A Merzouga camel trek with us is a simple overnight trip from our base in the village into the Erg Chebbi dunes, with a private tent waiting at camp. Already in Merzouga, or arriving by bus or rental car? This Merzouga camel trek gives you a night in the Erg Chebbi dunes without booking a full tour. You meet our team at our base in Merzouga in the afternoon, ride a camel into the dunes, watch the sunset from a ridge, and sleep at Mouhou Luxury Camp in a private tent with its own shower and toilet.
In the morning you ride back to the village at sunrise. We are a Merzouga company founded by people who grew up here, so you deal directly with the team that runs the trek.
For official travel information about the Merzouga region and the rest of the country, see the Moroccan National Tourist Office.
The Merzouga camel trek at a glance
| Duration | About 18 hours (afternoon to next morning); 2-night option available |
| Meeting point | Our base in Merzouga [CONFIRM ADDRESS / MAP PIN] |
| Meeting time | About 2 hours before sunset — we send the exact time when you book |
| Camel ride | Around [CONFIRM camel ride duration — approx. 1–1.5 h] each way |
| Overnight | Mouhou Luxury Camp, Erg Chebbi — private tent with en-suite shower and toilet |
| Meals | Dinner and breakfast |
| Style | Private for your party, or join other travellers on the ride [CONFIRM which is offered] |
| Alternative to the camel | 4×4 transfer to and from camp |
| Price | [CONFIRM PRICE] per person — depends on group size and options |
How the evening and morning work
Afternoon: meet us in Merzouga
Come to our base in Merzouga [CONFIRM ADDRESS] about two hours before sunset. Sunset time changes a lot through the year, so we confirm your meeting time by WhatsApp a day or two before. If you arrive by bus, we can tell you how to reach us from the stop [CONFIRM: pick-up from bus stop / hotel in Merzouga available?].
If you are driving, you can leave your car at our base [CONFIRM: secure parking, guarded or not, any fee]. You can also leave your main luggage there and take only a small overnight bag into the dunes [CONFIRM luggage storage]. Camels carry little, and a backpack is far easier than a suitcase on a sandy path.
Before you set off, your guide helps you choose a headscarf (or ties one for you), explains how to get on and off the camel, and checks everyone is comfortable.
The ride out and sunset
The caravan walks east into Erg Chebbi. The ride takes around [CONFIRM camel ride duration] at a walking pace. Camels sway, and the moments when the camel stands up and kneels down are the bumpiest part, so hold the handle and lean back as your guide shows you.
On the way, the group stops on a high dune to watch the sunset. Some dunes in Erg Chebbi rise to around 150 metres; you climb on foot for the last part, which is tiring in soft sand but worth it for the colour changes over the dunes.
The night at camp
You reach Mouhou Luxury Camp around dusk. Your tent is private — we do not use basic camps with shared bathrooms — and has its own shower and toilet. Dinner is served in the camp (vegetarian and vegan meals on request). After dinner there is a campfire with Berber drum music; you can join in or simply sit back and look at the stars. Away from the village lights, the sky on a clear, moonless night is very dark.
[CONFIRM: sandboarding available at camp, free or paid]
Sunrise and the ride back
Your guide wakes you before sunrise. You can watch the first light from a dune near camp, then ride back to Merzouga by camel. Breakfast and a hot shower are [CONFIRM: served at the camp before the ride back / available at our Merzouga base after the ride]. You are back in the village by mid-morning [CONFIRM typical return time], ready to drive on or catch onward transport.
Prefer not to ride? Take the 4×4
Camel riding is not right for everyone. If you have back or knee problems, are pregnant, or simply do not want to ride, we can drive you to the camp and back by 4×4 instead. You still get the sunset, the dinner and the night in the dunes. Some travellers ride one way and drive the other — just tell us when you ask for a quote.
Stay two nights in the dunes
One night is enough for a taste. Two nights let you slow down: a full free day in the desert, a second sunset, and time to add something else. Many guests use the middle day for our 4×4 desert tour around Erg Chebbi, which visits Khamlia’s Gnawa musicians and a nomad family, or for a quad bike or buggy ride in the dunes. On a two-night stay, ask us whether you stay in the same tent both nights [CONFIRM].
How we look after our camels
We know many travellers worry about animal welfare, and so do we. Our commitments are: – [CONFIRM: maximum rider weight, e.g., “We ask riders over X kg to take the 4×4 transfer”] – [CONFIRM: rest days / rotation of camels] – [CONFIRM: shade, water and feed at the base] – [CONFIRM: camels owned by the company or by local families we work with] – [CONFIRM: no riding during the hottest hours in summer]
If something does not look right to you on the day, please tell us. We would rather hear it than not.
