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Sunset departure · overnight camp · sunrise return
Merzouga Camel Trekking: Sahara Overnight Guide
Erg Chebbi rises straight from flat desert to 150-metre dunes, and the best way in is on a camel at sunset. Here is a complete, honest account of how the overnight trek works — timings, what the camp is actually like, what to bring, and how much it costs.
Omar Benali· Sahara & Southern Routes Editor
A former desert driver turned writer, Omar has guided and travelled the routes from Ouarzazate to Merzouga and Zagora for years. He writes about the Sahara, kasbah roads and the Draa and Dades valleys. Ouarzazate · 14+ years covering Morocco
Published 18 December 2024 Last updated 14 April 2026
The Merzouga camel trek is straightforwardly one of the best things you can do in Morocco. Erg Chebbi is not a small sand patch — it is a 22-km-long sea of orange dunes that rises abruptly from the flat rocky desert, and riding a camel into it at sunset is the slowest, most cinematic way to arrive at the overnight camp. The whole experience, from the camel station at the dune edge to waking at dawn with the sand glowing pink, takes about 16 hours and changes perspective rather than just checking a box.
This guide is focused on the overnight version because a one-hour camel ride, while fine, does not give you the desert at its best: the silence after the other tourists have gone, the density of stars above the dunes, and the way the light hits the crests at 06:00. For that, you stay.
Getting to Merzouga
Merzouga sits 560 km southeast of Marrakech — there is no rail connection, and the bus journey involves changes. A private car or organised tour is by far the most practical option.
| Origin | Drive time | Typical approach |
|---|---|---|
| Marrakech | 8–9 hrs | Via Ouarzazate and Rissani — 2 or 3-day tour recommended |
| Fes | 6–7 hrs | Via Midelt and Erfoud — a single long day is feasible |
| Errachidia | 1.5 hrs | Nearest large town with domestic flights (RAM) |
| Rissani | 30 min | Last paved town before the dunes |
Most travellers fold the camel trek into a 2–4 day private desert tour rather than making a standalone trip. A private guided tour handles the drive, accommodation en-route, and the camel booking, removing a lot of logistical friction.
What the overnight trek actually looks like
Hour by hour, from camel mount to breakfast. Timings are for an October–March sunset departure; adjust 30–45 minutes later in summer.
16:00–16:30
Depart your riad
Your guide meets you at the edge of the dunes — usually at the camel station near Merzouga village. You are fitted with a tagelmust (Tuareg-style indigo scarf) that doubles as sun and sand protection.
16:30–18:00
Trek into Erg Chebbi
The ride itself lasts 60–90 minutes, moving at a gentle walking pace through the sea of orange dunes. The camels know the route; your job is to relax and take in the scale of the Erg. Expect some rocking — it levels out once you stop gripping.
18:00–19:30
Sunset from the dunes
The camp sits on the far side of a large dune ridge, positioned for a clean western horizon. Most trekkers hike the crest barefoot for the last light — the sand is warm, the silence is complete, and the colours shift from amber to deep violet fast.
19:30–22:00
Camp dinner and drumming
Dinner is a Berber spread — harira soup, tagine cooked on coals, fresh bread, mint tea. After eating, camp staff play guembri and bendir drums by the fire. Most people sit out well past midnight; the Milky Way above the dunes is distractingly bright.
05:30
Sunrise camel return
An early alarm — worth it. You climb the dune crest as the horizon brightens, then ride back with the light coming from behind. Breakfast at the camp, then your driver returns you to Merzouga or continues onward on your tour.
Erg Chebbi desert camp at night — the sky is the main attraction
What does the camel trek cost?
Prices below are indicative per-person costs for the camel trek plus overnight camp only — not including transport from your origin city. All figures are as of 2025–2026.
| Option | MAD | USD approx. | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget group camel trek + basic camp | 350–500 MAD | ~$35–50 | per person, shared tents |
| Mid-range private trek + comfort camp | 700–1,100 MAD | ~$70–110 | en-suite or semi-private tent |
| Luxury glamping camp upgrade | 1,400–2,200 MAD | ~$140–220 | private tent, real beds, en-suite |
| Sandboarding add-on | 100–150 MAD | ~$10–15 | per person, organised at camp |
| Quad biking (1 hr at the dunes) | 300–400 MAD | ~$30–40 | book through operator |
Prices at the camel station are negotiable if you book independently, but booking through a reputable tour operator means the camel handlers, guides and camp staff are properly compensated — and you have someone to call if something goes wrong at 02:00 in the dunes.
