Camels--the "Ships of the Desert"-- for millennia have been the chosen and often the only possible means of transportation across many of the world's deserts. Caravans bringing spices and luxury goods from the South to Europe and Asia in many ways served as vanguards of cultural exchange across the continents. |
 Today it is not difficult for modern day travelers to experience a taste of what travel might have been like crossing those vast expanses of heat and sinuously sculpted sand and rock. What is more, the experience can be enjoyed with amenities. Just a short few hour's drive from the ancient city of Marrakech in Morocco--easily accessible from London on a three-hour flight--tour operators can arrange camel treks across the deserts and dunes of Morocco. |
| Camel trekking is not only a fun activity for travelers, but is a part of the tradition of the country as nomads have used camels as a form of transport for centuries. Following in their footsteps is an unforgettable experience, and visitors will have a few options to choose from. The most popular camel trekking adventure is an excursion into the Sahara Desert. |
| Traveling by camel on the ridge of a dune in the late afternoon with nothing around you but sand, tranquility and open blue sky, must be experienced and cannot be explained. Finding the ideal camping area for the evening, and sitting on the dunes watching a breathtaking sunset is one of the most picturesque experiences and one that visitors will never forget. Clear skies filled with bright stars and the silence of the desert surrounding you is what travelers can anticipate on a camel trekking experience. There are different day treks that visitors can go on, ranging from one day excursions to eight days adventures. The journey depends completely on visitor preferences. |
The Spectacular Sand Dunes of Morocco:
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| These sand dunes are described as the highest sand dunes of Morocco. Erg Chebbi dunes are 22 km long and 5 km wide with the tallest sand dune reaching about 150m in height, while the tallest sand of Erg Chigaga is 300m tall. Erg Chebbi is easy to reach unlike Erg Chigaga. |
Erg Chigaga spreads over 40 kms. It is home to the Ait Atta, a large tribal confederation of nomadic Berbers in northeastern Morocco. At 300m high, the tallest sand dune, is respectfully named Lahbidia . These sand dunes contrary to Erg Chebbi are not easy to reach. You can travel to them only by camel (about 3 days) or by 4x4 wheel drive from Mhamid or Forum Zquid (65kms off road through desert landscape). The best way is to organize a Morocco desert tour to Erg Chigaga with a Morocco tour operator. There are no auberges in Erg Chigaga, the only type of accommodations is in basic and authentic Nomad tents without luxury.
To quote a recent visitor, "If Erg Chebbi is nice then Chigaga is awesomely, mindblowingly beautiful. There are fewer tourists, and one can really experience the solitude of the desert in this place. It is something you cannot describe to someone who hasn't experienced it."
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| Camel trekking along the coastline is also available, but usually takes between five to eight days to complete. Guides are there to share countless stories with visitors, and provide valuable information in regard to the camels, the history of camel trekking and knowledge about the desert that they have gained through experience. Whether it is a one day excursion or multi-day adventure, camel trekking is an activity in Morocco that should be explored by all visitors to the country. |
For additional information:
Camel Trekking: Aztat Treks / Trekking in Morocco = http://www.atlastrekshop.com/
Other Touring Options: TourDust Wilderness, Adventure, Safaris = http://www.tourdust.com/
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