Morocco Camel Treks

Camel treks in Morocco are recommended in either the dunes of the Erg Chebbi close to Merzouga or the dunes of the Erg Chigaga close to Mhamid. In addition, there are dunes around Zagora although these do not offer the same desert experience.

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Merzouga and Erg Chebbi Camel Treks

The Erg Chebbi dunes are spectacular and probably the highest in Morocco. There is a paved road that runs from Rissani to the base of the sand sea where there are over 70 hotels, mostly with swimming pools, along the dune line.

Erg Chebbi camel treks:

Sunset Erg Chebbi camel rides with hotel at the dune line
Erg Chebbi camel treks (1.5hrs each way) to sleep in a nomad-tented camp in the deep dunes
Short camel trek in the Erg Chebbi dunes to sleep in a luxury desert camp
Camel trekking with a desert guide for 2 days, 3 days, 4 days, 5 days and more

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Mhamid and Camel Trekking in Erg Chigaga

The dunes of the Erg Chigaga offer a more 'off the beaten track' remote desert experience and the building of hotels is prohibited to protect a desert environment where the semi-nomadic Ait Atta Berbers live. The paved road ends and Mhamid and a 4x4 or camels are required to reach the high dunes.

Camel trekking from Mhamid:

Mhamid camel treks to overnight in a desert camp
Camel treks from Mhamid to Erg Chigaga (3 days) and return in a 4x4
Camel treks from Mhamid to Erg Chigaga and back (5 days)

Erg Chigaga camel treks:

Sunset Erg Chigaga camel trek with nomad-tented camp in the dunes
Camel trekking in Erg Chigaga for a full day with a desert guide

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Zagora and Camel Rides

Although Zagora does not offer the same or a similar desert experience as Erg Chebbi or Erg Chigaga, the dunes in this region mean that it is possible to do a 2-day tour from Marrakech that includes a camel trek and a chance to overnight in a nomad tented camp. This 2-day option is a great introduction to Morocco, from Marrakech, for families and anyone with limited time.

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Distances and Drive Times

The dunes of the Erg Chebbi and Erg Chigaga are both close to the Moroccan Algerian boarder and a long way from Marrakech, Fes, Tangier, Casablanca or Agadir i.e. it is at least a 10hrs drive from Marrakech to Merzouga and at least a 7hrs drive from Fes to Merzouga. Zagora is a 7hrs drive, across the High Atlas, from Marrakech.

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Marrakech Desert Trips and Camel Treks Tours

As it is a ten hours’ drive from Marrakech to the Erg Chebbi or Erg Chigaga dunes, we recommend at least four days for a desert trip to break the journey each way and include the highlights along the route. On a 3 day trip you would be sitting in a vehicle for ten hours on one of the days. In 2 days it is only possible to visit the small dunes around Zagora and they do not offer the same or similar desert experience.

2 days and 3 days Marrakech Desert Trips to Zagora with a sunset and early morning camel ride to overnight in a nomad tented camp. With three days it is possible to break the journey one way i.e. Ouarzazate or Ait Benhaddou.
3 days Marrakech Desert Trips to the Erg Chebbi dunes are available however you would be sitting in a vehicle for ten hours on one of the days.
4 days and 5 days Marrakech Desert Trips to Erg Chebbi dunes include a sunset camel trek to overnight in a nomad-tented camp under the stars. Wake early to watch the sunrise and camel trek back across the dunes. On a 5 days Sahara trip there is the option to spend a full day exploring in this desert environment e.g. visit the seasonal lakes, listen to Gnawa musicians or break the journey in the High Atlas with a half-day hike.
4 days and 5 days Marrakech Desert Trips to Erg Chigaga dunes include a sunset camel trek in the Erg Chigaga dunes with one night or two nights in a desert camp. The paved road ends in Mhamid and, from here, the dunes are reached across the hammada (black desert) via the piste (/off-road).

For a sample itinerary for Marrakech to Marrakech Desert Tours: 'Desert Tours in Morocco'

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Marrakech to Fes Desert Tours with Camel Treks

It is a ten hours’ drive from Marrakech to the Erg Chebbi dunes and then a seven hours’ drive to Fes. We therefore recommend at least 3 days for a Marrakech to Fes desert tour via the Erg Chebbi dunes. Adding in an extra day or two will slow down the trip and enable you to spend more time exploring along the route.

3 days, 4 days and 5 days Desert Tours from Marrakech to Fes include a sunset camel trek to overnight in the Erg Chebbi at a desert camp in the high dunes.

For a sample itinerary for Marrakech to Fes Desert Tours: 'Desert Tours in Morocco'

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Fes to Marrakech Desert Tours with Camel Treks

It is a seven hours’ drive from Fes to the Erg Chebbi dunes and then a ten hours’ drive to Marrakech. We therefore recommend at least 3 days for a Fes to Marrakech desert tour via the Erg Chebbi dunes. Adding in an extra day or two will slow down the trip and enable you to spend more time exploring along the route.

3 days, 4 days and 5 days Desert Tours from Fes to Marrakech include a sunset camel trek to overnight in the Erg Chebbi dunes at a nomad-tented camp under the stars in the high dunes.

For a sample itinerary for Fes to Marrakech Desert Tours: 'Desert Tours in Morocco'

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Camel Treks in Morocco – What to Expect

Riding a Camel

Camels, we are often told, are not the most comfortable creatures to ride but the experience outweighs the discomfort. To enable you to sit on a camel’s hump a large padded ring is placed around the hump and covered with blankets on which you sit. Many of us are not used to sitting with our legs apart and our muscles can find this position uncomfortable over time. However, for a sunset camel trek (1-2hrs) most people do not find this to be an issue although for longer camel treks (2 days, 3 days, 4 days and 5 days) you are encouraged to walk as well as ride a camel.