Merzouga Desert 3-day tour: Erg Chebbi dunes & camel trek

Three days in the Sahara: drive the dunes, trek by camel, sleep under stars

A 3-day tour from Errachidia that takes you through Ziz Valley Oasis to Merzouga, where you explore Erg Chebbi dunes by 4x4 and camel, spend a night at a luxury desert camp with traditional Moroccan dinner and live music, and catch sunrise over the sand before returning. Pickup from Moulay Ali Cherif Airport or your hotel is included. Your guide speaks English, Spanish, Italian or French.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Travel from Errachidia to Merzouga

• Meet driver at airport or hotel
• Stop at Ziz Valley Oasis viewpoint
• Arrive in Merzouga
• Settle into Kasbah-style hotel
• Enjoy dinner and swim

Day 2: Desert exploration and camel trek

• Breakfast at hotel
• 4x4 safari to meet Berber nomads
• Experience Gnawa music performance
• Camel trek into Erg Chebbi dunes
• Arrive at luxury desert camp
• Traditional dinner and campfire music

Day 3: Sunrise and return to Errachidia

• Wake early for Sahara sunrise
• Travel back from desert camp
• Drop-off at airport or hotel

The experience

Day one starts with pickup at the airport or your hotel in Errachidia. You stop at the Ziz Valley Oasis panoramic viewpoint to photograph one of Morocco's largest palm groves, then drive to Merzouga and settle into a Kasbah-style hotel at the edge of Erg Chebbi dunes. Dinner and a swim come before you rest.

Day two is the heart of the desert. After breakfast, a 4x4 takes you across the dunes to meet local Berber nomads and learn how they live in this landscape. You'll experience Gnawa music performances by local musicians in Khamlia Village, then switch to a camel caravan in the late afternoon to trek deep into the golden sand as the sun sets. The luxury camp where you spend the night includes a traditional Moroccan dinner, a campfire, live drum music, a private tent with a private bathroom, and a hot shower.

Day three means waking early to watch the sunrise over the Sahara dunes. After that, you travel back to the camp, then return to Errachidia for drop-off at the airport or your hotel. The tour includes all transport by private taxi and private jeep, two dinners, two breakfasts, one lunch with Berber pizza, a scarf, welcoming tea, water throughout the trip, towels, and sandboarding in the dunes.

What’s included

• Private taxi and private jeep transport.
• private room with private bathroom at the hotel in Merzouga and private tent with private bathroom at the desert camp.
• two dinners, two breakfasts, and one lunch with Berber pizza.
• welcoming tea and water throughout the trip.
• hot shower in your tent and towels.
• camel trek into Erg Chebbi dunes.
• 4x4 desert exploration with local Berber nomads.
• Gnawa music performances.
• sandboarding.
• sunrise and sunset viewing.
• local guide in your choice of English, Spanish, Italian or French.
• pickup from Moulay Ali Cherif Airport or your hotel.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 18:00

Book up to8h before

AgesUp to age 75

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 4 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

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

Operated by Quiet Merzouga Desert- Day Tours

Is this one for you?Your guide speaks English, Spanish, Italian or French, so you'll follow the commentary and learn about Berber life and the desert landscape without a language barrier. The 3-day length gives you a full night in the dunes and time to explore both by vehicle and camel, which a shorter tour cannot fit.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French and Italian.

What's included in the meals on this 3-day desert tour?

Two dinners, two breakfasts, and one lunch with Berber pizza are included. The first dinner is at your hotel in Merzouga. The second is a traditional Moroccan meal at the luxury camp on the night you spend in the dunes.

Do I need my own camel experience to book this tour?

No. The camel trek happens in the late afternoon of day two, and it's part of the itinerary for all travelers. You'll trek deep into Erg Chebbi dunes as the sun sets, and the tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels.

What is Gnawa music and where do I hear it on this tour?

Gnawa is a spiritual music tradition performed by local musicians. On day two, you'll experience live Gnawa performances in Khamlia Village before your camel trek begins in the late afternoon.

Where do I sleep on the night in the desert?

You sleep in a private tent at a luxury campsite on the edge of Erg Chebbi dunes. Each tent has a private bathroom and access to a hot shower, and you'll have a traditional Moroccan dinner and live drum music around a campfire before bed.

Can I see sunrise over the Sahara on this tour?

Yes. Day three starts early so you can watch the sunrise over the Sahara dunes from the camp before you travel back and return to Errachidia.

What happens on the 4x4 desert drive on day two?

The 4x4 safari takes you across the dunes to meet local Berber nomads, where you'll learn about their traditional lifestyle and how they adapt to life in the Sahara.