Merzouga is the village at the foot of Erg Chebbi, the highest sand dunes in Morocco, and the classic place to experience the Sahara. Most visitors come for a sunset camel trek and a night in a desert camp, but with an extra day you can climb the big dune at sunrise, go sandboarding, tour the desert by 4x4, listen to Gnawa music in Khamlia and visit the market in Rissani. Here are the 12 best things to do.
The essential Merzouga experience. In the late afternoon, your caravan leaves the edge of the village and walks deep into the dunes for about one to two hours. The sand changes colour from gold to orange to red as the sun drops. For the full picture of what a trek involves, read our Sahara camel trekking guide.
Camps range from simple tents with shared bathrooms to luxury tents with private showers and real beds. Dinner is usually a tagine or couscous, followed by drums and songs around the fire. Compare the options in our article on luxury vs standard desert camps and our selection of the best desert camps in Morocco.
Set an alarm about 45 minutes before sunrise and climb the dune closest to your camp. Watching the first light hit the ridges of Erg Chebbi, in total silence, is the moment most travellers remember. The highest dunes of the erg rise well over 100 metres; climbing them barefoot in soft sand is harder than it looks, so go slowly.
Most camps lend sandboards. Sliding down a steep dune is fun, and climbing back up is a workout. The best time is late afternoon, when the sand is cooler. Read our sandboarding guide for tips.
A half-day or full-day 4x4 tour loops around the dune sea and shows you a side of the desert you do not see from a camel: black stony plains, nomad tents, old mining areas and small oases. On the way, your driver can stop at the places below.
Khamlia is a small village south of Merzouga whose families descend from people brought across the Sahara from sub-Saharan Africa. Musicians there play Gnawa-style music with drums and metal castanets (qraqeb) and welcome visitors for tea and a performance. It is one of the most memorable cultural stops in the region.
Some families still live a semi-nomadic life around the erg, raising goats and camels. A respectful visit, arranged by your guide, usually includes tea and bread baked in the sand. Ask before taking photos.
After rainy winters, a shallow lake forms north-west of the dunes and can attract migrating birds, sometimes including flamingos. In dry years it disappears completely, so ask locally before you go.
Rissani, about 40 km north of Merzouga, is the historic capital of the Tafilalet oasis. Its souk is busy on market days, with spices, dates, livestock and a famous "donkey parking". Your guide can show you the old ksour (fortified villages) nearby.
The area around Erfoud is rich in fossils such as ammonites and trilobites, and workshops cut and polish them into tables, plates and souvenirs. A short visit explains the process. Buy only from shops that give clear information about origin.
With no city lights for many kilometres, the night sky over Erg Chebbi is spectacular, especially around the new moon. Walk a few minutes away from the camp lights and lie on the sand; the Milky Way is easy to see on clear nights.
Motor activities are available around the edge of the erg for those who want adrenaline. Choose a guided ride and stay on authorised areas to respect the camps and the environment. If you prefer quads without the long drive, our Agafay quad biking near Marrakech is a good alternative.
One night is enough for the camel trek, the camp and sunrise. Two nights let you add a 4x4 tour, Khamlia and sandboarding without rushing. From Marrakech, that means a 3-day tour for one night or a 4 to 5-day tour for more time. See our 4-day private Sahara tour, our 5-day luxury Merzouga tour, or all routes on the Merzouga desert tours page.
Want to know more about the dunes themselves? Read about Erg Chebbi on Wikipedia, and our comparison Erg Chigaga vs Erg Chebbi.
4-Day Private Sahara Tour from Marrakech: UNESCO sites, Dades Valley & Merzouga Desert
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5-Day Private Luxury Tour Merzouga Desert from Marrakech
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