SaharaModerate
6-day camel trek from M'Hamid to Erg Zahar via Sidi Naji
- Duration
- 6 days
- On foot
- 70.6 km
- Max altitude
- 640 m
- Total ascent
- 162 m↑
- Best season
- Oct–Apr
Six days on foot with a camel caravan from M'Hamid El Ghizlane: the Sidi Naji shrine, the Azmaila clay flats, the big Erg Zahar dunes, the sand-buried village of Erg Smar and the Bertham dunes. 3 to 5 hours of walking a day, nights in tents or under the stars, local team from M'Hamid.
100% adjustable. This itinerary is a base — Adventures Desert adjusts, adds and removes any part of it for you.
The route
Day by day
Day 1
M'Hamid – Sidi Naji
- Distance
- 15.8 km
- Total ascent
- 34 m
- Walking
- 5 h
- Max altitude
- 564 m
Breakfast under the big tent of the M'Hamid bivouac, camels loaded and departure around 9 am. 2.5 hours of walking to a palm grove for lunch, then 2.5 hours through dunes and stony desert to Sidi Naji, shrine of the Nouaji tribe's marabout. Night in camp.
Night: BivouacMeals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Camel trekking
Day 2
Sidi Naji – Azmaila
- Distance
- 9.2 km
- Total ascent
- 24 m
- Walking
- 4 h
- Max altitude
- 573 m
About 3 to 4 hours across clay flats broken by small dunes to Azmaila. Lunch under tamarisk trees among the dunes, free afternoon. Dinner and night in a tent or under the stars.
Night: BivouacMeals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Camel trekking
Day 3
Azmaila – Erg Zahar
- Distance
- 10.5 km
- Total ascent
- 37 m
- Walking
- 5 h
- Max altitude
- 640 m
A single stage of about 5 hours to the big dunes of Erg Zahar. Camp is set up at the foot of the dunes for lunch. Afternoon off to explore and climb the dunes, sunset from the highest crest. Tajine evening around the fire.
Night: BivouacMeals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Camel trekking
Day 4
Erg Zahar – Erg Smar – Lahdaibat dunes
- Distance
- 12.4 km
- Total ascent
- 22 m
- Walking
- 4 h
- Max altitude
- 602 m
Up at sunrise, then about 2 hours along the Draa riverbed to Erg Smar. Cross the Draa and lunch in the shade of tamarisks near the abandoned, sand-buried village. Another half hour on foot to camp in the Lahdaibat dunes.
Night: BivouacMeals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Camel trekking
Day 5
Lebore – Bertham
- Distance
- 12.4 km
- Total ascent
- 29 m
- Walking
- 4 h
- Max altitude
- 603 m
Walk through small dunes to Lebore for lunch, then climb back up to the Bertham dune where camp is set for the last night.
Night: BivouacMeals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Camel trekking
Day 6
Bertham – Mzouaria – M'Hamid
- Distance
- 10.3 km
- Total ascent
- 15 m
- Walking
- 4 h
- Max altitude
- 592 m
Camp is struck and you walk to Mzouaria for lunch. After a rest, walk back to the fixed bivouac in M'Hamid in the late afternoon. End of the trek.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
- Camel trekking
Included in this price
- Guide, cook and cameleers from M'Hamid for all 6 days
- Pack camels for luggage, water and camp gear
- 5 nights in camp, in tents or under the stars
- Meals from breakfast on day 1 to lunch on day 6
- Tea and drinking water for all 6 days of walking
To plan for
- Return transport to and from M'Hamid El Ghizlane
- Travel insurance and repatriation cover
- Tips for the guide, cook and cameleers
- Your own sleeping bag for the 5 nights
- Drinks other than tea and water
International flights are never included — you book those yourself
When to go
- January: recommended season
- February: recommended season
- March: recommended season
- April: recommended season
- May: off season
- June: off season
- July: off season
- August: off season
- September: off season
- October: recommended season
- November: recommended season
- December: recommended season
Recommended seasonOff seasonIt is November: this is the season.
On the trail
Your agency
Adventures Desert
- Based in
- M'Hamid El Ghizlane
- Terrain
- Sahara
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6-day camel trek from M'Hamid to Erg Zahar via Sidi Naji
from €450