Quad tour on the dunes
A guided ride across the dunes and stony plains, with helmets, safety briefing and a local guide.
About Merzouga
Merzouga at a glance.
Merzouga is a small village in south-eastern Morocco, close to the Algerian border, at the foot of Erg Chebbi. This is a true sea of sand, with dunes that rise to around 150 metres and change colour from gold to deep orange through the day. It is the best known gateway to the Moroccan Sahara.
Most visits centre on the dunes: a camel trek at sunset, a night in a desert camp, dinner by the fire with live music, and sunrise from the top of a dune. Nearby you can also visit the village of Khamlia, known for its Gnaoua music, the seasonal lake of Dayet Srji, and the market town of Rissani.
The distances are long, so the journey is part of the experience. Our team plans the route, the drivers and the camps, and can combine Merzouga with the Atlas, Ouarzazate and the gorges of Dades and Todra, or with Fes.
- Best time
- October to April, with warm days and cool nights
- Climate
- Very hot in summer, cold at night in winter
- Getting there
- About 9 to 10 hours from Marrakech, best split over two days
- Nearby
- Erg Chebbi, Khamlia, Rissani, Todra and Dades gorges
At the end of the road, the dunes rise from the horizon and the silence begins.
What to see
Main places in and around Merzouga.
Erg Chebbi dunes
The largest sand dunes in Morocco, best seen at sunrise and sunset when the colours are strongest.
Camel trek
A slow ride into the dunes at the end of the day, led by local guides, ending at a camp for the night.
Desert camps
Tented camps set among the dunes, from simple to luxurious, with dinner, music and a clear view of the stars.
Khamlia village
A small village known for its Gnaoua musicians, whose families have kept their traditions for generations.
Dayet Srji
A seasonal lake that appears after heavy rain, attracting birds, including flamingos in some years.
Rissani
A market town on an old caravan route, with a busy souk and the mausoleum of Moulay Ali Cherif.
Experiences
Experiences we can arrange.
These are examples. Each programme is adapted to the group, the season and the budget.
Sunrise walk on the dunes
An early climb to a high dune to watch the sun rise, with breakfast back at the camp.
Camel trek at sunset
A guided ride into the dunes in the late afternoon, arriving at the camp as the light turns orange.
Night in a desert camp
A private tent, dinner served by the fire and live Berber music, then a night under the stars.