Merzouga Camel Trek Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before You Ride

Erg Chebbi near Merzouga is home to the most spectacular dunes in Morocco — a 22-kilometre arc of golden sand rising up to 150 metres, separated from the Algerian border by a thin strip of stony reg. A camel trek across these dunes at sunset, ending at a traditional Berber camp, is one of the defining experiences of any Morocco trip. Here is everything you need to know to do it properly.

How long does a camel trek take? For an overnight camp experience (which we strongly recommend over a day trip), the trek from the edge of the dunes to your camp takes between 45 minutes and 90 minutes, depending on the camp location and the route your guide chooses. Some guides take you over the highest dunes for maximum drama; others take a flatter route that is easier on the camels and the riders. The return trek the next morning, before the sun gets high, takes the same time and has the added pleasure of cooler temperatures and your own footprints in the sand from the evening before.

What does a camel trek in Merzouga cost? Camel treks arranged independently in Merzouga village typically cost 200–350 MAD per person for a sunset trek with a short camp visit (not overnight). Overnight experiences in a standard camp (camel trek in, dinner, breakfast, camel trek out) run 400–700 MAD per person. Luxury camp experiences with private tents, en-suite bathrooms, and gourmet meals cost 1,200–2,500 MAD per person per night. When you book a desert tour with Fez Cultural Tours, the camel trek and desert camp are fully included in your tour price — no additional payment on arrival.

What to wear for camel trekking: Closed shoes are essential (not sandals — they fill with sand immediately). Long trousers protect your legs from the camel saddle and the sun. A lightweight long-sleeve layer for the trek (evenings cool rapidly) and a sun hat or headscarf for the afternoon heat. Sunglasses are important — the reflection off pale sand is intense. If you have them, a bandana or buff around the neck is useful when the wind picks up and sand starts moving. Bring a small backpack with your overnight essentials; leave your main luggage in Merzouga village at your hotel.

Tips for first-time camel riders: Mounting and dismounting a camel is the most alarming part — they stand from the knees first (the front lurches up, then the back), and the angle briefly becomes extreme. Hold on and lean back. Once standing, camels walk with a surprisingly comfortable rolling gait that most people adapt to within 10 minutes. If your camel starts grunting and grumbling, this is normal; they do it constantly. Hold the saddle handle at all times on steep dune slopes. Do not feed the camels anything unless the guide says it is acceptable. And take your phone out of your pocket before mounting — more than a few phones have been deposited in the sand during the mounting process.