MERZOUGA, MOROCCO (SAHARA DESERT)
Merzouga is the gateway into the Sahara Desert and is approximately 12 hours from Marrakech. Getting out here is a long trek and will be exhausting, but once you arrive and explore the vastness of the desert, you will not be disappointed!
Attractions:
Sahara Desert Tour: You cannot go to Morocco without seeing the Sahara! The stillness of the desert is unbelievable. If you do the tour I did (you can book this specific tour at any hostel in which you stay), you will have the option to ride into the desert on a camel. Although I struggled with this piece, I must say that the experience of seeing your shadow in the sand whilst on camel-back was amazing - straight out of a movie! After arriving to our camp, my group and I watched the sunset over the dunes. After dinner was served, we were serenaded by live Moroccan music around the campfire. Without light pollution, the amount of stars you can see in the desert is truly incredible! To learn more about this amazing experience, check out this blog post!
Outside of the desert tour, you can ride dune buggies, go sandboarding, visit Lake Dayet Srij, or walk around town.
Accommodation:
If you do not do the desert tour, there are hostels in Merzouga. That said, I cannot recommend one since I slept in the desert with my tour group.
Transportation:
Fes is 10 hours from Merzouga and costs 180 MAD.
Marrakech is 12 hours from Merzouga and costs 220 MAD.
There are no direct routes to Casablanca, Essaouira, Chefchaouen, etc. First, you must take a bus to Fes or Marrakech and then transfer.
Other options include:
Renting a car (9 hour drive from Merzouga-Marrakech)
Joining a bus tour group from Marrakech or Fes
Flying into Errachidia (the closest sizable town to Merzouga). From Errachidia, Merzouga is a 2 hour drive. Errachidia has an airport offering 2 hour non-stop flights from Casablanca for between $40-$55 USD.
The photos up top of me in the desert and on the camel were taken by my Aussie friend, Nick. Thanks, brother!