The Grand Erg Oriental begins where Douz ends — literally at the edge of town — and extends south in an uninterrupted sea of sand dunes for hundreds of kilometres. The nearest dunes are easily accessible on foot, by camel, or by quad bike, and the landscape becomes progressively more spectacular as you move further from town.
Camel treks of varying length are available from outfitters throughout Douz. A one-hour ride to the first substantial dunes costs very little and gives a good introduction to the terrain, but the best experiences are the overnight trips: camping among the dunes, cooking over a fire, and watching the stars emerge as the desert cools are the things that stick in memory.