Near Merzouga, the dunes of Erg Chebbi rise up to 150 metres from the stony desert – orange at sunset, pink at dawn and silent at night. You ride a camel to your camp, eat dinner by the fire and sleep in a private luxury tent with a real bed and an en-suite bathroom, under more stars than you have ever seen.

Every journey below includes the Sahara; most spend two nights there, with a 4×4 day to visit nomad families and the Gnawa musicians of Khamlia. Read how to plan a Sahara desert trip and our pick of the best luxury desert camps in Merzouga.