Erg Chigaga

The other Sahara — larger dunes, fewer tourists, harder to reach. Erg Chigaga lies 50 kilometers beyond M'Hamid, past the end of the paved road. You need a 4x4 or a camel; there's no other way. The isolation is the point. Erg Chebbi (near Merzouga) has hotels, restaurants, crowds. Chigaga has camps and silence. The dunes stretch 40 kilometers; you can walk for hours without seeing another person. The night sky is absolute. The camps vary from basic to luxury. The experience depends more on company and weather than facilities. A sandstorm is memorable in either setting. The stars, the cold night, the heat rising at dawn — these are consistent. Budget two nights; one isn't enough. Best time: October-April (summer too hot) Allow: 2-3 days Combine with: Draa Valley and M'Hamid