Exploring the Great Sahara desert dunes  7 days /6nights

Atlas and Sahara Tours team wanted to take you further south, where dunes and horizon mingle. Here, the modern life seems to lose its breath, until losing the notion of time. By the road south, we meet the camel team and go live with it the atmosphere of the caravan in the desert; admiration of sunset and sunrise and nights under the stars under a starry sky; ascent of the high dunes, folklore and dancing around fires, and make the Sand bread ......

TREK HIGHLIGHTS

• Trek through the sand dunes.
• Experience the Camel ride.
• Night and dinner under the stars at the dunes.
• Experience the life in the Desert.
• Meet the Nomads and share a moments with them. 
• ​Learn about the life in the desert.

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Itinerary:
Day 1: Marrakech --- Col Tichka 2260 m ---- Ouarzazate ----- Draa Valley ----- Faija - Camp.
We leave by minibus from Marrakech around 7:30 at the latest 8H30-direction Col Tichka the most beautiful and high road pass of Morocco, snowy winter, descent to the great south of Morocco just after the pass, arid desert landscapes, oases, lunch in Ouarzazate then Ait Saoune pass and finally long descent to the famous Draa Valley 200 kms of date palms (harvest in October) and beautiful landscapes, ksour, these famous fortified villages, then stop in Zagora to change minibuses; a van will take us to the great desert plateau of Faija 36 kms from Zagora where we meet our team of camel drivers in the evening. Camping tent in front of the mountain Jebel Bani. 7h drive for these 400km

Day 2: Faija Plateau - Jbel Bani - Oum Laachar Pass - Oued Lemhasser - Oasis - camp.
Early departure, camel loading and direction to HAMADA, 30mn walk on the plateau Faija and mountains of SAGHRO mid-desert, then easy rocky descent, a mountainous desert (black mountain, some greenery, some nomads in Bedouin tents made in goats 'and camels' hair). Lunch will take place in the desert valley, then continue through the valley and a new small pass we arrive at the camp, near a spring barely flowing near a small abandoned marabout. Camp at the foot of jbel Abbes night under tent Duration: 6H30 walk / 23 km.

​​Day 3: Oued Lemhasser - Chegaga Dunes --- camp at the foot of the dunes.
We leave this desert valley, walk on the bed of a dry river which is lost in the immense desert. We start with a vast stony plateau just after crossing the El Abbes pass. Beautiful panoramic view of the desert sand (Chegaga dunes appear small by far) on a path barely drivable for camels; really a test going up to the neck and descent on large black slabs, limestone rocks well eroded by wind and heat; it looks like a carved mountain. At the small water point with its unique palm tree, we can take our meal. Then stony desert. The desire for water, sand makes us walk faster to reach the dunes CHEGAGA, beautiful walk with the sunset. Camp Bivouac under tent is also possible under the stars Duration: 6H30 walk / 20 km

Day 4: Dunes Chegaga dunes ---------- Bougarn dunes - camp.
After the multitude of small dunes of Chegaga going parallel to the east of the Abbes jbel, direction Mhamid, Oued Draa. The Chegaga plateau sown in principle in turn by the Draa Valley. Zagora wheat, 2km long. Lunch under trees Tamaris, then continue to the dunes of Bougarne, beautiful corner less crowded, we take the opportunity to sleep under the beautiful stars. This will be the biggest step of the folklore hike in the evening at the hot sand loaf tour for the Dinner Duration: 6H / 22km

Day 5: Bougarn Dunes ----- Reg --- Dunes of Oued Naam - camp.
Early morning departure to enjoy the sunrise on the beautiful dunes of Bougarn (small dunes, Tamaris, Accacias or shrubs of the desert) camels walk along the plateau less stony. In the afternoon around 14:00, we have lunch. We pitch our tents near a well. Possibility to advance by a walk of 2:30 to reach the dunes of Mhamid and enjoy an early start to Marrakech to simply have enough time on Marrakech Duration: 6H30 / 20 kms.

Day 6: Naam wadi --- Mhamid dunes --- Zagora --- Ouarzazate.
We leave early to walk. New stage of beautiful desert landscapes, we lose ourselves in a huge plateau of small dunes with shrubs and Tamaris. These are the Regabi dunes on the road that leads to Mhamid. Lunch then visit the library of ancient manuscripts books of mathematics, philosophy ... return by the Draa Valley to Ouarzazate. Possibility that the 4X4 come to pick us at the camp of ouad Aâam and return to Ouarzazate by the Mhamid .. Duration: 3 hours of optional walk / 4 hours of transportation to Ouarzazate.

Jour 7 : Ouarzazate - Ait Ben Haddou -- Marrakech. 200km.
Today we will visit the Most importent site in the door of the Sahara desert, The Atlas Studio Movie in Ouarzazate (Moroccan Hollywood), Ait Ben Haddou Kasbahs and ksars, ounila valley and Telouat  Kasbahs the palace of the lord of the Atlas, Thami El Glaoui, Lunch in Tichka pass and contunie to Marrakech, dropp off at your Hotel. End of our Services.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONS

• ​DURATION: .......................7 days /  6 nights.
• PERIOD:............................ All year 
• GRADE:............................. Easy, family friendly.
• PICK UP DETAILS:.............Pick up at 8:00am (from your hotel in Marrakech / Agadir / Meeting point)
• DROP OFF DETAILS:.........7-8pm at the hotel (day 7)
• ACCOMMODATION:.........Camp & Riads / Hotel . 
• FOOD & DRINKS:...............Fresh Salade & Hot meals Moroccan tagines will be provided.

PRICE:.............................Contact us (Private trek).
SERVICES INCLUDED

• English speaking local guide.
• Meals during the trek. 
• Bottled water.
• Transfer from & to Marrakech with private car & safe driver.  
• camels to carry your luggage (Backpack / duffel bags recommended, no suitcases, you could store it at our riad)
• 6 nights accommodation (a mix of camping & Berber house experience)

SERVICES EXCLUDED

• Soft drinks.
• Tipping.
• Equipment hire.

TREKKING EQUIPMENTS LIST (required)

• Good walking boots and socks
• Sleeping bag (3-4 season); plus thermal liner in winter
• Lightweight fleece and waterproof outers (summer)
• Layers, windproof jacket, hat, gloves (autumn-late spring)
• Thermal underwear (autumn through late spring)
• Sunglasses.
• Walking stick (useful)
• Personal items e.g. towel, sunscreen, wipes, toilet tissues
• Small First Aid Kit including insect repellent, plasters, meds
• Small rubbish bag to carry out what you carry in.
• lighter e.g. burn toilet paper
• Day sack/backpack
• Water bottle or camel back (recommended)
• Torch/Flashlight and spare batteries e.g. head torch
• Penknife (useful)
• Trail snacks
• Zip-Up bags for camera etc.