Trip overview
About 2 hours on a dromedary through the Erg Chebbi dunes, watching the sunset from a high dune with tea on the sand. You can carry on to a camp and sleep in a tent.
- Duration1 day
- Starts inMerzouga
- GroupPrivate or shared · 1–12 people
- DifficultyEasy
- LanguageEspañol
- DeparturesDaily departures all year round
Highlights
- Sunset from a high dune in the Erg Chebbi
- Local camel guides
- About 2 hours at a slow pace, fine for almost everyone
- Option to spend the night in a camp with dinner and Berber music
- Ride back at sunrise if you sleep in the dunes
- Turban and tea included
- Photos of the caravan on the sand
What the ride is like
What time to go
We recommend sunset: the temperature drops, the light is good for photos and the caravan's shadows stretch out across the sand. From June to August it starts later because of the heat. You can book it on its own or add it to one of our desert tours.
Before you book
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Afternoon: caravan into the dunes
We meet at your accommodation in Merzouga or Hassi Labied one to two hours before sunset, depending on the time of year. The camel man ties your turban, shows you how to get on and off the dromedary, and the caravan heads into the Erg Chebbi.
For 45 to 60 minutes you move slowly between the dunes, stopping for photos. In a private group you decide the pace and the stops. Bring water and leave large luggage at your accommodation; a small backpack is enough.
Day 1: Sunset: watching the sun go down from a dune top
At one of the high dunes you get off the camel and walk the last few metres up. From the top you can see the sea of sand stretching towards the Algerian border and, on the other side, the oasis and the village of Merzouga. This is when the tea comes out and when you get the best photos.
Once the sun has set, you ride back to your accommodation. If you chose the overnight option, you carry on to the camp, where there is dinner, a fire and Berber music. It gets very cold at night, so pack something warm in your backpack.
What's included
Included (4)
- Dromedary and camel guide for the whole ride
- Turban or scarf against the sun and wind
- Tea in the dunes
- Overnight option: tent in a camp, dinner and breakfast
Not included (4)
- Transfer to Merzouga
- Extra drinks
- Tips for the camel guide (optional)
- Travel insurance
Important information (5)
- The start time changes with the season: later in summer, earlier in winter.
- Bring only a small backpack; large luggage stays at your accommodation.
- Not recommended during pregnancy or with back injuries.
- If there is a sandstorm or strong wind, we reschedule the ride for safety.
- Protect your camera or phone from the sand with a zip-lock bag.
Prices per person
Shared sunset ride
Ride of about 2 hours at sunset with other travellers and a camel guide
Private sunset ride
Ride of about 2 hours just for your group, with tea in the dunes
Night in a camp
Sunset ride, dinner, a night in a tent and a camel ride back at sunrise
Fixed price per person, whatever the size of your group.
Payment and cancellation
You pay a 15% deposit when you book. The rest is paid on the first day of the trip, in cash or by bank transfer. You can also pay it by PayPal or card, with a 5% surcharge.
Private: free up to 48 hours before the start. If you cancel in time, we refund the full deposit.
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Leave a reviewFrequently asked questions
How long is the camel ride in Merzouga?
The sunset option takes about 2 hours in total: 45 to 60 minutes riding out, time to watch the sunset from a dune, and the ride back. If you choose to sleep at the camp, the caravan carries on to the tents and you ride back the next morning, also by camel, after watching the sunrise.
Can children do it?
Yes. Children from about 4 or 5 usually love it, as long as they sit firmly and, if they're small, share a dromedary with an adult when the camel man thinks it's safe. For the youngest we suggest a shorter route. Tell us their ages when you book so we can organise the caravan properly.
What if I don't feel comfortable riding?
You can get off at any point and walk next to the camel man; the sand is soft and the pace is slow. Many travellers mix stretches on foot with stretches in the saddle. The main thing is to lean back when the dromedary stands up or kneels down and to hold the saddle handle firmly.
