This trek includes the use of a 4WD vehicle to help you reach Erg Chegaga in a short time. It also requires a 2 hour exit transfer back to M’hamid on the morning of day 4.
There are several options for a 3 day trek so if this one does not suit you, get in touch and we will discuss the choices.
We will wake early and have breakfast at the base camp before setting off on our adventure. The camels will also have breakfast before they patiently sit while the nomad guides load up everything we need for our 3 day desert trek. Then, only when everybody is happy – off we go.
Our destination today is Sidi Naji and we will head towards the dunes and after a few hours walking, we will stop for a break under the shade of a tamarisk tree.
The nomad guides will prepare a small feast for you on the picnic blanket and you will have time to journal, meditate or sleep. Then, after the midday sun has passed, we will continue on. After a while you will suddenly notice in the distance, the illusion of a wall in the middle of a plateau of earth.
This is a marabout, a holy shrine of an ancient desert tribal institution that is respected by nomads at large.
Close to here, we will set camp between the dunes and the camels will be unloaded. You can enjoy the sunset from the top while a tasty Moroccan dinner is prepared and served on a Moroccan rug in the sands. After dinner we will sit around the fire like one nomad family and share stories under the stars until you retire to your tents to sleep like babies in the silence of the Sahara.
When you wake up this morning, you might find the camels munching on their breakfast in the first early morning shards of light. Then slowly, the whole camp will come to life and breakfast will be rustled up, as if by magic, before camp is struck and the camels are re-loaded ready for day two.
Today the scenery is more iconic but the going is tougher and the dream of reaching the remote dunes will start to come true. The illusionary style of the desert shows us that it is near, but all is trickery because all the dunes in the desert look close by, when actually they are far and to reach Erg Zahar takes a nomad’s patience.
We will stop many times to eat fruits and dates and rest our legs and you will likely be torn between finding the determination to keep going, admiring the stunning beauty of your surroundings and wanting to just be in the moment. But once we arrive at the camping spot for today, you will have plenty of time to absorb, photograph and smile because we will have lunch here and be able to relax all afternoon.
As the sun rises this morning, you will see the sky light up with the soft colours of a new day. This day is the last of your desert trek and we will walk for the morning only. As one nomadic family, we will head off once more across the undulating golden dunes.
We will stop for a picnic lunch under the shade of a tamarisk tree and this is where you will say goodbye to your camels. After lunch, the pick up vehicle will meet you to drive you to Erg Chegaga. You will have mixed feelings about the end of your trek. Relief and remorse, I’m sure. However the highest dunes in Morocco are awaiting you.
Our destination is a desert camp near the highest point in Erg Chegaga where you can enjoy a hot shower and a comfortable bed, but we can’t promise that you won’t actually miss your sleeping bags and camels.
Tonight you will hear the music traditional to this area and watch the stars in this dark sky area with absolutely no light pollution.
Wake up to a desert dawn and after a big breakfast spread at the camp, the 4WD will take you back to M’hamid town.
The journey takes approximately 2 hours
On night 3 you will stay at Ahlan Camp, which has been thoughtfully designed to leave as light a footprint as possible. There is a shared bathroom block with toilets, basins and hot showers. The design minimises water usage and reflects our respect for the desert eco system.
Here comfort meets authenticity and the sleeping tents are furnished with king-size beds. There is a separate restaurant tent where high quality meals are served. The outside areas consist of various seating areas and a big camp fire where the evening entertainment features traditional singing and drumming.
All stays include meals, mineral water and soft drinks, hot drinks, and guided sunset camel treks.
Get in touch to book your next adventure.
