The Great
Nomad

The Journey

Eight days following the ancestral trans-Saharan caravan routes — from the Atlas foothills to the deepest ergs. This is our most complete expedition, designed for those who truly want to disappear into the Sahara and emerge transformed.

Cross Erg Zmila, Erg Zahar, Erg Smar and Erg Aït Ounir. Sleep in seven different bivouacs, walk alongside dromedaries, learn star navigation from guides who have read the sky since childhood. This is not a tour. It is a journey.

Day by Day Program

• Day 1Depart Marrakech at 7:30 AM toward M'Hamid El Ghizlane. Wind through the grand landscapes of the High Atlas, crossing the Tizi n'Tichka pass (2,260 m). Pass Ouarzazate, then immerse in the magnificent Draa Valley dotted with mud-brick kasbahs and lush palm groves. Arrive at M'Hamid in late afternoon. Meet the nomad team. First night in the fixed camp under desert stars.
• Day 2Wake in the golden calm of the desert. Breakfast, then begin the trek with the camel caravan toward the Sidi Naji marabout. First steps through dunes and tamarisks bathed in light. Lunch in the shade. Bivouac in the wilderness. Evening dune climb to watch the sky ignite. Night around the fire with traditional songs.
• Day 3Head toward Erg Zmila, a dune massif with gentle lines lost in the immensity. The landscape grows more arid, the sand more present. Tea break, nomad lunch, continue the trek. Bivouac set in the heart of the dunes. Sunset over the undulating horizon. Dinner and night under the infinite sky.
• Day 4Direction Erg Zahar, one of the Sahara's jewels. Known as the 'howling dunes', this site impresses with the wind's song in the sand. Cross a sea of dunes between absolute silence and immensity. Bivouac at the foot of the high dunes. Evening ascent for a breathtaking panorama. Dinner and night under the stars.
• Day 5March toward Erg Smar, where a nomad village once stood. On the way, footprints of the past and silhouettes of dromedaries on the horizon. Camp set near a solitary tamarisk. Time for rest, contemplation, and immersion in the unique atmosphere of the desert. Evening marked by drums and fire. Peaceful night in the heart of silence.
• Day 6Varied stage through golden dunes, regs (stone plains), and discreet oases. Pause at the well to water the dromedaries. Camp set in Erg Aït Ounir. Free afternoon: siesta, walk, or time for introspection. Gentle night under the stars.
• Day 7Last full day in the wilderness. Trek through the great dunes of the Draa Valley to the Douibe dunes. Camp set near a large tamarisk. Traditional preparation of sand-baked bread. Evening vigil by the fire. Final songs under the Milky Way.
• Day 8Morning walk to the fixed camp at M'Hamid. Breakfast, then departure for Marrakech. Optional stop at Tamegroute: visit the green pottery workshop and the Quranic library. Lunch on the road. Arrive in Marrakech in the late evening (hotel or airport transfer according to your schedule).

What's Included

✅ Round-trip transportation from Marrakech or Ouarzazate

✅ A comfortable overnight stay in our traditional desert camp in M'hamid, including dinner and breakfast

✅ An authentic desert experience guided by our local team

✅ Full-board accommodation during your stay (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)

✅ Support and assistance from the Desert Lotus Retreat team throughout your journey.

Not Included

* Optional camel ride for guests who wish to enjoy the desert on camelback (€20 per camel, per day)

* Drinks and meals during the road transfer

* Entrance fees to attractions and monuments

* Personal expenses and tips

* Travel and repatriation insurance.

What to Bring

Light comfortable clothes for walking · Warm layers for cold desert nights · Good hiking shoes · Sun protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses) · Light backpack with water · Camera.

How Your Trip Works

We pick you up from your chosen city — Marrakech, Ouarzazate, or Zagora — and take care of everything from there. Your luggage travels by camel so you can walk freely and enjoy every moment.

Nights are spent in nomadic bivouacs sheltered between the dunes. Sleep under a blanket of stars or inside a traditional tent — your choice, every night.

All meals are freshly prepared by your guide team using local ingredients: think Saharan bread baked in the sand, tajines, and endless mint tea around the fire.

Every trip is fully customizable — want to add a 4x4 day, visit a specific dune, or adjust the pace? Just ask.