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Erg Chegaga dunes at first light under a soft pink and gold gradient sky

7 days / 6 nights · from Foum Zguid

Sahara Desert Trekking Adventure: 7 Days / 6 Nights

A week on foot through the dunes, the nomadic trails and the oases.

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from $600 / person

The journey

Day by day

Route: Foum Zguid > Lake Iriki > Erg Chegaga > nomadic trails > oasis > M'Hamid El Ghizlane (on foot, 15-20km/day, camel/4x4 support)

  1. Day 1

    Foum Zguid to Lake Iriki

    Trek the dry plains of Lake Iriki; picnic lunch, first campsite, campfire dinner.

    The vast cracked earth of dry Lake Iriki with a single 4x4 track crossing it

  2. Day 2

    Lake Iriki to the desert plateau

    Rocky plateaus give way to the first golden dunes on the horizon.

    First glimpse of the Erg Chegaga dunes through the dusty windshield of a 4x4

  3. Day 3

    Entering Erg Chegaga

    Into Morocco's largest dune system; sunset camp among the dunes.

    Hikers walking the ridgeline of towering Erg Chegaga dunes, tiny against the sand sea

  4. Day 4

    Deep in the dunes

    Explore the untouched heart of Erg Chegaga, far from roads or settlements.

    A small secluded wild camp deep among the Erg Chegaga dunes at sunset, no other camps in sight

  5. Day 5

    Nomadic trails

    Ancient caravan routes; possible encounters with nomadic families or old desert wells.

    Tea being poured at a nomadic family's tent in the desert

  6. Day 6

    Oasis landscape

    Dunes give way to acacia trees, palm groves and small oases; final campsite near an oasis.

    Lunch on rugs in the dappled shade of acacia trees at a small desert oasis

  7. Day 7

    Arrival in M'Hamid El Ghizlane

    Final stage to M'Hamid; celebratory mint tea marking the end of the trek.

    M'Hamid El Ghizlane, where the last palm groves give way to open Sahara

What’s included

Included

  • Camel and 4x4 support carrying luggage, camping gear, food and water
  • All meals during the trek
  • Camping equipment (tents) and English-speaking trekking guide
  • Transfer at start and end (Foum Zguid / M'Hamid)

Not included

  • Flights to/from Morocco
  • Personal trekking gear (backpack, sleeping bag, hiking boots)
  • Travel/trek insurance
  • Tips and personal expenses

Good to know

Difficulty
Demanding. 15-20km of walking per day in desert terrain.
Group size
Private trek, minimum 2 travelers
Guide languages
English, French, Arabic, Tamazight
Meeting point
Foum Zguid village, morning of day 1
What to bring
Broken-in hiking boots · Sleeping bag (season-rated) · Backpack for water and layers · Headlamp · Sun protection

Questions about this tour

What is the best season for the trek?

October to April. Winter days are mild and nights cold; we do not run multi-day treks in July and August.

Do I carry my own luggage?

No. Camels and the 4x4 support vehicle carry luggage, camping gear, food and water. You walk with a daypack only.

Can a beginner do this trek?

If you can comfortably walk 15km a day for a week, yes. The terrain is mostly flat to rolling; the challenge is endurance and sun, not technical difficulty.

Rated 5.0/5 on Google Maps · Free cancellation 7+ days before departure

Reviews

Travelers on the dunes

5.0 on Google Maps
“Had an incredible experience with DuneTour. Everything was well organized, the responses while booking were quick and all our questions were answered. We had a dust storm, although it didn't prevent us from going for a camel ride to the high dunes. The tents were comfortable and the food was good. What I have to point out were the people. Our guide was incredible, he was so lively and just happy to show us the desert. We were also lucky to see gazelles in the wild. Would definitely recommend.”

Alen Kospanov

Local Guide · 7 months ago

“Mustafa was an excellent driver through the desert!! The trip was magnificent. We had a great lunch, and had a lot of time to make a walk on the sand dunes. Mustafa: thank you for the great day!!”

Patricia Vonk

Google review · 5 months ago

“It was a very wonderful experience and very wonderful people. I advise you to try the trip with them. You will enjoy every moment. Thank you.”

Rafael Jamess

Google review · a year ago

“A magical trip with Mustafa! A huge thank you to our guide for this extraordinary trip to the desert! The desert can be an intimidating place, but he made us feel completely at ease and safe from beginning to end. In addition to being very organized and friendly, Mustafa is incredibly fun and entertaining. He made this adventure unforgettable. We highly recommend him!”

JP Roux

Google review · 3 months ago

Real reviews from our Google Maps listing, Foum Zguid desert tours 4x4 & Trekking.

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