The Sahara at Merzouga
The great dunes of the Moroccan Sahara - towering ridges of golden sand at Erg Chebbi, reached by camel trek to a desert camp beneath a sky ablaze with stars.
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Illustrative image - a scene in the spirit of the place, not a photograph of it. Real photos are below.
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.
What you actually see
- 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.
Honest expectations
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.
What to pack for The Sahara at Merzouga
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
