Quick answer: A camel trek in Merzouga usually lasts about 1 to 1.5 hours each way, leaving in the late afternoon to reach a camp inside Erg Chebbi in time for sunset and returning after sunrise the next morning. The dromedaries walk slowly, a local cameleer leads them on foot, and no experience is needed, just comfortable clothes and a small overnight bag.
For many of our guests, the camel trek is the moment the trip becomes real: the village disappears behind a dune, the only sounds are soft footsteps and the cameleer's quiet calls, and the colours start to change. Here is what the experience involves, step by step.
Camels in Merzouga: dromedaries
The camels you ride in Morocco are dromedaries, with a single hump. They are calm, patient animals well adapted to the desert. Our cameleers grew up around them in the villages around Erg Chebbi and know each animal's temperament. A camel carries you on a padded saddle with a metal or wooden handle at the front to hold on to.
Step by step: how the trek works
1. Meeting point and preparation
Treks usually start from an auberge in Merzouga or Hassilabied in the late afternoon, around 90 minutes before sunset. Your main luggage stays safely behind, and you take a small backpack. This is a good moment to put on your scarf; our team is happy to wrap it for you in the traditional style.
2. Getting on
The camel kneels on the sand. You swing your leg over and hold the handle firmly. Then comes the only tricky moment: the camel stands up back legs first, tipping you forward, then front legs. Lean back and hold on, and it is over in two seconds. Getting off works the same way in reverse.
3. The ride
Camels walk in a line, tied one to another, while the cameleer walks in front leading the caravan. The pace is slow and rocking. Relax your hips and move with the animal rather than stiffening up. The route winds between the dunes for about 5-6 km.
4. Sunset stop
Before reaching the camp, we usually stop on a ridge so you can climb a little higher on foot and watch the sun set over the sand sea. This is the moment for photos.
5. Evening at camp
At the camp you settle into your tent, have mint tea, and enjoy dinner, often harira soup, a tagine and fruit. Later there is usually drumming around the fire and time to lie on the sand and look at the stars.
6. Sunrise and return
Early the next morning you climb a nearby dune to watch sunrise, then ride back to the village for breakfast and a shower. Sunrise in Merzouga ranges from roughly 6:15 in summer to about 7:30 in winter.
Is it comfortable?
For an hour or so, most people find it fine and fun. Longer treks become harder on the inner thighs and lower back. Some tips:
- Wear soft, stretchy trousers, not shorts or stiff jeans.
- Adjust your position slightly from time to time.
- Walk part of the way if you feel sore; the cameleer is happy to let you.
- On the way down steep dune faces, lean back slightly.
If you prefer not to ride, you can reach most camps by 4x4 and still enjoy the sunset and camp experience.
Who can do a camel trek?
Most people can. Children usually love it; small children ride with a parent. Guests with back problems, pregnant women or people with limited mobility should talk to us beforehand. Many operators, including us, set a weight guideline of around 100-110 kg per camel out of respect for the animals; if that concerns you, let us know and we will arrange a 4x4 transfer to camp with no fuss.
The camp: what to expect
Desert camps in Erg Chebbi range from simple tents with shared bathrooms to comfortable camps with proper beds, private toilets and hot showers. Most are built in a sheltered hollow between dunes, with tents arranged around a central area with carpets, low tables and a fire pit. Electricity is usually solar and limited, so charge devices before you leave the village. Nights are quiet, and the loudest sound may be the wind or a camel grumbling nearby.
Animal welfare
We care about our camels; they are part of our families' livelihoods. Good practice includes rest days, shade and water, reasonable loads and no rides during the hottest summer hours. As a traveller, you can help by choosing operators whose animals look healthy, not asking for faster paces, and never feeding them unsuitable food.
What to bring on the trek
- A scarf, sunglasses and sunscreen
- A warm layer for the evening
- A small backpack with two straps
- A headlamp and a power bank
- Water for the ride
Short trek, overnight or multi-day?
A sunset-only ride of about 1-2 hours suits day visitors. The overnight trek with camp is the most popular and what we recommend for most travellers. Longer multi-day camel treks deeper into the erg are possible for adventurous guests who want real solitude.
Combine it with other desert activities
If you have a spare afternoon, add an adrenaline session: our guide to quad biking in Merzouga explains how it works, and sandboarding for beginners is a fun, gentler alternative. For the finest moment of all, read our tips on watching sunrise over the Merzouga dunes.
Ride into the dunes with us
Our sunset camel trek with a night in our desert camp starts from €75 per person, including dinner, breakfast and sunrise on the dunes. Contact our team to choose your date, and let us know about children, riding concerns or special occasions.
