PRACTICAL MERZOUGA TRAVEL GUIDE (MOROCCO)
I publish this article with the idea of answering all the doubts that may arise when preparing for a trip to the Merzouga desert, one of the main places to visit in Morocco. Before continuing, I would like to tell you something that I consider essential, especially if it is the first time you are going to travel to Morocco. You should know that if you want to enjoy Morocco you should forget about the clock and be patient since the rhythms flow slowly there. You must also have an open mind to the cultural contrast that you are going to find (although I still think that we are very similar to them, much more than English, French, or Nordic, to give a few examples).
HOW TO GET BY CAR TO THE MERZOUGA DESERT?
The drive from Marrakech to Erg Chebbi is about 10 hours (550 km). You can choose between these two options:
- Option A: cross the N9 to Ouarzazate, then the N10 to Tinejdad and finally the R702 to Merzouga.
- Option B: also departing from the N9 but deviating first on the N12 and then on the N13 (from Rissani) that leads to Merzouga.
WHEN TO TRAVEL TO THE MERZOUGA DESERT?
It is said that it is not advisable to travel to the Merzouga desert on summer dates (from June to September) due to the high temperatures. Traveling in spring or autumn, a time when the heat is not so suffocating and at night it is not too cold either, is perhaps the best option.
However, there are more and more people who decide to go to the Sahara desert in winter, and even in summer, the latter season in which temperatures of up to 52ºC are reached (I experienced them firsthand as you can see in the photo). Going well protected from the sun (with clothes, not just sun protection creams) is the key to withstand it.
HOW MANY DAYS DO I NEED TO TRAVEL TO THE MERZOUGA DESERT?
The trip is usually done in 2 nights/3 days, sleeping the first night halfway between Marrakech and Merzouga and the second and last night in Merzouga desert. The return to Marrakech is usually done the day after the pull, something that seems to me a bit of a beating due to the number of existing kilometers. The first night I slept in Dadés, which is 6 hours from Marrakech, specifically in the Jardin de la Source that you can book at this link (it is cheap and highly recommended). On that first day, I stopped at Tizi n'Tichka, Ait Ben Haddou, Ouarzazate and at the Skoura Palm Grove, it took me 11 hours to get to Dades.
I recommend making the trip in 3 nights/4 days, spending the night on your return in Agdz (Draá Valley), specifically in the Blue Kasbah, 100% recommended and that you can book at this link.
FREE TRAVEL OR GUIDED DESERT TOUR TO MERZOUGA?
Access to the desert is free, so you do not necessarily need to hire an organized tour. You can sleep in a sack and even cross the dunes with your own vehicle (4×4 obviously), although it is something that I suggest you not do to avoid destroying the beauty of the dunes by goofing off and breaking the harmony and eternal silence. This is something that should be regulated and only allowed, for example, to companies that need to take their clients or luggage (when they go by camel) to the tents.
- Guided tour from the town of Merzouga to the dunes of Erg Chebbi (as the desert of Merzouga is also known): This service usually includes the camel ride from Merzouga (located at the foot of the Erg Chebbi dunes) to the tents of a Merzouga desert camp (located at the other end of the dunes on a journey that usually lasts an hour) to spend the night with dinner and breakfast. included. It also includes the return to Merzouga (they usually give the option of returning by camel or 4×4, all for the same price). I opted for this option, arriving in my own vehicle from Marrakech.
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Organized trip (3-4 days) from Marrakech: transfers from the city, accommodation halfway between Marrakech and Erg Chebbi, a camel ride through the dunes, night in the tent (with dinner and breakfast included) and return to Marrakech.
Here are some desert tours from Marrakech:
- 3 days desert tour from Marrakech
- 3 days Marrakech to Fes desert tour
- Marrakech to Erg-Chegaga 3-day tour
- 4 days desert tour from Marrakech
- Marrakech to Fes 4-day desert tour
- 5 days Marrakech sahara desert tour
- 5 days tour from Marrakech to Fes
Here are some desert tours from FES:
- Fes to Merzouga 2-day desert tour
- 2 days tour from Fes to Marrakech
- 3 days Fes desert tour to Merzouga
- Fes to Marrakech 3 days desert tour
- 4 days Fes to Merzouga desert tour
- 4 days tour from Fes to Marrakech
- 5 Days Sahara desert tour from Fes
- 5 Days trip from Fes to Marrakech
NECESSARY DOCUMENTATION TO TRAVEL TO THE MERZOUGA DESERT?
To travel to the desert of Merzouga in Morocco it is necessary to have a passport with a validity of more than 6 months to the date of return from the country. For Spaniards, it is not necessary to obtain a visa. Remember that upon arrival at the airport you must fill in a white form to hand it over to the Moroccan authorities at the checkpoint. This file will include, among other information, your passport number, name, surname and destination. At the exit you must repeat the operation. As I mentioned before, even if you have completed the online check-in, do not forget to stamp your plane ticket at the counter of your airline in Marrakech.
WHAT TO WEAR TO THE MERZOUGA DESERT?
Outside the summer period, the temperature fluctuation from morning to night is very large (from -5ºC to +20ºC), so no matter how hot it is in the morning, don't hesitate to bring warm clothes for the night. In summer temperatures can range between +18ºC and +50ºC. For this reason, the ideal is to check the weather in Merzouga on the web a few days before traveling and thus carry the correct thing.
In any case, whether you decide to wear a lot or a little clothing, the ideal is to wear comfortable shoes and clothing. If you travel during the sunny season, you should cover your entire body with light clothing. I crossed the desert in a short-sleeved shirt, a complete mistake. As soon as I entered the dunes I burned my arms even though I was wearing a lot of sunscreens (I thought it would be enough).
Therefore, I recommend that you wear a long-sleeved linen shirt. It is very important (I repeat, very important) to wear a scarf that covers the entire head and neck. At first, I thought it was a tourist and therefore unnecessary. Fortunately, I was farsighted and put a big one in my backpack (bright yellow) that saved my life.
Bringing sunglasses is a must, as is a bottle of water. As for footwear, sports shoes or sandals are enough. There you will want to walk barefoot.
WHERE TO SLEEP IN MERZOUGA DESERT?
- In the town of Merzouga: Due to the growing tourism, numerous hotels, riads, inns, and hostels have been built in Merzouga and a good handful of charming kasbahs have been built and even restored for accommodation; some have a swimming pool for leisure of tourists in the hottest times of the day.
- In the middle of the desert: For the same reason, several camps have been created made up of several tents (normally 6-10). Until 2019 these camps were established inside the dunes. Now, with the idea of generating responsible and sustainable tourism from an environmental point of view, the government has forced all of them to locate around the dunes, and not inside.
