The camel trek is the quintessential Merzouga experience: swaying out of the last village and into the dunes of Erg Chebbi aboard a dromedary, led on foot by a local cameleer. The animals move in a slow, single-file caravan, and the pace gives you time to watch the sand change colour and the village fall away behind you. Treks are almost always timed to sunrise or sunset, when the light is best and the air is cool enough for both riders and camels.
This is a working tradition rather than a staged show — the cameleers are local men who know the dunes intimately, and the short ride out to a camp echoes the older caravan routes that once crossed this desert. A typical outing lasts a couple of hours, long enough to reach a quiet stretch of sand for photos or an overnight camp, but gentle enough for first-time riders. Wear layers, cover your head against sun and blown sand, and expect the mount and dismount to be the least graceful part of the day.
A private tour makes the logistics effortless: your driver delivers you to the departure point at the right hour, coordinates directly with the cameleers, and handles the timing so you catch the best light without the rush or crowding of a large group departure.
Highlights
- Sunrise or sunset departures timed for the best light and coolest air
- Single-file dromedary caravan led on foot by a local cameleer
- Roughly two-hour rides suitable for first-time riders
- Quiet dune hollows reached away from the village edge
- Option to trek out to an overnight desert camp
Best Time to Visit
Book the trek for sunrise or the hour before sunset; spring and autumn are ideal, while summer is only bearable at the very start or end of the day.