Merzouga (Erg Chebbi)

Erg Chebbi is a sea of orange sand dunes about 22 km long, the highest reaching almost 150 metres. At the foot of the dunes, the village of Merzouga and the hamlet of Hassilabied host guesthouses and caravan departures.

The classic experience: set off by camel in the late afternoon, watch the sunset from a ridge, have dinner and sleep in a desert camp, then climb a dune at dawn. Camps range from simple Berber tents to luxury tents with private bathrooms.

Around the erg you can also visit the Gnawa village of Khamlia, where descendants of former slaves keep a hypnotic music alive, or the old fossil mines. Merzouga is about 9 hours’ drive from Marrakech: allow at least 3 days to get there without rushing.