Camel Ride & Overnight Desert Camp Merzouga: Sunset to Sunrise

Ride out at sunset, sleep under the stars, ride back at dawn

An overnight camel trek in Merzouga takes you across the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi at sunset, then settles you in a Berber camp for the night where you eat Moroccan dinner by the fire, listen to live music, and wake to watch the sunrise before riding back. The trek runs about 18 hours total, includes both meals and a private tent, and a live guide speaks your language throughout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Desert camel ride and overnight camp

• Start camel ride from hotel near dunes
• Ride camels into desert for 1.5 hours
• Walk to high dunes to watch sunset
• Enjoy dinner around campfire with music
• Spend night in nomad tents
• Wake early to see sunrise over dunes
• Ride camels back to Merzouga
• Have breakfast and shower at hotel

The experience

You start in the evening from a hotel near the sand dunes in Merzouga. The camels carry food, blankets and everything else you'll need for the night. The ride into the desert takes about an hour and a half, moving straight into the dunes as the light drops. When you reach the camp, you walk up to the high dunes to watch the sunset: the sky clears and the light turns gold across the sand, and this is when most people take their best photographs of the day.

At the camp, a Moroccan dinner waits around the campfire. You'll hear live Berber music and drums, and the silence of the desert between songs. The tents are equipped for the night: you can choose a standard tent or upgrade to a luxury tent with a private bathroom and shower. In the morning, you wake early to climb the dunes again and watch the sunrise paint the sand in a different light. After breakfast, you ride the camels back to Merzouga, where you can shower and rest at the hotel before the day moves on.

The trek itself is shared (you'll ride with other travelers), and a live guide who speaks English, Spanish, Italian or French travels with the group. Sandboarding on the dunes is included if you want it, and the operator can arrange other desert activities on request. Pickup from your hotel near the dunes is part of the booking, so you don't need to find your own way to the starting point.

What’s included

• Round-trip camel ride across Erg Chebbi.
• overnight accommodation in a private tent with your choice of standard or luxury setup.
• Moroccan dinner and breakfast.
• live Berber music and campfire.
• sandboarding in the dunes.
• hotel pickup from Merzouga.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 05:00, the last at 18:30

Book up to2h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Marrakech Camel Trips - Day Trips

Is this one for you?The trek is shared with other travelers and led by a guide, so you're not navigating the desert alone. You follow the group's pace and the guide handles the route. This works well if you want the experience of a camel trek and a night under the stars without the logistics of organizing it yourself, and if you're comfortable riding for roughly an hour and a half each way.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

7 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French and Italian.

How long is the camel ride each way?

The ride out to the camp takes about an hour and a half. The return ride the next morning is roughly the same length, depending on the pace and where the camels stop to rest.

What's the difference between the standard tent and the luxury tent?

The luxury tent includes a private bathroom and shower, so you can wash without walking to a shared facility. The standard tent is simpler but still equipped for a comfortable night in the desert.

Do I need experience riding a camel?

No experience is necessary. The camels are used to carrying travelers, and the guide will show you how to mount and ride. The pace is slow and steady, designed for first-time riders.

What time does the trek start and when do I get back?

The trek begins in the evening, timed so you reach the camp as the sun sets. You return to Merzouga the next morning after breakfast, usually by mid-morning.

Is the food included, or do I need to bring my own?

Moroccan dinner and breakfast are both included. The meals are served at the camp, and the operator accounts for dietary needs if you mention them when you book.

What happens if I'm not comfortable riding a camel back?

You can return to Merzouga by 4x4 instead of camel. Let the guide know in the morning, and they'll arrange the vehicle for the ride back.