Dive into Erg Chigaga’s vast dunes

The Erg Chigaga is one of the two largest dune deserts in the Moroccan Sahara. Located near M'hamid El Ghizlane, a few miles from the Algerian border, this off-the-beaten-track stretch is only accessible via a 4x4 vehicle or traditional caravan with a local guide. The Erg is the perfect place to live like the "Blue Men," riding on camels through the desert or during a traditional campfire dinner while admiring the stars.

Among these immense dunes, which reach an altitude of 1,700 feet, discover a host of unexpected activities. Our local agencies can arrange for you to meet Lahcen Ahansal. This 10-time winner and Marathon des Sables record-holder will teach you how to run through the desert.

For another walk through the wilderness, we recommend visiting the virtually abandoned Bounou. This fortified village is made up of crumbling earthen buildings, which mimic the desert’s shades. Enjoy its tower’s silhouettes, which allow you to see the village against the horizon.