- Day 1M’Hamid → Sidi Naji
- Set off by camel from M’Hamid, the last village before the desert.
- Lunch in the shade of the acacias.
- Stop at the tomb of the marabout Sidi Naji, a place rich in history and tradition.
- Set up the first camp, help prepare dinner with the team, and spend your first night under the stars.
- Day 2Sidi Naji → Erg Zahar
- After breakfast, walk at the caravan’s pace across a stony plain dotted with tamarisks.
- Lunch in the shade and a rest.
- Reach the great dunes of Erg Zahar late in the day: sunset, dinner and a night in camp at the foot of the dunes.
- Day 3Erg Zahar → Erg Smar
- Sunrise over the dunes.
- Trek to Erg Smar, the farthest point of the loop, with lunch on the way.
- Landscapes of ridges, dunes and wide open space.
- Traditional dinner and a night in a nomad tent or under the stars.
- Day 4Erg Smar → return by a different route
- Set off toward M’Hamid by a different route than on the way out, through dunes, plateaus and Saharan vegetation.
- Lunch on the trail.
- A last bivouac on the way back, dinner and an evening of traditional music around the fire.
- Day 5Back to M’Hamid
- A last morning walk after breakfast.
- Arrival in M’Hamid El Ghizlane and the end of your nomad adventure.
5 Days / 4 Nights: The Great Nomad Loop by Camel
Five days and four nights, from M’Hamid El Ghizlane back to M’Hamid El Ghizlane, at the pace of a real nomad caravan. You cross the landscapes of Sidi Naji, Erg Zahar and Erg Smar without ever getting into a 4×4, and without going as far as Erg Chegaga. The idea is simple: less road, more desert.
You walk, you watch, you rest in the shade of the tamarisks, you discover the traces of nomadic life, and every night you sleep in a bivouac camp in the heart of the desert. A slow, authentic journey, far from the classic tours.
Highlights
- A 100% camel-and-foot loop: start and finish in M’Hamid, no 4×4 return
- Three landscapes: the tomb of the marabout Sidi Naji, the great dunes of Erg Zahar, and Erg Smar (the farthest point of the trek)
- An experienced nomad guide and a caravan that carries all the gear
- Four nights in a bivouac camp, in a nomad tent or under the stars
- A different route back than on the way out
- Traditional tea, meals prepared at camp, and traditional music on the evening of day 4
At a glance
- Duration: 5 days / 4 nights
- Start and finish: M’Hamid El Ghizlane
- Transport: camel and on foot, no 4×4
- Route: M’Hamid, Sidi Naji, Erg Zahar, Erg Smar, back to M’Hamid (no Erg Chegaga)
- Accommodation: bivouac camp, nomad tent or under the stars
- Dates: tell us yours and we will plan the departure with you
- Price: tailor-made. We work it out with you based on your dates, group size and season. Get in touch and we will gladly prepare your quote.
What’s included
- Experienced nomad guide for the whole trek
- Camel caravan for luggage and equipment
- 4 nights in a traditional bivouac camp, in nomad tents
- Full board: breakfasts, lunches and dinners prepared at camp
- Traditional tea
- Drinking water during the trek
What’s not included
- Tips and personal expenses
- Transport to M’Hamid
How is this different from our other Sidi Naji trek?
Our Sidi Naji trek with Erg Chegaga reaches the big Chegaga dunes and returns by 4×4. This version is a 100% camel loop: slower, longer in the desert, and without Erg Chegaga. Choose the first to see Chegaga, and this one to walk with the caravan from the first day to the last.
What to bring
- Comfortable walking shoes you have already worn
- Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen
- A fleece or warm jacket: nights are cool
- Headlamp, and a soft bag rather than a suitcase
- Our beginner’s guide to camel trekking has the full packing list
FAQ
How much does this trek cost? The price is tailor-made: it depends on your dates, the number of travelers and the season. Write to us and we will work out together the price that fits your group.
Do I need to be a strong walker? You move at the caravan’s pace, with breaks in the shade, and the camels carry the luggage. Tell us about your fitness and what you are hoping for, and we will advise you.
When is the best time to go? Send us your dates and we will tell you what we recommend for that season.
How do I get to M’Hamid? The trek starts and ends in M’Hamid El Ghizlane. Tell us where you are coming from and we will help you plan your arrival.
What are the nights like? You sleep in a bivouac camp, in a nomad tent or under the stars, set up by the team at each stop.
How do I book? Send us your dates and the number of travelers, and we will reply with a program and a price for your group.
Request your quote
Ready to go? The price is revealed when you contact us: tell us your dates and group size and we will reply with a personal quote.
Request a quote on WhatsApp: +212 640 46 07 50, or use the Contact us page.