Merzouga is rich in its history and constitutes a real crossroads where the civilizations of the African Sahara meet. There are many fortified villages in the region for centuries. The French forces built “Merzouga” after their victory in the Battle of Tafilalt, which took place between 1916 and 1932. Today, the region's fame is due to the high sand dunes of Erg Chebbi, which stretch for many kilometers and are a haven of peace and comfort. Merzouga also abounds with green spaces and a lake where many types of birds gather. The trip to Merzouga cannot be a waste of time, as it is a spiritual stopover far from civilization, in which you will enjoy the beauty of the elements of nature in the heart of the desert. 14 Days Morocco tour
What to see and do in Merzouga?
✓ Dhayat Al-Sarij: Do you like birds and quiet places, then you should go to Lake Dayet El Serij, which is a few kilometers away from Merzouga. This lake fills with water during the winter and dries up in the summer. During the migration season (usually between the months of November and April), Al-Dhaiya becomes home to a huge biodiversity, especially birds of all kinds, which take this natural reserve as their seasonal residence. Swallows, pink flamingos, larks, quail, black storks and Barbary falcons converge in this nature reserve and create a stunning sight. At sunset, you can enjoy in a very relaxing atmosphere the magical reflection of the large sand dunes of Erg Chebbi on the surface of this district. This sight cannot be seen during dry time! But it presents another aspect that is equally astonishing: a land adorned with cracks in brown colors and camels roaming there offering stunning landscapes! 3 Days tour from Marrakech to Fes
✓ Food test : Merzouga region, is the main gateway to the Sahara and has been a place of exchange between North and South for centuries. This crossroads witnessed the passage of caravans laden with the greatest treasures: gold, spices, salt… A true mosaic of colors and tastes, Merzouga offers a gastronomy that requires very special knowledge and experience. In addition to the tagine with vegetables, which is considered essential in this region, you can taste pastries that are prepared from dates and delicious barley semolina with camel milk. But the buried dish is the food that Merzouga is famous for first and foremost. This desert pie consists of bread stuffed with meat (mainly camel meat), herbs, onions and many spices and seasonings. And it is inserted into a furnace dug in the middle of the sand. 15 Days in Morocco
✓ Mountains and mines are located near the ancient city of Merzouga, from which minerals are extracted in the Mavis region. These places provide a distinctive view of the erg and the desert full of rocks. Mines are located on the surface of the earth and form holes in the middle of rocks that look like swords or trenches. These deposits are still working today and lead, barite and the famous eyeliner are extracted from here.
As you pass through the village of Meffis, you will discover wonderful panoramic views. As To the south, you can enjoy a part of the desert where the sand dunes merge with the Hamada area. Turtle Valley is located in the heart of this region and houses the remains of turtles that lived there millions of years ago. The many panoramic sites in this area provide a comprehensive fantasy view of the entire place and its atmosphere is similar to lunar landscapes, as it will definitely make you want to date it by taking a souvenir photo of it!
✓ Treatment by sand: The nature of Merzouga is characterized as a source of tourism in terms of medical and exploratory tourism, throughout the year, although the summer season increases the demand of tourists more to this region. Most visitors to "Merzouga" seek recovery from various joint diseases, such as "rheumatism", in the dunes, which are embraced by temperatures and hot sand. The people of the region know the benefits and effect of the sands of their village on medicine and treatment, and they are experts in this field. That is why they set up small tents that look like popular clinics to welcome visitors looking for hot sands.
The treatment phase, or what is known as "sand bathing", consists of the person wishing to take a bath completely covered in sand, except for his head, which is covered with a large and circular hat, colloquially known as "taraza", to avoid sunstroke. This person is buried in places similar to cemeteries, which are specially designed to receive tourists wishing to be treated. 19 Days in Morocco
The landfill process, or what is colloquially called "filling", lasts between 10 and 15 minutes. During this period, one of the supervisors accompanying the person benefiting from the sand bathing process provides small doses of water so that he does not become dehydrated as a result of the sand absorption process. The residents of the area prepare the landfill sites since the early morning, so that these pits can gain more heat from the sun's rays, and are ready to receive those wishing for treatment. The landfill process may be frightening for some, but the residents of the region are experts in this field, as Merzouga has gained a good reputation in the field of treatment with its hot sands. Upon completion of the burial process, which does not exceed 15 minutes, the person is extracted and wrapped in a woolen quilt, lest he be hit by any air current. Then he goes into one of the tents near the landfill to relax and drink a hot drink mixed with herbs, with the aim of sweating. And a person can do this process for days for treatment. After spending about 15 minutes in the tent, the person who underwent the treatment goes to one of the traditional baths in the area to enjoy a warm bath in the hot water.
There is no doubt that when you try to bathe in the sand, you will have a kind of fascination with the view of the wide sand dunes and hills, which turn into moving waves. It is said that whoever gets lost in these sandy hills never returns. Your enthusiasm will certainly increase at sunset or sunrise, as it is said that the most beautiful sunset in the universe is the sunset of "Merzouga".
Without forgetting your discovery of the people of the region who are distinguished by their slender brown bodies, who are known for their kind hearts, and their cheerful faces, covered with the veil, which accompanies them wherever they go and travel, and this is due to the nature of the region that knows sand storms from time to time. Norh Morocco tour in 3 Days
✓ Try came ride, quad or sandbording: Of course, the desert offers all the adrenaline-pumping activities. If you want to experience the thrill more, try a trip on the back of camels and penetrate into the Merzouga desert, or if you do not want that, then choose a tour on a four-wheel sports bike. These trips can last a few hours or several days, but they all give you the chance to have some serious off-road fun. Those who like adventure can try sand boarding - like traditional snowboarding, only a bit hotter so watch out!
✓ From Merzouga, trips aboard 4*4 vehicles depart to explore the prehistoric rock carvings in the Touz region and the Meffis mines, which store quartz, eyeliner, barite and copper, 11 km from the village. Also, visit Khamila village here only black people who migrated from mali, sengal... And They settled down and formed a small village of their own and gathered together as one group to fortify their village from all harm or any enemy that wanted to harm them. And the source of their livelihood until now is the Gnaoui music that they sing to the visitors who come to their association. a small tips from you is a pleasure for them. 3 Days Desert tour from Fes to Marrakech
✓ Life in Merzouga all revolves around the desert and the sand dunes, and the most authentic way to experience it is on the back of a camel. Many residents of Merzouga offer you the opportunity to join a camel safari in the dunes. Many of these tours include an overnight stay in a desert camp, or in a traditional village. There you will enjoy an unparalleled romantic atmosphere of a night under the vast open sky of stars. You will also enjoy tasting delicious food and listening to the unique Amazigh music.
If you are looking a trip to the Sahara Desert from Marrakesh or Fez, Merzouga Treks Offering, Sahara Desert Tours and Package holidays to Morocco.
If you are looking for a short trip then Marrakech to Fes Desert Trip can be a good option.
This trip is a 3 days in which you will visit many beautiful places of the Sahara Desert.
Under it, you will visit the famous sites of Kasbah Ait ben, Hadou, and Dades Valley.
In this trip, a Camel is used.
On this trip, you would enjoy many beautiful places and views.
You would also enjoy the view of the High Atlas Mountains on your way.
