This New Year’s Eve, escape the crowds and chaos of tourist-heavy areas like Merzouga, and discover a truly remote and serene part of the Sahara Desert. Our New Year Sahara Tour takes you to the vast, tranquil dunes of Erg Elmhazil, located in the stunning Lake Iriki Desert—a hidden gem near Foum Zguid. This untouched part of the Sahara offers a completely different experience, where the sky is clearer, the stars are brighter, and the silence is unbroken. It’s a perfect place to reconnect with nature and immerse yourself in the beauty of the desert, far from the busy tourist spots.
Celebrate New Year in the Remote Sahara: A Unique Experience in Erg Elmhazil
A Truly Unique Sahara Experience
Unlike the popular and crowded dunes of Merzouga, the Erg Elmhazil dunes provide a private, peaceful retreat where you’ll be able to truly enjoy the desert’s tranquility. With no other visitors in sight, this remote desert location allows you to experience the pure silence of the Sahara. As night falls, the stars above will be clearer than anywhere else in Morocco, offering a mesmerizing view of the night sky.
During the day, you can enjoy a camel trek or a multi-day camel ride, allowing you to dive deep into the authentic Berber culture and experience the nomadic lifestyle of southern Morocco. You’ll have the chance to meet and learn from local Berber communities as they share their unique traditions, hospitality, and way of life.
Private Wild Camping Experience
For those seeking a more intimate experience, we offer a wild camping (or bivouac sauvage) option in the middle of nowhere, surrounded only by your loved ones and the natural beauty of the Sahara. This private desert camping experience allows you to be completely alone, immersed in the wilderness, and far from the usual tourist tracks. Perfect for families or small groups looking for an authentic desert experience, it’s a chance to truly disconnect and recharge.
Tailored Journeys Starting from Anywhere in Morocco
We understand that every traveler is unique, which is why we offer customizable tours that can start from Marrakech, Foum Zguid, Agadir, Ouarzazate, or any location in Morocco. Whether you’re arriving by plane, car, or even by camel, we can organize your trip to ensure your journey to the Sahara is seamless and stress-free. Your private 4×4 transfers will take you through scenic desert landscapes, all the way to the heart of Erg Elmhazil for a one-of-a-kind celebration.
Unforgettable New Year’s Eve in the Sahara
Ring in the New Year in the heart of the Sahara, where you will experience a unique celebration like no other. As the sun sets over the dunes, your camel trek will lead you to a traditional Nomad Camp, where you’ll be treated to an evening of Berber music, cultural immersion, and delicious traditional meals. Celebrate with champagne under the stars or opt for a private dinner to enjoy the peaceful desert ambiance.
Start Your New Year in Morocco’s Sahara
This New Year, give yourself the gift of the Moroccan Sahara. With the Erg Elmhazil dunes, Lake Iriki, and the Sahara of Foum Zguid, you will experience one of the most remote and peaceful corners of Morocco. Away from the crowds, this desert adventure offers an unparalleled authentic Sahara experience, making it the perfect way to begin a new year filled with adventure, culture, and unforgettable memories.
Day 2: December 31 – Nomadic Life, Oasis, and New Year’s Eve in the Desert
A peaceful awakening in the silence of the desert and breakfast at the camp, facing the first rays of dawn on the golden dunes.
This morning, you will set off to discover the authentic life of the Saharan nomads. You will visit a nomadic school to better understand how children live and learn in these unique conditions, then share a traditional lunch with a nomadic family. This shared experience will allow you to discover their hospitality, their simplicity, and their deep connection with nature.
In the afternoon, visit an ancient oasis, a place of life and culture, as well as the Zaouïa of Sidi Abdenabi, an important spiritual and historical site in the region. Return to the camp to enjoy the sunset over the Chegaga dunes, an unforgettable spectacle.
At the end of the day, depart for a camel ride through the dunes before nightfall.
In the evening, experience a magical New Year’s Eve celebration, enlivened by Berber music and songs around the campfire, accompanied by a traditional festive dinner prepared by your hosts. A unique moment to welcome the new year in a friendly, authentic, and warm atmosphere, under a sky filled with stars.
Day 3: January 1 – Chegaga ➝ Mhamid ➝ Tamgroute ➝ Zagora ➝ Draa Valley ➝ Ait Ben Haddou
After a peaceful awakening and breakfast at the camp, depart by 4×4 across the Saharan tracks towards Mhamid El Ghizlane, the last village before the great dunes of the Sahara. From there, continue to Tamgroute, a village famous for its ancient Koranic library, one of the most important in Morocco, and its traditional green pottery workshops. We will continue our journey through the Draa Valley, a landscape of lush oases and red earth kasbahs, testaments to a rich history and ancient traditions. We will stop in Zagora, a small Saharan town nicknamed “the gateway to the desert,” before continuing on to Ait Ben Haddou.
Arrival in the late afternoon, check-in at a traditional riad facing the kasbah. Dinner and overnight stay in a peaceful setting, in the heart of Moroccan heritage.
Day 4: January 2 – Ait Ben Haddou ➝ Telouet ➝ Marrakech
After breakfast, a guided tour of the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This impressive ksar, built of rammed earth, has served as a backdrop for numerous international films such as Gladiator, Lawrence of Arabia, and Game of Thrones.
After the visit, we’ll travel to Telouet, a village perched in the Atlas Mountains, to discover the magnificent Kasbah of Pasha Glaoui, the former residence of the powerful lord of southern Morocco.
In the afternoon, we’ll return to Marrakech, crossing the Tizi n’Tichka pass (2,260 m) one last time, with several stops to admire the mountain panoramas. We’ll arrive in Marrakech in the late afternoon, marking the end of your unforgettable Saharan adventure.
Included
- Pick-up and drop-off at your accommodation in Marrakech
- Transportation in a comfortable, air-conditioned 4×4 or minibus
- French-speaking driver/guide
- 3 nights’ accommodation (1 night camping in Chegaga, 2 nights in riads or kasbahs)
- Dinners and breakfasts throughout the tour
- Lunch with a nomadic family
- Camel ride in Chegaga
- Special New Year’s Eve celebration (dinner, music, and Berber atmosphere)
Not included
- Lunches (except for lunch on day 2)
- Drinks
- Tips and personal expenses