Things to Do in Merzouga & Erg Chebbi

Merzouga sits by Erg Chebbi, the tall orange dunes most photos of the Moroccan Sahara actually show — and it's a genuine 9-hour drive from Marrakech, not a day trip. Budget at least 3 days total: one to get there via the Atlas and Dades gorge, one for the dunes and a bivouac under the stars, one to come back. Camps range from shared tents with basic mats to private ones with proper beds, so check exactly what's included before paying a Sahara price for a car park with rugs.