Draa Valley Desert Trek – 8 Days in the Moroccan Sahara

Draa Valley Desert Trek – Technical Information

Recommended Period

The best period for this Draa Valley desert trek is from late October to late April, when daytime temperatures are generally comfortable for walking in the Sahara and conditions are well suited to multi-day desert trekking.

Difficulty Level

This trek is suitable for travellers in good physical condition who are comfortable walking approximately 4 to 6 hours per day. There is little elevation gain, although walking across dunes and sandy terrain can require additional effort. No heavy luggage is carried during the trek, as the main bags are transported by camels.

Luggage Transport

You only carry a small daypack with the belongings you need during the walk. The main luggage, camping equipment and supplies are transported by the camel caravan throughout the walking stages, allowing you to enjoy desert hiking in Morocco with a light pack.

Transportation

Road transfers are organised by tourist minibus between Marrakech and the starting and finishing points of the trek. These transfers connect the walking itinerary with the landscapes and villages of southern Morocco and the Draa Valley.

Accommodation

In Marrakech, accommodation is provided in a hotel or traditional riad near Jemaa el-Fna. During the Moroccan Sahara trek, nights are spent in bivouacs in the desert, with two-person tents and comfortable foam mattresses provided. The itinerary also includes an overnight stay in Aït Ben Haddou before returning to Marrakech.

Meals

Meals during the trek are prepared by a Moroccan cook travelling with the local team. Lunch is usually served during the midday break in a shaded location, while hot meals are prepared at the bivouac in the evening. Menus typically include salads, tagines, couscous and other Moroccan dishes adapted to life in the desert.

Guide and Local Team

The trek is led by Ali, a certified Berber mountain and desert guide trained at the Tabant mountain guide training centre, and supported by experienced camel drivers and a cook. The local team manages the organisation of the walking stages, bivouacs, meals and luggage transport while sharing their knowledge of the Draa Valley, desert traditions and local communities.

Throughout this Morocco desert trek, your guide is also your main contact for questions, cultural encounters and communication with local people. This local knowledge adds an important human dimension to the journey and helps travellers better understand the landscapes and traditions of the Moroccan Sahara.

A Typical Day of Desert Hiking

A typical day begins around sunrise. After breakfast, the tents and main luggage are packed and loaded onto the camels before the walking stage begins. During the morning, regular breaks are planned for rest, photography and refreshments such as dried fruit or oranges.

At midday, the group stops in a shaded place for lunch and a longer rest before continuing through dunes, regs, palm groves or desert plateaus. The bivouac is reached before nightfall, leaving enough time to set up the tents, relax and watch the sunset while the cook prepares dinner.

The rhythm of the journey follows the traditional atmosphere of a camel trek in Morocco: walking during the cooler parts of the day, travelling with a camel caravan and spending each evening in a different desert setting beneath the stars.

Draa Valley Desert Trek Prices

Prices by Group Size

Price Includes

• Arrival and departure transfers in Marrakech.
• Tourist minibus transfers to and from the starting point of the trek.
• Accommodation in Marrakech in a traditional riad or 3-star hotel on a bed-and-breakfast basis.
• An English-speaking Berber guide throughout the trek.
• Full board during the walking stages.
• Two-person igloo tents for bivouac nights in the desert.
• A comfortable foam mattress for each participant.
• Camels to transport your main luggage, equipment and supplies, allowing you to enjoy desert hiking in Morocco with only a small daypack.
• Support from experienced camel drivers, giving the journey the authentic atmosphere of a camel trek in Morocco.
• Services of a Berber cook throughout the desert stages.
• Traditional entertainment and folklore organised by our local team.
• Moroccan wine.

Price Does Not Include

• International flights.
• Travel, assistance and repatriation insurance.
• Personal expenses.
• Entrance fees to historical monuments and sites.
• Tips for the local guide, cook and camel-driving team.
• Drinks not specifically included in the program.
• Meals in Marrakech.

FAQ – Draa Valley Desert Trek (8 Days)