Enjoy a comfortable private transfer from Skoura to your Bedouin-style accommodation in Merzouga, which takes about six hours. This scenic route twists through Todra Gorge and arid landscapes. Along the way, your driver will make a few cultural stops to show you more of the desert communities in the Sahara.
Your first stop is the desert town of Tinghir. Here you'll find fantastic views of neighboring villages along an extensive river oasis that features 30 miles (48 km) of palm trees. The surrounding desert landscape reveals impressive buttes, mesas, and plateaus. With its ancient and colorful Jewish quarter, Tinghir also offers a glimpse into ancestral Moroccan Jewry. You can visit Elhaj Ait Ali, the old Jewish quarter, and admire its interesting architecture.
Continue to the Todra Gorge at 984 feet (300 meters) high, featuring stunning red-stained limestones. Enjoy an easy walk through the gorge or relax in the cool shallow water. Just before reaching Erfoud, you'll start to get glimpses of the ever-shifting Saharan dunes.
Erfoud is a bustling market town known for its annual Date Festival, fossil mining, and artisan factories. While en route, enjoy views of the hillside mines before visiting a local artisan collective to learn about the area's fossils. Watch the full process of how the fossil-rich rock transforms into beautiful objects, like tables, plates, and bowls.
Next, you'll make your way to the town of Rissani, entering through its impressive gate. Known for its livestock auction, spend some time observing the donkey "parking lot" and walking around the town's popular market. Maison Tuareg is a storehouse filled with traditional arts and crafts, including carpets, jewelry, leather goods, and more.
As you continue, you'll soon see the sand waves of Erg Chebbi in the distance. Erg Chebbi is an extensive set of dunes covering almost 14 square miles (35 sq km), with some peaks rising over 650 feet (200 m). The color and shape change depending on the time of day and the wind, which is especially enriching just before sunset. Although not as vast, these dunes are much taller than those found in Zagora.
Upon arrival near Merzouga, enjoy a short break as you prepare for a camel ride through the dunes, reaching your luxury camp just before sunset. After settling into your tent, climb up the nearest dune to watch the sunset display its color show across the sands. Head back to camp for dinner and a night by the campfire, enjoying traditional Berber music from the locals. Before climbing into bed, savor the stars strewn across the unhindered night sky.
Although we recommend the atmosphere of the desert tents, everyone has their own preferences. If modern comfort is more your style, you can always opt for a comfortable hotel or auberge in Merzouga. In the morning, transform into an early riser (if you're not one already) for an exceptional Saharan sunrise!
🍽️ Meal plan: Breakfast and Dinner Included
🚗 Duration: 4.5 hours
🛏️Accommodtion: Tiziri Camp: https://www.tiziricamp.com/