Merzouga Camel Ride & Overnight Desert Camp: Sunset to Sunrise

Sleep under stars to Berber songs after a quiet trek through endless dunes

A camel trek and overnight desert camp in Merzouga starts at 5pm with a 1 hour 40 minute ride across Erg Chebbi dunes to a private Berber tent, includes dinner, breakfast and mint tea, and ends the next morning after sunrise with a camel ride back to town. You choose between a standard camp or a luxury option, and can extend to two nights if you want longer in the dunes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each2 stops

1. Merzouga12h
2. Erg Chebbi4h

Day 1: Camel ride and overnight desert camp

• Meet team at guest house
• Park your car
• Start camel ride at 5pm
• Ride camels for 1.5 hours
• Watch sunset on dunes
• Arrive at desert camp
• Enjoy mint tea and dinner
• Listen to traditional Berber music
• Walk on dunes and stargaze

Day 2: Sunrise and return to Merzouga

• Wake up early for sunrise
• Have breakfast at camp
• Ride camels back to Merzouga
• End of desert camp experience

The experience

The trek begins in Merzouga town at 5pm, when a guide meets you and shows where to park. You mount a camel and ride for 1 hour 40 minutes across the sand dunes, watching the light drop behind the horizon as you move deeper into Erg Chebbi. The pace is steady. The dunes shift from gold to shadow as you approach the camp. Once there, you're welcomed with mint tea, then sit down to dinner followed by traditional Berber music. The night is yours to walk the dunes and watch the stars without a schedule.

You wake early the next morning to climb a dune and watch the sun rise behind the sand. After breakfast, you ride the camels back to Merzouga town, another 1 hour 40 minutes, and the trek is done. If one night isn't enough, you can stay a second night at the camp. Message the operator to arrange it. A guide speaks English or Spanish throughout, and children from age 1 are welcome (infants sit with an adult). The camps are not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or pregnant travelers, and the camel ride itself is suitable for all fitness levels.

Two camp categories are available: a standard Berber tent or a luxury option. Both include your private tent, all meals, and free use of a sandboard on the dunes. Car parking is free while you're away. If you'd rather skip the overnight and just ride at sunset, that option exists too. A 4×4 return from camp is available as an add-on if you prefer not to ride back by camel.

What’s included

• Private tent at the camp.
• dinner and breakfast.
• mint tea.
• camel ride to and from the camp (1 hour 40 minutes each way).
• free sandboard use.
• free car parking in Merzouga town.
• live guide in English or Spanish.

Options for this experience

2 options

Sunset camel ride onlyUp to 10 per booking · Guide in English or Spanish · 05:30Camp not included

Luxury Desert CampUp to 15 per booking · Guide in English or Spanish · 17:00Luxury desert camp: a private luxury tent with an in-tent private toilet and shower. No air conditioning.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Lasts 12h–20h, runs every day at 05:30 and 17:00, from US$ 40 per person, with a live guide in English and Spanish, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesMonday to Friday: 05:30 and 17:00Saturday and Sunday: 17:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (12 to 50 years) · Senior (51 to 80 years) · Child (5 to 11 years): free · Infant (1 to 4 years): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 12 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Top Sahara Trips

Is this one for you?Book the luxury camp if you want more comfort in the desert. Choose the standard camp for a simpler Berber experience. The fixed 5pm start and included meals mean you don't arrange transport or food. You just show up in Merzouga and ride into the dunes.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 11 years): free; Infant (1 to 4 years): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What time does the camel ride start each day?

The trek departs Merzouga at 5pm daily. A guide meets you in town and you ride for 1 hour 40 minutes across Erg Chebbi dunes to the camp, arriving after sunset.

What's included in the overnight camp stay?

Your private tent, dinner, breakfast, and mint tea are included. You also get free use of a sandboard and free car parking in town while you're in the desert.

Can I stay more than one night at the camp?

Yes, it's possible to stay two nights or longer. Contact the operator via WhatsApp through the booking platform to arrange an extended stay.

What happens on the second morning?

You wake early to watch the sunrise over Erg Chebbi dunes from the sand, then eat breakfast before riding the camels back to Merzouga town, arriving mid-morning.

Is there a sunset-only option if I don't want to stay overnight?

Yes, a sunset camel ride without the overnight camp is available as a separate booking option.

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

Both include your private tent, meals and mint tea. The luxury camp offers upgraded accommodations. Contact the operator for specific details on the differences.