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Explore the Erg Chebbi dunes with a camel trekking tour in the Merzouga Desert. Options range from overnight desert camp stays to three-day trips departing from Marrakech.
Free Cancellation A three-day trip from Marrakech to the Merzouga dunes featuring camel treks, desert camps, and historic kasbahs.
Free Cancellation A 3-day trip from Marrakech to Merzouga featuring Ait Ben Haddou, Todra Gorge, and camel trekking in the Sahara.
Free Cancellation A three-day journey from Marrakech to Fes featuring Ait Ben Haddou, the Todra Gorges, and a night in the Sahara desert.
Free Cancellation A three-day journey through the High Atlas Mountains and Merzouga dunes with luxury camping and hotel stays.
Free Cancellation Ride a camel into the Erg Chebbi dunes for a night in a private desert camp with sunset views and sandboarding.
Free Cancellation Stay in the Southern Moroccan Sahara for camel treks, traditional Berber music, and nights under the stars.
Free Cancellation Overnight camel trek through the Erg Chebbi dunes with dinner, traditional Berber music, and a desert sunrise.
Free Cancellation Ride camels through the Erg Chebbi dunes to watch the sunset and spend a night at a traditional desert camp.
Free Cancellation Overnight camel treks from Merzouga into the Sahara with sunset views, Berber music, and a choice of camp styles.
Free Cancellation Ride camels into the Merzouga dunes for sunset and spend the night in a traditional or luxury desert camp.
Read what travelers share about their experience visiting Merzouga Desert — from practical tips to personal highlights.
Merzouga camel trekking tours offer an immersive journey into the Sahara Desert's towering Erg Chebbi dunes. Expect a blend of traditional Berber hospitality, breathtaking landscapes that shift from gold to deep red, and nights spent under incredibly clear, starry skies.
Ride a camel for 1-2 hours deep into the dunes. The trek is timed perfectly to watch the sand change colors as the sun dips below the horizon.
Spend the night in the Sahara. Options range from traditional Berber goat-hair tents to luxury glamping setups with en-suite bathrooms.
Grab a modified snowboard and slide down the steep faces of the Erg Chebbi dunes, some of which reach up to 150 meters high.
Gather around the campfire after dinner to listen to traditional drumming and Gnawa music performed by local guides.
Experience the Milky Way with zero light pollution. The remote location provides some of the clearest night skies in the world.
If taking a multi-day tour from Marrakech, you will cross the stunning Tizi n'Tichka pass and visit ancient sites like Ait Ben Haddou.
Planning a Sahara excursion requires a bit of preparation, especially regarding transport and accommodation styles. Here is what you need to know before securing your Merzouga tour.
You can book simple overnight treks that start directly in Merzouga village, or opt for comprehensive 3-day tours departing from Marrakech or Fes that handle all the long-distance driving.
Pay attention to the camp style when booking. Standard camps use shared dry toilets, while luxury camps feature private en-suite flushing toilets and hot showers inside your tent.
Camel riding can be tough on the inner thighs and back, and is not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal injuries. Many operators offer 4x4 jeep transfers to the camp as an alternative.
Most tours include your camel ride, dinner, breakfast, sandboarding, and the overnight tent stay. If on a multi-day tour from Marrakech, hotel stays along the route (like in Tinghir) are also covered.
October to April is the best time to go. Avoid booking in the summer (June to August) when daytime temperatures can exceed 50°C (122°F), making the dunes dangerous.
If you are traveling during peak holiday periods like New Year's Eve or Easter, book your desert camp at least 4-5 months in advance, as luxury tents sell out quickly.
Bring a portable power bank since camp solar power is limited. You will also need plenty of cash (Dirhams) as ATMs are scarce, and a heavy jacket if visiting in winter when night temps drop near freezing.
Most Merzouga tour operators offer a flexible cancellation policy, allowing for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
| 3-Day Marrakech to Merzouga | Overnight Luxury Camp Trek | Standard Overnight Camel Trek | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 3 Days / 2 Nights | 1 Night (approx. 16-24h) | 1 Night |
| Starting Point | Marrakech | Merzouga Village | Merzouga Village |
| Accommodation | Hotel + Desert Camp | Luxury Tent (En-suite) | Standard Berber Tent |
| Price from | ~$118 - $178 | ~$89 - $101 | ~$30 - $60 |
The Erg Chebbi dunes are technically open 24/7, but guided activities are strictly timed around the sun to avoid the heat and capture the best light.
