Erg Zahar, the dune field you reach on foot
Erg Zahar is a high dune field in the Iriqui area, part of the Erg Chigaga system and known as the "Howling Dune". It sits far from any road and is reached on foot or with camels, which keeps it quiet.
Trips that visit this place
10 days / 9 nights
10-Day Sahara Trek from Marrakech
Marrakech → Ait Ben Haddou → Ouarzazate …
From €900 per person
11 days / 10 nights
11-Day Sahara Trek: Erg Zahar and Erg Chigaga
Marrakech → Ait Ben Haddou → Ouarzazate …
From €980 per person
13 days / 12 nights
13-Day Sahara Trek with a Rest Day
Marrakech → Ait Ben Haddou → Ouarzazate …
From €1,150 per person
Best time to go
Our 4 trips here are planned from October to April.
- January: 4 of 4 trips
- February: 4 of 4 trips
- March: 4 of 4 trips
- April: 4 of 4 trips
- May: 0 of 4 trips
- June: 0 of 4 trips
- July: 0 of 4 trips
- August: 0 of 4 trips
- September: 0 of 4 trips
- October: 4 of 4 trips
- November: 4 of 4 trips
- December: 4 of 4 trips
Walk between October and April. Winter nights are cold, and in summer the heat makes trekking unsafe.
Guide
How to get there
There is no road to Erg Zahar. Treks leave from M'Hamid, which is about 460 km from Marrakech by road, and walk in over one or two days with a camel caravan carrying the luggage.
Ways to visit
Our 4-day trek from M'Hamid is the shortest way to sleep in the Erg Zahar dunes. The long treks of 10, 11 and 13 days also pass through it on their way across the dune fields.
Around Erg Zahar
Nearby on the same routes
Where these trips start
Route collections that go there
Ways to travel
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive to Erg Zahar?
No. It is reached on foot or by camel, which is exactly why it stays so quiet. If you prefer a vehicle, the Erg Chigaga dunes are the nearest ones a 4x4 can reach.
How many days do you need to visit Erg Zahar?
Our trips that visit Erg Zahar last from 4 to 13 days. The shortest is 4-Day Erg Zahar Trek from M'Hamid, starting in M'Hamid.
How much does a trip to Erg Zahar cost?
Our trips visiting Erg Zahar start from €900 per person (10-Day Sahara Trek from Marrakech). Each trip page shows its prices per group size.
Can you start a trip to Erg Zahar from M'Hamid and Marrakech?
Yes. Our trips that visit Erg Zahar start in M'Hamid and Marrakech. The meeting point and pick-up details are on each trip page.
When is the best time to visit Erg Zahar?
We plan these trips from October to April.