Suggested Itineraries for Tours in Morocco
Camel Treks in Morocco
Camel Trekking in Moroco with a guide
Morocco camel treks e.g. Erg Chebbi camel treks, Erg Chigaga camel treks or camel trekking from Zagora can be included on 4x4 Desert Tours from Casablanca, Marrakech Fes or elsewhere on request. Camel trek across the sandy dunes of Morocco, at the leisurely pace of a camel, to sleep overnight at a desert camp in the dunes and sleep under the stars.
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Morocco’s desert dunes, suitable for camel trekking with a desert guide, include the Erg Chebbi sand dunes at Merzouga, the Erg Chigaga sand dunes at M’hamid and the dunes around Zagora. The Erg Chebbi and Erg Chigaga offer a more authentic desert experience while the dunes at Zagora are a good choice for 2-day tours from Marrakech.
Morocco Camel Treks to sleep under the stars at a desert camp are the highlight of our 4x4 desert tours. The dunes of Erg Chebbi and Erg Chigaga offer a more authentic desert experience than Zagora but they are a long drive from Marrakech or Fes and we will advise you how to best include camel trekking in Morocco as part of your itinerary.
Authentic Morocco Desert Tours, in a private 4x4 Toyota Land Cruiser with aircon and driver, run from Marrakech, Ouarzazate, Fes, Casablanca and Tangier. For desert tours from Marrakech to Fes or Fes to Marrakech we recommend the Erg Chebbi dunes.
Quick Links – Morocco Camel Treks and Desert Camel Tours
- Morocco Camel Treks – Zagora, Merzouga or M’hamid
- 1 night, 2 days, 3 days, 4 days, 5 days – Erg Chebbi Camel Treks
- 1 night, 2 days, 3 days, 4 days, 5 days – Erg Chigaga Camel Treks
- 4 days, 5 days – Marrakech to Marrakech Sahara Trips
- 4 days, 5 days – Marrakech to Fes & Fes to Marrakech Desert Tours
- 3 days, 4 days, 5 days - Ouarzazate Camel Treks and 4x4 Desert Safaris
- What to Wear and Take Camel Trekking in Morocco
- Bonded Morocco Tours – Prices, Confirmation and Payment Options
- Testimonials
Morocco Camel Treks – Zagora, Merzouga or M’hamid
We are often asked 'where are the best dunes for camel trekking in Morocco?' and our answer is 'each desert area of Morocco has its merit depending your holiday timescales and what you want to experience'.
There are two accessible sand seas (ergs) with significant sand masses and high desert dunes where you can safely camel trek with a local guide: Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga and Erg Chigaga dunes at Mhamid. There are smaller dunes at Zagora.
The advantages of camel trekking in the Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga are the rolling golden dunes, the tarmac road that runs to the base of the dunes and the 70+ hotels along the dune line. Hotels offer en-suite rooms and you can safely wander into the immediate desert without a guide. Within the dunes are desert camps where you can sleep in a nomad tent with dinner served under the stars and there are also ‘luxury’ desert camps with private facilities.
The advantage of camel trekking in the Erg Chigaga dunes from Mhamid is that the desert wilderness, with its traditions and culture, has been preserved and accommodation is in comfortable desert camps and bivouacs with facilities including hot showers. This is the region where the Ait Atta Berber nomads live and raise their families and herds of wild camels. To reach the Erg Chagaga dunes from Mhamid requires a 4x4 or takes 2 days on a camel.
The advantage of visiting Zagora, if you have limited time, is that these dunes are more easily reached from Marrakech. However, they do not offer the same desert experience as camel trekking in the Erg Chebbi or Erg Chigaga.
Morocco Camel Treks. See 'Morocco Camel Treks' for my own story.
Camel Trekking in Morocco – Erg Chebbi Camel Treks
Sunset Erg Chebbi Camel Treks are suitable if you want a short camel ride with a night in a hotel at the dune line. Hotels are presented in typical Moroccan style with the choice of en-suite rooms or nomad tents.
Overnight Erg Chebbi Camel Treks with a sunset and morning camel ride fulfil the dream of camel trekking in Morocco and sleeping in a nomad tent under the stars. Wake early to greet the sunrise and camel trek back over the Erg Chebbi dunes.
