Merzouga.. The magic of the Moroccan desert in beauty and healing 2023

In the southeast of Morocco, the city of "Merzouga", which tourists call the "sea of ​​sand" and "the jewel of the Moroccan desert", lies 130 kilometers from the city of Errachidia, which has wide sandy areas that visitors visit for treatment of rheumatism.

The dunes of "Merzouga", which extend 22 kilometers long and five kilometers wide, provide an opportunity to contemplate the changing colors of the sand according to the change of daylight, especially when perching on top of these dunes, which are the highest in Morocco. , especially thanks to the traditional music, hospitality and other things that the inhabitants inherited from their ancestors.

The city can be reached by land or air. The land road departs from the city of Errachidia, which is a crossing point for any traveler to the region. Given the city's status and attractiveness, a direct line between Casablanca and Merzouga was operated by public bus during the summer.

As for the air route, it takes place via the air line that started at the beginning of last summer between Casablanca and Errachidia. Upon the traveler's arrival at Moulay Ali Cherif Airport, he needs to take a taxi to reach the Merzouga area.

Errachidia and Merzouga, your eyes are captivated by the emptiness of the place and its stillness, which is broken by the waves of sand. When you reach the city, which is about 20 kilometers from the Algerian border, its climate and grains of sand that mix with the air require you to put a mask on your face, so that you are not disturbed by sandstorms that surprise you from time to time.​

Erg Chebbi at sunset 

When examining the history of the city and its inhabitants, we discover that the region was in the past uninhabited and formed a crossing point for merchants heading to or coming from Timbuktu in Mali. It also belongs to a desert mass called "Erg Chebbi", with unique natural, ethnographic and historical characteristics, as well. It formed the point of arrival for the desert trade caravans (the gold-slave trade) that linked the Mediterranean basin to the countries of sub-Saharan Africa.

In the third century AD, "Sijilmasa" was the ancient city that became mere ruins in the suburb of the city of "Rasani", the commercial and spiritual capital of the region, and was mentioned in the writings of great travelers such as Ibn Battuta and Ion the African.

The climate of Merzouga is hot, and it is clear from the shape of the desert how difficult life is in it, but it shows us a steadfast human experience over the centuries. Bathing in the sand, if you suffer from joint disease.

Its nature is characterized as a source of tourism in terms of medical, exploratory and sports tourism, throughout the year. Tourists flock to the village seeking recovery from various joint diseases, in the dunes that are embraced by temperatures and hot sand.

There are small tents resembling clinics, which are set up by the people of the region who know the extent of the impact of those sands, as its sand has gained, over the years, a certain therapeutic credibility that made it a destination for thousands from all regions of Morocco, and even from many countries, to enjoy and recover from sand bathing operations.

As for the details of sand bathing, the person who wants to take a bath is completely immersed in the sand, except for his head, which is covered with a large and circular hat, colloquially known as "Taraza", which is similar to Mexican hats to avoid sunstroke.

The burial process, or what is colloquially called "filling", lasts between 10 and 15 minutes. During this period, a supervisor 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.

Before the burial process, burial places similar to cemeteries are prepared. This process is carried out by the people of the region since the early morning, so that these pits can gain more heat from the sun's rays and be ready to receive those wishing 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.

As for the benefits of sand baths in rheumatic diseases, the quality of the city’s sand and its continental climate and high temperature helps to benefit from vitamin D, which helps to strengthen bones, and the presence of the city in an area 3000 meters above the sea helps visitors to benefit. From the scorching sun, which provides them with an important remedy for rheumatic pain.

At the feet of the "Merzouga" hills, there is a series of guesthouses and hotels of varying levels, although in their entirety they provide services at affordable prices, compared to traditional tourist destinations in the Kingdom.