3 Days Fes to Marrakech Desert Tour

With an expanse of dunes that extends to the eye, an unreachable horizon, and as the only sound the foot of a camel that sinks into the sand: Merzouga is the ideal point to live your dreams. This city in the south of Morocco, not far from the border with Algeria, has no monuments or historic buildings of importance but is one of the most visited in Morocco because from here start tours on foot, camel, or off-road to the great dunes of Erg Chebbi.

What to do in Merzouga?

Merzouga is a calm and peaceful town in the Sahara, and though small it offers a surprising amount of fun activities to do.

Here is a list of the super recommended activities you can do in Merzouga: if you are a budget traveler like me or would rather travel a little more luxurious, you will find the activity that suits your needs and requirements!

Camel ride at sunset in the desert:

No trip to Morocco would be complete without a camel trek through the desert.

In Merzouga, you can find various companies that offer camel rides at any time of day and generally are not too expensive. For travelers who are fascinated by the ancient camel caravans, this is the perfect opportunity to feel like a nomad for a couple of hours.

Sandboarding among the dunes

If you want to discover the desert in a more “alternative” way and fine grains of sand everywhere, you should try sandboarding. Although this activity seems at first glance something that could be dangerous, in reality, it is super safe and, trust me, hilarious (but what a struggle to come back up!).

Take a 4×4 ride around the Erg Chebbi desert

Although this activity isn’t as romantic as riding a camel through the dunes, a 4×4 ride through the desert is another fun experience.

The leaders who work in Merzouga are all very young but do not be fooled by their appearance. These guys have experienced guides who know the desert like the back of their hand.

Listen to traditional Gnawa music in Khamlia

Gnawa is an ethnic group that lives in Morocco and plays some of the most beautiful traditional music that you can listen to in Morocco.

Gnawa ancestors were taken as slaves across the Western and Central African Sahara.

What to wear in the Merzouga Sahara desert.

Ok, definitely if you’ve decided to spend some time in the desert (especially if you’ve never done it before) and are wondering what to wear and bring.

Rule one, when you’re in Morocco, you do what Moroccans do.

So what to pack?

Well, since the temperature varies a lot between day and night it is important to wear clothes that serve many purposes and that are above all very functional (leave shoes with heels at home!).

Below are the essentials to bring.

Scarf – a scarf and a sarong will be your best friends, in the meantime, it will be convenient to protect your face from the sun and sand. If the scarf is long enough, it will also cover the shoulders. If you do not want to risk sunburn, do not forget to always cover your head.

Loose and light pants – With the kind of weather you’ll encounter in the desert, it’s much better to wear large, loose, and light pants, like the ones we use here in the summer of linen or cotton. These pants have a thousand advantages: they dry quickly, cover you and let the air through (they are breathable) and allow you to move freely. Forget the jeans: if there is a bit of wind you will fill with sand and jeans are the worst pants you could wear (especially if you dress them tight).

Sunglasses – If you want to protect your eyes from the bright light that will be present during the day, it is important to bring a good pair of sunglasses with UV protection. These will also protect your eyes from small particles of dust carried by the wind.

Warm merino wool socks – Wearing Merino wool socks in the desert may seem a bit silly, but believe me, at night the temperature drops and you may need them!
Warm sweater – If you are going to spend the night in the desert be sure to bring a warm sweater.

Dust Camera – Something I must warn you about: Sand literally comes everywhere! So pay attention to the electronics you carry in the desert, including your phone and camera.
Cleaning kit – A key thing is if there is wind do not change the optics. Better bring a fairly versatile lens that is good for both landscapes and portraits. One important thing is to bring a cleaning kit for your camera and in the evening remember to clean it carefully from the sand.

Where to stay in Merzouga?

Merzouga is a village that offers a wide range of accommodations, from simple hostels to beautiful Kasbah hotels decorated with Berber artifacts to luxurious desert tents. Depending on your needs, you will definitely find a place that suits your needs.

When to go to Merzouga?

A desert trek is a physically demanding experience. The very high temperatures are difficult to bear; to this is added the inconvenience of sitting so many hours on the camel (which can give a feeling of seasickness and cramps or irritation to the skin of the legs). Even off-road you can suffer from motion sickness.

To minimize discomfort it is preferable to visit Merzouga in cooler seasons. The best periods are in late October, November, December, January, and February to May. They are also those with fewer tourists, so you will avoid the long lineups of minivans that, in high season, clutter the northern national road to Merzouga.