Merzouga is remote, located 560 km from Marrakech and 470 km from Fes. You have several options to reach the village if you aren't booking a multi-day transfer tour.
The ideal window for Merzouga camel trekking is from October to April. During these months, daytime temperatures are mild and manageable, usually sitting between 15°C and 25°C.
Keep in mind that desert nights get incredibly cold. If you visit between December and February, temperatures frequently drop to near freezing (0°C–5°C) after sunset, so heavy winter jackets are required.
When to avoid: June through August is extreme. Daytime temperatures regularly exceed 50°C (122°F), making it dangerous to enter the dunes. March and April can also bring unpredictable sandstorms that reduce visibility to zero.
Navigating the deep sand of Erg Chebbi is physically demanding and extremely limited for wheelchair users. However, the desert is still accessible with the right planning.
Facilities vary wildly depending on whether you are in the village or deep in the dunes.
While Merzouga is heavily reliant on tourism, it is still a traditional Berber village. Respecting local customs and laws is essential.
Yes, Merzouga is very safe for solo travelers. It has a low crime rate and the local economy is highly tourism-oriented, making it a welcoming environment for visitors.
It depends on the camp you book. Standard camps use shared dry toilets, while luxury camps feature private, en-suite flushing toilets and hot showers.
No, drones are strictly banned for tourists in Morocco. If you bring one, it will likely be confiscated by customs at the airport or border.
You should wear long trousers to prevent chafing from the camel's coarse hair and saddle. It is also highly recommended to buy a traditional cotton turban (shesh) to protect your face and neck from the sun and wind-blown sand.
The distance is about 560 kilometers. It takes roughly 9 to 10 hours by private car, or 12 hours if you take the direct Supratours bus, due to the winding roads through the High Atlas mountains.
Yes, they do exist in the Sahara, but they are rarely seen by tourists. They are mostly active during the hot summer months and tend to avoid the noise and activity of the desert camps.
Most hotels in Merzouga village have reliable Wi-Fi. Many of the luxury desert camps also offer Wi-Fi, but keep in mind the signal can be quite spotty out in the dunes.
Absolutely. Camel riding is not recommended for people with spinal injuries. Most tour operators offer the option to take a 4x4 jeep directly to the camp instead.
It is not recommended. From June to August, daytime temperatures can reach 50°C (122°F), posing a significant risk of heatstroke. If you must go, activities are strictly limited to the very early morning or late evening.
Yes, carrying cash (Dirhams) is essential. There are very few ATMs in the village, and many local operators, shops, and cafes do not accept credit cards.
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This three-day journey leaves Marrakech to cross the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n'Tichka pass. The route leads to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ait Ben Haddou, an ancient fortified village, and continues through the Tinghir oasis to the Todra Gorges. You will see the changing landscapes of the south, from rocky mountain passes to lush river valleys and palm groves. At the edge of the Sahara in Merzouga, you will take a camel trek into the Erg Chebbi dunes to reach a traditional Berber desert camp. The experience includes watching the sunset and sunrise over the sand, dinner by the campfire, and an overnight stay in a nomad tent. You will also have the opportunity to try sandboarding on the dunes before heading back to Marrakech.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English, French, Spanish
This three-day tour travels from Marrakech to the Merzouga desert, crossing the High Atlas Mountains with stops at the UNESCO-listed Ait Ben Haddou and the Todra Gorge. You will travel in an air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking driver-guide. By keeping group sizes small, we ensure the trip moves at a steady pace through the mountains and valleys without feeling like a rushed excursion. At the Erg Chebbi dunes, you can reach the desert camp via a sunset camel trek or a 4x4 transfer at no extra cost. The evening includes dinner and traditional Berber music at a camp under the stars. For those looking for more activity, quad biking is available as an optional add-on. The itinerary covers the essential sights of the Moroccan Sahara while handling all transport and logistics from pickup to drop-off.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Arabic, German, Portuguese, English, Italian, French, Dutch, Spanish
This three-day route departs Marrakech for the High Atlas Mountains, stopping first at the historic Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou and Ouarzazate. The journey continues through the palm groves of Skoura and the Dades Valley to reach the Todra Gorges, where you can walk beneath 300-meter-high canyon walls. Upon arriving in Merzouga, you will take a camel trek into the Erg Chebbi dunes to watch the sunset before spending the night in a Berber desert camp. The final leg of the tour travels north through the Ziz Valley and the Middle Atlas. You will stop in the cedar forests of Azrou to see wild monkeys and visit the town of Ifrane before the trip concludes in Fes.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Portuguese, English, French, Spanish
