Sunset camel trek into Erg Chebbi
A 60–90 minute caravan from Merzouga over the dunes to your camp, timed for late afternoon when the sand turns from gold to deep copper and the shadows stretch out.
Merzouga, MoroccoDesert Concierge · 7 Days · 9–21H GMT+1
Erg Chebbi · Southeast Morocco
Sahara & Merzouga, Morocco
The Sahara proper: Erg Chebbi's 150m dunes, camel caravans at dusk, and luxury camps under the whole desert sky.
Best time
October–April (avoid July–August)
Recommended
3 days minimum from Marrakech
Airport
Errachidia (ERH), then 2h drive
Region
Erg Chebbi · Southeast Morocco
Why Sahara & Merzouga
This is the Sahara everyone pictures — Erg Chebbi, a 22km wall of wind-sculpted orange dunes rising up to 150m above the flat hammada outside the village of Merzouga. It is the single most rewarding desert experience in Morocco and the heart of what we do. You reach it on a two-day drive from Marrakech over the Tizi n'Tichka pass, through Ouarzazate, the Dadès and Todra gorges and the Tafilalt oasis — or from Fes via Midelt and the Ziz gorges, or by a short flight to Errachidia and a 2h transfer. The reward is a sunset camel trek over the crests to a tented camp, Berber gnaoua music around the fire, a sky thick with stars, and a dawn climb up the high dune as the sun lifts over Algeria.
What to see
Highlights of Sahara & Merzouga.
A night in a luxury Saharan camp
Canvas suites with proper beds and en-suite bathrooms set among the dunes, a candlelit Berber dinner and gnaoua drumming around the fire under an unbroken sky of stars.
Dawn climb to the high dune
Wake before first light, climb the 150m crest above camp barefoot in the cold sand, and watch the sun break over the dunes toward the Algerian border.
Sandboarding, 4x4 and oasis villages
Beyond the dunes: sandboard the slip-faces, take a 4x4 to the Khamlia Gnaoua musicians and the nomad wells, or ride out to the seasonal lake where flamingos sometimes gather.
Itineraries
9 tours that visit Sahara & Merzouga.
Every itinerary below is privately operated, fully customisable, and includes a deep stop in Sahara & Merzouga. Click any tour for the day-by-day plan, the map, dates and pricing.
2 daysBestsellerSahara
Merzouga 2-Day Camel Trek & Desert Camp
The classic overnight: a sunset camel caravan over the orange dunes of Erg Chebbi, dinner and music at a Berber camp, then a quiet sunrise climb before riding back out.
from $180 Private · view →
3 daysSignatureSahara
Marrakech to Merzouga — 3-Day Desert Crossing
The definitive Sahara round-trip from Marrakech: the Tizi n'Tichka pass, the kasbah of Aït Ben Haddou, the Dades and Todra gorges, and a camel sunset and overnight camp at Erg Chebbi.
from $320 Private · view →
4 daysRemoteSahara
Erg Chigaga 4x4 Expedition
Skip the crowds for Erg Chigaga — the tallest, most remote dunes in Morocco, reached by a true off-road 4x4 crossing from the desert outpost of M'Hamid.
from $690 Private · view →
12hGuest favouriteSahara
Merzouga Quad Biking on the Dunes
A guided quad-bike run along the edge of Erg Chebbi — across firm sand tracks, past desert villages and the black volcanic plain, with full briefing and gear.
from $60 Private · view →
12hSahara
Erg Chebbi Sunrise Camel Trek
A gentle pre-dawn camel caravan into the dunes of Erg Chebbi to watch the sun rise over the sand, returning to Merzouga in time for breakfast.
from $45 Private · view →
2 daysLuxurySahara
Merzouga Luxury Desert Glamping
An overnight at a luxury tented camp in the heart of Erg Chebbi — en-suite bathrooms, proper beds, fine dining under the stars, with camel sunset and quad-bike add-ons.
from $420 Private · view →
2 daysSahara
Zagora Overnight Desert — 2 Days
The fastest desert overnight from Marrakech: over the Atlas to Aït Ben Haddou and down the Draa Valley to the dunes near Zagora, with a camel trek and a night at camp.
from $150 Private · view →
12hSahara
Erg Chebbi Sandboarding Day
A guided sandboarding session on the tall dunes of Erg Chebbi — boards, instruction and a 4x4 shuttle to the best slopes, timed for the cool of late afternoon.
from $50 Private · view →
4 daysSahara
Draa Valley & Dunes — 4-Day Explorer
Follow the Draa Valley — Morocco's longest river and palm oasis — through kasbahs and date groves to the remote dunes of Erg Chigaga, with two nights of desert camping.
from $640 Private · view →
Before you go
Practical notes.
- Getting there: 9h drive Marrakech → Merzouga via the kasbah road (split over 2 days); or from Fes via Midelt and the Ziz gorges; or fly to Errachidia + 2h.
- What to pack: Layers (desert nights are cold even in summer), a scarf for blowing sand, headlamp, sunglasses and slip-on shoes for the dunes.
- Connectivity: Mobile signal at the dune edge; no Wi-Fi at most camps — the silence is the point.
Concierge
Have your Sahara & Merzouga trip designed by a local
Tell us your dates, group size and pace. We'll send back a written proposal within 24 hours — private guides, transfers, riads, the lot.
Request a proposalFAQ
Sahara & Merzouga — common questions.
Can I do the Sahara as a day trip from Marrakech?+
No — the real dunes at Erg Chebbi (Merzouga) are a 9-hour drive away, best done over a 3-day round trip or a longer one-way route to Fes. The closest desert day trip from Marrakech is the Agafay stone desert, which is scenic but is not the Sahara and has no sand dunes.
How many days do I need for a Merzouga desert tour?+
Three days is the realistic minimum from Marrakech (a day down via the kasbah road, a night in the dunes, a day back). Four or five days lets you slow down at the gorges, the Tafilalt oasis and a second night under canvas — strongly recommended.
Merzouga (Erg Chebbi) or Erg Chigaga?+
Erg Chebbi at Merzouga is the more accessible classic, reached on a paved road with many camps and the best logistics — ideal for a first Sahara trip. Erg Chigaga, near M'Hamid, is wilder, deeper and reached only by 4x4 piste — our pick for repeat desert travellers who want fewer camps and more silence.
When is the best time for a Merzouga Sahara tour?+
October to April. March and November are ideal — warm days, cool nights, clear skies. July and August regularly exceed 45°C and many camps close or relocate; midwinter nights in the dunes can drop near freezing, so pack layers year-round.
Closest destinations
Pair Sahara & Merzouga with.
These destinations are closest to Sahara & Merzouga — easily combined on a private itinerary.
32 kmTafilalt oasis · Drâa-Tafilalet
Rissani
The last big town before the sands — Rissani, ancient Tafilalt caravan gateway to Merzouga and Erg Chebbi.
Explore
152 kmDrâa-Tafilalet · Todra Valley
Tinghir
Where the desert pistes meet the gorges — Tinghir, lush oasis gateway to the Todra canyon.
Explore
171 kmPre-Sahara · Kasbah road
Dadès & Todra Gorges
Towering red canyons and the famous switchback road — the dramatic mid-point of the route to the dunes.
ExploreRead more
From the journal.
Stories, guides and practical notes to help you plan a richer trip to Sahara & Merzouga.
Journal