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9 days Sahara desert trekking: 9 Days Sahara Desert Trekking from Marrakech
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9 days · Desert trekking

9 Days Sahara Desert Trekking from Marrakech

Walk the Sahara the old way, at the pace of the camels: four days across the dunes of Erg Chebbi, nomad wells and three nights under the stars, from and back to Marrakech.

See the day-by-day route
9 days / 8 nightsStarts in MarrakechEnds in MarrakechPrivate tour
Marrakech→Aït Benhaddou→Dades Valley→Todra Gorge→Merzouga→Rissani→Skoura→Aït Benhaddou→Marrakech

About this 9 days Sahara desert trekking

Our 9 days Sahara desert trekking trip lets you walk the dunes the old way, beside the camels. You spend four days on foot and three nights in desert camps.

First, you cross the High Atlas and walk in the Todra Gorge on the way to Merzouga. Then your camel guide leads you deep into Erg Chebbi. After that, you leave the dunes for the stony desert and share tea with a nomad family. Next, you climb the highest dune at sunrise and try sandboarding. Finally, a night in Skoura and a horse ride at Aït Benhaddou take you back to Marrakech. In short, 9 days Sahara desert trekking is a private trip on your dates.

Highlights of this 9 days Sahara desert trekking

  • Four-day camel trek
  • Three nights in desert camps
  • Nomad families & wells
  • Sunrise from the highest dune
  • Sandboarding
  • Dades & Todra gorges
  • Horse ride at Aït Benhaddou

9 days Sahara desert trekking: day by day

  1. 1day
    Day 1

    Marrakech to the Dades Valley

    Cross the High Atlas by the Tizi n’Tichka pass, stop at Aït Benhaddou and follow the road of the kasbahs.

    On the road: about 7–8 h with stopsStay: Riad in Dades Valley
  2. 2day
    Day 2

    Todra Gorge & Merzouga

    A morning walk in the Todra Gorge, then Merzouga and a briefing with your camel guide.

    On the road: about 4–5 h with stopsStay: Riad in Merzouga
  3. 3day
    Day 3

    Into the dunes on foot

    Load the camels and walk into Erg Chebbi in the late morning, resting in the shade at midday.

    Stay: Desert camp
  4. 4day
    Day 4

    Across Erg Chebbi

    Walk in the cool morning between the big dunes, and reach a quiet camp for sunset.

    Stay: Desert camp
  5. 5day
    Day 5

    Nomad wells & stony desert

    Leave the dunes for the stony desert, stop at a well and share tea at a nomad family’s tent.

    Stay: Desert camp
  6. 6day
    Day 6

    Highest dunes & back to Merzouga

    Climb the highest dune at sunrise, try sandboarding and walk back to Merzouga for a hammam.

    Stay: Riad in Merzouga
  7. 7day
    Day 7

    West to Skoura

    Through Rissani, Tinghir and the Valley of Roses to the palm oasis of Skoura.

    On the road: about 6–7 h with stopsStay: Kasbah guesthouse in Skoura
  8. 8day
    Day 8

    Aït Benhaddou on horseback & Marrakech

    A horse ride around Aït Benhaddou, then the Tizi n’Tichka pass back to Marrakech.

    On the road: about 5–6 h with stopsStay: Riad in Marrakech
  9. 9day
    Day 9

    Marrakech & departure

    A morning in the souks before your transfer to the airport.

What’s included in this 9 days Sahara desert trekking

Included

  • 8 nights of accommodation as listed (riads, guesthouses and a desert camp)
  • Breakfast every morning
  • Dinner and breakfast at the desert camp
  • Private transport in an air-conditioned vehicle with driver
  • Pick-up in Marrakech and drop-off in Marrakech (hotel, riad, airport)
  • Camel ride as described in the programme
  • Mountain guide and mule for the luggage

Not included

  • International flights
  • Lunches and drinks
  • Entrance fees to monuments and museums
  • Optional activities (for example quad, buggy or balloon) unless listed
  • Travel insurance
  • Tips for drivers and guides

Draft based on this programme – our team confirms the exact list with your quote.

Where you stay

  1. Night 1Riad in Dades Valley
  2. Night 2Riad in Merzouga
  3. Night 3Desert camp
  4. Night 4Desert camp
  5. Night 5Desert camp
  6. Night 6Riad in Merzouga
  7. Night 7Kasbah guesthouse in Skoura
  8. Night 8Riad in Marrakech

Comfort level: Standard + – comfortable riads, guesthouses and a traditional desert camp, chosen by our team. Luxury camps and riads are possible on request.