This three-day tour travels through the High Atlas Mountains to the Dades Gorges and the Merzouga Desert. Your first night is spent at a hotel in the Dades Valley, which includes access to a pool, dinner, and breakfast. From there, the trip continues to the desert where you can choose to reach the camp via a camel trek or a 4x4 vehicle. The luxury camp provides private tents equipped with their own toilets and showers. Upon arrival, you will be welcomed with traditional tea while your luggage is delivered directly to your quarters. During the afternoon, you can use the camp's sandboards to explore the surrounding dunes. Evenings at the camp feature dinner followed by traditional Berber and Sub-Saharan music performances. The staff can also arrange a cake for birthday celebrations. The night concludes with stargazing in the open desert sky before returning to your private tent.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Arabic, Portuguese, English, Spanish
This overnight trip starts with a pick-up from your hotel in Merzouga. You will head into the Erg Chebbi dunes on camelback, traveling through the desert to reach a private, nomad-style camp. The trek is timed so you can watch the sunset from the dunes before settling in for the night. In the morning, you can watch the sun rise over the Sahara before eating breakfast at the camp. During your stay, sandboards are available if you want to try riding the dunes. Your guide manages the equipment and logistics, including the return journey, so you can enjoy the quiet of the desert and local Berber hospitality.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English, French, Spanish
Located in the Southern Moroccan Sahara, our camp provides a base for exploring the dunes through camel treks and watching the desert light change at dawn and dusk. Each evening, we gather around a campfire for traditional Berber music under the open night sky. We accommodate solo travelers and groups of all ages, with a kitchen prepared to handle various dietary needs, including vegetarian and vegan meals. Our team prioritizes guest safety throughout your stay. If you have specific questions about the camp or logistics, please get in touch.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Arabic, English, French, Spanish
Depart from Merzouga on camelback for a trek into the Erg Chebbi dunes. You will head into the desert during the late afternoon, stopping to watch the sunset from the dunes before arriving at the camp. The evening features a traditional dinner followed by live Berber drumming and music around a campfire. You will stay overnight in the desert and return to Merzouga by camel the next morning. If you have any questions, please contact us on WhatsApp at +212 666 341 603.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English
This overnight trip into the Merzouga desert begins with a camel trek across the Erg Chebbi dunes. You will travel through the sand to reach a vantage point in time to watch the sunset before continuing to a traditional desert camp for the night. The evening features dinner followed by traditional Berber music performed around a campfire. You will stay in the desert and have the opportunity to see the stars away from city lights. For booking and additional details, please contact us at +212 678 375 139.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English, Spanish
Ride camels from Merzouga into the Sahara dunes for an overnight desert experience. The trek departs every evening to catch the sunset before arriving at the camp for a night of traditional Berber music and stargazing. You will return to the village the next morning after watching the sunrise over the dunes. We offer both standard and luxury camp categories to suit your preference. If you wish to stay for two nights instead of one, please contact us to make arrangements. Please note that we do not accept bookings from French travelers; these reservations will be cancelled.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English, Spanish
Depart from Merzouga in the late afternoon—typically around 4:00 PM in winter or 7:00 PM in summer. You will ride camels for 90 minutes through the Erg Chebbi dunes, stopping along the way to watch the sunset before arriving at your camp. Choose between two accommodation styles. The standard Berber camp features private tents with shared bathroom and shower facilities located outside. For this option, please bring only a small backpack for the night, as your main luggage will be kept in secure storage. The luxury camp offers decorated private tents with en-suite bathrooms. This option includes luggage transport to the camp and a return trip by car. Both options include breakfast at the camp after sunrise. You will return to the starting point between 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM, depending on the season and your transport method. While car return is included for luxury guests, returning by quad bike is available for an additional fee.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English, Spanish