Camel trek into the dunes
A 60–90 minute ride from the village to camp, ideally timed for late afternoon when the dunes turn copper.
Chefchaouen, MoroccoConcierge · 7 Days · 9–21H GMT+1
Erg Chebbi · Southeast Morocco
Sahara & Merzouga, Morocco
The real Sahara: 150m dunes, camel caravans and desert camps under more stars than you have ever seen.
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
Erg Chebbi is the Morocco of postcards — a 22 km field of orange dunes by the village of Merzouga, rising up to 150 m above the hammada. Be honest about the distance: it is nowhere near the blue city. From Chefchaouen the dunes are roughly a two-day journey, almost always routed back south through Fes and over the Middle and High Atlas via Midelt and Errachidia (or a Fes-to-Errachidia connection, then a 2-hour drive). Travellers who want both the indigo Rif and the deep south usually do Chefchaouen first, drive down to Fes, then strike out for the desert. The reward at the end is one of the most cinematic landscapes on the planet and a night in a tented camp with Berber hosts.
What to see
Highlights of Sahara & Merzouga.
Desert camp under the stars
Canvas suites with proper beds and en-suite bathrooms, a candlelit dinner and gnaoua musicians around the fire — about as far from a Rif mountain town as Morocco gets.
Sunrise climb to the high dune
Wake before dawn, climb 150 m of sand and watch the sun come up over the direction of Algeria.
Erg Chigaga, the wilder alternative
Further south, reached from M'Hamid by 4x4 — quieter, with fewer camps and harder to reach. The choice for travellers who have already done the easier dunes.
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 quieter dunes south of Zagora, with three nights under canvas and Berber hosts.
from $1,240Enquire →
1 day
One night in Erg Chebbi
A camel ride to a desert camp on the high dunes, gnaoua music around the fire and a sunrise climb.
from $380Enquire →
Before you go
Practical notes.
- Getting there: A long haul from the north: roughly 2 days from Chefchaouen via Fes and the Atlas, split over stages. Or fly Fes/Casablanca to Errachidia, then 2h by road.
- What to pack: Layers (cold nights even in summer), a scarf for blowing sand, a headlamp and slip-on shoes.
- Connectivity: Mobile signal at the camp edge, no Wi-Fi at most camps — by design.
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.
How do I reach the Sahara from Chefchaouen?+
There is no short cut — the real dunes are at the far south-east of the country. From the blue city the standard route runs back down to Fes, then south over the Middle and High Atlas via Midelt and Errachidia to Merzouga, a journey of about two days. Most travellers see Chefchaouen and the desert as bookends of a longer Morocco trip rather than back to back.
Is it too hot in summer?+
July–August daytime temperatures regularly exceed 45°C and camps close or move. October–April is the season; March and November are ideal — a world away from the cool mountain evenings of the Rif.
Erg Chebbi or Erg Chigaga?+
Erg Chebbi (Merzouga) is more accessible and has more camp options. Erg Chigaga is wilder, quieter and requires a 4x4 — better for travellers who have already done the easier desert trips elsewhere.
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
Deep in the desert south-east, on the Merzouga leg rather than near the blue city — Rissani, the ancient Tafilalt capital, Alaouite cradle and atmospheric Thursday souk.
Explore152 kmDrâa-Tafilalet · Todra Valley
Tinghir
The deep south's grandest gorge walk — Tinghir and the Todra narrows, what Rif hikers who love Akchour find when they cross to the far side of the Atlas.
Explore171 kmPre-Sahara · Kasbah road
Dadès & Todra Gorges
Towering red canyons, palm oases and the famous switchback road — the dramatic heart of the southern desert route.
ExploreRead more
From the journal.
Travel notes and practical guides to plan your time around Sahara & Merzouga.