Golden dunes, camel hush, and stargazing. I love the sunset camel trek that gets you into the Erg Chebbi dunes fast, and I love the Berber camp dinner with music around the fire. One drawback to plan for: this is an overnight desert experience, and drinks are not included.

This one works because the schedule is simple and the payoff is big. You meet in Merzouga at 5:00 pm, ride out for sunset (with a photo stop), sleep in a large tented camp, then go back for an early sunrise camel trek and breakfast. The group stays small (max 18), which makes the whole thing feel less like a factory line and more like a real night in the desert.

If you’re the type who hates being rushed, you’ll probably like the pacing. If you need bottled drinks on hand all evening, bring extra cash since drinks aren’t part of the package.

Key Things That Make This Camel Overnight Worth It

• 5:00 pm Merzouga start at MOUHOU APARTMENTS: you’re off before the night cool-down, which helps with comfort
• About a 40-minute ride to catch sunset: enough time to feel the dunes without exhausting yourself
• Sandboarding included: one of the easiest ways to have fun on the sand
• Berber evening at camp: authentic food and music around the campfire
• Sunrise camel trek the next morning: the dunes look completely different when the light changes
• Charging spot + safe parking: small details that make the trip easier

Merzouga at 5:00 pm: Where the Desert Day Starts

Merzouga is the gateway town for Erg Chebbi, and this experience starts right in the late afternoon. You meet at MOUHOU APARTMENTS | Merzouga Excursions & Desert Camps, and you’ll have secure parking arranged for your car before heading to the camp area. The start time of 5:00 pm matters: it gives you time to do the sunset trek without racing through the dark.

You’ll begin with a short tea moment at the camp before the camel trekking starts. That first pause is more than a nicety. In the desert, a calm start helps you settle in, and it makes the dunes feel like the main event rather than a quick stop on your way elsewhere.

Also, this is a mobile-ticket experience with confirmation at booking. Translation: you can show up with your ticket and focus on the ride instead of paperwork stress.

The Sunset Camel Trek: Erg Chebbi’s Golden Hour in Real Time

The first camel trek is designed around sunset. The actual ride is listed as about 40 minutes, which is the sweet spot for most people. Long enough to feel the rhythm of camel travel, but short enough that you’re still excited at the photo break rather than tired.

You’ll ride to see the sunset and then continue into the heart of the dunes. There’s also time for a break mid-trek for pictures and views before returning to camp after the sun goes down. This is one of the best parts of the whole experience: you watch the dunes change color in slow motion, not in a quick “look and go” moment.

And yes, you might be able to sandboard during this time (it’s included). Sandboarding isn’t magic, but it is fun—especially once you realize the trick is not speed, it’s balance and control.

Camp Night Under Big Sky: Dinner, Music, and Tented Comfort

After the camel trek, you arrive at the desert camp for your overnight. Dinner is included, and the camp is set up with large tents to accommodate everyone. The atmosphere is strongly tied to Berber hospitality, including Berber music around the campfire.

What I like here is that the evening isn’t just “sit quietly and sleep.” You get a full desert night rhythm: food first, then music, then time to look up. Morocco’s desert skies can be unreal, and this kind of camp setup is exactly where stargazing makes sense—no streetlights, no distractions.

Practical note: your included items list has a place for charging phones. That’s handy because you’ll want to capture photos (sunset and sunrise are the big moments) and you’ll likely go through your battery faster than you expect.

From the reviews people share, many focus on camp cleanliness and tasty food. Some also mention extra comfort touches like private bathrooms in certain camp setups, but that may vary depending on the camp assigned for your date. Either way, the core promise is consistent: a traditional-feeling evening meal and music, in a real desert tent camp.

Day 2 Sunrise Camel Trek + Breakfast Before You Move On

Next morning, you wake up early for another camel ride—this time at sunrise over the Erg Chebbi sand dunes. Sunrise is when the dunes turn from “pretty” into “sculpted.” The light is lower, shadows stretch, and the whole desert looks more textured. It’s the same place as yesterday, but your brain reads it differently.

After the sunrise camel trek, you’ll enjoy breakfast in the camp. Then it’s back by car to the next part of your journey. Your activity ends back at the meeting point, so you don’t feel stranded out in the dunes.

This structure is why the trip is worth doing even if you only have a short time. You get both day-changing moments—sunset and sunrise—without needing to plan an all-day adventure.

