Sahara & Southeast

The Erg Chebbi is Morocco's most famous dune field — and rightfully so. Sand dunes up to 150 meters high stretch over about 22 kilometers in length and 5 kilometers in width. The colors change depending on the time of day from pale gold to deep orange to bright red at sunset. It is a landscape that seems unreal — and yet lies just a short camel ride away from the village of Merzouga.

Merzouga itself is a small Berber village at the edge of the dunes, entirely dedicated to desert tourism. Dozens of auberges (guesthouses) and luxury desert camps offer everything from simple Berber tents to air-conditioned glamping tents with private bathrooms. Most visitors come for one or two nights — but those who have more time will be rewarded with a depth that day visitors never experience.

★★★ Dunes at Sunrise and Sunset

The absolute highlight. An hour before sunset, the camel caravans set off (approx. 1.5 hours to the camp). Climb the highest dune at 5 a.m. to experience the sunrise over the Sahara — a moment that burns into memory. The shadows of the dune crests form geometric patterns in the low light, turning every photo into a work of art.

★★ Khamlia (Gnaoua Village)

South of Merzouga lies the village of Khamlia, inhabited by descendants of sub-Saharan slaves. Here, one can experience authentic Gnaoua music — trance-like rhythms with Guembri (bass lute) and Krakeb (iron castanets). The musicians play in simple houses for visitors; a tip of 50-100 MAD per person is appropriate.

Hassi Labied & Rissani

Hassi Labied, north of Merzouga, has some of the best accommodations with dune views. Rissani (35 km) is the nearest larger town with a lively souk (Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday) — the last trading post before the desert, founded in the 7th century as Morocco's first Islamic city.

Those seeking the true desert solitude drive past Erg Chebbi and take the much more arduous route to Erg Chigaga — Morocco's largest and most remote dune field. With about 40 kilometers in length and dunes up to 300 meters high, it surpasses Erg Chebbi in every aspect of size but is far more difficult to reach.

The approach from M'Hamid El Ghizlane (the last village on the paved road) leads over 50 kilometers of track through rocky Hammada desert and requires a 4x4 vehicle with an experienced driver. There are no roads, no signs, no mobile network. This is precisely what makes it appealing: At Erg Chigaga, one might meet only a handful of other travelers, while hundreds camp at Erg Chebbi.

Luxury Desert Camps

Several high-quality camps offer surprising comfort in the middle of nowhere: Erg Chigaga Luxury Desert Camp and Azalai Desert Camp have heated tents, running water, and excellent Berber cuisine. Prices start at 150€ per person/night, including full board and camel ride.

Multi-Day Camel Treks

From M'Hamid, 3- to 7-day camel treks through various desert landscapes can be organized — from sand dunes to stone plains to dried-up riverbeds. One sleeps under the open sky or in nomad tents. These treks are among the most authentic desert experiences Morocco has to offer.

The legendary Road of the Kasbahs (N10) leads from Ouarzazate through the Dadès Valley to Errachidia — one of Morocco's most spectacular driving routes. Hundreds of crumbling and restored kasbahs (fortified clay dwellings) line the way through a landscape that oscillates between Mars desert and lush palm oasis.

★★★ Aït Benhaddou

The UNESCO World Heritage Site Aït Benhaddou is Morocco's quintessential postcard image: a massive, fortified village complex (Ksar) of red clay buildings that dramatically tier up a hill. Hollywood has used the site dozens of times as a backdrop — for Gladiator, Game of Thrones, Lawrence of Arabia, The Mummy, and many other films. Only a few families still live within the walls; most have moved to the modern village on the other side of the river.

The visit is free (local guides from 100 MAD). The climb to the top offers a breathtaking panoramic view over the Ounila Valley. Best seen in the afternoon light when the clay buildings glow golden.

★★ Ouarzazate

Ouarzazate — the "Gateway to the Desert" — is less a sight than a practical hub. The Atlas Studios (the largest film studios in Africa) can be visited: sets from Asterix, Kingdom of Heaven, and The Mummy still stand. The Kasbah Taourirt in the city center is also worth seeing — a labyrinthine palace complex of the Glaoui dynasty with over 300 rooms.

Atlas Studios: 60 MAD entry. Kasbah Taourirt: 20 MAD.

Skoura Oasis

About 40 km east of Ouarzazate lies the Palmerie of Skoura with the photogenic Kasbah Amridil (depicted on the 50-dirham note). The oasis can be wonderfully explored by bicycle or on foot — a green paradise in the midst of the semi-desert.

The Todra Gorge is one of Morocco's most dramatic places: Vertical rock walls up to 300 meters high narrow to just 10 meters wide at the narrowest point, while a crystal-clear river flows through the gorge at the bottom. The rock colors range from deep red to orange to ochre and constantly change with the light throughout the day.

Hiking

Most visitors limit themselves to the narrowest passage (15-minute walk from the road), but the Todra Gorge offers much more. Half-day hikes lead deeper into the gorge to Berber villages accessible only on foot. The full-day hike over the mountain ridge to the neighboring Dadès Gorge is one of the most beautiful trekking routes in the south.

Climbing

The Todra Gorge is Morocco's top climbing spot with over 150 established routes (difficulty levels 4a to 8b). The main season runs from October to April. Several local guides offer courses and guided tours — equipment can be rented on-site.