Best time for this trip

October to April is best for walking in the dunes, with cool mornings and mild days. From June to August the Sahara is far too hot for trekking.

  • JanGood
  • FebGood
  • MarBest
  • AprBest
  • MayPossible
  • JunAvoid
  • JulAvoid
  • AugAvoid
  • SepPossible
  • OctBest
  • NovBest
  • DecGood

What to bring for this trip

  • Light walking shoes or trail sandals for sand
  • Gaiters or socks to keep sand out
  • Scarf or cheche for sand and sun
  • Wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses
  • High-factor sun cream and lip balm
  • Warm jacket and sleeping layer for the nights
  • Headtorch
  • Wet wipes and hand gel
  • Long trousers for the horse ride
  • Refillable water bottle

Booking & payment

How to book
Send your request; we confirm the programme and the price in writing on WhatsApp or by email.
Payment
A deposit secures your booking and the balance is paid on arrival.
Cancellation
Our cancellation conditions are sent with your quote, before you pay anything.
Weather & changes
If the weather stops an activity, we adapt the day or replace the activity.

9 Days Sahara Desert Trekking from Marrakech: your questions

How much do we walk on 9 days Sahara desert trekking?

About four to five hours a day during the four trek days, in the cool morning and late afternoon, with a long break at midday.

Do I need to be fit for 9 days Sahara desert trekking?

You should be happy walking several hours a day. Sand is slower than a path, so the pace is gentle and you can ride a camel if you are tired.

Where do we sleep on the trek?

Three nights in simple desert camps set up by our team, and two nights in a riad in Merzouga before and after the trek.

When is the best season for 9 days Sahara desert trekking?

October to April. From June to August it is far too hot to walk in the dunes.

Can we start the trek from Fes instead of Marrakech?

Yes, Merzouga is about 7 to 8 hours from Fes. Tell us where you arrive and we plan the road days.

Local team in MoroccoYour trip is planned and run by our own team on the ground.
Private, on your datesOnly you and your travel companions, starting when you want.
Every day can changeAdd a night, an activity or a slower pace – the plan adapts to you.
Answers on WhatsAppAsk us anything before you book: +212 600 643 098.

What our travellers say

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A holistic experience

Booking a trip with Moroccan active adventures gave us the most memorable new years celebration of our lived. Our guide Mouhssin was especially talented at turning down deserted mountain/desert roads and finding beautiful riads…
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Activities on this trip

Read more about each experience – what to expect, who it is for and what to bring.

Camel & horseback treksCamel & horseback treksDay 2 – Todra Gorge & MerzougaDetails →Desert camping & stargazingDesert camping & stargazingDay 5 – Nomad wells & stony desertDetails →Hiking & trekking adventuresHiking & trekking adventuresDay 2 – Todra Gorge & MerzougaDetails →Wellness and relaxationWellness and relaxationDay 6 – Highest dunes & back to MerzougaDetails →A family in front of the golden doors of the Royal Palace in FesCultural explorationDay 1 – Marrakech to the Dades ValleyDetails →

Optional activities

Add one or more of these to your 9-day trip. They are not included in the price – ask us and we add them to your programme.

Quad & buggy ridesOptional · extraQuad & buggy ridesQuad or buggy ride in the Erg Chebbi dunesSee the activity →4x4 & off-road safarisOptional · extra4x4 & off-road safaris4x4 tour around the dunes and nomad familiesSee the activity →Cycling & mountain bikingOptional · extraCycling & mountain bikingCycling in the oasisSee the activity →Hot air balloon rideOptional · extraHot air balloon rideSunrise flight before or after your tripSee the activity →Authentic culinary experiencesOptional · extraAuthentic culinary experiencesCooking class or food walk in the medinaSee the activity →Atlas zipline adventureOptional · extraAtlas zipline adventureZipline in the Atlas foothillsSee the activity →
Quick request

Request this 9-day trip

Fill in the form and press send: your request comes straight to our team’s inbox (or WhatsApp, if you prefer) and we reply with the full programme and a clear price.

