Camel Trekking in Morocco: Sahara Trek Guide from M'Hamid
Camel trekking in Morocco means walking (and riding when you want to) beside a small camel caravan from M’Hamid El Ghizlane into the Sahara, sleeping in nomad camps, for anything from 2 to 7 days. The 2-day trek is the short escape, the 5-day trek to Erg Zahar is the sweet spot for most walkers, and the 7-day trek is the full nomad week. Prices start at 110 EUR per person for 2 days and 255 EUR for 5 days in a group. The season runs October to April; summer is too hot for walking.
Why trek the Moroccan Sahara on foot and by camel?
The desert is not one endless dune. Around M’Hamid the Sahara mixes hamadas (stony plateaus), dry riverbeds hiding green oases, tamarisk groves and ergs (dune fields), so each day of walking looks different from the last. Morocco also has two advantages over other Saharan countries: it is easy to reach, and the hospitality of the Draa Valley nomads is real.
You travel with local guides and camel handlers who read the wind, find shade and know where the wells are. On a trek you are not only in the desert, you live at its pace: tea breaks, long lunches under an acacia, walking in the golden hours, evenings around the fire.
Which camel trek should you choose from M’Hamid?
| Trek | Duration | Highlights | Best for | From (per person) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Short escape | 2 days / 1 night | M’Hamid palm grove, Sidi Naji shrine, first dunes, one night under the stars | Families, first-timers, travellers on a wider southern circuit | 110 EUR |
| Classic trek | 3-4 days | Sidi Naji, Erg Aït, Erg Zahar dunes, nomad camps | Walkers with a long weekend | 125-240 EUR |
| Erg Zahar trek | 5 days / 4 nights | Draa hamada, Erg Lbour and Erg Essmar, sunset over the Draa Valley from Erg Zahar | Most walkers: body adapts, mind lets go | 255 EUR |
| Nomad week | 7 days / 6 nights | Sidi Naji, Erg Zahar, nomad ruins, big dunes of Erg Chigaga | Experienced walkers seeking a real break | 345 EUR |
Prices are the lowest per-person tier for groups of six or more; two people pay from 140 EUR (2 days), 300 EUR (5 days) and 395 EUR (7 days). Children get 10-20% off on most treks.
The 2-day trek: a first taste
Not everyone has a week. The 2-day trek from M’Hamid crosses the palm grove, passes the shrine of Sidi Naji and reaches the first dunes for a night far from any light. It is short but intense, and works well with children.
The 5-day trek to Erg Zahar
Erg Zahar is nicknamed the “howling dune” for the sound the sand makes in the wind. It is wilder and less visited than Erg Chebbi, and it has to be earned: several days of walking from M’Hamid across the hamada and the smaller ergs of Lbour and Essmar. By day three your legs have adapted and you stop counting kilometres. The reward is sunset from the top of Erg Zahar looking over the Draa Valley.
The 7-day trek: nomad time
The week-long trek is for people who love walking or want a genuine reset. You measure the days in shared teas, meetings with herding families and changing light on the sand, while the camel team handles camp, water and food. It reaches the great dunes of Erg Chigaga.
How fit do you need to be for a desert trek?
You do not need to be an athlete, but you need reasonable endurance: 4 to 6 hours of walking a day on sand, which works the calves and glutes harder than a trail. A few hill walks in the weeks before you leave make a real difference. Camels carry the luggage and can carry you for a stretch if needed.
What should you pack for a camel trek?
- A chèche (scarf): sun, wind and sand protection; your guide will show you how to tie it.
- Shoes: light trail shoes or soft hiking shoes. Avoid stiff boots.
- Sleeping bag: essential from November to February when nights drop close to 0°C. Camps provide blankets.
- Layers: light covering clothes by day, fleece and hat at night.
- Hygiene: biodegradable wipes and hand sanitiser; water is for drinking and cooking.
- Sunglasses, high-factor sunscreen, head torch, small first-aid kit, cash for tips.
When is the best season for trekking in the Sahara?
October to April. Days are warm but comfortable at 20-25°C and nights are cool. December and January bring the biggest day-night contrast. From June to September temperatures often exceed 45°C and walking becomes dangerous; we do not run multi-day treks then.
How do you trek responsibly?
The desert is a fragile ecosystem. Our treks carry all waste out, use water sparingly and buy supplies locally so the income stays with the nomad families and villages of M’Hamid who look after this land. Walking with camels rather than driving is also the lowest-impact way to travel here.
FAQ
Do I ride the camel the whole way? No. Most people walk most of the time and ride for short stretches. Riding for hours is uncomfortable; the camels mainly carry gear, water and food.
Where do we sleep on a trek? In simple nomad camps: tents with mattresses and blankets, or under the open sky on clear nights. Dinner is a tagine cooked over the fire.
Can beginners do the 5-day Erg Zahar trek? Yes, if you walk regularly. Stages are 4-6 hours with a long midday break, and the guide adapts the pace.
See all our desert tours and camel treks, or message us on WhatsApp at +212 607 752 872 to choose the right trek for your dates.