Camel Trekking & 1 Night in Merzouga Desert Camp

The best part of this Merzouga trip is the timing: you leave at 5 pm, ride into the golden Erg Chebbi dunes, and reach camp in time for sunset. Then you wake before breakfast for sunrise, so one overnight stay gives you the two desert views people come to Morocco hoping to see.

I like the simple all-in-one setup, with camel transport, dinner, breakfast, a furnished tent, music, and optional sandboarding included. I also like the private format, since only your group takes part. The main thing to consider is that the standard camp may mean a private tent with shared toilets and showers, and drinks are extra.

Key points to know before booking

• Sunset and sunrise are built into the overnight plan: You do not need to arrange separate desert outings.
• The camel ride lasts about four hours on the first day: Plan for a long spell in the saddle before dinner.
• The return trip takes about three hours: You ride back after breakfast through the Erg Chebbi dunes.
• The camp offers a furnished nomad-style stay: Standard accommodation may have shared bathroom facilities.
• Dinner, breakfast, drumming, and sandboarding are included: Sandboarding is listed as optional, so confirm the exact setup when you arrive.
• The meeting point is Mouhou Apartments in Merzouga: The tour returns to this same point the next morning.

Riding into the Erg Chebbi dunes at 5 pm

Your desert night starts at Mouhou Apartments, about 700 meters from Merzouga’s post office. The listed start time is 5 pm, and you can have a cup of mint tea before the camel trek begins. That small pause matters. It gives you a chance to settle in, meet the people handling the outing, and make sure you have what you need before leaving town.

The first ride takes about four hours. You cross the Erg Chebbi dunes by camel, with the town gradually giving way to open sand and wide views. This is not a quick photo stop beside a camel. You are heading to an overnight camp, so the ride forms a large part of the first day.

I would wear practical clothes and keep your luggage manageable. The supplied details do not specify a luggage service, so ask at the meeting point where larger bags should go. Keep water, sunscreen, a phone, and anything needed for the evening close at hand. Drinks are not included, and desert heat can make a bottle of water feel like a very wise purchase.

Camel riding has its own rhythm. You will sit high above the sand, move at a steady pace, and spend several hours with your legs bent around the animal. If you have never ridden before, the main challenge is likely comfort rather than skill. Take the first part slowly and tell the guide if you need help adjusting your position.

Youssef is specifically praised for helping with the camel ride and for being understanding when a booking date went wrong. If Youssef is your guide, you can expect hands-on assistance at the start and a flexible approach when plans need sorting out. The tour is operated by Morocco Sahara Exploration, and the booking information describes it as a private activity for your group alone.

Sunset from the high dunes

The first evening is planned around the sun. Once you reach camp, you go to the high dunes to watch sunset and take pictures. This is the moment when the desert feels larger than a normal day trip can manage. You are not looking across a roadside viewpoint. You are standing among the dunes after arriving by camel.

The high position gives you a broad view of the sand, and the low evening light brings out changing shades across the ridges. Conditions will depend on the weather and the clarity of the sky, but the timing gives you a good chance for photographs without rushing straight to dinner.

You should allow enough time for the walk up the dune. The tour description makes clear that the sunset visit is part of the evening plan, but it does not give a separate walking duration or say how far the camp is from the viewing point. Wear shoes that you can remove easily if sand gets inside, and do not count on every step being firm.

This is also where optional sandboarding may fit into the trip. Sandboarding is included as an optional activity, but no equipment details are provided. Ask the guide when you arrive if you want to try it, and do not assume it will replace the sunset viewing time. The two activities can compete for the same light if you wait until the last minute.

Dinner, Berber drumming, and a night under the stars

After sunset, you return to the furnished desert camp for dinner. Traditional Moroccan food is included, and the camp offers Berber drum music after the meal. That combination gives the overnight stay more character than simply sleeping in a tent and leaving at dawn.

The music is a social part of the evening, so it suits people who want some activity at camp rather than a completely silent night. At the same time, the desert setting remains the main attraction. When the sky is clear, you can watch the stars from the camp or nearby dunes. The supplied details do not promise a particular stargazing program, so think of this as quiet time outdoors rather than a guided astronomy session.

The accommodation is described as a private nomad-style tent in a furnished camp. One useful detail comes from the specific camp arrangement: the standard option can mean a private tent with shared toilet and shower facilities. That is a fair trade for the price, but it is worth knowing before you book. You get privacy for sleeping, not necessarily a private bathroom.

I would pack with the camp in mind. Bring a small overnight bag if possible, along with toiletries and a light layer for the evening. The information provided does not list heating, air conditioning, power outlets, or Wi-Fi, so do not book this as a hotel night with desert scenery. It is a basic camp stay built around the setting and the evening program.

At $57.93 per person, the value is strong if you want the main Merzouga experience without arranging each part separately. The price covers the camel trek, overnight accommodation, dinner, breakfast, sunset, sunrise, music, and the chance to sandboard. You still pay for drinks, and the standard bathroom arrangement may not suit someone seeking comfort above all else.

Sunrise before breakfast

The second day starts early. You wake near the camp and go to the high dune for sunrise. The quiet morning is one of the best reasons to stay overnight. A sunset trip shows you the desert at the end of the day, but sleeping there lets you see the dunes change again before the heat and activity build.

