Camel trek into the dunes
A 60–90 minute plod from the village out to camp, best saved for late afternoon when the sand shifts from gold to a deep, burnt copper.
Marrakech, MoroccoConcierge · 7 Days · 9–21H GMT+1
Erg Chebbi · Southeast Morocco
Sahara & Merzouga, Morocco
The genuine Sahara, reached from Marrakech: the 150m dunes of Erg Chebbi, camel caravans and luxury camps beneath a sky stuffed with stars.
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
When people picture Moroccan dunes, they are picturing Erg Chebbi — a 22 km sweep of orange sand near Merzouga that rears up to 150 m above the flat hammada. From Marrakech this is the great desert expedition rather than a day's outing: about nine hours by road over the Tizi n'Tichka pass and down through the Dadès and Todra gorges, which we deliberately stretch across two days so the kasbah road becomes part of the adventure rather than a slog, or a short flight to Errachidia and a two-hour transfer. The reward is one of the most cinematic landscapes on the planet and a night under canvas with Berber hosts, where the only sound is the wind combing the crests.
What to see
Highlights of Sahara & Merzouga.
A night in a luxury camp
Canvas suites kitted out with proper beds and en-suite bathrooms, a candlelit dinner beneath the stars, and gnaoua players keeping time around the fire.
Sunrise from the high dune
Up before six for a barefoot haul up 150 m of soft sand, rewarded as the sun cracks the ridge toward Algeria.
Erg Chigaga, the wilder option
Deeper south and reached only by 4x4 from M'Hamid — quieter, with a fraction of the camps and a tougher approach. The pick for travellers who have already ticked off Merzouga.
Itineraries
Our Sahara & Merzouga tours.
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.
5 days
The silence of Chigaga
A private 4x4 expedition to the empty dunes south of Zagora — three nights under canvas with Berber hosts, far from the nearest road or road sign.
from $1,240Enquire →
1 day
One night in Erg Chebbi
A camel ride out to a luxury camp on the high Merzouga dunes, gnaoua music by the fire, and a dawn climb up the sand before breakfast.
from $380Enquire →
Before you go
Practical notes.
- Getting there: Around 9h by road from Marrakech to Merzouga, which we split over 2 days on the kasbah road; or fly to Errachidia and drive the final 2h.
- What to pack: Warm layers — desert nights bite even in summer — plus a scarf against blowing sand, a headlamp and a pair of slip-on shoes.
- Connectivity: Expect a flicker of mobile signal at the camp's edge and, quite deliberately, no Wi-Fi at most camps.
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 see the Sahara on a day trip from Marrakech?+
No. The real dunes at Erg Chebbi and Erg Chigaga sit around nine hours out and need at least three days. If you're tight on time, the Agafay stone desert forty minutes from Marrakech hands you a desert sunset and a camp — lovely in its own right, but not the Sahara.
Is the desert too hot in summer?+
In July and August the daytime heat routinely tops 45°C and many camps shut or relocate. October to April is the working season, with March and November the sweet spot — warm, comfortable days and cool, crystal-clear nights.
Erg Chebbi or Erg Chigaga?+
Erg Chebbi at Merzouga is the easier reach with the widest spread of camps — the right Sahara for a first visit. Erg Chigaga is wilder, emptier and demands a 4x4 crossing, which makes it the better call once you've already seen the classic dunes.
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
Beyond the Atlas on the road to the dunes — Rissani, the old Tafilalt caravan town at Merzouga's gateway.
Explore
152 kmDrâa-Tafilalet · Todra Valley
Tinghir
Tinghir is the gateway to the Todra valley — a lush oasis town backed by the southern Atlas, base camp for one of Morocco's most dramatic canyon hikes.
Explore
171 kmPre-Sahara · Kasbah road
Dadès & Todra Gorges
Soaring red canyons, palm oases and the celebrated hairpin road — the dramatic middle act of the Marrakech-to-Sahara journey.
ExploreRead more
From the journal.
Stories, guides and practical tips to help you plan your time in Sahara & Merzouga and beyond.