Camel trekking at Merzouga’s Erg Chebbi dunes is the quintessential Morocco experience — the iconic image of Morocco that defines desert travel for generations of adventurers. Riding a Dromedary camel at sunset across Morocco’s tallest sand dunes, with the Saharan wind whispering and a sea of orange and red stretching to the horizon, is a moment so beautiful it stays with you for the rest of your life. This complete guide tells you everything you need to know.
Erg Chebbi: Morocco’s Crown Jewel Desert
Erg Chebbi is Morocco’s most spectacular sand sea — a 22km-long, 5km-wide field of golden dunes rising up to 150 meters (nearly 500 feet) above the surrounding flat desert. Located near Merzouga village in the southeastern Tafilalet region, Erg Chebbi is the result of millions of years of wind-driven sand accumulation, and it changes color dramatically throughout the day — pale gold at noon, deep amber at sunset, almost violet at dusk, and blazing orange at sunrise. No camera fully captures the scale. You must experience it.
The Camel Trek Experience: Step by Step
Meeting Your Camel
Camels sit on the ground for mounting — a lurching, two-stage process as they first raise their front legs then their back legs. Hold the saddle firmly and don’t panic — this is normal and part of the experience. Most travelers find the rhythm of camel walking surprisingly comfortable and meditative.
The Trek Into the Dunes
The standard sunset trek takes 45–60 minutes into the dunes to reach your desert camp. Your Berber guide walks alongside on foot, leading the camel caravan through valleys between the massive dunes. As you go deeper into the dune field, the sounds of civilization disappear completely — only sand, wind, and silence.
Sunset from the Dune Top
Arriving at camp, you have 30–45 minutes before dinner to climb the nearest high dune for the sunset view. This is the moment. The entire Erg Chebbi turns from gold to deep copper as the sun drops, and the shadows of the dunes create extraordinary graphic patterns across the sand below.
Sunrise Return
Wake at 5:30am for the pre-dawn camel ride to the dune tops — even more spectacular than sunset. The Sahara at first light is extraordinary. Return to camp for a traditional Berber breakfast of flatbread, olive oil, honey, and mint tea.
Camel Trek Tips
- Wear long trousers — the saddle can rub bare legs
- Bring a scarf for sand and sun protection
- Camera phone is sufficient — but bring a wide lens if you have one
- Children from age 4 can ride (with parent support)
- Mild saddle soreness the next day is normal — wear it as a badge of honor
All our Merzouga desert tours include camel trekking. Browse our 3-Day Marrakech to Merzouga Dunes Tour, 4-Day Luxury Private Desert Tour, and 3-Day Luxury Fes to Marrakech Tour. See our activities page for all desert experiences. Morocco Tourism Official provides more context on Merzouga’s extraordinary location.
