Camel trekking in Morocco’s Sahara Desert is the experience that defines the country for most international travellers — a crossing of the threshold between the ordinary world and one of earth’s most primordial landscapes, made on an animal that has been traversing these routes for three thousand years. The forty-five minutes on camelback between Merzouga village and the heart of the Erg Chebbi dune field are among the most photographed and most remembered moments in Moroccan travel, and they deliver on their considerable reputation reliably and completely.
The Camel Trek Experience: A Practical Guide
Mounting and Riding
Dromedary camels sit on the ground for mounting — a two-stage process where the animal first raises its front legs and then its hindquarters, both transitions involving a pronounced lurch that surprises most first-time riders. Hold the front saddle horn firmly during both transitions. Once standing, the camel’s walking gait is slower and more meditative than most riders expect, and the elevated perspective — camels carry passengers at approximately 2.5 metres above the ground — provides a genuinely different view of the dune landscape than any ground-level vantage point.
Duration and Distance
The standard camel trek to a desert camp takes between forty-five minutes and one hour each way, depending on the camp’s location within the dune field. This covers approximately 3 kilometres of soft sand. The return trek at sunrise covers the same distance. Some tours offer extended multi-hour or multi-day camel journeys for travellers who want a more immersive traditional experience.
What to Bring
A scarf or shemagh is essential for protecting against sand and sun during the trek. Long trousers prevent saddle friction on bare legs. Closed footwear is more practical than sandals for mounting and dismounting. A camera or phone — fully charged and protected against sand — is the most important item. Small daypacks work best; leave larger luggage in the vehicle.
Camel Trekking on Morocco World Tours
All our Merzouga desert tours include the sunset camel trek and sunrise return as standard. Our Day Trips Morocco and Contact Us provide the most popular camel trekking experiences from Marrakech. Extended desert experiences with multi-day camel journeys can be arranged through our contact page. Browse our full tours catalogue and gallery for camel trek imagery. Further reading: Lonely Planet Morocco Travel Guide and UNESCO — Medina of Fes.
