Discover the Desert of Merzouga 2023

Discover the Desert of Merzouga 2023

The Merzouga Desert, A Sea of Sand

Merzouga is the pearl of the Sahara desert in Morocco, a real jewel very popular with tourists from all over the world. It is a small village in the southeast of Morocco, about 35 km from Rissani, about 45 km from Erfoud and about 20 km from the Algerian border. It is known worldwide for its beautiful landscapes and the immensity of its dunes where the view is lost. That is why Merzouga is one of the ideal places to admire its sunset, as well as to contemplate a magnificent starry sky or make 4×4 adventure experiences in Morocco.

What is Erg Chebbi and where is it located?

Erg Chebbi is located in the south-east of Morocco, not far from the border with Algeria, the town that acts as a gateway Merzouga. In fact, it is the largest Erg in the country, with approximately 28 km long in a north-south direction and a width that reaches 5 km in some sections. In addition, its sandy elevations, in continuous formation, can measure up to 150 meters at some points.

Activities you can do in Erg chebbi

• Dromedary rides in the dunes: the most traditional means of transportation, and the best way to enjoy the environment.
• 4×4 route to feel the adrenaline of the great desert rallies.
• Berber evening in the traditional tent camp: dinner typical breakfasts, including Berber tea and local dishes, such as madfouna.
• Photo safari to capture the magical colors of the dunes and the striking contrast of the sand with the sparse remnants of vegetation or with the dark stones on the margins of erg chebbi.
• Spiritual sessions of disciplines such as yoga or meditation, which find here an incomparable setting for their practice.
• Enjoy the immaculate sky of the desert, in its three most special moments: the sunset with its orange lights, the night with its explosion of stars in the sky and the dawn with its overwhelming stillness.
• Coexistence with Berber families who still maintain their nomadic habits and have the capacity to adapt to such an inhospitable place.

What to visit in the surroundings of Merzouga

If you have time to spare during your visit, you can always take advantage of the opportunity to explore the villages and regions around Merzouga:

Khamlia 

The small village of Khamlia is one of the secrets hidden in the Moroccan desert. Next to Merzouga and the Erg Chebbi dunes, this village would go unnoticed if it were not for its music. With just 400 inhabitants, a restaurant, three small stores, a mosque and adobe houses, it could be like any other town in the area. But it is not. In the middle of the desert and close to the Algerian border, Khamlia was founded by the Gnawa. This denomination is used both to talk about an ethnic group and to mention its special musical style and rituals that will not leave you indifferent.

Lake Dayit srij

Very close to Merzouga (you can even go on foot, although you will not find a tree to shelter you on the way) is this lake that can only be seen if you visit it between June and September, rainy season. During these months, the dayet srij lake is shown in all its splendor.

Celestial Staircase, City of Orion and Golden Spiral

The celestial staircase, city of orion and golden spiral are three constructions that are located in the plateau of marha, in these places you can appreciate how splendid is the Moroccan architecture. This architecture that intervene with the natural areas, but give the sensation of belonging to it, which they call land art.

Rissani

It is a very lively and authentic market, which you can enjoy if you are in Merzouga on Tuesday, Thursday or Sunday, in this space you can also see the parking on donkeys, means of transport used by traders who are there.

Taouz

It is a village is a variety of prehistoric buildings, which have been formed due to the accumulation of slabs vertically, and with the only connection with the outside of a window and a door of few dimensions, in this area is also found testimonies of another time respected and engravings.

When to go to Merzouga

It is preferable to visit Merzouga in the cooler seasons. The best times are late November and the months of January and February. These are also the times with fewer tourists, so avoid the long queues of minivans that crowd the national road north to merzouga in high season.

Where to sleep in Merzouga

In Merzouga you will find all types of accommodation, from spartan Berber-style guesthouses to luxurious kasbah-style hotels overlooking the dunes. For those who want to spend less there is also camping, and those looking for cleanliness, comfort and charm without spending a fortune can choose Riads and inns.

If you are planning a trip, and enjoy a few days of luxury and total disconnection, in a special jewel like Merzouga in Moroccocameltours, is ideal to start a high quality trip that will make you forget everything and everyone.