Palmerie of Tinghir

The access to the gorge leads through the lush Palmerie of Tinghir — a narrow, kilometer-long green strip in the middle of the desert, fed by the Todra River. A walk along the irrigation channels between date palms, almond, and olive trees is the perfect complement to the gorge experience.

The Dadès Valley (also known as the "Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs") runs parallel to the Todra Valley and is one of the most scenically impressive regions of southern Morocco. The road from Boumalne Dadès into the Dadès Gorge is one of the most spectacular driving routes in the country — especially the famous serpentines (hairpin bends) that twist into narrow rock formations.

Rock Formations

At the entrance to the gorge stand the so-called "Monkey Fingers" (Doigts de Singes) — bizarre, columnar rock formations of eroded conglomerate. A few kilometers further, the Dadès River breaks through the gorge in a series of breathtaking twists that look like an abstract painting from above.

Hiking & Mountain Biking

From the village of Aït Oufi, multi-day hikes start across the high plateau to Todra. Mountain bikers rave about the trail that connects both gorges over the ridge (approx. 6 hours, challenging). Even simple half-day hikes along the riverbed are beautiful.

Valley of Roses

Between Ouarzazate and Boumalne Dadès lies the Valley of Roses (Vallée des Roses) around El Kelaa M'Gouna. In May, millions of Damask roses bloom here — a sea of pink and an intoxicating scent. The Rose Festival (Festival des Roses) attracts thousands. Rose oil, rose water, and rose cosmetics are sold everywhere along the roadside — significantly cheaper than in Marrakech.

A night in the desert is one of the most unforgettable experiences of a trip to Morocco. Far from any light pollution, a starry sky of overwhelming intensity reveals itself — the Milky Way stretches as a luminous band across the entire horizon, and shooting stars are not rare but the norm.

Simple Camel Ride (1 Night)

The standard option that almost every Merzouga visitor chooses: Ride into the dunes by camel (dromedary) in the afternoon (1-1.5 hours), sunset on a dune, dinner in the Berber camp with drums and music, overnight in a tent, sunrise, return ride. Prices from 30€ in a simple camp to 200€+ in a luxury tent with a private bathroom.

Multi-Day Trek (2-7 Nights)

For a deeper desert experience: Multi-day camel treks lead through various desert landscapes — dunes, stone desert (Hammada), dried-up riverbeds, nomad camps. One sleeps under the open sky on carpets, washes with sand, and learns about the astonishing biodiversity of the desert: lizards, scorpions, fennec foxes, rare birds at the oases.

4x4 Desert Tours

Those who do not want to sit on a camel for days can book a 4x4 tour: In one day, much larger distances can be covered, including visits to nomad families, abandoned mines, and remote oases. Particularly recommended is the route M'Hamid — Erg Chigaga — Foum Zguid (3 days).

Sandboarding

Great fun on the dunes of Erg Chebbi: Glide down the steep dune slopes standing or sitting. No lift — you have to climb back up each time, which is surprisingly strenuous in deep sand. Most camps provide boards for free.

Tinghir is a lively oasis town at the foot of the Todra Gorge and the perfect starting point for excursions into the gorge and surrounding mountains. While most tourists only stop by in transit, a longer stay is definitely worthwhile.

Old Town & Mellah

The old medina of Tinghir clings to a hill in terraces and offers an authentic insight into the everyday life of a small southern Moroccan town — without the intrusiveness of large tourist centers. The former Mellah (Jewish quarter) with abandoned synagogues is a reminder that a significant Jewish community lived here until the 1960s.

Viewpoint

From the hill above the old town, there is a spectacular panoramic view over the entire palmerie — an endless band of green, nestled between barren, ochre-colored mountains. Especially a dream at sunset.

Souk

The weekly market on Monday is a colorful spectacle: Berbers from the surrounding villages trade in spices, dates, animals, and household goods. Not a tourist souk — locals shop here.

Trekking Base

Tinghir is an excellent starting point for hikes into the Todra Gorge, the Jebel Saghro massif, and the high plateau between Todra and Dadès. Several local agencies organize treks from half a day to a week.

The Draa Valley south of the Atlas is one of Morocco's most scenically dramatic routes: The N9 road crosses the Tizi n'Tinifift Pass (1,660 m) and then descends into an almost endless valley, lined with the longest palmerie in Morocco — over 200 kilometers of date palms, interrupted by mud villages and crumbling kasbahs.

Zagora

At the famous sign “Tombouctou 52 jours" (52 days to Timbuktu by camel), the adventure begins. Zagora is a sleepy garrison town that mainly serves as a starting point for desert excursions to M'Hamid and Erg Chigaga. The Wednesday market is colorful and authentic.

Agdz

Located at the northern entrance of the Draa Valley, with the impressive Kasbah des Caïds and a magnificent palmerie. The place has several excellent guesthouses and is perfect as a stopover on the way to Zagora.

Tamegroute

The village of Tamegroute (20 km south of Zagora) houses an ancient Zaouia (Islamic brotherhood) with one of the oldest libraries in North Africa — Qurans and scientific manuscripts from the 13th century. The village is also known for its distinctive green pottery, made in simple kilns.