Two Days to the Merzouga Dunes: Camel Trek and a Night in Erg Chebbi
The shortest way from Ouarzazate to a night in the golden dunes of Merzouga: Todra Gorges lunch, a sunset camel trek, a nomad camp and sunrise over Erg Chebbi.
Two days, one goal: a night among the tall dunes of Erg Chebbi. The car heads east in the morning, a camel carries you into the sand as the sun drops, and you sleep in a Berber camp whose tents are woven from camel and goat wool.
What you give up is time: each direction means roughly five hours on the road. What you get back is variety, because the outward leg stops for lunch in the Todra Gorges and the return follows the Draa Valley.
Highlights
- A stop at Amridil Kasbah among the Skoura palms
- Lunch beneath the Todra Gorges, whose walls rise 300 m
- Riding a camel into the dunes as the sun sets
- A night in a nomad camp at Erg Chebbi
- Dawn over the sand, then on to Rissani
Day by day
Day 1: Ouarzazate to the Erg Chebbi dunes
We collect you at 8 am. First comes Amridil Kasbah in the palm grove of Skoura; 40 km on, gardens and roses surround Kalaat Mgouna. The road then follows the Dades Valley to Tinghir and enters the Todra Gorges, where lunch is served between rock walls 300 m tall and a one hour hike is optional. After lunch you pass Tinjedad, known for its old underground irrigation channels, and the fossil quarries before Erfoud, then reach Erg Chebbi. Following a short rest, camels take you to the oasis where the camp waits with dinner and a nomad tent for the night.
Day 2: Merzouga to Ouarzazate
Your camel driver knocks early so you catch the sunrise; breakfast follows, then the ride back on camels to meet the driver. In Rissani you choose between the mausoleum of Moulay Ali Cherif and the traditional market. Lunch is in Nkob, and the afternoon crosses the Tansikht bridge into the upper Draa Valley at Agdz before you reach Ouarzazate at about 5 pm.
Where it happens
The first morning goes east by Skoura and Kalaat Mgouna to Tinghir and the Todra Gorges, then on through Tinjedad and Erfoud until the sand of Erg Chebbi appears near Merzouga. Coming back, a separate road leads by Rissani and Nkob, over the Tansikht bridge and up the Draa Valley at Agdz.
Who it suits
Right for people with little time who still want the dunes, the camel and the night under canvas. Prefer shorter driving days? The three day version spreads the distance. For extra comfort, a luxury glamping camp can stand in for the nomad camp. Mention any children or health issues in your request.
Included
- Private vehicle with fuel and passenger insurance
- English speaking driver
- Pickup and drop off at your hotel or riad in Ouarzazate
- Overnight in a tented camp inside the Erg Chebbi dunes
- Dinner and breakfast in the desert
- Sunset camel ride to camp and camel ride back
What to bring
- Warm layers, desert nights can be cold, especially in winter
- A head torch for the camp
- A scarf to protect your face from sand and sun
- A small overnight bag, large suitcases stay in the vehicle
- Sunglasses and sun cream
Good to know
- Plan on about five hours behind the wheel in each direction.
How to book
Write to us online or on WhatsApp with your date, how many are travelling and which camp you want. We check availability and send the final price, set per person according to group size. No payment happens online.
Questions and answers
How much is the 2 day Erg Chebbi tour?
Per person, it costs 455 USD for one traveller, 274 USD each for two, 232 USD each for three and 195 USD each for a group of four or more.
What kind of camp will we sleep in?
A nomad camp in the dunes, with tents woven from camel and goat wool. You can ask for a luxury glamping camp instead.
Is the camel ride included?
Yes. Both camel rides are part of the price: into camp at sunset and back out the next morning.
Where do you pick us up?
From your hotel or riad in Ouarzazate at 8 am, and you are back at about 5 pm on the second day.
Request this trip
Choose an activity and a date. Our team replies to confirm availability, the meeting point and the final price. Nothing is charged online.
