In short: Erg Chebbi is the sea of golden dunes beside Merzouga in southeast Morocco, rising up to about 150 metres — the country’s tallest and most iconic Sahara scenery. It is the highlight of most Marrakech and Fes desert tours, reached on a 3-day trip and best enjoyed on a camel trek with a night in a dune camp.
What is Erg Chebbi?
An erg is a large field of wind-blown sand dunes. Erg Chebbi is the most famous in Morocco: soft, wind-sculpted golden dunes that glow deep orange at sunrise and sunset, stretching for roughly 22 km north to south and up to about 5 km wide, right beside the village of Merzouga.
How tall are the dunes?
The highest dunes reach around 150 metres — Morocco’s tallest — high enough for a genuine climb. Walking up is slow work because the sand slides underfoot; go early or late when the sand is cool, and the reward is a view over the whole erg toward the Algerian border.
What to do at Erg Chebbi
Camel trek into the dunes for sunset — led at walking pace, about 1–1.5 hours to a camp — then sleep among the sand and catch sunrise from a ridge. You can also try sandboarding, ride a 4×4 or quad, visit the Gnawa musicians of nearby Khamlia, and stargaze under exceptionally dark skies — the Milky Way is usually visible to the naked eye.
Best time & tips
Go October to April. Climb the dunes at sunrise or sunset, when the sand is cool and the light is golden; midday sun is harsh and the sand can be too hot to walk barefoot. Bring a scarf against wind-blown sand, closed shoes, sunscreen, plenty of water, and warm layers for the night — even in summer the desert cools sharply after dark, and winter nights can approach freezing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Erg Chebbi? Beside Merzouga in southeast Morocco, near the Algerian border.
How high is Erg Chebbi? Up to about 150 metres — Morocco’s tallest dunes.
Erg Chebbi or Erg Chigaga? Erg Chebbi is taller and easier to reach (right by Merzouga, paved road); Erg Chigaga is remoter and wilder, near M’Hamid and reached only by 4×4.
How do you visit Erg Chebbi? On a 3-day tour from Marrakech (560 km) or Fes (470 km), staying overnight in a dune camp.
More: Morocco Desert — complete guide
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