Merzouga, a town in southeastern Morocco, is the go-to village for anyone wishing to spend a night in one of the tented camps near the Erg Chebbi dunes. It is a small village near a lush oasis, the last outpost before venturing into the spectacular dunes of the Moroccan Sahara desert. Here, immersed in the magic of silence, we find the iconic and majestic Dunes of Erg Chebbi.
The dunes are located on the border with Algeria and are considered the gateway to the Sahara, marking the beginning of the vast sandy desert with its high golden dunes that change color with every movement of the sun's rays, from golden yellow to delicate pink hues and finally to the deep red of sunset.
These dunes have various names: some refer to them as "The Merzouga Desert," "The Sahara Desert," or "The Merzouga Sahara."
The experience of spending a night in the desert under a myriad of stars is one of the most thrilling aspects of this trip: watching the sunset over the beautiful Erg Chebbi dunes from the back of a camel, seeing them change color and turn red, then dining at the camp in the middle of the desert, and finally admiring the starry sky before retreating to the beautiful tents of the camp. In my opinion, this alone is worth the trip to Morocco, not to mention the miles traveled to get there.
Reaching the Erg Chebbi Dunes from Fès means traveling 462 km southeast, towards the Sahara Desert on the border with Algeria.
Lucky you, this road trip is a spectacular attraction in itself: there are many fascinating stops, not to mention the breathtaking landscapes.
Let's see where we are in our road trip itinerary in Morocco!
As you can see on the map below, we have now reached the fifth day of our journey (⑤), during which we left Fès heading southeast to reach the Erg Chebbi Dunes near Merzouga (Sahara Desert).
The drive from Fès to Merzouga is one of the longest of this road trip: 8 hours!
At least the route is absolutely breathtaking, with varied and fascinating landscapes, passing through Ifrane (the Switzerland of Morocco) and the spectacular Ziz Gorges, all the way to the Sahara Desert.
Here, we spent the night in a tented camp amidst the Erg Chebbi Dunes, and after breakfast on the morning of the sixth day (⑥), we set off westward towards Ait Ben Haddou.
If you want to know more about how to plan your Morocco travel itinerary then READ ALSO: Perfect Morocco itinerary for a 8-days-car trip
Don't miss all the insights on the various stages of this incredible trip:
part 1 - days ① and ② : Discovering Casablanca, Rabat and Meknes
part 2 - day ② and ③ : Chefchaouen, Morocco's Blue Pearl and Akchour Waterfalls
part 3 - day ③ and ④ : Fes, Morocco's Imperial Pearl
If you have already defined your itinerary and you are now thinking about the more organizational and logistical part of your trip READ ALSO: How to plan a road trip in Morocco in a few simple steps
From Fès to the Erg Chebbi Dunes, near Merzouga: 462 kilometers by car
Let's now look step-by-step at this segment of our road trip that took us from Fès, the fascinating imperial gem of Morocco, to the magical dunes of Erg Chebbi in the southeast of the country.
For all the information related to car rental, driving, and current regulations, please make sure to check READ ALSO: How to plan a road trip in Morocco in a few simple steps
The stops between Fès and Merzouga are all short and can be made even as brief stops during the approximately 7-hour drive to your destination. If you have more time for your trip, you might consider an intermediate overnight stop to break up the journey. In this case, I suggest spending a night in Midelt and then continuing.
But let's look at each stop!
Ifrane - the Switzerland of Morocco
Ifrane (which means “caves” in Berber) is also known as the “Switzerland of Morocco.” This small town is located at an altitude of 1,700 meters in the Middle Atlas mountains, and it is far from the usual image we might have of Morocco: Ifrane is actually the favorite destination for Moroccans looking for a snowy vacation! That's right, you heard correctly... I'm talking about skiing, snowboarding, and sledding in Morocco! I could hardly believe it myself, but I assure you, being in Ifrane feels like you've been transported to a mountain town in Switzerland thanks to its Alpine-style houses.
