Merzouga in January: Clear Skies and Almost Empty Dunes
Once the holidays are over, Erg Chebbi falls silent again. January brings the clearest night sky of the year and quieter camps, as long as you can handle freezing nights.
Merzouga in January means around 18 °C by day but the coldest nights of the year: about 4 °C in the village and often below 0 °C in the dunes at dawn. In return, the dry air gives an exceptional starry sky and, after the Christmas holidays, camps are quieter and prices come down. The 3-day tour from Marrakech (from €86-118) remains the easiest option; on site, a night in a heated tent costs from €62. Pack a beanie, gloves, down jacket and thermal base layer for sunrise. Atlas roads (the Tizi n’Tichka pass) can occasionally close after snowfall, in which case agencies push back the departure, so book with free cancellation.
Plan your stay
The guides and experiences our readers book most for this destination.
The Best Experiences in Merzouga in January
Tours from Marrakech and on-site activities, sorted by number of reviews:
| Experience | Rating | Reviews | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| From Marrakech: 3-Day Merzouga and Sahara Desert Tour | 4.9 | 22,297 | €118 |
| From Marrakech: Merzouga 3-Day Desert Safari with Food | 4.7 | 14,481 | €104 |
| Marrakech: 3-Day Merzouga Desert Experience Camel & Meals | 4.6 | 6,436 | €86 |
| Desert Overnight in Heated Tent & Camel Ride (from Merzouga) | 4.8 | 267 | €62 |
| Erg Chebbi: Adventure Quad Bike Safari & Sandboarding | 5.0 | 130 | €47 |
Ratings, reviews and prices taken from GetYourGuide; they may change.
See desert tours for January· GetYourGuideFree cancellation up to 24h before on most activities · the best time slots sell out first in high seasonReserve now, pay later on many activities
Compare activities on ViatorYou will be redirected to our partner Viator.- 3-day tour: the best-selling option, via Aït Ben Haddou and the Dadès. See the 3-day desert tour from Marrakech.
- From Fes: Merzouga is about 7 hours by road. See the desert from Fes.
- Camps: see the best camps in Merzouga.
- Closer to Marrakech: the Agafay Desert, 45 minutes away, for an evening without a 9-hour drive.
Where to Stay in Merzouga in January
In January comfort counts double: a luxury camp with heated tents, or a kasbah hotel at the foot of the dunes with central heating. Many travellers spend one night in camp and one in a kasbah to recover. See the Moroccan desert in winter and which desert to choose in Morocco.
See heated kasbahs and camps in Merzouga· Booking.comFree cancellation on many properties · the best-rated places fill up firstNo prepayment needed on many offers: lock in your room now
Compare flights and hotels on Trip.com· Trip.com
See also Merzouga in December, when to visit Merzouga and Marrakech in January.
Going a little later? See Merzouga in February.
FAQ — Merzouga in January
What is the temperature in Merzouga in January?
Is January a good month for the desert?
Is the Marrakech-Merzouga road open in winter?
Do I need a heated tent in January?
Do prices drop in January?
In Short
- 18 °C by day, nights below 0 °C.
- Starry skies and quieter camps.
- Free cancellation in case of Atlas snow.