The schedule does not give an exact sunrise time. Your guide should confirm when to wake up based on the date. Bring your phone or camera if you want photographs, but keep the morning simple. The stillness is part of the appeal, and you do not need a long program to appreciate it.

After sunrise, breakfast is served at the camp restaurant, which has a panoramic view. Breakfast is included, so you can eat before beginning the return ride. The information does not specify the menu, but the stay includes traditional Moroccan food and breakfast as part of the package.

You should not expect a late morning. After breakfast, you can take the camels back to the meeting point through the Erg Chebbi dunes. The return section takes about three hours, and the activity ends at Mouhou Apartments. That makes the trip useful for people who want to continue their Morocco plans later that day, though the exact arrival time is not stated.

The three-hour ride back to Merzouga

The return journey is shorter than the first day but still substantial. You are back in the saddle after dinner, a night outdoors, and an early start. If camel riding is uncomfortable for you, this second ride is the main drawback of choosing a camel trek instead of a vehicle transfer.

The upside is that you get another slow passage through the dunes. The return route keeps the desert experience from ending as soon as breakfast is over. You can take in the morning light and watch the scenery from a different angle, though the tour does not promise a separate stop or activity on the way back.

The activity is suitable for most travelers according to the booking details, and only your group participates. Still, most travelers can participate is not the same as saying every person will find three to four hours on a camel easy. Anyone with concerns about riding should raise them before departure. The supplied information does not describe an alternative vehicle or a shorter camel option.

What the private format really gives you

A private tour means your group is not combined with strangers. That can make the evening easier, especially if you want to take photographs at sunset, try sandboarding, or ask for help with the camel. It also gives the guide more room to respond to your group’s pace.

The private format does not mean the camp facilities are exclusive. Your tent may be private, while the bathroom and shower are shared in the standard camp. That distinction is important when comparing this outing with more expensive desert stays.

The positive service details are worth noting. Youssef is praised for helping riders mount the camels and for handling a mistaken booking date with patience. That suggests the human side of the experience is a real part of its value, although the exact guide assigned to your departure is not guaranteed in the information provided.

Who will get the most from this desert night

I would choose this trip if you want the classic Sahara experience in a short package. It suits first-time visitors to Merzouga, couples, friends, and families who want sunset, sunrise, dinner, and a camp stay without spending several nights away from town.

It is also a good fit if you like a clear plan. The departure, camel route, camp night, breakfast, sunrise, and return are all laid out. You do not have to negotiate separate transport to the dunes or search for a restaurant after arrival.

I would hesitate if you need a private bathroom, dislike long camel rides, or want a luxury camp with clearly listed facilities. The standard camp information points to shared toilets and showers, while the tour details do not list upgraded tents or extra comforts.

The price makes the experience especially appealing for a short stay. For $57.93 per person, you receive the central desert activities and two meals. I would compare the bathroom setup and drink costs before booking, but the package covers far more than a basic camel ride.

Booking details worth keeping in mind

You receive confirmation when you book, and the activity offers a mobile ticket. The meeting point is MOUHOU APARTMENTS | Merzouga Excursions & Desert Camps, at 700 meters from Merzouga’s post office. The activity begins at 5 pm and ends back at that same meeting point the next day.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted, and the amount paid is not refunded for a late cancellation. I would check your date carefully before finalizing, even though Youssef has been helpful with a date mistake in one case.

The tour is near public transportation, but the provided information does not give a transfer service from another town. If you are staying outside Merzouga, confirm how you will reach the meeting point. Hotel pick-up is described in the general overview, while the formal meeting details identify Mouhou Apartments as the start, so clarify the exact arrangement when booking.

Should you book this Merzouga camel trek?

Book it if you want the essential Erg Chebbi experience at a moderate price: a sunset camel ride, a night in a furnished camp, Moroccan dinner, drum music, stars, sunrise, breakfast, and a camel ride back. The 99 percent recommendation rate and 4.9 rating from 210 ratings support the strong impression this tour has made.

Go in with realistic expectations. This is an active desert outing, not a resort stay. The camel rides are long, drinks cost extra, and the standard tent may share bathroom facilities. If those points work for you, this two-day plan gives you a memorable slice of the Sahara without adding needless complexity.

FAQ

Where does the camel trek start?

It starts at MOUHOU APARTMENTS | Merzouga Excursions & Desert Camps, about 700 meters from the post office in Merzouga, Morocco.

What time does the experience begin?

The listed start time is 5 pm.

How long is the first camel ride?

The first day includes about four hours of camel trekking through the Erg Chebbi dunes.

How long is the return camel ride?

The return ride on the second day takes about three hours.

Where does the activity finish?

The activity ends back at the meeting point at Mouhou Apartments in Merzouga.

Is the desert camp included?

Yes. The package includes one night at a Merzouga desert camp in a furnished nomad-style tent.

Are dinner and breakfast included?

Yes. Dinner on the first night and breakfast after sunrise are included.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks are not included in the tour price.

Is sandboarding included?

Sandboarding is available as an optional activity. The provided details do not specify additional equipment or fees.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.