The construction of Ifrane dates back to 1929 when the French, during their protectorate administration, designed it as a cool retreat for colonial families during the hot summer months.
Today, Ifrane is an elegant holiday destination for the residents of Morocco, a preferred spot for the wealthier families who wish to escape the mass tourism destinations.
Ifrane is exactly on the road from Fès to Merzouga, so we didn’t need to make any detours and just stopped for a few minutes. Is it a must-see? Absolutely not, but it is definitely an interesting place for a very brief stop: the town is really tiny and certainly more interesting in winter when it is covered in snow.
The Cedar Forest of Azrou
The Cedar Forest of Azrou is located just a few minutes' drive from Ifrane and is also on the road from Fès to Merzouga, so no special detours are needed.
The forest is famous for hosting a colony of Barbary macaques that live freely and are unafraid of visitors. You can comfortably admire the forest and its small inhabitants from the seat of your car.
Midelt
After the Cedar Forest, on the road to Merzouga, we come across Midelt: a town situated in the Middle Atlas region of Morocco, about 150 km southeast of Fès.
Midelt is surrounded by beautiful mountains and picturesque landscapes, with expanses of apple and apricot trees for which it is very famous. It is actually a popular tourist destination thanks to its ideal location for mountain excursions, trekking, and outdoor sports, as well as being a useful and practical stop to break up the journey from Fès to Merzouga.
The town is rather small and peaceful, with numerous traditional markets and local craft shops.
We decided not to stop, preferring to head straight to Merzouga, but in case you decide to visit and perhaps stay overnight to break up the journey to the desert, here are some interesting things to see:
The natural landscape: Midelt is surrounded by splendid nature, such as the Atlas Mountains and the Moulouya River, which are perfect for wonderful walks and are particularly interesting for birdwatching enthusiasts.
The Kasbah of Tizi n'Talghaumt: an ancient fortress situated on a hill offering a splendid view of Midelt and the mountains.
The Midelt Souk: the town’s local market where you can find handmade products, ceramics, clothes, and spices.
The Roman city of Timgad: located 35 km from Midelt, famous for its archaeological remains dating back to the 3rd century.
Ziz Valley and Ziz Gorges
The Ziz Valley offers one of the most beautiful landscapes in Morocco, and photos do not do it justice: it is traversed by a long, winding road that emerges from the gorges of the High Atlas and continues through lush palm oases overlooking the Ziz River, which flows south towards the edges of the Sahara Desert.
Crossing the Legionnaire Tunnel, built by the troops of the French Colonial Empire in 1930 to create a passage to the Ziz Valley, we encountered the breathtaking Ziz Gorges. From time to time, you can spot rural villages near the palm groves, with the green minarets of mosques standing out, until you reach the Hassan Addakil Dam, which, with its artificial lake, marks the end of the gorges.
The Ziz Gorge canyon winds between hills up to 320 meters high and, with an average width of 100 to 200 meters, stretches for about 80 km.
The Dunes of Erg Chebbi - the Sahara Desert, near Merzouga
The Erg Chebbi Dunes are literally a sea of sand, a peaceful oasis that stretches over a strip of land about 22 km long and 5 km wide in Taghilalet, in southeastern Morocco, near the Algerian border. Reaching the Erg Chebbi Dunes is easy: they are connected to many small villages, including Merzouga (the most famous), by a paved road.
Erg Chebbi is a magical, almost surreal place, but above all, it is rich in history and tradition, where ancient nomadic peoples once lived and where caravan traders passed through to sell their goods in nearby towns or in major Moroccan cities like Marrakech. This is why there are many theories about the existence of the dunes in this area.
Legend has it that when a wealthy family in this area refused hospitality to a poor woman and her child, God was offended and buried the entire family under mounds of sand in a location that is now called Erg Chebbi.
The tallest sand dune, Lala Merzouga, stands at about 160 meters, although the shapes of the sand dunes are constantly changing due to the wind, so the height may vary.
