Merzouga

A village at the foot of the Erg Chebbi dunes in the Sahara: ride a camel into the sand sea for sunset, spend the night in a Berber tent camp, and tour the Gnawa music village and oasis markets by 4x4.

Merzouga lies in the Drâa-Tafilalet region of southeastern Morocco, only twenty-odd kilometers from the Algerian border, and is the easiest-to-reach dune area of the Sahara within Morocco. The Erg Chebbi dunes on the east side of the village stretch about 28 km north to south, with the tallest dunes about 150 m high; the color of the sand shifts from golden yellow to orange-red with the light, in sharp contrast to the black gravel desert to the west. The climate is arid desert: from October to April days are mild and nights cold, and winter nights can drop to around 0°C; from May to September daytime temperatures often exceed 40°C and sandstorms are possible, so it is not advisable to go into the desert. The main attraction is riding a camel or taking a 4x4 into the dunes, watching the sunset from a Berber tent camp, listening to drumming, stargazing and watching sunrise from the top of a dune. Around Merzouga you can arrange half-day to full-day 4x4 loops: to the south, the Gnawa music village of Khamlia, the seasonal lake Dayet Srji and the abandoned mining village of Mifis; to the north, the Rissani market, the Alawite dynasty mausoleum and the ruins of the ancient city of Sijilmassa, as well as Erfoud and the Maadid ksar, known for fossil processing. Getting there: it is about 9–10 hours by road from Marrakech, and most travelers join a 3-day, 2-night desert tour from Marrakech or one from Fez; you can also fly to Errachidia Airport and hire a car for about 2 hours, or take a CTM or Supratours bus to Rissani or Merzouga. We suggest staying 1–2 nights. Note: the desert has a large day–night temperature range, so bring warm clothing, a scarf and sun protection; signal is weak in the desert, so carry enough cash; confirm prices and inclusions with guides and camps.

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