Where you sleep
Your night is at Mouhou Luxury Camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes. Every tent is private for your party, with its own bathroom, shower and toilet, and proper beds. [CONFIRM: heating in winter, cooling in summer, electricity/charging.] For photos and more detail, see our Merzouga desert camp page.
Price and how it is calculated
There is no online checkout. Send us your date and group size, and we reply with a clear quote. The price depends on: – Group size — the more people sharing a guide, the lower the cost per person. – Camel or 4×4 — the 4×4 transfer is priced differently from the camel ride. – One or two nights — a second night adds a second dinner and breakfast and a full day in the dunes. – Season — busy periods (spring, autumn and holidays) can cost more [CONFIRM seasonal pricing]. – Extras — parking, luggage storage, pick-up from the bus stop [CONFIRM which are free].
| Option | Price per person |
|---|---|
| 1 night, camel both ways, 2 people | [CONFIRM PRICE] |
| 1 night, camel both ways, solo traveller | [CONFIRM PRICE] |
| 1 night, 4×4 transfer instead of camel | [CONFIRM PRICE] |
| 2 nights, camel both ways | [CONFIRM PRICE] |
| Child price | [CONFIRM CHILD PRICING] |
Deposit and payment: [CONFIRM DEPOSIT % AND PAYMENT METHODS]. Cancellation: see our booking terms and conditions.
Included and not included
Included – Camel ride to camp and back (or 4×4 transfer on request) with a local guide – Sunset stop on the dunes – Night in a private tent with en-suite bathroom at Mouhou Luxury Camp – Dinner and breakfast – Campfire with Berber drum music – [CONFIRM: parking and luggage storage at our base]
Not included – Getting to Merzouga (see Errachidia to Merzouga desert tours if you plan to fly in) – Lunch and drinks other than water/tea with meals [CONFIRM] – Optional activities such as 4×4 tours or quad biking – Tips for guides and camp staff (optional) – Travel insurance (recommended)
Is this Merzouga camel trek right for you?
A good fit if you: – are travelling independently and already have a way to reach Merzouga – want a night in the dunes but not a long multi-day drive – value a private bathroom over a basic camp
Maybe not if you: – have no way to reach Merzouga — a multi-day tour from Marrakech or Fes may suit you better – want total silence and solitude — camps in Erg Chebbi are not remote wilderness, and you may see other camps’ lights – cannot tolerate heat: in July and August afternoons are often above 40 °C, so the ride starts late and the heat lingers into the evening
What to bring in your overnight bag
- Headscarf or hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
- Long trousers (more comfortable on a saddle) and closed shoes or sandals you can walk in sand with
- A warm layer — from December to February desert nights can drop close to freezing
- Torch or phone light, power bank [CONFIRM charging at camp]
- Medication and a small towel or wet wipes
- Cash in dirhams for tips and drinks
Questions about the Merzouga camel trek
Where exactly do we meet, and can you find us if we arrive by bus?
We meet at our base in Merzouga [CONFIRM ADDRESS]. We send a map pin by WhatsApp once you book. If you arrive by bus, tell us your arrival time and we explain how to reach us [CONFIRM pick-up from bus stop].
Is it safe to leave my rental car and suitcases with you?
[CONFIRM: describe parking — e.g., enclosed/guarded — and where luggage is kept.] Take valuables and passports with you in your overnight bag.
How long is the camel ride, and is it hard?
Around [CONFIRM camel ride duration] each way at walking pace. It is not physically hard, but it can feel stiff by the end. Long trousers help. If you are worried, ask for the 4×4 transfer one way.
Is there a weight or age limit for riding?
[CONFIRM: rider weight limit and minimum age]. Young children usually ride with a parent or guide close by; tell us ages when you book.
Can we do the trek in summer?
Yes, but plan for heat. We start later in the afternoon so the ride falls in cooler hours. Drink plenty of water during the day and avoid being out in the midday sun.
Can I arrive the same day after a long drive?
Yes, as long as you reach our base about two hours before sunset. If you are driving from Fes or Marrakech, leave early — both are long days on the road. See the Merzouga desert activities page for ideas if you arrive with spare time.
Is the camel trek private?
[CONFIRM: private caravan per booking, or travellers from different bookings ride together]. Your tent is always private.