If you are planning a trip to Morocco, I highly recommend including the Merzouga desert in your itinerary. If you have any doubts about how to do it, take a look at the itinerary we followed for some inspiration and READ ALSO: How to plan a road trip in Morocco in a few simple steps
Once you have outlined your itinerary, all that's left is to organize this magical experience. What I can tell you is that spending a night in the desert in a tented camp, when the stars take over the sky, is an unforgettable experience, just like watching the sun set behind the dunes at sunset while riding a camel. I have already been to the Sahara Desert twice in Egypt, but this is a whole different story, I guarantee.
There are various ways to fully experience the desert: you can choose organized tours, do everything independently, or spend one night or several days in the desert... there is truly an embarrassment of choices! In my opinion, one night is more than enough.
There are countless organized tours available, and you will find them in both Fès and Marrakech or Ouarzazate: all will take you to the Erg Chebbi Dunes, taking care of transfers, booking the tented camp, and all the various activities to do in the desert.
The other alternative is to take care of everything independently: as we have seen, reaching the dunes involves a rather long but still exciting and extremely interesting drive. With a bit of patience and goodwill, you will be able to reach them on your own.
Once here, there are countless tented camps to choose from, with options to suit all budgets. To choose the camp that best suits your needs, I recommend considering a few things:
there are camps on both the right and left sides of the dunes: the landscape does not change, but the position will affect the sun’s location. Let me explain: we stayed at a camp on the right side of the dunes, before Merzouga, and we had a wonderful camel ride to watch the sunset, as the sun was setting in the east. If, however, you choose a camp on the other side of the desert, you will be offered sunrise excursions so you can see the sun rising behind the dunes in the west;
another thing to keep in mind when choosing a camp is that it should not be too close to other camps, so you can enjoy the silence and peace of the place without being disturbed by the sight of other camps;
you might also want to reach the dunes on foot from the camp completely independently: this is another thing to check, as some camps are quite far from the dunes;
another aspect to consider is the services at the camp. As mentioned earlier, there are camps for all budgets, from very basic ones to luxury ones at various prices. We chose a middle option at a great price, and the main thing we cared about was having a private bathroom;
lastly, often there is no electricity in the private tents of the camps, only in the common tent: always check this detail and bring a power bank if needed.
We chose the Saharian Luxury Camp and had a great experience for €88.20 for two people per night, including breakfast and an excellent dinner.
We were asked to get there between 5 PM and 6 PM, and we left the car near the Yasmina Hotel (to reach it, there are about 4 km of dirt road from the main road, but you can easily manage it if you drive slowly). From there, we were picked up and immediately set off on a camel excursion until sunset, while the staff from the camp transported our luggage to our destination.
The camel ride at sunset (lasting about 2 hours) was organized by the Saharian Luxury Camp at our request, which we made a couple of weeks in advance via a private message on Booking. The cost is €25 per person.
It was a very exciting experience, one that we believe is absolutely unmissable on a road trip in Morocco. The journey to reach the Erg Chebbi dunes is long, but it is definitely worth it.
The excursion ended at sunset right at our tented camp, where we then had dinner and enjoyed a traditional music show around the fire in the center of the camp.
In the morning, we paid €13 in total for the 4x4 Jeep transport back to our car.
If you're interested, the camp also offers other activities such as a quad ride (for €50 per person) for one hour or sandboarding on the dunes. Additionally, the dunes are reachable in just a few minutes on foot.
Anyway, the tents are spacious and comfortable, with en-suite bathrooms, and the dinner is plentiful and delicious (drinks excluded)!
It's definitely a tourist experience, but in my opinion, it is something that should absolutely be included in your itinerary in Morocco.
So, to recap:
Where are the dunes? The reference location to include in your road trip in Morocco is Merzouga: here you will find the Erg Chebbi Dunes, which are part of the Sahara.
How to reach them? The dunes are about 7+ hours from Fès and 8+ hours from Marrakech. You can include this stop in your itinerary (as we did) or participate in an organized multi-day tour departing from either city.
