As the sun goes down over Erg Chebbi, the dunes gradually stop being yellow.
They turn orange, then coppery, and the shadows begin to draw long lines across the sand.
This is the moment most travellers come to find.
But the exact time, where to climb and how to get there vary a great deal from one season to the next — and from one camp to the next.
For a full comparison of both ends of the day, see our guide to sunset and sunrise on the Erg Chebbi dunes.
What time does the sun set on Erg Chebbi?
Between 5.30pm in winter (December-January) and 7.30pm in summer (June-July).
A two-hour difference is no small matter: a camp that organises the departure at 6pm in January would set the same departure at around 7.30pm in July.
Most camps time the departure to the dunes about an hour before the exact sunset, allowing for a relaxed climb and getting settled before the light changes.
These times follow the same seasonal rhythm as the rest of Morocco, as documented on the official national tourism website (visitmorocco.com).
Which dune should you climb?
No need to go far.
The key is to climb high enough to clear the horizon above the camp tents and the village skyline.
A medium dune, fifteen or twenty minutes' walk, is more than enough.
The camps set deepest in Erg Chebbi have a clear advantage here: fewer groups visible on the neighbouring ridge, a panorama that seems to belong only to those who took the trouble to climb.
The wind shapes the ridges differently from one week to the next.
The most photogenic dune is therefore never quite the same — which is also what makes each sunset slightly different from the last.
On foot or by camel?
Both options exist, and neither is objectively better.
Climbing on foot lets you choose the exact spot and pace — useful for photographers who want to step away from the group.
The camel ride adds a different dimension to the journey: the animal's slow gait, the elevated viewpoint along the way, less effort on loose sand.
It is particularly well suited to children and people uncomfortable on unstable ground.
The camel trek is not for everyone, however — some travellers find the saddle uncomfortable over a longer stretch.
Then the last rays disappear.
The sky turns from orange to violet in a matter of minutes, and the evening chill is already making itself felt.
Practical tip
Stay on the dune a few minutes after the sun has gone.
The others head straight back down to camp — the softest colours often appear just after, when the sky finishes changing.
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