Destination Guide
Merzouga & the Erg Chebbi Dunes
The most iconic desert gateway in Morocco — camel treks, luxury camps, and the tallest easily-reached dunes in the country
Merzouga is a small village on the edge of the Sahara in southeastern Morocco, and it is the single most popular entry point to the desert in the whole country. That is thanks to what sits right beside it: Erg Chebbi, a sea of golden dunes reaching well over 150 metres in places, close enough to the road that almost every Sahara itinerary from Marrakech, Fes, Casablanca, Agadir, and Errachidia is built around ending the day here.
A typical visit means arriving by 4x4 or minivan in the afternoon, then swapping to camelback for the final stretch into the dunes as the light turns gold. You spend the night in a desert camp — canvas tents, communal or private depending on the camp, dinner cooked over the fire, and music under a sky with none of the light pollution you would see back home. Many tours also stop at Khamlia, a small village near Merzouga known for its Gnawa musicians, descendants of West African communities who settled in the region generations ago.
Camp comfort levels vary a lot between tours — from simple shared-bathroom Berber tents to private en-suite glamping. If you want the full breakdown of what separates a basic camp from a luxury one, see our guide to luxury Sahara desert camps or the deeper how to choose a desert camp article on our blog.
Get There With Us
Tours to Merzouga & Erg Chebbi
One route from each of our five departure cities
3 Days Marrakech to Merzouga Sahara Desert Tour
Discover the magic of the Sahara Desert on this 3-day adventure from Marrakech. Experience camel trekking, luxury desert camps, and authentic Berber culture.
From€495per person
2 Days Fes to Merzouga Desert Express Tour
Quick 2-day express tour from Fes to Merzouga. Experience the Sahara Desert with camel trekking and desert camping.
From€425per person
3 Days Sahara Desert Tour from Agadir to Merzouga (Round Trip)
Experience the ultimate Moroccan adventure with this top-rated 3 Days Sahara Desert Tour from Agadir. Journey from the Atlantic coast through the majestic High Atlas Mountains, explore ancient UNESCO World Heritage sites, and immerse yourself in the magic of the Erg Chebbi dunes in Merzouga. Complete with a camel trek at sunset and a night at a luxury desert camp, this is the quintessential Moroccan desert experience.
From€554per person
6 Days Morocco Sahara Desert Tour from Casablanca to Marrakech
Travel from Casablanca to Marrakech through imperial cities, the Atlas Mountains, and the Sahara Desert. Enjoy a camel trek at sunset, a night in a desert camp, and authentic encounters with local culture. A carefully designed journey that captures the true spirit of Morocco.
From€988per person
2-Day Sahara Desert Tour from Errachidia
Perfect for travelers with limited time who want to experience the true magic of the giant Erg Chebbi dunes without long, exhausting drives.
From€292per person
3-Day Sahara Desert Tour from Errachidia (Round Trip)
A deep, slow-paced round-trip desert immersion from Errachidia — cold-water springs, a full day exploring hidden oasis villages and nomad families, Khamlia's Gnawa music, and two nights of luxury glamping in the Erg Chebbi dunes.
From€455per person
Merzouga FAQs
How do I get to Merzouga?
Merzouga is reached by road from Marrakech, Fes, Casablanca, Agadir, or Errachidia (the closest gateway city). Most travelers join a multi-day guided tour that handles the whole drive, rather than arranging transport independently.
What is Erg Chebbi?
Erg Chebbi is the great dune field beside Merzouga village, with some dunes rising over 150 metres. It is the most accessible major dune system in Morocco, which is why the majority of Sahara Desert tours end their journey here.
What is included in a typical Merzouga desert camp night?
A camel trek out to camp (usually timed for sunset), an overnight stay in a desert camp among the dunes, dinner, and traditional music around the fire, followed by the option of a sunrise camel ride or dune walk the next morning. Exact inclusions vary by tour — check each tour page for specifics.