Discover the region
Beyond the dunes, discover a unique region, rich in landscapes, traditions, and encounters.
Your stay at La Vallée des Dunes is also an opportunity to explore the region, which is rich in scenery, heritage, and traditions.
Villages, palm groves, souks, music, and wide-open spaces come together to form a region where every visit is a new discovery.
Hassilabied and its palm grove
Just a short walk from the guesthouse, Hassilabied is a traditional village with adobe houses, located at the edge of Erg Chebbi.
There are small shops, restaurants, craft stalls, and souvenir shops.
In just a few minutes’ walk, you go from the village’s narrow streets to the cool shade of the palm grove, and then on to the vast sand dunes.
Crisscrossed by a network of seguias—the region’s traditional irrigation canals—the palm grove is a blend of date palms, gardens, and crops.
A peaceful walk that allows you to discover the essential role of water in desert life.
It’s common to come across a camel herder leading his camels toward the dunes, just a short walk from the guesthouse.
Things to Know
- Take a leisurely stroll through the palm grove.
- Accessible on foot from the inn.
- Take a look at the seguias that irrigate the palm grove.
Rissani, at the edge of the desert
The former capital of Tafilalet, Rissani is a lively city where you can discover the authentic Morocco.
Its narrow streets, souks, artisan shops, and traditional market make it a vibrant place, frequented by both locals and travelers.
Visitors can also explore the mausoleum of Moulay Ali Chérif, one of the region’s most important historical monuments.
It’s also the perfect place to stroll among the stalls, sample a local specialty, and soak up the lively atmosphere of a Saharan city.
Things to Know
- A large, lively traditional market held twice a week.
- Souks, handicrafts, and local products.
- Mausoleum of Moulay Ali Chérif.
- About 40 minutes from the inn.
Khamlia and Gnawa Music
About fifteen minutes from the guesthouse, the village of Khamlia is renowned for its Gnawa music.
As descendants of ancient peoples from sub-Saharan Africa, the musicians carry on a tradition that blends rhythms, songs, and spirituality.
Things to Know
- Concerts are held throughout the year.
- Discover traditional Gnawa music.
- You can combine this visit with other activities in the area.
Fossils, memory of a vanished sea
Standing before the dunes of Erg Chebbi, it’s hard to imagine that millions of years ago, this region was covered by the sea.
The fossils found today in the desert bear witness to this: ammonites, orthoceras, trilobites, and many other marine species tell this fascinating story.
To observe the fossils in their natural environment, a 4×4 excursion takes you to the rocky plateaus, which are accessible only by off-road trails.
In Erfoud, several workshops open their doors to give visitors a glimpse into the process of cutting and polishing these unique stones.
Things to Know
- The fossil sites are accessible only by 4×4.
- Be sure to wear sturdy shoes if you plan to look for fossils.
- Self-guided tour of the cutting and polishing workshops in Erfoud.
- You can combine this tour with other excursions in the surrounding area.
Lake Dayet Srij, a fleeting oasis at the edge of the dunes
Fed by rainfall, it sometimes appears at the foot of the Erg Chebbi dunes, offering a striking contrast between the blue of the water and the ochre of the desert.
Lake Dayet Srij is one of the region’s natural attractions.
When it is full of water, the lake attracts many migratory birds, such as flamingos, egrets, and wild ducks.
People from the surrounding area also come here to spend time with their families, enjoying the presence of water in the heart of the desert.
Things to Know
- About 15 minutes from the inn.
- Accessible by car.
- The lake is seasonal: its existence depends on rainfall.
- Migratory birds can be observed when the lake has water.
Taouz, in the footsteps of the past
Continuing on from Merzouga, you reach Taouz, where the ruins of the ancient garrison town still stand.
The earthen ruins, gradually being reclaimed by the desert, bear witness to this region’s past.
Near the village, several rock art sites serve as a reminder that, thousands of years ago, people and animals lived in an environment very different from the one we see today.
Beyond Taouz lies a wilder desert. The road leading to Ouzina winds through vast, rocky landscapes where you can discover another side of the Sahara, far from the dunes of Erg Chebbi.
Things to Know
- About 45 minutes from the inn.
- Accessible by car.
- The rock engravings are located near Taouz.
Would you like to learn more about a tour ?
Would you like to learn more about La Vallée des Dunes or extend your adventure ?
La Vallée des Dunes
At the foot of the Erg Chebbi dunes
Hassilabied – Merzouga – Morocco
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