Erg Chigaga

The majority of travelers visiting Morocco decide to experience the desert, usually that in Erfoud where the major tour operators are. The result is that the desert has lost some of its authenticity and has become an actual tourist attraction. There is, however, another semi-unknown place in Morocco where you can experience real Bedouin life in an untouched wilderness free from hordes of tourists: Erg Chegaga. To get to the dunes, you have to first reach the town of M'hamid with the help of some local tour agency. From there, a multi-hour drive over a rocky terrain takes you to a campsite at the foot of the dunes.

The Ouarzazate Desert is a great desert, wild and unique. This was the first desert that I have ever seen, and I have very fond memories of this great place. I'd say i almost felt like I was in paradise! Because of the beauty of the dunes and their colors. Visiting this place is truly a unique experience not to be missed.

I visited during a trip to the Sahara, from the town of M'Hamid and Chegaga erg.My friend and I planned a trip of a week of hiking, with a guide and 2 camels. It was an unforgettable trip, walking among the dunes and regs, sleeping under the stars, etc.. It was the chance to discover the Moroccan Sahara, far from tourist attractions like Merzouga. We climbed the highest dune and waited until the sun began going down before leaving behind the horizon. This picture was taken on the erg Chegaga Zher between M'hamid and after many hours of walking.

After half a day's drive to get to Merzouga, a bit of bartering to get a hotel, a couple of hours in which the camel resisted and a night sleeping in the open, under the sky with more stars that I've ever seen, this desert sunrise made me forget everything else that had happened during that day.