The Sahara at Merzouga

The dunes of Erg Chebbi near Merzouga are the great classic image of the Moroccan Sahara, towering ridges of golden sand rising up to 150 metres from the flat desert. The quintessential experience is a camel trek over the dunes at sunset to a desert camp, where dinner and Berber music are followed by a night beneath a sky ablaze with stars, and a dawn climb to watch the sun rise over the sand.

Highlights

• The Erg Chebbi dunes - the towering ridges of golden sand.
• The camel trek - the ride over the dunes to a desert camp.
• A night under the stars - the desert camp and the brilliant night sky.
• Sunrise over the sand - the dawn light on the dunes.

When to go

October to April for bearable temperatures, as summer in the desert is dangerously hot; the winter nights, though, are cold, so pack layers. Sunset and sunrise on the dunes are the magical hours.

Practical notes

It is a long drive from Marrakech or Fes, typically two or three days there and back through the Atlas, so it is a commitment, not a quick trip. The camel ride is short and can be uncomfortable. Camps range from basic to luxurious, so choose to match your comfort. Desert nights are cold in winter.

Nearby

The Dades and Todra gorges and the road over the High Atlas lie on the route from Marrakech.