This picture shows a group hiking in the dunes at Merzouga. The Erg Chebbi dunes are the largest, most impressive and most beautiful sand dunes in Morocco and the largest of which stand some 300m high. Their accessibility, by what is now largely a tarmac road, makes them one of the most popular highlights of the south of Morocco. The dunes rise up from a flat stone desert (hamada) and can be seen for miles around. The dunes themselves start at the small settlement of Merzouga and are extensive enough for us to find remote places in which to pitch camp on multi-day treks. Epic Morocco's Erg Chebbi Explorer trek focuses on this area and takes hikers deep into the dunes on a walking/camel trek. Camels can be notoriously uncomfortable for long durations in the saddle, so people often prefer to walk, but these incredible desert animals are still an essential element of the trek as they are used as pack animals to carry baggage and camping equipment. At night we pitch camp (each night in a different place) and usually have a barbecue before sleeping in large bedouin tents or under the stars on warm nights. The advantage of Merzouga over other areas of Saharan dunes in Morocco is that they are usually more picturesque at sunrise and sunset - burnt orange in colour and gigantic in stature. For those arriving at the dunes by car as part of a self drive itinerary, there are a few basic facilities at Merzouga, namely a cluster of basic auberges, and usually camels available for hire. To some visitors it may be enough just to take a short hike/camel trek into the dunes at sunset and then sleep the night in a guest house but others might prefer to stay the night in one of the permanent tent camps used by the auberges. The best place to stay in the area is the "Auberge Derkaoua" (aka "The Desert Inn"), although this excellent guest house lies about 20km from the dunes themselves. This adobe brick 'maison d'hotes' offers simple but very charming rooms,  a refreshing swimming pool, good food and excursions into the dunes, including overnight in a tent camp. It should be noted, importantly, that there are some times that you are recommended to avoid visiting Erg Chebbi. Easter week is the busiest week of the year and should be avoided as the place becomes swamped with tourists - something that detracts from the remote desert location. You should also not visit Erg Chebbi during the summer months (mid June to late September) when the south of Morocco turns into a blast furnace. Dangerous creatures such as snakes and scorpions tend to favour the hotter months too - another powerful case for avoiding the area at this time of year. The other main area of dunes that desert enthusiasts should consider is the M'Hamid/Chegaga area, accessed by way of the main road south from Zagora. Here the dunes are more spaced out and less impressive. You'll also need a good 4x4 vehicle to get to the largest dunes (at Chegaga), although transport and multi-day excursions are available from M'hamid, which can, unfortunately, be rather a hassley place.