Sahara Desert Trips in Morocco: Merzouga and the Erg Chebbi Dunes
The best Sahara desert trips in Morocco head to Merzouga, a small town at the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes, where you can trek by camel, sleep in a desert camp and watch the sun rise and set over the sand. Sahara Desert Crew offers five Merzouga desert tours, from a 3-hour sandboarding session to a 3-day journey from Errachidia to Fes.
Merzouga is renowned for camel treks and overnight stays in desert camps under starry skies. Visitors can also enjoy 4×4 tours, quad biking, hiking, sandboarding and cultural encounters in Khamlia, with its Gnawa music, or visits to nomadic families. Sunrise and sunset over the dunes make Merzouga an unforgettable highlight of any Morocco trip.
In this guide you will find every tour on our Merzouga page, grouped by style:
- 2 multi-day desert journeys from Errachidia: 3 days each
- 1 hiking trip in Merzouga: 4 days
- 2 desert activities on the dunes: sandboarding and a 4×4 adventure
You can also browse them all on our Merzouga desert tours page. Starting from another city? See the section on Sahara desert tours from Marrakech and Fes below.
Our Merzouga Sahara Desert Tours
These five tours cover everything from a few hours on the dunes to a multi-day Sahara journey. Check each tour page for the full itinerary, inclusions and departure details.
3 Days Errachidia to Fes
The 3 days Errachidia to Fes tour is a 3-day journey that starts in Errachidia, close to Merzouga and the Erg Chebbi dunes, and finishes in the imperial city of Fes. It runs year-round and suits travelers who are already in the south-east and want to continue north through Morocco.
Best for: travelers who want to combine the Sahara with a one-way trip to Fes.
2 Night Desert Tour
The 2 night desert tour is a 3-day Sahara experience from Errachidia with a fixed weekly departure every Tuesday. Choose it if you want two nights in the desert region and can plan around that day.
Best for: travelers who want more than one night in the Sahara and can start on a Tuesday.
4 Day Hiking Trip in Merzouga
The 4 day hiking trip in Merzouga is our most reviewed Merzouga tour, with 322 reviews listed on our site. It is built around trekking in the dunes and desert landscapes and runs from September to May.
Best for: walkers and active travelers who want to experience the Sahara on foot.
Merzouga Sandboarding
The Merzouga sandboarding session lasts 3 hours and runs year-round. You slide down the Erg Chebbi dunes on a board, an easy add-on to a camel trek or a desert camp night.
Best for: families, groups and anyone who wants a fun, short activity on the dunes.
Sahara 4×4 Adventure
The Sahara 4×4 adventure lasts 5 hours and runs year-round. It lets you cover more of the desert than you could on foot, with 113 reviews listed on our site.
Best for: travelers who want to see more of the Merzouga desert in half a day.
Sahara Desert Tours From Marrakech and Fes
If you are not starting in Merzouga, you can still reach the Sahara on one of our longer routes. From Marrakech, try the 3 days trip to Merzouga or the 5 days tour from Marrakech to Merzouga, or browse all Marrakech tours. From Fes, choose the 3 days tour from Fes to Merzouga or the 6 day Fes Sahara tour, or browse all Fes tours.
Our Merzouga Sahara Tours at a Glance
Use this table to compare all five Merzouga tours by length, start point and availability. Review counts are those listed on our site.
| Tour | Length | Starts in | Availability | Reviews |
| Merzouga Sandboarding | 3 hours | Merzouga | Year-round | 27 |
| Sahara 4×4 Adventure | 5 hours | Merzouga | Year-round | 113 |
| 3 Days Errachidia to Fes | 3 days | Errachidia | Year-round | 30 |
| 2 Night Desert Tour | 3 days | Errachidia | Every Tuesday | 32 |
| 4 Day Hiking Trip in Merzouga | 4 days | Merzouga | September to May | 322 |
What to Expect on a Sahara Desert Tour in Merzouga
A Sahara desert tour in Merzouga follows a simple rhythm built around the dunes, and most trips combine the same highlights:
- Camel trek across the Erg Chebbi dunes: the classic Sahara experience, usually timed for sunset.
- A night in a desert camp: under starry skies, in a traditional or luxury camp depending on your itinerary.
- Sunrise over the dunes: an early start rewards you with golden light and silence.
- Desert activities: 4×4 tours, quad biking, hiking and sandboarding.
- Local culture: Gnawa music in Khamlia and visits to nomadic families.
Exact inclusions, camp level and daily schedules differ from tour to tour, so check each tour page before booking.
Best Time to Visit the Sahara and What to Pack
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the most comfortable seasons for Sahara desert tours, with warm days and pleasant evenings. Summer is very hot in the desert, and winter nights in the dunes can be cold. Most of our Merzouga tours run year-round, but the 4 day hiking trip runs from September to May and the 2 night desert tour departs every Tuesday.
What to pack for a Sahara desert tour
- Light, breathable clothing for the day and a warm layer for desert nights
- Comfortable walking shoes, plus closed shoes for sandboarding or hiking
- Sunglasses, a hat or scarf, and sunscreen
- A small day bag, a refillable water bottle and a power bank
- A scarf or light face cover for windy days on the dunes
- Cash in Moroccan dirhams for small purchases and tips
Why Book Your Sahara Desert Tour With Sahara Desert Crew
Our team has more than 20 years of experience in Moroccan tourism, with family roots in the desert region. We know the Sahara as a place where families live, work and preserve their traditions, and we want you to experience it that way.
- Local desert knowledge: expert guides who know the dunes, villages and routes first-hand.
- Private, flexible tours: your group travels on its own schedule, with comfortable transport.
- Camps for every budget: traditional or luxury desert camps, depending on your itinerary.
- Best price guarantee: competitive rates without cutting quality.
- 24/7 travel support: help before and during your tour, plus secure online payment.
We also arrange private airport and intercity transfers across Morocco, so your whole trip can be booked in one place.
Sahara Desert Tours: Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the best place to do a Sahara desert tour in Morocco?
Merzouga, at the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes, is one of the best places for Sahara desert tours. It is known for camel treks, desert camps, sunrise and sunset views over the dunes.
How many days do you need for a Sahara desert tour?
You can enjoy the dunes in a few hours with sandboarding or a 4×4 adventure. For a fuller experience, choose a 3 or 4 day tour, such as the 2 night desert tour or the 4 day hiking trip.
Can I ride a camel and sleep in a desert camp?
Camel treks and overnight stays in desert camps are the classic Merzouga experience. Check the tour page to confirm what each trip includes.
What other activities can I do in Merzouga?
Besides camel treks, you can try 4×4 tours, quad biking, hiking, sandboarding, Gnawa music in Khamlia and visits to nomadic families.
Can I start a Sahara desert tour from Marrakech or Fes?
Yes. We run Sahara tours to Merzouga from both cities. See our Marrakech tours and Fes tours.
When can I book a Sahara desert tour?
Most of our Merzouga tours run year-round. The 4 day hiking trip runs from September to May, and the 2 night desert tour departs every Tuesday.
How do I book a Sahara desert tour?
Contact us by phone or WhatsApp on +212 662 541 300 or by email at saharadesertcrew@gmail.com.
Book Your Sahara Desert Tour Today
Whether you want a quick sandboarding session, a 5-hour Sahara 4×4 adventure, a 4 day hiking trip or a 3-day journey from Errachidia to Fes, Sahara Desert Crew has a Sahara desert tour for you. Browse all five on our Merzouga desert tours page, then contact us to plan your trip.
- Website: sahara-desert-crew.com
- Email: saharadesertcrew@gmail.com
- Phone / WhatsApp: +212 662 541 300