The Four
Seasons

The Journey

The journey of a lifetime. Two weeks starting from M'Hamid El Ghizlane to territories most people will never see — unmapped 200-meter dunes, fortified villages abandoned for centuries, underground oases fed by millennia-old aquifers.

This expedition is led by two experienced guides and a cook. A moderate fitness level is all that's needed — willpower matters more than physical condition. Desert Lotus Retreat handles everything.

Day by Day Program

• Days 1-2M'Hamid El Ghizlane. Preparation and acclimatization. Village and palm grove visit. Meeting expedition guides.
• Days 3-4Departure by 4x4 then on foot to the first great erg. Bivouacs in the dunes. Introduction to star navigation.
• Days 5-7Crossing great hammadas. Discovery of prehistoric rock art. Meeting Reguibat nomadic families. Three bivouacs in virgin terrain.
• Days 8-10Heart of the deep Sahara. Monumental dunes. Night at the summit of the highest visible dune. Meditation of silence.
• Days 11-12Fortified village from the 12th century. Underground oasis. Natural springs. Bivouacs in radically different environments.
• Day 13Last night in the desert. Great evening of Gnaoua and Touareg music. Farewell ceremony with the guides.
• Day 14Return to civilization. M'Hamid El Ghizlane. End of expedition.

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.