What to See in the Moroccan Desert — Merzouga, Zagora & the Sahara

Erg Chebbi — Morocco's Most Spectacular Dunes

The star of any Merzouga circuit, Erg Chebbi is a sea of orange dunes rising up to 150 metres near the Algerian border. The best moments are sunrise and sunset, when the colours shift from deep amber to pale gold. A camel trek to the luxury bivouac at dusk is the experience most travellers remember for a lifetime. Erg Chebbi is accessible on both our 3-day and 4-day Merzouga circuits.

Todra Gorges — A 300-Metre Rock Cathedral

Carved by the Todra river over millennia, these dramatic gorges near Tinghir reach 300 metres high with walls just 10 metres apart at their narrowest point. The light changes throughout the day, making midday (when the sun hits the canyon floor) a magical moment. Most of our circuits include a stop here on the drive to or from the desert. Bring good walking shoes — the valley floor walk is worth every step.

Chigaga Dunes — The Untouched Sahara

If Merzouga feels crowded, the Chigaga dunes near Zagora offer something rarer: a vast, isolated erg stretching to the horizon with almost no other visitors. Accessible only by 4×4, Chigaga is the Sahara as it was before mass tourism — silent, immense, and humbling. Our 4×4 Grand South circuit includes an overnight at a private bivouac in Chigaga.

Draa Valley — The Longest Palm Grove in Africa

Stretching over 200 km between Ouarzazate and Zagora, the Draa Valley is lined by an extraordinary ribbon of date palms — estimated at three million trees. Villages of golden pisé (earthen architecture) appear like mirages. The valley is also rich in prehistoric rock carvings and ancient ksour (fortified villages) that most tours drive straight past. We always stop.

Aït Benhaddou — UNESCO World Heritage Ksar

One of Morocco's most photographed sites, this fortified mud-brick citadel near Ouarzazate has appeared in dozens of films — Gladiator, Game of Thrones, The Mummy. Built along an ancient trans-Saharan trade route, it is a living museum of southern Moroccan architecture. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours to explore properly. Our circuits always include a guided walk through the ksar.

Djebel Saghro — Volcanic Landscapes Between Two Deserts

One of Morocco's best-kept secrets, Djebel Saghro is a volcanic massif between the High Atlas and the Sahara, featuring black basalt peaks, ochre canyons, and ancient Aït Atta Berber villages almost unchanged for centuries. Accessible only by 4×4, it is a highlight of our Grand South circuit and offers some of the most surreal landscapes in the entire country.

Merzouga or Zagora — Which Desert is Best?

The choice depends on what you prioritise:

Eric's personal recommendation: if you have 4 days, combine both on our Merzouga + Zagora circuit. If you only have 3 days, Merzouga wins.