Erg Chebbi is a field of orange sand dunes about 22 km long near Merzouga in south-east Morocco, with dunes up to about 150 m high. Reach it in 7-8 hours from Fes or 9-10 hours from Marrakech, and climb a high dune at sunrise.
Erg Chebbi is Morocco's most famous sea of sand dunes, a band of orange dunes about 22 km long and up to 5-10 km wide next to the village of Merzouga, close to the Algerian border. Its highest dunes rise roughly 150 m above the surrounding stony plain, making them the tallest in Morocco. It is about 470 km from Fes and 560 km from Marrakech, and the best way to experience it is a camel ride at sunset and a climb at sunrise.
Our drivers have been taking travelers to the Erg Chebbi dunes for over a decade. This guide covers the geography, the best viewpoints, sunrise tips and the practical ways to get there.
Where are the Erg Chebbi dunes?
Erg Chebbi lies in the Tafilalet region of south-east Morocco, in the province of Errachidia. The dunes rise suddenly from the hamada, a flat plain of black stones, which makes the contrast striking: one minute you drive across a grey, rocky landscape, the next you see a wall of orange sand on the horizon.
Small villages line the western edge of the erg:
- Hassi Labied, in the north-west, quiet and close to the tallest dunes.
- Merzouga, the main village, with shops, cafes and most services.
- Khamlia, to the south, known for its Gnawa music community.
The nearest towns are Rissani (about 35 km), the historic heart of the Tafilalet, and Erfoud (about 55 km), known for its fossil workshops and date palms.
How were the dunes formed, and why are they orange?
An erg is a large area of wind-blown sand. In Erg Chebbi, prevailing winds have piled up sand against the surrounding plateaus for thousands of years, creating star dunes and long crests that keep shifting slightly every year. The orange to red colour comes from iron oxide coating the grains of quartz. The light changes the colour dramatically through the day, from pale yellow at noon to copper at sunset.
Life is surprisingly present: you may see beetle tracks in the morning, desert foxes are occasionally spotted at night, and after rare heavy rains a seasonal lake, Dayet Srji, forms on the western side and can attract flamingos and other birds.
Erg Chebbi in numbers
| Fact | Approximate value |
|---|---|
| Length (north-south) | about 22 km |
| Width | about 5-10 km |
| Highest dunes | about 150 m above the plain |
| Altitude of Merzouga village | about 700 m |
| Distance from Fes | about 470 km, 7-8 h |
| Distance from Marrakech | about 560 km, 9-10 h |
| Distance from Errachidia airport | about 130 km, 2 h |
| Average highs in April / July / January | about 28 C / 43 C / 18 C |
The highest dune and the best viewpoints
The big dune
The tallest dunes of Erg Chebbi are in the central and northern part of the erg, behind Hassi Labied and Merzouga. The highest one, simply called the Big Dune by many guides, rises about 150 m above the plain. Climbing it takes 30-60 minutes depending on fitness; walk along the crest rather than straight up, where the sand is firmer. From the top you see the whole erg, the hamada and, on clear days, the mountains along the Algerian border.
Sunrise viewpoints
The sun rises in the east over the dunes towards Algeria. The best plan is to climb the dune just behind your camp about 30-40 minutes before sunrise; your camel guide will show you the easiest route. Sit on the eastern side of a crest to watch the first light, then turn around to see the shadows of the dunes stretch west.
Sunset viewpoints
For sunset, west-facing slopes near the edge of the erg are ideal, as you see the sun setting over the hamada while the dunes glow orange behind you. This is why most camel caravans leave Merzouga or Hassi Labied at about 1-1.5 hours before sunset.
Things to do in Erg Chebbi
- Camel trek to a camp inside the dunes; read our full camel trekking in Merzouga guide.
- Night in a desert camp, from standard tents to luxury suites with private bathrooms.
- Sandboarding on the steep slopes, usually free at camps.
- 4x4 loop around the erg, visiting Khamlia, nomad families, old mining sites and the seasonal lake.
- Stargazing: with almost no light pollution, the Milky Way is clearly visible on moonless nights.
How to get to the Erg Chebbi dunes
From Fes
Fes is the closest major city: about 470 km south via Ifrane, Azrou, Midelt, the Ziz Gorge and Erfoud, 7-8 hours of driving. Our 3-day desert expedition from Fes to Merzouga follows this route with time for the Ifrane cedar forest and the Ziz Valley; read more in our Fes to Merzouga route guide.
From Marrakech
From Marrakech it is about 560 km over the Tizi n'Tichka pass and along the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs via Ouarzazate, the Dades Valley and the Todra Gorge. We always split this into two days.
By plane
The nearest airport is Errachidia (about 130 km, 2 hours), with domestic flights from Casablanca; schedules change, so check before travel. Ouarzazate airport is further, about 5-6 hours away.
By bus or self-drive
Public buses run to Merzouga from Fes and Marrakech, but they are long and do not reach the camps. If you rent a car, note that you still need a camel or 4x4 to reach camps in the dunes: never drive a normal car onto the sand. All our Merzouga desert tours include a private driver and transfers to camp.
When to visit Erg Chebbi
The best periods are March to May and late September to November, with pleasant days and cool nights. Winter (December-February) is sunny and comfortable by day, but nights can fall near 0 C. Summer is extremely hot, often above 40 C by day, so plan camel rides at sunset and sunrise only. Spring can bring sand-wind days. See our Merzouga weather by month for details, and Wikipedia's Erg Chebbi page for more background on the geography.
Would you like to see sunrise from the top of Erg Chebbi? Tell us where you start, Fes, Marrakech or elsewhere, and we will design a route around the dunes. Request a free private tour quote and we will reply within 24 hours.
Frequently asked questions
How high is the highest dune in Erg Chebbi?
The highest dunes of Erg Chebbi rise about 150 m above the surrounding stony plain, which makes them the tallest dunes in Morocco. The exact height changes slightly over time as wind reshapes the crests. Climbing the big dune takes between 30 and 60 minutes, and the view over the whole erg at sunrise is well worth the effort.
How do you get to Erg Chebbi from Marrakech?
Erg Chebbi is about 560 km from Marrakech, a 9 to 10 hour drive across the High Atlas via Ouarzazate, the Dades Valley and the Todra Gorge. Most travelers split the trip over two days with a night in the Dades Valley, as part of a 3-day or longer private desert tour that ends in Merzouga or continues to Fes.
Can you visit the Erg Chebbi dunes without staying overnight?
You can walk onto the dunes from Merzouga or Hassi Labied during the day, but we strongly recommend staying at least one night. The best moments, the sunset camel ride, the starry sky and sunrise from a high dune, happen in the evening and early morning. Merzouga is also too far from major cities for a comfortable day trip.
What is the best time of day to see the Erg Chebbi dunes?
Sunrise and sunset are the best times. The low sun brings out the deep orange colours and long shadows on the dune crests, and temperatures are comfortable. Climb a high dune about 30 to 40 minutes before sunrise. Around midday the light is flat and, from May to September, the sand becomes very hot.