Related experiences
- Things to do in Merzouga: desert activities with locals
- Our Merzouga desert camp: what your night in the Sahara looks like
- Merzouga 4×4 desert tour around Erg Chebbi
- Quad biking and buggy rides in Merzouga
- Errachidia to Merzouga desert tours for travellers who fly in
Planning your Merzouga camel trek
Choosing your date
If you want to see the stars at their best, check the moon calendar. Around the new moon the sky over Erg Chebbi is at its darkest; around the full moon the dunes are bright enough to walk without a torch, which has its own beauty. Either way, a clear night in the desert is memorable.
Getting to Merzouga
Most independent travellers arrive by rental car, by long-distance bus or by flying into Errachidia. Allow plenty of time: the drive from Fes or Marrakech takes most of a day. Arriving the day before your Merzouga camel trek gives you a calm start and time to rest.
Booking one or two nights
A one-night Merzouga camel trek suits a tight schedule. Choose two nights if you want a slower pace, a day of activities, or a second chance at sunset if the first evening is cloudy or windy.
A typical timeline
These times shift with the season, because the trek is planned around sunset and sunrise [CONFIRM typical times].
- About two hours before sunset: meet us at our base, store your bags and get ready.
- Late afternoon: the ride out, with a stop on a high dune for sunset.
- Dusk: arrival at camp, time to settle into your tent.
- Evening: dinner, then the campfire and drums.
- Before sunrise: wake-up call and sunrise from a nearby dune.
- Morning: the ride back to the village and breakfast [CONFIRM where breakfast is served].
Riding comfortably
Most people find the first ten minutes strange and the rest relaxing. Sit upright, keep your feet loose and hold the handle when the camel stands up or kneels down. On a Merzouga camel trek the caravan walks slowly, so you have time to look around and take photos.
If you feel uncomfortable, tell your guide. He can adjust the saddle or let you walk for a while beside the camel.
Photography tips for the dunes
- Protect your camera from sand with a zip bag or a cloth, and change lenses inside your tent, not in the wind.
- Shoot early and late. The best light on a Merzouga camel trek is at sunset and sunrise, when the ridges show long shadows.
- Keep your phone safe on the camel with a strap or a zipped pocket.
- Ask before photographing your guide or camp staff.
- Night photos need a small tripod or a steady surface.
What to wear by season
Spring and autumn
Light layers for the ride, and a jacket or fleece for the evening.
Summer
Loose, light clothes that cover your arms and legs, a headscarf and plenty of water. A Merzouga camel trek in July or August is still possible, but expect warm nights.
Winter
A warm jacket, a hat and warm socks. Nights can be close to freezing [CONFIRM extra blankets or heating in tents].
Caring for the desert
Erg Chebbi is home to local families and wildlife as well as visitors. Please take your rubbish back with you, stay on the paths your guide shows you near camp, and keep music low at night so others can enjoy the silence.
More questions about the Merzouga camel trek
Can I bring a drone?
[CONFIRM: drone rules in Morocco and at camp.] Please ask us before you travel, as rules for drones in Morocco are strict.
Can children do the trek?
Yes, many families do a Merzouga camel trek together. Tell us the ages of your children when you book [CONFIRM minimum age], and we will suggest whether the camel or the 4×4 suits them better.
Is there mobile signal at camp?
[CONFIRM mobile signal at Mouhou Luxury Camp.] Many guests enjoy a night offline.
What if the weather is bad?
In strong wind or a sandstorm we may change the timing or use the 4×4 for safety [CONFIRM weather policy]. We will contact you if your Merzouga camel trek needs to change.
What do I do with my luggage if I travel on by bus?
Bring only what you need for the night in a small bag, and ask us about storing the rest at our base [CONFIRM luggage storage]. After your Merzouga camel trek, we can tell you how to reach the bus stop for your onward journey [CONFIRM].
Can I add a quad ride on the same day?
Yes, if the ride is in the morning or early afternoon and you are back at our base in time for the meeting. Ask us when you book, or see quad biking and buggy rides in Merzouga.
Can I do the trek after a desert tour with another company?
Yes. The trek is a standalone booking, so it does not matter how you reach Merzouga.
Ready to book?
Send us your preferred date, the number of travellers and whether you want one or two nights. We will confirm availability for your Merzouga camel trek and send you the meeting time.
Check availability & get a quote
Send us your date, the number of travellers and whether you want one or two nights. – Ask on WhatsApp: +212 667 850 421 (8:30–20:00 Morocco time) – Contact form: Check availability & get a quote — choose “Camel trek” and add your arrival details – Email: [EMAIL ADDRESS]
We reply with a quote and the exact meeting time. You confirm only when you are happy.
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