Merzouga Desert sunset camel ride from Erfoud: 2.5 hours

Camel trek to the dunes at sunset, then back before dark

A 2.5-hour afternoon tour from Erfoud to Merzouga Desert combines jeep transport and camel trekking. You ride camels into the dunes, sit to watch the sunset over the sand, then ride back and return to your hotel by jeep. A guide and driver accompany the group. Pickup from your Erfoud accommodation is included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Erfoud to Merzouga Desert Sunset Trip

• Pickup from hotel or riad in Erfoud
• Drive 2.5 hours to Merzouga desert
• Change from Jeep to camels
• Trek inside the dunes
• Watch sunset in sand dunes
• Ride camels back to departure point
• Drive Jeep back to Erfoud accommodation

The experience

The afternoon starts with pickup from your hotel or riad in Erfoud. A driver takes you by jeep across the 2.5-hour route to Merzouga Desert. Once you arrive at the dunes, you swap the jeep for a camel and trek into the sand on foot and by animal. The guide leads you deeper into the dunes to find a good vantage for the sunset.

You settle into the sand to watch the light drop over the Sahara. After the sun sets, you ride the camels back to the departure point at the edge of the dunes. The driver then takes you by jeep back to your accommodation in Erfoud. The exact departure time depends on the sunset hour that month, and the operator sends it by email after you book.

Groups of more than four people are split into two vehicles so no jeep is crowded. Each traveler gets a turban, bottled water, and a camel guide who walks alongside during the trek. The camel guide speaks the same language as your driver: English, Spanish, Italian or French.

What’s included

• Private jeep transport from your Erfoud hotel to Merzouga and back.
• camel trek into the dunes with a guide walking alongside.
• a turban for each rider.
• bottled water.
• and pickup and return to your accommodation.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 16:00, 17:00 and 18:00

Book up to4h before

AgesUp to age 75

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 24 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 effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Quiet Merzouga Desert- Day Tours

Is this one for you?The afternoon timing means you leave your hotel in daylight and return before nightfall, so it fits easily into a day spent exploring Erfoud. The camel trek itself is a slow walk, not a long ride, and the guide stays with you the whole way.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French and Italian.

How long is the camel ride in the dunes?

The camel trek happens after you arrive in Merzouga, and you ride out into the dunes, sit for the sunset, then ride back to the starting point. The full excursion from Erfoud takes 2.5 hours total, including the jeep drive both ways.

What is Merzouga Desert like?

Merzouga is a vast expanse of sand dunes south of Erfoud. The dunes shift and roll across the landscape, and the sunset turns the sand gold and red before fading to dark. The trek takes you away from the road into the open dunes where few people stand.

Do I need experience to ride a camel?

No experience is needed. A camel guide walks with you and your animal during the trek, and the pace is slow and steady. The ride is suitable for all fitness levels, though it is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health.

What happens if I book with a group larger than four?

Groups of more than four people are assigned two separate vehicles and two drivers so the jeep ride stays comfortable. You still share the camel trek and sunset with the other travelers in your group.

When does the tour depart?

The tour departs in the afternoon, and the exact time depends on the sunset hour that month. After you book, the operator sends the departure time by email so you know when the driver will pick you up from your hotel.