assistant guide.
Full support crew, including cooks and camel handlers (muleteers/cameleers).
Camel support to carry group equipment and supplies.
Drinking water provided during trekking days.
All group camping and cooking equipment.
A fully planned itinerary, focused on remote dunes, Berber culture and desert immersion.
- Access to the Vamoos app with full itinerary, packing lists and key trip info.
- Support from The Bucket List Company team before and during your trip.
- UK Bucket List Company Leader on all BL+ departures.
What's Not Included?
What’s not Included on the Sahara Desert Trek
Travel insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory and must cover trekking and adventure travel. You’ll need to provide your policy details before departure.
Visa
Visa fees (if applicable) are not included.
International flights
Flights to and from Morocco are not included in the base trip cost. These can be added on Bucket Lister Plus trips if you’d like us to arrange everything for you.
Airport Arrival & Departure transfersThese are excluded from the base cost of your trip but can be added to your booking. If you are booking Group Flights with us on a BL+ trip then these transfers are included automatically.
Meals not listed
Any meals not specified in the itinerary.
Personal expenses
Please budget for personal spending such as snacks, drinks, souvenirs and any items you wish to purchase in Marrakech.
Tips
Tips are not included – trip-specific guidance will be provided.
UK Leaders on BL Trips
BL trips will not have a UK Bucket List Company Leader present.
Reviews
Add-ons
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa to enter Morocco?
Because entry requirements can and do change, and because we have clients of many nationalities, we always recommend checking this with your own government’s website. Be sure to allow enough time to apply for any visas or permits required; don’t leave your checks until the day before!
What vaccinations do I need?
These change, so it is important that you check with either a travel health clinic or your doctor’s surgery. You should allow plenty of time for this process, as some vaccines need multiple doses. The TravelHealthPro website is another useful source of information – https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/countries
How can I avoid roaming charges but still use my phone?
Your mobile provider might have reasonably-priced roaming add-ons, so it is worth exploring these. Or you could buy an eSim; these are often much cheaper than add-ons and are easy to activate and use. See our article for more information – https://thebucketlistcompany.co.uk/unlock-seamless-connectivity-with-esims-the-ultimate-travel-companion/
How do the monthly payments work?
If you choose to pay for your trip monthly your payment plan will start the month after your booking is made, and will end a minimum of 28 days prior to departure. After deposit, the outstanding balance will be divided by the number of months available and we’ll charge this amount each month to the card of your choice. If you have a preferred date of the month for payments to be taken just let us know. If at a later date you wish to add an extra experience to your trip we can modifiy your payment plan to accommodate this.
Can I use my drone to capture images on the trip?
No – drone use is forbidden in Morocco.
If you bring one with you it will be confiscated by customs, you will have to pay airport storage fees, and in some instances you may be fined.
Where can I get Moroccan dirhams?
As this is a closed currency you cannot obtain it outside of Morocco. It is easy to obtain dirhams on arrival in Marrakech; there are currency exchanges and plenty of ATMs.
How should I dress?
Whilst there is no dress code Morocco is a conservative country. Although tourists aren’t expected to fully cover themselves in public areas, it is always advisable to cover your knees and shoulders. Strappy tops and short shorts are a no-no. Loose, breathable clothing will help you in the heat.
Can you cater for different diets?
When you book you will receive a link to your portal, where you can fill in your passenger information, including dietary and medical requirements. These will be shared with our guides and providers (including airlines if you have also booked flights). Please provide this information as quickly as possible, so we can make any necessary arrangements for you.
Whilst we do our utmost to ensure your needs are met, in some locations options for very specific diets may be extremely limited; we therefore suggest bringing some suitable snacks.
If you have a severe food allergy please ensure you carry your medication at all times, and that we are made aware. We will pass this information on, but a conversation with your in-country guide on arrival will help them give you the best possible guidance regarding suitability or otherwise of foods.
If you have specific concerns we always suggest contacting us to discuss before booking.
Do I have to take all of my luggage on the trek?
No – you can leave any unnecessary items at the accommodation in Marrakech where they will be stored safely until you return. It is worth bringing an extra bag you can decant such items into.
Do we put the tents up ourselves?
No, this is all done for you.
What is the temperature like?
Although it will be warm during the day, temperatures drop in the desert at night (sometimes as low as 5°C). Make sure you are prepared for this, especially if you are planning on speding lots of time stargazing!
Do I carry my own luggage on the trek?
A porter will carry your duffel bag containing your trekking equipment. You will have a rucksack/daypack for additional weight such as a water bottle, snacks and phone. Anything you don’t need on the trek can be stored securely in Marrakech.