What to do once you're near the dunes?
Walk to the dunes to take stunning photographs and indulge yourself in this sea of sand.
Try sandboarding on the dunes—ask your camp about this experience.
Join a 4x4 excursion: This option allows you to reach some of the more remote areas of the desert and visit a few Berber villages.
Ride a quad on the dunes: A faster and more sporty option, our camp organized this excursion for €50 per person.
Explore the dunes on a camel's back: In my opinion, this is the most authentic and characteristic experience to have and possibly the most thrilling.
When is best to visit the Erg Chebbi Dunes, in the Merzouga desert
The climate in the Moroccan desert is pleasant all year round; however, it’s important to consider the temperature fluctuations between day and night. Especially in winter, while daytime temperatures can be warm, around 28-30°C, nighttime temperatures can drop to freezing, reaching 0°C. Additionally, it is common for winds to pick up, creating unpleasant sandstorms.
Therefore, although Erg Chebbi can be visited year-round, the best time for this desert experience is between March and October.
What to Pack for an Excursion in the Merzouga Desert, Morocco
Typically, this excursion lasts one night, but some choose to spend more days among the Dunes of Erg Chebbi.
Whatever option you decide for, the truly essential items are few:
For clothing, it's best to opt for something covered, like long pants and a long-sleeve shirt made of light, linen fabrics to protect yourself from the sun and also from the wind, which can be quite strong, especially at sunrise and sunset.
For shoes, I chose closed footwear to prevent sand from getting in. I advise against flip-flops (which make walking on the dunes quite difficult) and sandals since the sand can get very hot.
Sunglasses and a hat are essential.
Don't forget to pack sunscreen, as the sun is quite intense in the desert.
Many people use typical cotton scarves, like a keffiyeh, to protect against the wind and sand; however, when we visited, there was not a breath of wind, so it was absolutely unnecessary.
If you visit the Merzouga desert in winter, keep in mind the temperature difference between day and night, and bring warm, covering clothing for the colder hours.
Here we are at the end of this sensational part of our journey to the most remote part of Morocco. We departed from Fès and drove about 460 km with beautiful (albeit short) stops until we reached the Dunes of Erg Chebbi. Here, after a wonderful sunset camel ride, we enjoyed a delicious dinner at our camp and a musical performance around the fire, under a breathtaking starry sky.
In the morning, we woke up early, and after a nice breakfast, we headed back to our car and set off towards Ait-Ben-Haddou, traveling along the road of a thousand Kasbahs, but we will discuss that in the next post!
Don't miss all the insights on the various stages of this incredible trip:
part 1 - days ① and ② : Discovering Casablanca, Rabat and Meknes
part 2 - day ② and ③ : Chefchaouen, Morocco's Blue Pearl and Akchour Waterfalls
part 3 - day ③ and ④ : Fes, Morocco's Imperial Pearl
Stay updated on upcoming posts about our next stops on the road in Morocco and the in-depth look at Moroccan cuisine. In the meantime, here’s an overview of the entire itinerary: READ ALSO: Perfect Morocco itinerary for a 8-days-car trip
If you are planning your trip to Morocco, don't miss the article with all the tips and tricks to organize a perfect road trip in this beautiful country. You will find information about flights, accommodations, car rentals, parking, fuel, and many other useful tips here READ ALSO: How to plan a road trip in Morocco in a few simple steps
Did you just book a trip to Morocco but don't know where to start planning your time there? Then, let me present to you my digital map of the country which includes: Casablanca, Rabat, Meknes, Chefchaouen, Fez, Merzouga, the Street of a Thousand Kasbahs and Marrakech.
Thanks to this map you will be able to build your entire road trip in Morocco.
This is a private map on Google Maps on which you will find:
more than 100 places to visit including the best souks, madrasas and museums
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To receive the map for FREE, you can choose one of these two ways:
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Have a nice trip!