Two days, one night, and the Sahara still surprises. This Merzouga camel trek takes you straight into the Erg Chebbi dunes for sunset, stargazing, and a calm sunrise the next morning.

I love how the pacing feels hands-on but not rushed: you ride camels across the dunes, then you slow down for Berber drumming and dinner in camp. I also like the simple rhythm—mint tea to start, sunrise views to end the night, and breakfast with a panoramic feel before you head back.

One thing to weigh: the desert camp setup can be more basic than a hotel. In at least one commonly described option, you get a private tent, but shared toilet and shower facilities. If you want full privacy and hotel-style comfort, plan accordingly.

Key things to know before you go

• Erg Chebbi dunes at golden hour: sunset photography time and wide-open views.
• A real overnight camp: dinner, drumming, and a clear-sky star experience.
• Camel riding both directions: out at dusk, back after sunrise.
• Sandboarding is optional: included, but you choose whether to try it.
• Private group format: it’s a private activity for your group.
• Drinks aren’t included: budget for what you’ll want during the experience.

Why the Erg Chebbi Camel Trek feels different from a quick desert stop

This is the kind of trip where the Sahara stops being a postcard and starts being a place. You’re in the dunes long enough to feel the desert’s mood shift—from late-day colors to the quiet hours under the stars. You’ll also get the full story of Merzouga’s desert scene: the moment the dunes turn vivid at sunset, and then the early-morning hush when everything looks brand new.

What makes it work for most people is the balance between guided structure and open sky time. You’re not just dropped off. You start at your meeting point, share mint tea, ride with a guide, and then get an organized camp evening with Berber drumming and dinner. After that, the night largely belongs to you—stars, rest, and the dunes doing their thing.

Getting there: the 5:00 pm start and how the timing shapes the day

The activity begins at 5:00 pm near MOUHOU APARTMENTS | Merzouga Excursions & Desert Camps, about 700 meters from the post office of Merzouga. That timing matters because you don’t spend the first part of the evening sitting around—you’re heading into the dunes at the best time for views and photos.

Day 1 runs about 4 hours on the camel trek portion. You’ll start with mint tea after arrival at the hotel-style meeting spot, then mount your camel and head through the dunes. As the light changes, you reach the high dunes for the sunset and pictures, and then you continue toward the night in camp.

Day 2 is about 3 hours back to the meeting point after sunrise and breakfast. In other words: you’re getting a genuine desert night, then you’re not lingering in the dunes too long the next day—just enough to wrap it up with morning views and a comfortable break at camp.

Day 1 in Merzouga: mint tea, camel riding, and Berber drumming at camp

Your evening begins with mint tea. It’s a small touch, but it sets the tone. This trip is built around hospitality and a slow shift from everyday life to desert life. After that, you start riding camels across the dunes.

At camp, the plan focuses on one simple thing: sunset over the dunes. You go up to the high dunes for the golden-hour views and photos. That’s when the Erg Chebbi dunes show off their famous look—wide, warm, and sculpted by wind.

Then comes the camp atmosphere. You’ll have dinner, and you’ll also enjoy Berber drum music during the evening. I like this part because it’s not just entertainment; it adds to the sense that you’re in a living desert culture, not just passing scenery.

The night ends with stargazing when the sky is clear. Even if you’ve seen stars in other places, it’s the combination of darkness plus distance plus silence that makes it feel special.

The big upside on Day 1

You’re not just arriving and leaving. You’re doing the key desert moment—sunset—while you’re still physically in the dunes.

The desert camp night: private tent vibes with a watch-out on shared facilities

Overnighting in Merzouga desert camp is the heart of this experience. You sleep in a furnished camp in the dunes and you can expect a tent-style setup. The trip description highlights a private nomad-style tent, which is exactly what you want for the feeling of being off the grid.

Now the practical part: camp comfort varies. One of the most detailed positive notes I saw described a standard camp setup with a private tent but shared WC and shower. So you should go in knowing that “camp” here isn’t the same as “hotel.” It’s a desert camp meant for the experience first, not for luxury.

What you can count on from the provided details:

• Dinner included
• Berber drumming music
• A clear-sky star experience
• Breakfast is the next morning
• Sandboarding is available as an optional add-on activity

If you’re the type who hates sharing basic facilities, this is the one area where you might feel friction. If you’re okay with that trade-off, the night under the stars tends to make the whole thing click.

