Merzouga: Gateway to Morocco’s Golden Dunes

At the edge of the Sahara, Merzouga is home to Erg Chebbi – 50-meter-high dunes that glow like embers at sunrise. This remote desert outpost offers more than just camel treks; it’s where Berber hospitality meets the raw beauty of the dunes, with nights spent under a blanket of stars.

Top Experiences

1. Sunset Camel Trek
   Ride dromedaries into the heart of Erg Chebbi as shadows stretch across the sand. Most tours include an overnight at a luxury desert camp with drum circles and mint tea.
2. 4×4 Desert Adventure
   Zoom across « Hollywood Dune » (featured in The Mummy), visit nomadic families, and discover the fossil-rich desert plains.
3. Khamlia Village Music
   At this « Gnawa Village, » descendants of enslaved Africans perform trance-like spiritual music on handmade instruments.

Beyond the Dunes

• Day Trip to Rissani: Explore this ancient caravan town’s donkey-filled souk and crumbling ksars.
• Sandboarding: Rent a board to surf down 100-meter dunes (best at dawn when sand is cool).
• Fossil Hunting: The desert floor is littered with 400-million-year-old marine fossils.

Pro Tip
Visit October-April (daytime 25°C). Summer hits 50°C! Pack a headscarf against sandstorms.

Why It’s Magic
Merzouga isn’t just a place—it’s an emotion. The silence of the dunes at dawn, the warmth of Berber bread baked in desert embers, and the Milky Way so bright it casts shadows.