  • No payment to send a request
  • Private tour on your dates
  • Or write to us: +212 600 643 098

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9 days in Morocco: Sahara, Gorges & High Atlas Villages9 Day Tour from Marrakech: Sahara, Gorges & High AtlasPrivate tour · Round trip from Marrakech · Active adventuresAn active loop: a horse ride at Aït Benhaddou, cycling in Skoura, a canyon hike and rock climbing, two nights in a Sahara camp with quad and sandboarding, then two nights hiking in the High Atlas. 9 days in Morocco: Marrakech Base with Day Trips9 Days in Marrakech: Day Trips, Desert & OceanPrivate tour · Round trip from Marrakech · One base, day tripsMarrakech as your base with a new adventure each day: a High Atlas hike, a balloon and a bike ride, the Ouzoud waterfalls, a night in the Agafay desert and a night by the ocean in Essaouira. 9 days in Morocco: Atlantic Surf Coast & Agafay9 Day Trip to Morocco: Surf Coast & Agafay DesertPrivate tour · Round trip from Marrakech · Coast & surfSun, waves and sand: Essaouira and kitesurf at Sidi Kaouki, the coast road to Taghazout, surf lessons, Paradise Valley and sandboarding, then a night in the Agafay desert before Marrakech.

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Camel & horseback treks
Land adventure

Camel & horseback treks

On this trip: Day 2 – Todra Gorge & Merzouga

Camel trekking Morocco’s Sahara is the slow, quiet way into the desert: a line of camels led by a guide on foot, swaying over the orange dunes of Erg Chebbi near Merzouga as the light turns soft. Most of our guests ride at sunset to a camp in the dunes and come back at sunrise. It is calm, not sporty – anyone who can sit on a saddle for an hour can do it.

Where
Merzouga (Erg Chebbi), Agafay desert, Marrakech palm grove
Duration
1 hour to 6 days
Level
Easy, no experience needed for camels
Minimum age
Children ride with an adult; ask us for small kids
  • The classic Sahara moment
  • Local camel men
  • Slow travel
See the full activity page
 Desert camping & stargazing
Land adventure

Desert camping & stargazing

On this trip: Day 5 – Nomad wells & stony desert

Sahara desert camping in Morocco is about one evening you will not forget: arriving at a camp hidden between the dunes of Erg Chebbi, climbing a ridge for sunset, eating tagine by the fire while drums play, then lying on a rug under more stars than you thought possible. Our camps near Merzouga range from simple nomad-style tents to comfortable tents with real beds and private bathrooms.

Where
Merzouga (Erg Chebbi dunes), Agafay desert near Marrakech
Duration
1 to 3 nights
Level
Easy, for all ages
Camp types
Nomad-style, standard and luxury tents
  • Real dunes
  • A sky full of stars
  • Choose your comfort
See the full activity page
 Hiking & trekking adventures
Land adventure

Hiking & trekking adventures

On this trip: Day 2 – Todra Gorge & Merzouga

Hiking Morocco’s High Atlas is a walk through a lived-in landscape: terraced fields, walnut trees, flat-roofed Berber villages built from the same red earth as the mountains, and mule paths that people still use every day. Our local mountain guides grew up around these valleys. They choose the route, set a steady pace and arrange lunch or a night in a village house.

Where
High Atlas (Imlil, Ourika, Toubkal), Dades & Todra gorges, Merzouga dunes
Duration
Day hikes to 5-day treks
Level
Easy valley walks to challenging summit treks
Minimum age
Valley walks for families; Toubkal for fit teens and adults
  • Real mountains near Marrakech
  • Toubkal, the big one
  • Village life on the trail
See the full activity page
 Wellness and relaxation
Moroccan experience

Wellness and relaxation

On this trip: Day 6 – Highest dunes & back to Merzouga

A Morocco wellness retreat with us is built around your rhythm, not a fixed timetable. Start with a traditional hammam in Marrakech, rest in a riad courtyard with only the fountain for company, stretch on a yoga mat facing the Atlantic, and end with a night in the Merzouga desert where the silence is almost total. We plan the logistics so you can simply let go.

Where
Marrakech, Agafay, Atlas valleys, Essaouira, Taghazout, Merzouga
Duration
Half-day hammam to 7+ day retreat
Level
Easy – all fitness levels
Group
Solo, couples, friends or private groups
  • The hammam ritual
  • Riads made for rest
  • Yoga with a view
See the full activity page
 A family in front of the golden doors of the Royal Palace in Fes
Moroccan experience

Cultural exploration

On this trip: Day 1 – Marrakech to the Dades Valley

Our Morocco cultural tours are built around people, not just monuments. You walk the medinas of Fes and Marrakech with a guide who grew up there, drink mint tea in a Berber village in the Atlas, watch craftsmen cut zellige tiles or dye leather, and share a meal with a family. The aim is simple: to understand how Moroccans live today, and where those traditions come from.

