7-day ascent of Toubkal and Merzouga Dunes

Day 1 - Marrakech - Toubkal Refuge - 6 hours' walk

The first day of the trek consists of an early departure from Marrakech to the village of Imlil, at 2800m altitude. This small village offers breathtaking green landscapes and terraced cultivation.
Once you've arrived in Imlil, you'll meet up with the muleteers to begin the ascent of Mount Toubkal. This first stage of the ascent offers exceptional views and a steady climb over 4 to 5 hours (2 hours on the road and 4 to 5 hours on foot).
In the evening, you can spend the night at the nearby bivouac hut, at an altitude of 3200m. This day includes a 1300m climb.

Day 2 - Climb Mount Toubkal - 5.5 hrs walk

On the second day of the trek, you'll wake up before sunrise to begin the ascent to the summit of Mount Toubkal on foot. Walking time is 5h30.
Once at the summit, you'll enjoy breathtaking views of the Atlas mountains and even the Sahara desert. After admiring the scenery, you'll head back down to the Toubkal refuge, which takes around 6 hours to complete.
In the evening, you can spend the night at the Toubkal refuge or in a nearby bivouac, at an altitude of 3200m. This day includes a positive and negative vertical drop of 960m.

Day 3 - Ouarzazate - 4 hours' walk

We'll take the transport back to route N°9 and discover the magnificent Tizi N'Tichka pass and its ochre villages suspended from the cliffs. Stops and visits will be offered along the way, including Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage ksar (4h drive). Overnight in an ecolodge in Ouarzazate. Ascent: -1300m

Day 4 - M'hamid El Ghizlane "At the gateway to the desert

On the fourth day of the trek, you'll take Route N°9 into the desert valley of the Drâa, from Ouarzazate to the village of M'hamid El Ghizlane. The route offers a varied landscape of regs, oases and palm groves.
After around 4 hours on the road, you'll reach the village of M'hamid El Ghizlane, where you'll find your permanent bivouac. You'll spend the night in this bivouac at the foot of the dunes, between palm groves and date palms.

Day 5 - Erg Chegaga

On the fifth day of the trek, you'll set off on foot with the camel caravan to reach Erg Lbour, a grazing area where you can meet shepherds and their camels. This day in the heart of the Sahara will be accompanied by Sahrawi nomads, giving you an insight into life in a camel caravan. Walking time is 4 hours.
After lunch, you'll take a 4×4 to the magnificent dunes of Erg Chegaga. You'll cross a 50 km track through the immense regs to get there.
You'll spend the night in a nomadic bivouac in the dunes, in a tent or under the stars, as you prefer.

Day 6 - Erg Chegaga

This sixth day of the trip will be devoted to discovering the Chegaga desert. After lunch near the sacred oasis or with a nomadic family, depending on the encounters made along the way, it is possible to take part in a hike in the Chegaga dunes at the end of the day. Travelers can choose to hike or ride a camel. It includes a climb to the highest dune to admire the sunset. For the night, a nomadic bivouac is organized under the stars of Chegaga. Travelers can immerse themselves in the unique atmosphere of the Moroccan desert, listening to the stories and songs of the nomads, while admiring the stars. It's an unforgettable experience.

Day 7 - Return to Marrakech

The seventh day of the trek begins with breakfast in the dunes. Then it's off in a 4×4 on the Lac Iriki trail, heading for Foum Zguid, Tazenakcht (the carpet town) and finally Ait Ben Haddou. Time to return to civilization! You'll be back on the Atlas road, arriving in Marrakech in the late evening, after about 8 hours on the road.