Merzouga: Quad Bike Desert Tour, Nomad Family & Sandboard

Ride Erg Chebbi dunes meet nomads and sandboard in Merzouga

You’ll ride quad bikes over Merzouga’s Erg Chebbi dunes, try your luck at sandboarding, rest under palm trees at an oasis, and share tea with a nomad family in their home. Expect dust on your skin and new stories in your head. The kind you’ll want to tell again.

Step-by-step itinerary

2-hour quad bike desert adventure

• Pick up from hotel or office
• Receive quad bike safety lesson
• Ride into Erg Chebbi dunes
• Try sandboarding on dunes
• Visit hidden desert oasis
• Climb biggest dunes for views
• Meet Nomad family for tea
• Ride back across dunes to office

The experience

I didn’t expect the engine to feel so alive under me: like it was itching to dart off before I even twisted the throttle. Our guide, Youssef, grinned as he handed me the helmet (which smelled faintly like sun and dust, not bad honestly) and showed us how to steer these quad bikes across the Erg Chebbi dunes. The desert looked endless from where we started in Merzouga, all gold and silence except for the distant laughter of kids chasing a stray goat. It’s weird how quickly you forget your nerves once you’re bouncing over sand, wind in your teeth.

We stopped at this patch of palm trees: a real oasis just sitting there like it had no business being so green. I remember touching one of the leaves. It was rougher than I thought. Youssef said something about water running deep under the sand here. I tried sandboarding next, which is way harder than it looks (my landing was… let’s call it “enthusiastic”). He laughed and showed me how to keep my balance: honestly, I still think about that feeling of sliding down with nothing but sky above.

The best part? We rode up one of the biggest dunes for a view that made everyone go quiet for a second. Afterward, we visited a local nomad family. Their tent was patched but tidy inside, and they poured us mint tea: sweet enough to make my teeth ache but somehow perfect after all that grit in my mouth. The woman smiled as she poured. Her hands moved slow and careful. We didn’t talk much (my French is embarrassing), but there was this easy warmth between us anyway. Heading back over the dunes felt different after that: like I’d seen something most people just drive past.

What’s included

Your two-hour adventure includes hotel pickup or meeting at our office in Merzouga, full use of an automatic quad bike with fuel and helmet provided, a safety briefing before riding out into Erg Chebbi dunes, time for sandboarding on the slopes, a stop at an oasis among palm trees, plus visiting a local nomad family where you’ll be served traditional mint tea before heading back across the sands with your guide leading the way.

Options for this experience

2 options

Quad tour lasting one hourGuide in 5 languages · 13 departure times: the first at 01:00, the last at 18:30The one-hour Merzouga quad tour includes a one-hour quad bike rental, a safety helmet, a local guide, fuel, sandboarding, a safety briefing and riding instructions. Pickup is included.

2-Hour Quad Bike Tour Through the DesertGuide in 5 languages · 11 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 18:30The 2-hour package covers a quad bike rental for two hours, fuel for the tour, a professional guide, a safety helmet, a visit to an oasis and a Nomad camp, and a sandboarding activity. Pickup is included.

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

Information

Lasts 2h, runs every day, 16 start times, from US$ 44 per person, with live guides in 5 languages, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery day16 departure times: 07:30, 08:00, 09:00, 09:30, 10:00, 10:30, 11:30, 15:00, 15:30, 16:00, 16:30, 17:00, 17:30, 17:45, 18:00 and 18:30Another time? ›

GroupPrivate1 group tour ›

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, Italian and ArabicOther languages ›

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 4 pickup points.

Book up toStart time

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 8 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by Agencia Turismo Marruecos

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, Italian and Arabic.

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.

How long does the Merzouga quad bike tour last?

The tour lasts about 2 hours from start to finish.

Is hotel pickup included for this quad bike tour?

Yes, pickup from your hotel or the local office is included as requested.

Do I need experience to drive a quad bike in Merzouga?

No experience needed. The quads are automatic and there’s a safety briefing before you start.

Is sandboarding part of this Merzouga desert tour?

Yes, sandboarding on the dunes is included during the tour.

Will we visit a nomad family during this excursion?

Yes, you’ll stop at a nomad family’s tent for traditional mint tea.

Are helmets and safety gear provided?

Yes, all necessary safety gear including helmets is provided for every rider.

Is lunch included on this tour?

No lunch is included, but you will have traditional mint tea with the nomad family.

Can beginners join this quad biking activity?

This tour is suitable for all fitness levels and beginners are welcome.