On Dec 31 we will make our way to Merzouga to experience the Sahara Desert, taking a one night break in Ouarzazate where we will ring in the New Year. From there we will drive the next morning to Erg Chebbi —our desert luxury camp where we will spend 2 nights. We are still finalizing our desert activities, but will arrive at the camp grounds via 4×4 jeep, do sand boarding, desert sunset camel ride, desert sunrise, 4 hour tour of the area and local villages and their people, dune buggy adventures, dinner and traditional live music etc! I am soooo excited about this part of the trip!!!
A bit about Ouarzazate—
(Credit google search)
Ouarzazate is a city in south-central Morocco, known as the “Door of the Desert” and a major film-making hub with large studios and desert landscapes used for movies like Gladiator and Game of Thrones. It serves as a gateway to the Sahara and Draa Valley, featuring attractions like the UNESCO World Heritage site Aït Benhaddou, kasbahs, and the Noor solar power station. The city is a functional base for desert excursions, offering a mix of traditional culture and modern amenities.
Key features
- Film industry: Home to Atlas Film Studios, it’s a popular location for international film and TV productions, with sets that can double for ancient Rome, Egypt, and other locations.
- Gateway to the desert: A primary starting point for trips into the Draa Valley and the Sahara, with tours for camel riding and exploring dunes.
- Historic sites: Features historic kasbahs like Taourirt and Tifoultoute, and the nearby Aït Benhaddou, a fortified village and UNESCO site.
- Culture: A blend of Berber and Moroccan culture, with vibrant markets (souks) and a central square (Place Al-mouahidine) that comes alive at night.
A bit about Erg Chebbi
(Courtesy Wikipedia)
Erg Chebbi (Arabic: عرق الشبي) is one of Morocco‘s several ergs – large seas of dunes formed by wind-blown sand. It is located on the far western edge of the Sahara Desert.[1] There are several other ergs in Morocco, such as Erg Chigaganear M’hamid.
In places, the dunes of Erg Chebbi rise to 150 meters from the surrounding hamada (rocky desert) and altogether span an area of approximately 28 kilometers from north to south and 5–7 kilometers from east to west lining the Algerian border.[2]
The nearest sizable town is Erfoud, about 60 kilometers further north. One other city is Rissani, around 40 kilometers from Merzouga. Rissani was the site of a kingdom known as Sijilmassa, which became prosperous from the 8th to the 14th century due to its control of the caravan routes.
Although rainfall is not very common, in 2006 flooding adjacent to the dunes destroyed many buildings and killed three people.
The desert adventure awaits!!!