Camel trekking in Morocco

A camel ride is the classic way into the dunes, and Merzouga, at the foot of Erg Chebbi, is where it is easiest to arrange. Our camel experiences run from a two-hour sunset ride to an overnight trek with dinner, music and a camp, and longer circuits of two or three days on request. A cameleer leads every camel, so beginners are welcome, and children can sit with a parent. We keep groups small and the pace gentle: a camel walks, it does not hurry, and the evening light on the dunes is the real show.

What to choose: the sunset ride lasts about two hours and costs from €65 per person; the overnight trek, with dinner, a campfire with Gnawa music, a night in a Berber camp and the ride back at sunrise, costs from €120 per person. Longer treks of two or three days, with a different camp each night, are arranged on request. The rides leave from Merzouga in the afternoon so you reach the dunes for sunset, and the team collects you at your hotel or guesthouse in the village; getting to Merzouga is not included but can be arranged. Many of our 4x4 tours include a camel ride too: at Erg Chigaga on the three- and five-day tours from Marrakech, near Zagora on the two-day tour, at Erg Chebbi on the five-day loop, and as an option on the tour from Fes. Wear long trousers for the saddle and bring a warm layer for the night.