The convoy always sets off from the same place: the edge of the camp, where the sand truly begins.
The camels are already kneeling, roped together, and the guide checks each saddle one last time before giving the signal.
Then you climb on.
Slowly, the ochre ridges of Erg Chebbi pass by, and the sun begins its descent.
It is a simple ritual, almost always the same — and that is precisely why it works.
This guide details the available formats, the prices charged on site and what is best to plan before booking.
What duration and formats are available for the camel ride in Merzouga?
A camel ride in Merzouga generally lasts 1 hour 30 to 2 hours for the sunset option: departure from the camp around 5pm, crossing the first dunes, then climbing a panoramic ridge where the convoy stops for the evening light.
Camels led at walking pace, a local camel handler, nothing athletic.
The desert camp option adds a night under canvas in the dunes: traditional dinner, Berber music around the fire, then a camel ride back the next morning for sunrise.
This is the format most travellers ultimately choose — the contrast between the two lights, evening and morning, changes what you take away from the desert.
For those who want to go further, 2- to 3-day camel treks cross more remote areas, with several nights in isolated desert camps.
How much does a camel ride at Erg Chebbi cost?
Expect between 15 and 25 € per person for a simple outing without an overnight stay.
Add a night in a desert camp and the rate rises to 35-60 € all inclusive.
On our organised tours from Marrakech, the camel ride and the night in a desert camp are already included in the package, from 80 € per adult (75 € per child), up to 180 € for a luxury desert camp.
The difference is not in the camel ride itself, identical in all cases, but in what awaits you at the camp once night falls.
When is the best time for a camel ride?
Sunset remains the most popular time slot.
The light turns golden, shadows stretch along the ridges, and the heat of the day finally subsides.
Sunrise offers something different — fewer people, a deeper silence.
If you can only choose one outing, go for sunset, and save dawn for a night in a desert camp: that is where it truly comes into its own.
Season-wise, October to May remains the most comfortable — July and August can exceed 45°C during the day, as the Moroccan National Tourist Office also notes in its recommendations for southern Morocco.
What should you plan for the camel ride?
A traditional cheche effectively protects against sand wind, which is common in the late afternoon.
A jacket is not a luxury either: Saharan nights sometimes drop below 10°C, even in the height of the warm season — which comes as a surprise after a day at 35°C.
Closed shoes also make walking in the sand easier.
The camel ride is not for everyone, however: the swaying gait of the camel can tire your back over a long period, so it is best to let the guide know before departure if you have any concerns.
Practical tip
If you are hesitating over the budget, the option with a night in a desert camp remains the best compromise: the extra cost is limited, and the contrast between sunset and sunrise is what most travellers mention first when they get back.
This camel ride is included in our 3-day tour as well as our 4-day tour, at sunset and at sunrise.
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