Typically included
- Camel trek (approx. 90 min each way) with Berber guide
- One night in a desert camp (standard or luxury Haima tent)
- Dinner and breakfast at the camp
- Tagelmust scarf for the ride
- Sunset and sunrise access from the camp dune
Not included
- Drinks beyond mint tea and water at meals
- Tips for camel handlers and camp staff
- Quad biking or sandboarding add-ons
- Return transport from Merzouga to your hotel city
Trek duration
~90 min each way
From (indicative)
350 MAD / ~$35 pp
Best months
Oct–Apr (cooler nights)
When to go (and when to avoid)
October through April is the window for a comfortable overnight trek. Nights are cold — bring a proper layer — but the days are warm, the sky is clear and the camp fire makes sense. March and October are the sweet spots before and after the crowds of peak winter. Avoid June, July and August: midday sand temperatures can exceed 65°C, the camel trek becomes a heat endurance test, and even nights stay above 30°C. If you must go in summer, an early morning departure (pre-dawn) is the only sane option.
Alternatives if camels are not for you
The camel trek is the classic way in, but it is not the only way.
Quad biking
The most popular alternative. A guided quad ride covers more dune ground in less time and appeals to travellers who find camels uncomfortable. Sessions run 1–2 hours; cost from around 300 MAD. Can be combined with a camel one-way.
4x4 to the camp
Operators can drive you within 500 metres of most camps — ideal for families with small children, seniors or anyone with a hip or back issue. You still get the sunset, the stars and the camp experience without the camel discomfort.
Sandboarding
Camp add-on rather than a standalone transport option. Boards are provided; no experience needed. The steep leeward faces of Erg Chebbi are naturally good for it. Usually booked at the camp for 100–150 MAD.
Trekking on foot
Some travellers hike in over the dunes without a camel, guided by a Berber on foot. It takes the same time but is harder work — shoes fill with sand and the footing is soft. Most people who try it enjoy the physicality of it.
Merzouga Camel Trek FAQs
How long is the camel ride to the Sahara camp in Merzouga?
The standard camel trek from the dune edge near Merzouga village to the overnight camp takes roughly 60–90 minutes each way, covering around 4–5 km through the Erg Chebbi dunes. Pace depends on the size of your group and how many photo stops you make. The return journey at sunrise is slightly shorter because guides take a more direct route back. If you are short on time or have mobility concerns, a 4x4 can drop you closer to the camp in about 20 minutes.
What should I pack for an overnight camel trek in Merzouga?
Pack light — your main bag stays in the vehicle. In a day-pack or small duffel: a warm layer (desert nights drop to 5–12°C in winter, 15–20°C in summer), sunscreen and lip balm, closed shoes or trainers for the camel mount and dismount, a headtorch for the camp, earplugs if you are a light sleeper, and any personal medication. Camps provide bedding and towels. Bring 1–2 litres of water for the trek; the camp replenishes supplies. Leave valuables in the locked vehicle.
Is riding a camel in the Sahara difficult for beginners?
Not at all — this is a flat desert walk, not a technical ride. The trickiest part is the mount and dismount, where the camel lurches forward-and-back as it stands up. Hold the saddle horn, keep your weight back and you will be fine. The walking pace is slow and rhythmic. Children from about age four and adults of most fitness levels complete it comfortably. If you have a back or hip injury, ask your guide to arrange the 4x4 transfer option instead.
What is included in a Merzouga overnight camel trek package?
A standard package covers the guided camel trek each way, one night in a desert camp (typically a Haima-style Berber tent with rugs, cushions and proper beds), dinner, breakfast and unlimited mint tea. A tagelmust scarf is usually provided for the ride. What changes between budget and luxury packages is the tent quality — from shared canvas tents at the lower end to en-suite private tents with electricity and hot showers at the top tier. Tips for camel handlers (50–80 MAD per person is customary) and alcoholic drinks are never included.
What time does the camel trek depart in Merzouga?
Departure for the sunset trek is typically 16:00–17:00, timed so you reach the camp dune ridge roughly 30–45 minutes before the sun drops. In winter (November–February) this is earlier — around 15:30 — because sunset comes before 18:00. The return sunrise trek departs the camp at 05:30–06:00. Your guide will confirm exact timing based on the season. If you are arriving from Marrakech or Fes on the same day, make sure your driver is aware of the camel departure time so there is no rush.
Are there alternatives to camel riding in Merzouga such as quad bikes?
Yes — quad bikes are the most popular alternative. A guided 4x4 ride through the dunes is also available and is the best option if you have young children or mobility limitations. Sandboarding (essentially snowboarding on the dune faces) is a camp add-on. You can also walk: fit hikers sometimes trek the dunes on foot, which is more challenging but gives you a completely different perspective. Several operators offer combination packages — camel one way, quad the other — which is a practical and fun solution for travellers who want both.
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