Extended Erg Chebbi Camel Treks with a desert guide allow you to safely wander like a nomad and live the simplicity of desert life. We offer camel treks for 2, 3, 4, or 5 days:
- Travel, as desert dwellers have traveled for untold generations, across the soft curves of sandy dunes and the flatness of the hammada as dust devils whirl and mirages shimmer
- Sip mint tea with desert nomads, draw water from a nomad well and embrace the timeless quality of desert life
- You will hear the words ‘Inch Allah’ (if God wills). A nomadic life is one of surrender and acceptance: surrender to the elements and daily events; acceptance of what is and what will be.
Camel Trekking in Morocco – Erg Chigaga Camel Treks
The dunes of Erg Chigaga offer a unique experience. The desert adventure starts where the road ends in the dusty town of Mhamid ends and the dunes can only be reached in a 4x4 or by camel (two to three day camel trekking each way).
on a 4x4 desert tour it is possible to cross the hammada (black desert) to the dunes of the Erg Chigaga where accommodation is in desert camps and you can safely walk in the immediate dunes or camel trek with a desert guide at sunset.
Marrakech to Marrakech Sahara Trips and 4x4 Desert Tours
We often get requests for Marrakech 1 day camel treks but it is a 10 hour drive each way to the Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga and we recommend a minimum of 4 days, breaking the journey each way, for a desert tour that includes the highlights on the route.
- 2 day and 3 day Marrakech to Zagora Desert Tours include sunset and morning camel rides and an overnight to sleep in a traditional nomad tent. In 3 days you can break the journey one way at Ait Benhaddou or in the High Atlas Berber village of Telouet. The drive includes the Atlas, Ouarzazate, Draa River Valley, Ait Benhaddou and Telouet. Note: Zagora does not offer a real desert experience in comparison to Merzouga or M’hamid.
- 3 day Marrakech to Erg Chebbi Desert Tours are available however, as a result of client feedback, we recommend at least a 4 day desert tour from Marrakech as a 3 day trip includes one very long day with a 10hrs drive excluding stops.
- 4 day & 5 day Marrakech to Erg Chebbi Desert Excursions include sunset Erg Chebbi camel treks and one night at a desert camp. There is also the option to stay in a hotel at the dune line. The drive includes Skoura, Rose Valley, Todra Gorge, Ouarzazate, Ait Benhaddou and Telouet.
- 4 day, 5 day & 6 day Marrakech to M'hamid Desert Safaris include sunset Erg Chigaga camel treks and one or two nights at a desert camp. This trip involves some off-road driving. The drive includes the Draa Valley, Zagora, Iriqui salt flats, Foum Zguid, Ait Benhaddou, Ouarzazate and Telouet.
Note: 4 day and 5 day Marrakech Desert Tours travel at a more relaxed pace.
Marrakech to Fes & Fes to Marrakech Desert Tours
3 day tours are available although we recommend at least 4 days for a Marrakech to Fes or Fes to Marrakech desert tour to travel at a more leisurely pace.
- 3 day, 4 day and 5 day Marrakech to Fes or Fes to Marrakech desert tours include Erg Chebbi camel treks with a night in the dunes. In addition, the drive includes Azrou, Ifrane, cedar forests with Barbary apes, Ziz gorge, Todra gorge, Dades gorge, Rose Valley, Skoura Palmerie, Ouarzazate, the World Heritage Site of Ait Benhaddou, the traditional and Kasbah of el Glaoui at Telouet.
Ouarzazate Camel Treks and 4x4 Desert Safaris
If your heart is set on camel trekking in Morocco, and you want to reduce your travel time to a minimum, consider a flight to Ouarzazate. We will meet you on arrival at the airport and, after a night in a hotel with pool, drive you to Merzouga where your desert guide and camels will be waiting to carry you across the sands of the Sahara to your desert camp. Spend one night (two nights, three nights or more) camel trekking in the Erg Chebbi dunes before returning Ouarzazate via Todra Gorge and Skoura Palmerie.
From Ouarzazate it is also possible to reach the sand dunes of the Erg Chigaga, a unique desert wilderness that is home to the Ait Atta Berbers and their herds of camels.
What to Wear and Take Camel Trekking in Morocco
- Comfy, baggy clothes are recommended for camel treks in Morocco and, in winter months, warm layers and wind-proof jacket
- Blankets are provided but, for your comfort, we recommend a sleeping-bag liner (summer) and sleeping bag (autumn through late-Spring)
- See 'Camel Treks Morocco' for recommended packing
Bonded Morocco Tours – Prices, Confirmation and Payment
Please refer to: 'Private Morocco Tours - Pricing'
Testimonials
To read our clients’ feedback please refer to: 'Testimonials'