Where
Fes, Marrakech, Meknes, Chefchaouen, Atlas villages, Merzouga
Duration
Half-day city walk to 10+ day tours
Level
Easy – mostly walking
Group
Private or small group
  • Living medinas
  • Amazigh heritage
  • Crafts you can watch being made
See the full activity page
 Quad & buggy rides
Land adventure

Quad & buggy rides

Optional extra: Quad or buggy ride in the Erg Chebbi dunes

Quad biking Marrakech style means leaving the city noise behind in minutes: dusty palm grove tracks, Berber villages and the rocky hills of the Agafay desert, with the Atlas Mountains on the horizon. Our guides ride in front, set the pace to the slowest rider and stop for photos and mint tea. You do not need any experience – we show you the controls and do a short practice loop before we leave.

Where
Marrakech palm grove (Palmeraie), Agafay desert, Merzouga dunes
Duration
1 hour to 6 days
Level
Beginner friendly, no experience needed
Minimum age
Drivers usually 16+; younger children ride as buggy passengers
  • Desert right next to the city
  • Quad or buggy, your choice
  • Real landscapes, not a track
See the full activity page
 4x4 & off-road safaris
Land adventure

4x4 & off-road safaris

Optional extra: 4x4 tour around the dunes and nomad families

A 4x4 tour Morocco style takes you where normal cars cannot go: around the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes, across the black stone plains near Merzouga, up rough mountain tracks in the Atlas and down into dry riverbeds where nomads still water their flocks. You sit back with an experienced local driver who knows the pistes, the weather and the best places to stop.

Where
Merzouga & Erg Chebbi, High Atlas tracks, Dades & Todra gorges, Agafay
Duration
Half day to multi-day private tours
Level
Easy – you are a passenger, no driving needed
Group
Private vehicle for your family or group
  • Reach the hidden places
  • Drivers who know the pistes
  • Private and flexible
See the full activity page
 Cycling & mountain biking
Land adventure

Cycling & mountain biking

Optional extra: Cycling in the oasis

Mountain biking Morocco’s High Atlas means riding mule paths between Berber villages, rolling down terraced valleys and stopping for tea where the trail meets a walnut grove. Our guides know the tracks around Marrakech, the Ourika and Imlil valleys and the Agafay hills, and pick routes that fit your level – from easy dirt roads to longer climbs and technical descents.

Where
Agafay desert, Ourika and Imlil valleys (High Atlas), Dades and Todra gorges
Duration
Half day to multi-day tours
Level
Easy to challenging – routes chosen for you
Bikes
Mountain bikes and e-bikes, helmet included
  • Mountains near the city
  • Village trails, not empty parks
  • Huge variety
See the full activity page
 Hot air balloon ride
Air adventure

Hot air balloon ride

Optional extra: Sunrise flight before or after your trip

A hot air balloon Marrakech flight is the quietest way to see Morocco wake up. You leave the city in the dark, watch the burners light up the envelope, and lift off just as the sun climbs over the Atlas Mountains. Below you, red-earth villages, olive groves and dry riverbeds turn gold, and on clear winter mornings the snow on the High Atlas shines on the horizon.

Where
Countryside outside Marrakech (launch site set by the pilot each morning)
Duration
About 1 hour in the air, 4-5 hours door to door
Start time
Very early pick-up, before sunrise
Level
No experience needed
  • Sunrise over the Atlas
  • Silent, slow flying
  • Rural Morocco from above
See the full activity page
 Authentic culinary experiences
Moroccan experience

Authentic culinary experiences

Optional extra: Cooking class or food walk in the medina

A Morocco food tour is the quickest way into the country’s heart. With one of our local guides you taste fresh msemen pancakes at breakfast, follow the smell of cumin through the spice souk, try harira and grilled meat at the stalls of Jemaa el-Fna, and learn why a tagine needs time. We take you where locals actually eat, not where the menus are in five languages.

Where
Marrakech, Fes, Essaouira, Atlas villages, Merzouga
Duration
3-hour food walk to full-day class
Level
Easy – come hungry
Diets
Vegetarian options on request
  • Street food you would not find alone
  • Markets as a lesson
  • Cooking with real cooks
See the full activity page
 Atlas zipline adventure
Air adventure

Atlas zipline adventure

Optional extra: Zipline in the Atlas foothills

A zipline Marrakech day takes you out of the hot, busy city and into the cool air of the Atlas foothills, where adventure parks stretch long cables across valleys and over trees. You clip in, step off the platform and fly above the red earth, olive terraces and small Berber villages, with the High Atlas peaks behind you. It is one of the easiest ways to feel the mountains without a long trek.

Where
Adventure parks in the Atlas foothills, about an hour from Marrakech
Duration
Half day or full day with transfers
Level
Beginner friendly – no climbing skills needed
Minimum age
Set by each park, often with a minimum height for children
  • Escape the city heat
  • Atlas views from the air
  • More than one ride
See the full activity page
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