Morocco’s most popular set of dunes, Erg Chebbi, is not exactly easy to access. This desert at the edge of the Western Sahara is eight hours from Marrakech, seven hours from Fes, and right up against nothing at all (though on a clear day, you can see Algeria). So why do so many people end up making the trek? Here are the top 10 reasons to drive to the Moroccan desert — 4 at the destination and 6 along the way.

4 Reasons to Visit the Desert

Moroccan Dunes: Glowing Sands

Erg Chebbi doesn’t cover a massive area, but it’s still impressive — some of the dunes rise up over 150 meters from the rocky desert ground.

Also, you can play in sand dunes! Sandboarding and riding ATVs are popular activities, but you can also just walk to the top of a dune and roll yourself down (warning: you’ll be shaking sand out of your clothes for days).

Desert Camels: Patient Mounts

Camels aren’t remotely comfortable as a means of transportation, but riding them in the desert — for a short amount of time, at least — is amazingly fun.

Sunrise and Sunset: Lighting Up the Dunes

The brilliant colors of sunrise and sunset speak for themselves — and it’s entirely worth waking up early to watch the shifting hues spread across the dunes.

Desert Glamping: Erg Chebbi’s Silent Nights

Camps in Erg Chebbi take many forms, some more glamorous than others. We loved our comfy yurt at Caravanserai Camp, and the music around the fire at night was an added bonus.

6 Reasons to Drive to the Desert

Atlas Mountains: Mighty Peaks

To get over the mighty Atlas Mountains, you’ll most likely make the journey via Tizi n’Tichka Pass, which will get you up to an altitude of  2,205 meters.

Along the way, you’ll pass Berber mountain villages and dramatic rocky hillsides.

Ait Ben Haddou: Moroccan Fortress

This fortified village, or ksar, was once an important stop along the caravan route between Marrakech and the Sahara. Now only inhabited by a handful of families, Ait Ben Haddou is still worth seeing as a remarkable example of traditional earthen architecture. Plus, for all of you Game of Thrones fans, Ait Ben Haddou was one of the show’s filming sites.

Tinghir: Town of the Green Doors

Morocco has a lot of beige architecture. A lot. So when we came to the outskirts of Tinghir, where everyone paints their doors green (or occasionally some related color), I breathed a sigh of relief. I’m not sure there’s much else to say about this provincial capital, but I just loved the doors.

The Ziz River Valley: A Green Desert

The Ziz River runs through a region known as the Tafilalt, which is the largest Saharan oasis in Morocco. It’s amazing to see a striking seam of green (much of it date palms) open up against the stark Moroccan desert.

Desert Mountains: Rugged Forms

I tend to think of desert as either (1) flat nothingness or (2) giant dunes. But there’s a long stretch of tall, rugged mountains between Erg Chebbi and Fes that reminds you that deserts take many, many forms.

Roadside Finds: Unexpected Street Fun

I’m a big fan of anything strange or interesting that I see on the side of the road, whether it be the giant apple of Midelt, the oversized slate of the Ouarzazate film-making area, or vendors finding unique ways to sell their wares.

Morocco’s Little Switzerland: Honorable Mention

I don’t have a good picture for this one because it was both freezing cold and pouring rain, but if you’re craving a European feel for your Moroccan holiday, Ifrane is the place to be. Built by the French as a colonial hill town in 1928, Ifrane has been dubbed “Little Switzerland” for its alpine architecture and nearby skiing. As its name would suggest, it’s cute, it’s green, and it’s chilly.

One Thing to Skip: The Monkeys in the Cedar Forest

The Barbary macaques in the forest near Azrou were a huge draw for me when I saw our itinerary — after all, these endangered monkeys are the only primates (other than humans) north of the Sahara. I was excited to have the chance to see them in the wild. But when we arrived, we found a troop of macaques in the road being fed by tourists (a few people nearby were selling food for the monkeys to eat). So these monkeys are losing their wild nature. I could go on and on about the ecosystem here … but I’ll just close by saying that if you’d like to see the Barbary macaques, please don’t feed them.

How To Drive to the Moroccan Desert

Most people get to Erg Chebbi in one of three ways: (1) driving their own caravan, (2) going on a tour bus, or (3) signing on for a smaller private tour. The most popular choice is to make the trip over the course of three days, but for time reasons, we opted for a two-day private tour with Morocco Fabulous Travel. It was a lot of driving, but it was worth it!

• Planning the rest of your Morocco itinerary? Don’t miss these incredible Must-See Morocco Highlights.

• Curious about day trips from Fes? Here’s my guide to Ancient Volubilis — and why it’s absolutely worth the trip.