Price and Value: What $63.88 Gets You in the Desert

At $63.88 per person, this is priced like a classic desert add-on, not a luxury hotel experience. And that’s the right expectation. You’re paying for the hard-to-replicate parts: camel trekking in Erg Chebbi dunes, an overnight in a desert camp, dinner and breakfast, plus included sandboarding.

Here’s the value breakdown that matters:

• Transport isn’t your main cost here; the meaningful cost is the camel time and the camp night setup.
• Food is included (dinner + breakfast), which helps. A lot of cheaper “desert” plans skimp on meals, and that turns the evening into a scramble.
• Activities are included: camel trekking twice (sunset + sunrise) and sandboarding. You aren’t paying extra just to have fun.

One thing to keep in mind: drinks are not included. That’s not unusual, but it can change the total cost if you’re used to buying refreshments throughout the night. If you think you’ll want water or soft drinks during the evening, plan for that extra spend.

What’s Included (and What You’ll Need to Bring)

Included in this experience:

• Dinner
• Breakfast
• Camel trekking
• Sandboarding
• Berber music around the campfire
• Place for charging phones
• Safe parking

Not included:

• Drinks

When you’re preparing, focus on the desert basics. Dust and sun are the main annoyances. Even when it’s cold at night, the daytime sun can still hit hard, especially in open dunes.

I’d pack:

• A light layer for daytime plus something warmer for the night
• Sunglasses and sunscreen
• Closed-toe shoes or sturdy sandals you don’t mind getting sandy
• A small scarf or bandana (optional but useful for sand)
• Your own water plan, since drinks aren’t included
• A fully charged phone before the evening starts (the camp has charging, but don’t bet your photos on it)

If you have dietary needs, that’s covered. The experience states they can accommodate needs such as vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free. If that matters to you, mention it during booking so they’re not guessing last minute.

Group Size and the Pace: Why This Feels Less Crowded

This activity has a maximum of 18 travelers. That doesn’t sound huge, and in practice it usually means you’re not stuck in a large herd. A smaller group also helps when you’re waiting for sunset photos or trying sandboarding.

The pace itself is built around clear moments:

• meet at 5:00 pm
• tea, then camel trekking for sunset (including a break)
• camp dinner + music
• sunrise camel trek
• breakfast
• then move onward by car

If you dislike long travel days with too many stops, you’ll probably appreciate the focus. If you prefer a fast, adrenaline-heavy desert tour, this may feel more about atmosphere than intensity—which is not a bad thing. It’s just a different kind of fun.

Who Should Book This Desert Camel Overnight

This is a great fit if you want:

• a real overnight night in the Erg Chebbi dunes
• camel travel without marathon trekking hours
• sunset and sunrise moments in one package
• Berber-style camp food and music around the fire

It’s also a good option for people who travel independently and want things organized without dealing with camel logistics themselves. The experience notes that most travelers can participate, and service animals are allowed.

Who might hesitate:

• If you’re extremely picky about sleeping comfort or you expect hotel-style amenities, this is not that kind of stay. It’s desert camping in tents.
• If you rely on purchased drinks during long evenings, you’ll need to budget for that since drinks aren’t included.

FAQ

FAQ

Where do we meet, and what time does the experience start?

The meeting point is MOUHOU APARTMENTS | Merzouga Excursions & Desert Camps, and the start time is 5:00 pm.

How long is the camel trekking overnight experience?

It’s listed as 2 days (approx.).

What’s included in the price?

The included items are dinner, breakfast, camel trekking, sandboarding, Berber music around the campfire, a place for charging phones, and safe parking.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks are not included.

Can the camp accommodate special diets?

Yes. The experience says they can accommodate dietary needs such as vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free.

What’s the group size limit?

The maximum group size is 18 travelers.

Is free cancellation available?

Yes. There is free cancellation, and you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Should You Book This Camel Overnight in Merzouga?

If your goal is a classic Merzouga experience—camel trekking at sunset, a camp night with Berber music, then a sunrise ride—this is a strong choice for the price. You’re getting the “why people come to this desert” parts, and the schedule is clean enough to feel relaxing rather than chaotic.

I’d book it if you enjoy simple comforts, want great photo timing, and are okay with the fact that this is camping rather than a hotel. If that sounds right for you, you’ll likely leave with the one thing desert trips should deliver: a very quiet, very memorable sense of scale under a sky you can’t replicate anywhere else.

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