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What to See in the Desert in Morocco : Merzouga vs Zagora
What to see in the Moroccan desert: Erg Chebbi dunes (Merzouga), Zagora palm grove, Todra Gorges, Dades Valley, Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, Skoura oasis. Circuits organised by Riad Vendôme: Zagora 2 days (£280), Merzouga 3 days (£380), Grand Tour 4 days (£560).
The Moroccan Sahara is far more than sand dunes. Vertiginous gorges, secret oases, ancient kasbahs, isolated Berber villages — here are the wonders that await on the road to the desert.
The Erg Chebbi at Merzouga: Morocco's Highest Dunes
This is the image of the Sahara everyone has in mind: an ocean of golden dunes stretching 22 km, rising up to 150 metres high. The Erg Chebbi is the jewel of the Moroccan desert. At sunset, the dunes change colour — gold, copper, pink, violet — in a spectacle that defies photography. Sunrise from the top of a dune is a moment of absolute gratitude that words cannot describe.
› Circuit Merzouga 3 days from Marrakech
The Todra Gorges : a canyon to couper the souffle
On the road to Merzouga, the Todra Gorges are a breathtaking stop. 300-metre cliffs rise on each side of a narrow passage where a thread of turquoise water flows. The sun only penetrates for a few hours a day, creating extraordinary plays of light on the ochre and pink rock. One of Morocco's most spectacular natural sites.
The dunes of Chigaga : the Sahara sauvage
Less connues that the Erg Chebbi, the dunes of Chigaga near de M'hamid are the secret the mieux kept of the Sahara Moroccan. Accessibles only by 4×4 or by camel, elles offer an experience de desert brut, without noe infrastructure touristy visible. Le silence y is total, the isolation complete. It is here that the latest familles nomades of the Sahara Moroccan vivent still.
› Circuit Zagora & Chigaga from Marrakech
The Draa Valley : the longest palm grove in Morocco
Between Ouarzazate and Zagora, the Draa Valley is a 200 km ribbon of green amid the aridity. Millions of date palms, rammed-earth kasbahs, villages where time seems to have stopped. In spring, wild roses perfume the air. It's southern Morocco's most beautiful road.
La Kasbah of Aït Benhaddou : patrimoine UNESCO
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this fortress of earth and straw is one of Morocco's most beautiful kasbahs. It served as a backdrop for Gladiator, Game of Thrones and Lawrence of Arabia. All our desert circuits include a stop at Ait Benhaddou on the way back.
Djebel Saghro : landscapes lunaires between deux deserts
This massive volcanique between Merzouga and Zagora offers of the landscapes extraordinaires : gorges sombres, formations rocheuses fantastiques, Berber villages hanging to flanc de mountain. It's the partie the most secret and the less visitee of the sud Moroccan — accessible by 4×4 or en trek.
› Circuit 4×4 Grand Sud with Djebel Saghro
Merzouga or Zagora : lequel choose ?
| Criterion | Merzouga (Erg Chebbi) | Zagora (Chigaga) |
|---|---|---|
| Dunes | Golden, up to 150 m | Claires, vastes and sauvages |
| Distance | 560 km of Marrakech | 360 km of Marrakech |
| Duration min. | 3 days / 2 nights | 2 days / 1 night |
| Affluence | Plus touristy | Authentic, less crowded |
| On the way | Gorges of the Todra, Erfoud | Valley of the Draa, Tamgroute |
| Ideal for | Photos, first fois | Aventure, connaisseurs |
Envie de discover the desert ?
Eric organises your circuit from the Riad Vendôme. Packages all included from £280/person.
› Voir tous our circuits desert · WhatsApp +212 600 608 608
Le Riad Vendôme is classified by the Moroccan Ministry of Tourism.