Skip to content

SaharaModerate

Crossing the great Sahara dunes: Ouled Driss to Erg Chegaga in 4 days

Duration
4 days
On foot
75.6 km
Max altitude
642 m
Total ascent
145 m↑
Best season
Oct–Apr

Four days on foot with camels in the Draa valley: the Ouled Driss palm grove, M'Hamid, the Sidi Naji plain, the big Erg Zahar dunes, Erg Smar and finally Erg Chegaga below its great dune. 5 to 6 hours of walking a day, camps in the dunes.

100% adjustable. This itinerary is a base — Anti-Atlas Aventures adjusts, adds and removes any part of it for you.

The route

500 M0 KM20 KM40 KM60 KM

Day by day

  1. Day 1

    Ouled Driss – the big dunes

    Distance
    22.8 km
    Walking
    6 h
    Max altitude
    554 m

    Meet the team, load the camels and walk east through the palm grove and the Draa valley via M'Hamid. Lunch at Ras Nkhel, cross the plain past the remains of Sidi Naji, camp in the erg.

    Night: BivouacMeals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  2. Day 2

    The big dune – Erg Zahar

    Distance
    17.6 km
    Walking
    6 h
    Max altitude
    642 m

    Walk along the left bank of the dry Draa riverbed to the biggest Zahar dunes. Lunch at Malga Ouedane, afternoon tea, camp in the dunes.

    Night: BivouacMeals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  3. Day 3

    Erg Zahar – Erg Smar

    Distance
    13.8 km
    Walking
    6 h
    Max altitude
    641 m

    Cross the Draa riverbed and walk between trees and sand to Erg Smar. Lunch in the shade of tamarisks at Lahdibat, camp in the dunes.

    Night: BivouacMeals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  4. Day 4

    Erg Smar – Chegaga dunes

    Distance
    21.4 km
    Walking
    5 h
    Max altitude
    642 m

    Walk from erg to erg towards Jebel Bani to Erg Chegaga. Lunch in the sand with the cameleers below the great dune. End of the trek.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Included in this price

  • Moroccan guide and support team for all 4 days
  • Full board from day 1 to day 4: breakfasts, picnic lunches and hot dinners
  • 3 nights in camp in the dunes, in 2-person dome tents with mattresses
  • Mess tent and toilet tent set up at each of the 3 nights
  • Drinking and mineral water provided for all 4 walking days
  • Camels and cameleers to carry the luggage for all 4 days
  • Return minibus transfers to the start and from the finish (2 transfers)

To plan for

  • A warm sleeping bag for the 3 nights
  • Personal hiking clothes and gear, daypack
  • Energy snacks for the walk
  • Travel insurance and repatriation cover
  • Tips for the guide and team

International flights are never included — you book those yourself

When to go

  1. January: recommended season
  2. February: recommended season
  3. March: recommended season
  4. April: recommended season
  5. May: off season
  6. June: off season
  7. July: off season
  8. August: off season
  9. September: off season
  10. October: recommended season
  11. November: recommended season
  12. December: recommended season

Recommended seasonOff seasonIt is November: this is the season.

Your agency

Anti-Atlas Aventures

Anti-Atlas Aventures

Based in
Tafraout
Terrain
Anti-Atlas, Toubkal, Sahara, Coast, Other

This itinerary not quite it? Anti-Atlas Aventures builds trips from scratch too.

See the agency and its tripsSend Anti-Atlas Aventures your own idea

from €340