A small village at the gateway to the desert, Merzouga owes its fame to the high dunes of Erg Chebbi, which stretch along its edge. A Mecca for adventure tourism in Morocco, the dunes of Merzouga are a popular destination for travellers seeking complete immersion in a desert environment that is as impressive as it is breathtaking.
Situated in south-east Morocco, 50 km from Erfoud, the village of Merzouga offers a pleasant surprise. After passing through some superb and varied landscapes, you’ll come face to face with an unforgettable panorama: the dunes of Erg Chebbi. Depending on the time of your arrival, they will be draped in a yellow or ochre colour that will change throughout the day.
As soon as you arrive in Merzouga, you’ll immediately be plunged into another world. The Saharouis, the famous blue men with their indigo blue cheich, welcome you. The camel drivers and their dromedaries too!
Here you are, immersed in the relaxed atmosphere of a Saharan village entirely dedicated to desert tourism.
A tourist site in constant expansion, the Merzouga dunes offer vast possibilities for your stay. Luxury hotels, charming hotels, inns and a host of travel companies offer everything from traditional bivouacs in Berber tents to comfortable camps in the heart of the desert, starlit nights and a nomadic ambience – Merzouga can’t disappoint!
Activities range from the traditional camel ride or camel trekking over several days, one or more nights in the heart of the desert, to more sporty excursions, Buggy or 4X4, motorcycle or quad, to get the adrenalin pumping, ski down the dunes or even paragliding, surfing, tobogganing – anything’s possible!
Since time immemorial, the elders of the region have told the legend of Merzouga and the formation of Erg Chebbi. Here it is:
Long ago, the wealthy families of the village of Merzouga lived in opulence and behaved in an amoral manner. They washed their hands with milk and played with food. One day, at a village feast, they refused to offer hospitality to a poor woman and her son.
Enraged by this behavior, God himself unleashed his wrath on these depraved families by unleashing violent sandstorms. This divine punishment was of such force and ferocity that the village of Merzouga disappeared under high sand dunes. This is how the Erg Chebbi dune complex came into being.
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