Overnight Camel Trekking Merzouga: Erg Chebbi Dunes & Desert Camp

Ride into the dunes at sunset, camp overnight in the sand, wake to the Sahara.

An overnight camel trek in Merzouga's Erg Chebbi Dunes starts with a 1.5-hour ride departing in the afternoon, pauses to watch the sunset, and ends at a Berber camp where you sleep in a private tent. Dinner and breakfast are included, plus a camel ride back to your starting point the next morning. Choose between a standard camp with shared facilities or a luxury camp with a private bathroom inside your tent and luggage service.

The Experience

The ride begins in the afternoon—around 4pm in winter, 7pm in summer—and takes you 1.5 hours across the sand dunes on a camel. You'll stop partway to watch the sunset before continuing to the camp. The dunes themselves are the whole point here: no rushing through a list of sites, just the slow, steady climb into the landscape as the light changes.

At the camp, you have two setups to choose from. The standard Berber camp gives you a private tent but shared bathroom and shower facilities outside; you can bring only a small bag for the night and leave the rest of your luggage in a safe place. The luxury camp trades that for a private decorated tent with an en-suite bathroom, luggage service, and a free car return in the morning. Both options include dinner at the camp and breakfast after sunrise. The return journey happens between 8 and 10am, depending on the season and whether you go back by camel, car, or ATV.

A sandboard is free to use, and a live guide speaks English and Spanish. Children from age 1 are welcome. The camp has no air conditioning, so summer nights can be hot—temperatures can reach 40°C—but that's the desert. Parking at the original departure point is free.

What’s included

• A camel for the full trek.
• a private tent with breakfast and dinner.
• a free sandboard.
• parking at the departure point.
• a live guide in English or Spanish. At the luxury camp, you also get a private bathroom inside your tent and luggage service.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for back problems

Operated by Camp Camel Trekking

Is this one for you?The afternoon departure and 1.5-hour camel ride mean you're moving at the desert's pace, not a rushed schedule—this suits travelers who want the experience of the dunes without a pre-dawn start. The standard camp keeps costs down but requires you to pack light; the luxury camp costs more but lets you bring full luggage and gives you privacy and a car return instead of another camel ride.

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Top questions

How long do I actually spend on the camel?

The camel ride from the departure point to the camp takes 1 hour 30 minutes, with a sunset pause built in. The return journey the next morning is separate and depends on which method you choose—camel, car, or ATV.

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

The standard Berber camp has a private tent but shared bathrooms outside and a one-bag limit for overnight luggage. The luxury camp includes a private tent with a private bathroom inside, luggage service so you can bring what you need, and a free car return in the morning instead of a camel ride back.

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

Departure is around 4pm in winter and 7pm in summer, depending on the season. You return to your original location between 8 and 10am the next morning.

Is there anything to do at the camp besides sleep?

A sandboard is included free of charge, so you can ride the dunes near the camp. Dinner and breakfast are both served at the camp.

Can I bring my luggage with me on the camel?

At the standard camp, you can only bring a small bag on the camel; the rest stays in a safe place at the departure point. At the luxury camp, luggage service is available, so you can bring what you need and have it transported for you.

What's included in the price?

The trek includes a camel for each person, a private tent, dinner and breakfast, the sandboard, and parking at the original location. The return journey by car is free at the luxury camp; at the standard camp, the camel return is included, but a car or ATV return costs extra.