8-Day Sahara Desert Trek in Morocco: Jebel El Mrakib
A Sahara desert trek in south-eastern Morocco: about 100 km on foot over five days, beyond the Jebel Saghro massif, through dunes, gorges and dry riverbeds, with a climb of Jebel El Mrakib and a finish among palm groves and…
Overview
A Sahara desert trek in south-eastern Morocco: about 100 km on foot over five days, beyond the Jebel Saghro massif, through dunes, gorges and dry riverbeds, with a climb of Jebel El Mrakib and a finish among palm groves and nomadic villages.
This is a 8 Days / 7 Nights private tour for your group only, starting with pickup from your accommodation in Marrakech and finishing back in Marrakech. You travel in a private transfers and 4x4, then five days on foot, so the pace, stops and photo breaks are set around you.
Gallery
Highlights
- ✓About 100 km on foot over five trekking days, 16 to 30 km a day
- ✓Climb Jebel El Mrakib (also spelled Lamrakeb), the highest point of the trek, for wide views over the desert
- ✓Cross the Mharech Dunes and camp beneath the large Bouzaine Dunes
- ✓Walk gorges, valleys, open plateau and the dry Rhris riverbed
- ✓Finish among palm groves, acacia and tamarisk trees at Announ Baadi
- ✓Cross the High Atlas by the Tizi n'Tichka pass and return via Tinghir and the Kasbah Route
Day-by-day itinerary
Marrakech to Ouarzazate over the Tizi n'Tichka pass
Your driver meets you at Marrakech airport and drives you to Ouarzazate, about 4 to 5 hours. The road crosses the High Atlas by the Tizi n'Tichka pass, with views of traditional Berber villages and mountain landscapes along the way. In Ouarzazate you check in to your hotel and rest before the trek. Overnight: hotel in Ouarzazate.
Ouarzazate through the Draa Valley to the Mharech Dunes
We leave Ouarzazate by 4x4 over the Tizi n'Tinifift pass and through the Draa Valley, then drive about 25 km off-road, around 6 hours in all. The trek starts here, on the Maider El Kibl plateau: a walk of about 9 km, roughly 2 hours, brings you into camp at the Mharech Dunes. Overnight: desert camp. Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Across the Mharech Dunes to Mharech Gorge
The longest day of the trek, about 30 km and 7 to 8 hours on foot. You cross the Mharech Dunes, descend to the dry Rhris riverbed and follow it to camp below Mharech Gorge. Overnight: desert camp. Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Jebel El Mrakib and the plateau to Tafoualt
About 23 km and 6 to 7 hours. The route runs through a gorge and two valleys, then climbs Jebel El Mrakib, the highest point of the trek, for wide views over the desert. From the summit you cross the open plateau to Tafoualt Camp. Overnight: desert camp. Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The Rhris riverbed to the Bouzaine Dunes
About 24 km and 6 to 7 hours along the dry Rhris riverbed, through low dunes and rocky ground, to camp beneath the large Bouzaine Dunes. Overnight: desert camp. Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
High dunes and palm groves to Announ Baadi
The final trekking day, about 16 km and 6 to 7 hours. You climb over high dunes, pass acacia and tamarisk trees and walk through palm groves to finish at Announ Baadi. Overnight: desert camp. Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Back to Ouarzazate via Tinghir and the Kasbah Route
A drive of about 6 to 7 hours back to Ouarzazate through Tinghir and along the Kasbah Route, the road of earthen kasbahs and palm oases between the High Atlas and the desert. Overnight: hotel in Ouarzazate. Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Ouarzazate to Marrakech airport
After breakfast your driver takes you back over the High Atlas to Marrakech airport for your departure flight, a drive of about 4 to 5 hours. Breakfast.
✓ Included
- ✓Pick-up at Marrakech airport on day 1 and drop-off at Marrakech airport on day 8
- ✓Transfers with a driver between Marrakech and Ouarzazate
- ✓4x4 from Ouarzazate to the start of the trek and back to Ouarzazate
- ✓2 nights hotel in Ouarzazate (days 1 and 7)
- ✓5 nights desert camp on the trek (days 2 to 6)
- ✓Breakfast, lunch and dinner from day 2 to day 7, and breakfast on day 8
✕ Not included
- ✕Flights
- ✕Dinner on day 1 in Ouarzazate
- ✕Tips and personal expenses
- ✕Travel insurance
Route map
Frequently asked questions
How hard is this desert trek?
It is a real trek: five days on foot, 16 to 30 km a day and 6 to 8 hours of walking, over sand dunes, rocky ground, gorges and a summit climb. It suits walkers who are comfortable with long days on their feet. The longest day is day 3, about 30 km.
How far do we walk in total?
About 100 km over five trekking days: about 9 km on day 2, 30 km on day 3, 23 km on day 4, 24 km on day 5 and 16 km on day 6.
What is the highest point of the trek?
The summit of Jebel El Mrakib (also spelled Lamrakeb), climbed on day 4, with wide views over the desert before you cross the plateau to Tafoualt Camp.
Where do we sleep?
Two nights in a hotel in Ouarzazate, on day 1 and day 7, and five nights in desert camps along the trek, from the Mharech Dunes to Announ Baadi.
Which meals are included?
Breakfast, lunch and dinner every day from day 2 to day 7, and breakfast on day 8. Dinner on day 1 in Ouarzazate is not included.
Where does the trek start and finish?
The tour starts and ends at Marrakech airport. Day 1 is a drive of about 4 to 5 hours to Ouarzazate, and on day 8 the drive back to Marrakech airport takes about 4 to 5 hours, so allow for it when you book your flight home.
Is this the same as a camel trek in Merzouga?
No. This is a multi-day walking trek in the desert of south-eastern Morocco, beyond the Jebel Saghro massif. If you would rather see the Sahara without long days on foot, our 5-day desert tour from Marrakech reaches the Merzouga dunes by car and camel.
How much does the trek cost?
Send us your dates and group size and we will send you a quote in Euros.
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7-Day Desert Tour from Marrakech to Merzouga
A week built around the Sahara rather than just passing through it — a full arrival day in Marrakech, two nights near Merzouga, and a detour off-road along the old Paris–Dakar rally route before looping home through the Draa Valley.
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- Two nights around Merzouga, including Khamlia village and a nomadic family visit
- An off-road day along the historic Paris–Dakar rally route through Taouz and Ouzina
10-Day Marrakech, Sahara & Imperial Cities Tour
The full loop for travelers who want it all from one base — Marrakech sightseeing, the Sahara, the Fes medina, Chefchaouen's blue lanes, and Rabat's monuments, back to Marrakech in ten days.
- Guided sightseeing in Marrakech — Bahia Palace, the Koutoubia, and Majorelle Garden
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- Camel trek and overnight camp in the Merzouga dunes
- Guided walk through the Fes medina and its historic tanneries
5-Day Marrakech to Merzouga Desert Tour
A five-day loop that trades one long push through the desert for two separate nights around Merzouga, plus a stop at the remote Kasbah Telouet on the way home.
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- Visit Ait Ben Haddou and the film studios at Ouarzazate
- Two nights around Merzouga — Khamlia's Gnawa musicians and a nomadic family visit
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4-Day Desert Tour from Marrakech to Merzouga
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- Visit Ait Ben Haddou and the film studios at Ouarzazate
- Camel trek into the Erg Chebbi dunes for an overnight camp
- Browse Rissani's trading-town market on the return