Overnight Desert Camp in Erg Chebbi: Camel Ride & Sandboarding

You sleep in the dunes and wake to the Sahara sunrise.

An overnight tour of Erg Chebbi from Merzouga that combines a camel ride through the red sand dunes at sunset, a night in a luxury desert camp with private shower and toilet, dinner and breakfast, and sandboarding on the dunes the next morning. Hotel pickup and drop-off from Merzouga are included, and the guide speaks English, Spanish or French.

Step-by-step itinerary

Camel ride and overnight desert camp

• Pickup from accommodation in Merzouga
• Private transfer to camel meeting point
• Ride camel through Erg Chebbi dunes
• Stop at dune for sunset photos
• Arrive at luxury desert camp
• Enjoy Berber mint tea and relax
• Dine in Berber tent
• Watch stars by campfire
• Sleep in luxury nomad tent with bathroom
• Wake up early to watch Sahara sunrise
• Have typical breakfast at camp
• Try sandboarding or take photos
• Return by camel or 4x4 to Merzouga

The experience

A private transfer picks you up from your accommodation in Merzouga in the late afternoon and takes you to the camel meeting point. From there, you ride a camel through the dunes at desert pace for around an hour, with a stop at a high dune to photograph the sunset depending on the season. The ride ends at a luxury desert camp where you're welcomed with Berber mint tea before settling into the evening.

Dinner happens in a Berber tent, and afterward you can watch for shooting stars around the campfire before sleeping in a nomadic tent with a private shower and toilet. The next morning, you wake early to watch the sunrise over the Sahara, then eat a typical Berber breakfast at the camp. If you want to, you can try sandboarding down the dunes. Otherwise, spend the time taking photographs or resting. The return to Merzouga is by camel or 4x4, depending on what you prefer.

The tour runs 18 hours total and suits all fitness levels. Children from age 3 can join when accompanied by an adult, and groups stay at a maximum of 15 people per booking. Coffee and tea are provided throughout, and the guide may speak multiple languages.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from Merzouga.
• private transfer to and from the camel meeting point.
• camel ride with guide (one hour each way).
• luxury nomadic tent with private shower and toilet.
• Berber dinner and typical breakfast.
• Berber mint tea on arrival.
• coffee and tea throughout.
• sandboarding equipment and access to the dunes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 15:00, the last at 18:30

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (13 to 90 years) · Child (6 to 12 years) · Infant (3 to 5 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

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 15 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Explore Morocco Travel SARL

Is this one for you?Hotel pickup from Merzouga means you don't need a car or arrange your own transport to the dunes. The tour collects you and handles the logistics, which matters if you're staying in town without a rental.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

2 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 12 years); Infant (3 to 5 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

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 is the camel ride each way?

The camel ride takes around one hour in each direction: out to the camp at sunset and back to Merzouga the next morning.

What's included in the overnight stay?

The camp provides a luxury nomadic tent with a private shower and toilet, dinner in a Berber tent, breakfast the next morning, and Berber mint tea on arrival. Sandboarding equipment is also included if you want to try it.

Can I choose how to return to Merzouga?

Yes, you can ride back by camel or return by 4x4, whichever you prefer after the sunrise and breakfast.

What time does the tour start and end?

Hotel pickup from Merzouga happens in the late afternoon, and you're returned to your accommodation or meeting point the next morning after breakfast, making the full experience around 18 hours.

Is sandboarding difficult, or can anyone try it?

Sandboarding is optional and offered to everyone. The tour is suitable for all fitness levels, so you can participate or skip it depending on what appeals to you.