Day 2 morning: sunrise, panoramic breakfast, and the calm camel ride back

Day 2 starts early. You wake up to watch the sunrise from near the camp in the high dunes. That early light is usually when the desert feels most quiet. There’s no rushing at that moment—just you, the dunes, and the sky slowly changing.

After sunrise, you take breakfast at the camp restaurant with a panoramic view. Breakfast is included, so you’re not paying extra for your morning meal while you’re still in the middle of the dunes.

Then it’s time to ride back. You’ll take camels back through the Erg Chebbi dunes toward the meeting point. This return ride keeps the trip cohesive: you don’t switch to a vehicle and lose the desert feeling. It’s still part of the same experience.

Optional sandboarding: who should try it

Sandboarding is listed as optional and included. If you like doing at least one active thing beyond sitting and photographing, this is your moment. If you prefer a gentler pace, skip it and focus on sunrise and breakfast.

Because it’s optional, you can match the day to your energy level.

Price and value: what $57.93 gets you in real desert time

At $57.93 per person, the value comes from what you’re buying: not just a camel ride, but a full desert night with meals and guided timing around the dunes.

Here’s what’s included in the core value:

• Breakfast and dinner
• Overnight stay at the Merzouga desert camp
• Camel trekking through the Erg Chebbi dunes
• Sunset and sunrise experience
• Berber drumming music
• Starry sky time (built into the camp night)
• Sandboarding (optional)

And here’s what’s not included:

• Drinks

So the pricing makes more sense if you think in terms of “two-day structure + meals + camp night + camel transport through the dunes.” A shorter desert excursion can cost less, but it usually doesn’t buy you the same shift from dusk to night to sunrise. This trip does.

The other value angle I like: organization. One of the highest praise points centered on excellent organization, plus good food. You’ll feel that in the way the day flows—tea, ride, camp, drumming, sunrise, breakfast, back to the meeting point.

Guides and the personal touch: Youssef’s name comes up for a reason

One guide name that shows up in standout feedback is Youssef. People singled out his help getting onto the camel and his overall friendliness and support. There was also an example of him being understanding when a booking day was accidentally wrong, and helping reserve the correct day without making the situation extra stressful.

That’s not just a feel-good story—it’s practical. When you’re doing something that’s physically new (camel riding) and schedule-driven (sunset and sunrise), having a guide who keeps things smooth matters.

You should expect a guide who handles the key transitions: meeting point to camels, camp timing, and the morning return.

Who should book this camel trek (and who should consider alternatives)

This tour suits you if you want:

• A proper overnight in the Sahara, not just a day trip
• Camel riding as a main feature, not a quick photo moment
• Sunset and sunrise time built into the schedule
• A desert-camp evening with dinner and Berber drumming
• A private format for your group

It may be less ideal if:

• You need hotel-level private bathrooms and showers every night (camp setup can involve sharing)
• You expect drinks to be covered (they aren’t included)
• You’re sensitive to early wake-up timing for sunrise

The good news: the trip is designed around the moments that most people come for—Erg Chebbi dunes, night sky, sunrise—while keeping the schedule simple.

Should you book this Merzouga desert camp camel trek?

I’d book it if you want the classic Sahara experience with enough time to feel it—sunset, stars, sunrise, and a camp night that actually changes the trip. The price also feels fair for what’s included: two meals, an overnight camp, camel trekking, and a schedule that matches the best desert light.

Don’t book it if comfort and private facilities are your non-negotiables. Camp can be basic, and at least one described option includes shared WC and shower.

If you’re flexible and you’re here for the dunes, this is the kind of trip that sticks. One night is often what turns a “nice photo” into a real memory.

FAQ

How long is the Camel Trekking & 1 Night in Merzouga Desert Camp?

The experience runs for about 2 days.

When does the tour start?

It starts at 5:00 pm.

What meals are included?

Breakfast and dinner are included.

Is sandboarding included?

Sandboarding is included as an optional activity.

Is the activity private?

Yes. It’s a private tour/activity, and only your group will participate.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks are not included.

Can I cancel and get a full refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

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