A camel caravan on the Erg Chebbi dunes near Merzouga at sunsetThe highest dunes in Morocco, and the night everyone remembers.
Merzouga is a village in south-east Morocco at the edge of Erg Chebbi, a sea of dunes about 28 km long and up to about 150 m high, the highest in the country. It is 9 to 10 hours from Marrakech, so most tours take 3 days with a night in a desert camp.
Erg Chebbi's dunes rise to about 150 metres and change colour all day, from pale gold at noon to deep red at sunset.
Dinner by the fire, Berber drums, and a sky with more stars than you have ever seen, from a standard Berber tent or a luxury tent with your own bathroom.
The ride in takes about an hour and a half; the climb before dawn is short, silent and unforgettable.
Gnaoua musicians in the village of Khamlia, and the old market town of Rissani, gateway of the Tafilalet.
By road from Marrakech over the High Atlas (2 days on the way, with a night near the Todra Gorge), or from Fes through the Middle Atlas and the Ziz Valley (1 long day). The nearest airport is Errachidia, about 130 km away.
October to April: warm days and cold nights. December and January nights can drop near 0 °C. June to August is very hot at midday.
Standard camps have Berber tents and shared bathrooms; luxury camps have private tents with a real bed and a bathroom with a hot shower.
A warm layer for the night, a scarf against sand and sun, a head torch, and a small bag for the camp.
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About 560 km, 9 to 10 hours of driving, which is why tours usually take 3 days.
Not from Marrakech or Fes: the drive is too long. Plan at least 3 days from Marrakech, or 2 to 3 from Fes.
Yes. Erg Chebbi is a true Saharan erg, with the highest dunes in Morocco.
From October to April. Avoid midday heat in summer; bring warm clothes for winter nights.
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