Desert hiking from Merzouga
Hike with us around Merzouga
This is our home turf! Hassan grew up in Merzouga and Eva has lived here for more than 4 years now.
So you can be sure we will take you on the path less travelled, to the best camping sites and show you the best spots for photos, sunsets and star gazing.
While most tourists come to Merzouga for an overnight stay in one of the many camps behind the dunes, on our multi day hikes, we will take you to locations most people don’t even know exist.
We have 3 different standard desert hikes around Merzouga, 5 days, 8 days and 10 days, but we can of course customize these to your wishes. And if you are short on time, we can take you on an overnight trip as well. We also offer different daytrips and 3-day itineraries.
Generally the days on longer hikes look like this:
Start hiking after breakfast, enjoy lunch under a tree, hike some more in the afternoon. Free time to enjoy the sunset in the evenings, discover the surroundings of the respective campsite. Depending on weather conditions there might be a camp fire in the evenings to bake fresh bread for dinner/breakfast. You would be helping with setting up camp and also packing up in the morning. Our camels carry all equipment, so you just have to carry your daypack with water and snacks.
Our multi-day desert hikes from Merzouga
Overnight camel trekking - If you are short on time
- Camel trekking in the afternoon to either an oasis with wild camping or a proper camp behind the dunes, return in the morning
- Total distance ca. 5-7 km over 2 days
- Fitness level 2/5
Day 1:
Arrive in Merzouga.
Leave town in the afternoon. Hiking will be in sand, crossing the dunes, dinner in the oasis or a camp behind the dunes (optional luxury camp).
Day 2:
After breakfast head back to town with your camels for an early departure.
Optional: head behind the dunes after breakfast with a guide. Visit the nomads for a glass of mint tea. Pick up with a 4×4 car, visit of the local mines, the Gnawa music village and a Berber Pizza Lunch. Arrival in Merzouga in the afternoon.
Add ons:
We can also organize pick up from the Supratours bus station in Merzouga or the Airport in Errachidia. And recommend or book accomodation in Merzouga according to your budget.
Hike 1 - For desert newbies - Price starting from 690 € per person
- 5 days, Merzouga, Erg Chebbi, Hassi Begaa, Erg Znigui, Merzouga
- Total distance ca. 50-60 km over 4.5 days
- Fitness level 2-3/5
Day 0:
Arrival in Merzouga
Day 1:
Leave Merzouga after breakfast. Hiking today will be mostly in sand, crossing the dunes, lunch in an oasis, set up camp behind the dunes (optional luxury camp)
Day 2:
Today we will hike along a dry river bed, with great views of the dunes all day. Set up camp close to Hassi Begaa
Day 3:
We will explore the local mountains, climb up for an amazing sunset view, same camp as day 2
Day 4:
Today we will cross Erg Znigui and the hills, visit an abandoned village and old mines.
Camp in nomad village behind the dunes
Day 5:
On the last day we will cross Erg Chebbi again to return to Merzouga
Hike 2 - For desert enthusiasts - Price starting from 890 € per person
- 8 days, Merzouga, surround Erg Chebbi, Erg Znigui, Hassi Begaa, Merzouga
Total distance ca. 100-120 km over 8 days
- Fitness level 3/5
Day 0:
Arrival in Merzouga
Day 1:
Leave Merzouga after breakfast, short drive to the start of our hike. We will walk through the flats, have lunch in a village, and set up camp behind the dunes
Day 2:
Today we will mostly walk in sand. We will hike into the dunes, have lunch in a small oasis, camp behind the dunes (optional luxury camp)
Day 3:
Another day in the sand. We will hike into the dunes, have lunch in a different oasis, and camp in the dunes tonight
Day 4:
Today we will hike along a dry river bed, with great views of the dunes all day. Set up camp close to Hassi Begaa
Day 5:
We will explore the local mountains, climb up for an amazing sunset view, same camp as day 4
Day 6:
Today we hike to Hassi Begaa village and oasis with the possibility to visit the tiny local shop. We will camp in the dunes of Erg Znigui
Day 7:
Today we will cross Erg Znigui and the hills, visit an abandoned village and old mines. Camp in nomad village behind the dunes
Day 8:
On the last day we will cross Erg Chebbi again to return to Merzouga
Hike 3 - Desert and Mountains - Price starting from 990 € per person
10 days, Merzouga, Erg Chebbi, Erg Znigui, Hassi Begaa, Taouz, Jdeid, Merzouga
- Total distance ca. 80-100 km over 10 days
- Fitness level 3/5
Day 0:
Arrival in Merzouga
Day 1:
Leave Merzouga after breakfast. Hiking today will be mostly in sand, crossing the dunes, lunch in an oasis, set up camp behind the dunes (optional luxury camp)
Day 2:
Today we will cross the hills, visit an abandoned village and old mines. Camp in the dunes of Erg Znigui
Day 3:
Today we will hike towards the mountains of Hassi Begaa, set up camp early and climb the mountain for an amazing sunset view
Day 4:
We will keep the camp for another night and spend the day surrounding the mountain, looking for local nomads
Day 5:
Today we hike to Hassi Begaa village and oasis with the possibility to visit the tiny local shop. We will camp in the dunes of Erg Znigui
Day 6:
Easy day today, short hike to Taouz, camp close to town
Day 7:
Today we will cross Ouad Ziz, the dried up river bed and follow it to Jdeid, where we will camp close to the mountains. Optional detour to check out the local petroglyphs.
Day 8:
We will start our ascent into the mountains, always on the lookout for more petroglyphs. Camp in the mountains
Day 9:
We will spend all day in the mountains today. Camp again in the mountains
Day 10:
Last day, we will leave the mountains behind, cross the Ouad Ziz and, depending on our speed, check out the lake before we head back to Merzouga.
