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Hafid Benyachou and the nomad team with their dromedaries accompany you through the varied dune landscape in the south of Morocco. On our traditional caravan tours, travellers walk together with the nomads and their dromedaries. The tranquil hiking, always in the rhythm of the caravan, allows you to immerse yourself in the sea of dunes, enjoy the silence and forget everyday life. Especially on the long desert hikes of 6 days or more, you will experience the timelessness of the desert.
Let yourself be inspired and embrace the unknown!
Hikes in the varied rock and stone desert of Jebel Bani
Walk on old caravan trails and shepherds’ paths across the plateau of the Jebel Bani Mountains, through gorges and oases, over rocky slabs and gravel plains. Discover ancient settlements, admire rock paintings and engravings. There is the following research report on the rock paintings: http://www.academia.edu/2459577/Rock_Art_and_Archaeology_in_Ifran-n-Taska_Eastern_Jebel_Bani_Morocco_First_Results_of_the_Moroccan-Italian_Research_Project
We particularly recommend the long tours of 8 days or more, as in the example below*. The caravan takes you through vast dune landscapes and along barely visible shepherd’s paths through the impressive Jebel Bani Mountains with its plateaus, gorges, oases with pools of water or bubbling springs, palm trees and oleanders. Time and again you will also encounter nomadic families with their herds of sheep and goats.
If you would like to gain an insight into agriculture in the Sahara region, Hafid Benyachou offers you the opportunity to visit his relatives’ farm and fields before or after a trekking tour. It is also possible to start or end a trek with the nomads and semi-nomads in the high valley of Tafraout/Bani. As a former teacher of the first nomadic school in the Tafraout valley, Hafid knows the families and will be happy to show you the gardens and houses of the inhabitants. Today, this nomadic school is also a meeting place for young and old (see trekking and homestay).
If you want to have an insight into the agriculture of the Sahara region, Hafid Benyachou offers you to visit the farm and fields of his relatives before or after a trekking tour. It is also possible to start or end a trek at the nomads and semi-nomads village in the high valley of Tafraout/Bani. Hafid Benyachou has taught here for some years at the school for nomads, knows the families and will gladly guide you to the gardens and houses of the inhabitants. The old nomad school is now a meeting place for young and old (see Trekking and Homestay).
Video: Nomad woman prepares the traditional flatbread
It is advisable to plan a day or two in Zagora before and after a trekking tour. This allows you to take your time to let your experiences in the desert sink in, relax in a hammam, visit the authentic weekly market (Wednesday and Sunday) and browse through the numerous shops (Amezrou and Zagora).
You are also welcome to stay overnight at the Benyachou family home before the tour. Ali Benyachou’s wife may also visit a traditional hamam with female guests. Overnight stay with breakfast and dinner costs 20 EUR per person/day.
*Example of a 9-days tour through the mountainous landscape of Jebel Bani via Iriki National Park and to vast dune areas:
Akabar – Sahara Treks undertakes a challenging trekking tour through the fascinating mountain landscape of Jebel Bani to exceptionally beautiful, remote dune areas. 9 days of rest, relaxation and support from the nomad team. This tour is also available in a shortened version of 5-6 days only in the Jebel Bani Mountains with an overnight stay in the Iriki National Park or in the dunes and is interesting for travellers planning a 6-day trekking tour between May and July. This trek is only offered by Akabar – Sahara Treks and follows the paths of the Bani nomads. As there are only two wells in the trekking area, two additional camels are taken along for water transport.
The price for this very beautiful and interesting 9-day tour is:
for 3 persons: 910 EUR, for 4 persons: 800 EUR, for 5 persons: 770 EUR and for 6 persons: 750 EUR.
Trekking Prices 2024 (in EUR per person)
Payment: 25% advance payment via Paypal, WISE or Western Union, balance by bank transfer one week before the trekking trip or directly on site
We will be happy to inform you of the prices for other group sizes and tours of 9 days or more.
| Tour duration / persons | 3 days | 5 days | 6 days | 7 days | 8 days |
| 1 person | 735 | 1005 | 1060 | 1150 | 1270 |
| 2 persons | 470 | 660 | 690 | 770 | 860 |
| 3 persons | 390 | 550 | 570 | 645 | 720 |
| 4 persons | 340 | 490 | 520 | 580 | 650 |
| 5 persons | 360 | 500 | 520 | 580 | 520 |
| 6 persons | 320 | 440 | 510 | 570 | 630 |
Riding camel 25 EUR/day/person
Reduction of 25% for children under 10 years. Children/young people from 11 – 17 years receive a free riding camel for the tour on request.
The trekking price includes:
Round trip transfer in 4WD vehicle ( with 5 persons each), luggage jeep if necessary, camel trekking with English or French speaking guide, cook, chameliers, pack camels, mineral water for stay during trekking, full board with three meals a day, camping equipment, mattresses, blankets, sheets and large tent or two person tents.
Not included in the price: Riding camel, hotel in Amezrou or Zagora, lunch and dinner at the hotel and drinks, tips to the escort team:
Tipping is voluntary; the nomad team is happy to receive it.