The dunes of Erg Chebbi, in Merzouga, are the image of the Sahara everyone dreams of: mountains of orange sand that change colour with the light throughout the day. On this full-day tour we will explore the desert by 4×4, meet its people and discover their music, and end the day on top of the dunes watching the sunset.
Day 01: Merzouga – Khamlia – Rissani – Erg Chebbi – Hotels
At 8:30 a.m. you will meet your driver/guide at the meeting point in the main square of Merzouga, where we will board the 4×4 vehicles and set off on a tour around the Erg Chebbi dunes. Our first stop will be with a nomadic family living in the desert, who will welcome us with tea and share what everyday life is like among the sands.
We will continue to the village of Khamlia, home to the Gnawa community, descendants of peoples from sub-Saharan Africa, where we will enjoy a performance of their traditional music. We will then visit the old mines and fossil sites of the area and, if the season allows, the seasonal lake of Dayet Srij, a stopover for flamingos and other migratory birds.
At midday we will head to Rissani, the ancient gateway for Saharan caravans, to explore its traditional market and have lunch featuring medfouna, the famous “Berber pizza” stuffed with meat and spices and baked in a clay oven. In the afternoon we will return to the dunes to try sandboarding and, as the sun goes down, we will ride camels into Erg Chebbi to watch the sunset from the top of the dunes. At the end of the day, transfer to the hotels.
The tour includes:
- Meeting point in the main square of Merzouga
- 4×4 tour with an English-speaking driver/guide
- Visit to a nomadic family with welcome tea
- Gnawa music performance in Khamlia
- Sandboard
- Camel ride through the Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset
- Transfer to the hotels at the end of the day
Not included:
- Accommodation
- Meals and drinks
- Tips and personal expenses
