Destination

Merzouga

Tours reaching Merzouga and the Erg Chebbi dunes — camel trek at sunset, a night at a desert camp and sunrise over the sand.

32 tours in Merzouga

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Planning a trip to Merzouga

Merzouga is a small village in south-east Morocco, and the reason anyone drives this far is the wall of sand behind it. Erg Chebbi is a dune sea roughly 28 kilometres long and up to about 150 metres high — one of only two true ergs in Morocco, and the one almost every desert itinerary is built around. The village itself is modest: a road, a few shops, and then the sand starts.

Our office is in Rissani, about 40 kilometres up the road, so this is the part of the country we know best. That matters for the details that make or break a desert night — which side of the erg catches the better sunrise, which camps are actually where they claim to be on a map, and how long the camel trek really takes with children along.

Nearly every multi-day tour we run reaches Merzouga, because there is no shortcut to it. From Marrakech it is a full day on the road over the Tizi n'Tichka pass; from Fes it is a long day through the Middle Atlas and down the Ziz Valley. That drive is why three days is the realistic minimum for a desert trip, and why the longer itineraries feel less rushed.

Questions about Merzouga

How long is the camel trek to the camp?

Usually 45 minutes to an hour each way, timed so you reach camp around sunset. It is a walking pace on a padded saddle, not a trek. If you would rather not ride, we can take you in by 4x4 instead — say so when you book and it costs nothing extra.

Can I visit Merzouga as a day trip?

Not sensibly. The nearest major city is nine hours away by road, so a day trip means sixteen hours of driving for an hour of sand. Three days is the shortest itinerary that gives you a night at the dunes without spending the whole trip in the car.

Is there electricity and a proper bathroom at the camp?

At the standard and luxury camps we use, yes — solar power, lighting, and en-suite bathrooms with hot showers in the luxury tents. The simpler nomad camps have shared facilities and lamplight. We will tell you which one your itinerary uses before you pay.

What is the temperature at night?

Colder than people expect. From December to February it can drop close to freezing after dark even when the day was pleasant. Camps provide heavy blankets, but bring a fleece and long trousers for the evening.

Camel caravan crossing the Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset near Merzouga

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