Merzouga · Erg Chebbi
Ride into the highest dunes in Morocco with a local camel guide, watch the sun set over the sand and sleep in a private tent under the stars.
Our Merzouga camel treks
Three ways to experience Erg Chebbi, from a single sunset night to two nights deep in the desert. All start from Merzouga village.
Ride out at golden hour, watch the sun set from a high dune, share dinner and drums around the fire, then wake early for sunrise over Erg Chebbi.
A full day exploring Merzouga by 4x4 (oasis, seasonal lake, Gnawa music in Khamlia, M'ifis mines and a nomad family), then a sunset camel trek to a night in a desert camp.
Two nights in a desert camp: a sunset camel trek on day one, then sunrise and a full-day 4x4 excursion to Hassi Labied oasis, Khamlia's Gnawa music, the M'ifis mines and a nomad family.
Prices depend on the season, group size and camp style. Ask us for a quote on WhatsApp.
Side by side
| Trek | Starts | Camel riding | Meals included | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overnight Camel Trek in Merzouga | About 2 hours before sunset | About 1h30 each way | Dinner and breakfast | A first night in the Sahara |
| Day & Night Camel Trek Tour in the Merzouga Desert | 9:00 to 10:00 am, after breakfast | About 1.5 hours at sunset, after a 4x4 day tour | Dinner and breakfast (lunch in Khamlia at your own expense) | Travellers who want to see the whole Merzouga region |
| 2-Night Camel Trek in Merzouga Desert | About 2 hours before sunset | About 1.5 hours on day one; 4x4 return on day three | 2 dinners and 2 breakfasts (lunch at your own expense) | Desert lovers and photographers |
What to expect
From the moment you arrive in Merzouga to breakfast in the dunes the next morning.
Arrive at our guesthouse in Merzouga village. Park your car, leave your main luggage with us and pack a small bag. We help you tie a cheche, the traditional desert scarf, before the camels are saddled.
The caravan follows the dune ridges at a slow, steady pace. Your guide walks ahead, and there are stops for photos as the shadows grow longer and the sand turns from gold to deep orange.
Halfway to camp you climb a high dune to watch the sun go down over the sand sea. Boards are provided if you want to try sandboarding down the slope.
At camp you are welcomed with mint tea. Dinner is served in the restaurant tent, then the team lights a fire and plays Berber drums. Step away from the lights and the Milky Way is clear overhead.
Your guide wakes you before dawn to see the sunrise from the dune behind camp. After breakfast and a hot shower, ride back to the village, or take the 4x4 if you prefer.
Where you sleep
Every tent is private and has its own bathroom. Pick the comfort level that suits you and tell us when you book.
Private tents with their own en-suite bathroom, offering a good balance between comfort and the authentic feel of a Berber camp.
Spacious, elegantly furnished tents equipped with air conditioning and heating, so you stay cool on summer nights and warm in winter. Ideal for couples and families.
Make it your own
Staying longer, or want to make the most of your day? Each of these can be added to your camel trek. Tell us when you book and we will arrange the timing around your ride.
For a shot of adrenaline, swap the camel for a quad bike. After a short briefing, you follow your guide along the edge of Erg Chebbi, climbing soft ridges and dropping into the bowls between the dunes, with stops at viewpoints for photos.
The best way to understand the region around the dunes. With a local driver, you leave the sand for the wide stony plains and visit the places where people actually live and work at the edge of the Sahara.
A few Berber families still live as nomads on the hamada, moving with their goats and camels. You are welcomed into their woven tent for mint tea and bread baked in the embers, and can ask about a way of life that has changed little in generations.
Far from any city lights, the sky above the camp is one of the clearest in Morocco. After dinner, walk a few minutes from the fire, lie back on the cool sand and watch the Milky Way stretch from one horizon to the other.
Before you come
Questions
Anything else you would like to know? Our team in Merzouga answers every message personally.
Ask on WhatsAppBy car, Merzouga is about 560 km from Marrakech and 460 km from Fes. By public transport, Supratours buses run daily from Marrakech (leaving around 8:00 am, arriving around 9:00 pm) and overnight from Fes (leaving around 7:00 pm, arriving around 6:00 am). Tell us your bus and we will meet you at the stop. You can also arrive on one of our private tours.
On the overnight trek, the ride to camp takes about an hour and a half, including the sunset stop. The day and night trek has the same sunset ride of about an hour and a half, after a full day exploring the region by 4x4. The 2-night trek starts with the same sunset ride, then uses a 4x4 for the day excursion and the return to the village.
Yes. If you prefer not to ride, or have back problems, we take you to and from the camp by 4x4 at no extra cost.
No. Both camps have real beds, pillows and plenty of blankets. In the luxury camp, every tent also has air conditioning and heating.
Yes. Children usually love it. They must be accompanied by an adult, and very young children can share a camel with a parent or travel by 4x4.
March to May and September to November are the most comfortable months. Winter days are sunny but nights are cold, so choose the luxury camp for heating. In summer, treks start later in the day to avoid the heat.
Send us your date, the number of travellers and your camp choice by WhatsApp or email. We confirm with a small deposit; the rest is paid in cash when you arrive. Your deposit is refunded if you cancel at least 25 days before your trek.
Tell us your date and group size, and we will reserve your camels and your tent.
