About this tour
When Tomás from the crew signed up for this Merzouga camel trek, he was expecting the standard desert jaunt—and he got it, but with a few surprises. You'll ride out into the Sahara for an hour at golden hour, catch the sunset from your camel's back, have a go at sandboarding, then settle into a traditional Berber tent with actual beds and en-suite facilities. After sunrise the next morning, you ride back to base. It's a straightforward overnight desert experience that hits the marks without pretence, best suited to travellers after a genuine night under stars without roughing it too hard.
Highlights
- Hour-long camel ride timed for golden-hour light and sunset views
- Sandboarding on dunes—chaotic and surprisingly fun
- Campfire with dancing and music around the fire
- Sleep in a proper tent with beds, not on bare sand
- Sunrise ride back, seeing the desert shift colour at dawn
- Private shower and bathroom attached to your tent
- All transport from the meeting point included
What to expect
You'll roll up to the meeting point and be paired with a camel and a guide. The ride out takes about an hour—camels are slower than you'd think, and the pace is steady rather than exhilarating. By the time you reach the camp, the sun's dropping, and everyone gathers to watch it disappear behind the dunes. After that, the energy shifts to sandboarding (a waxed board down steep sand—prepare to eat grit) and a communal dinner around a fire with some light music and dancing if the group's keen.
You'll sleep in a private tent with actual beds, not bedrolls on stone. There's a proper shower and loo, which is a relief after a day in the dust. The next morning brings an early alarm for sunrise—the sky shifts from deep purple to pink and gold in real time. The ride back mirrors the journey out, and by mid-morning you're back at base. It's low-key and genuine without being uncomfortable.
What travellers say
- Private tent with beds and en-suite beats sleeping rough
- Camel pace is forgiving for all fitness and experience levels
- Sunset and sunrise moments genuinely worth the trek
- Small groups keep the vibe intimate and manageable
- All transport from meeting point removes logistical stress
- Lunch and drinks excluded—plan (and budget) accordingly
- Camel soreness is real; expect tender hips and legs
- Desert temperature swings (hot day, cold night) catch some off-guard
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
This tour doesn't oversell itself. You get a proper night in the desert with creature comforts (beds, hot water), so you're not sacrificing sleep for the experience. Small group sizes mean the guides actually know your name. The sunset and sunrise light is legitimately striking. It's pitched as suitable for all fitness levels, and the camel pace is leisurely—even nervous riders will manage.
Lunch isn't included, only dinner and breakfast, so budget for a midday meal or bring snacks. Drinks aren't covered either, and water's listed as an exclusion (odd phrasing, but bring your own). The camel ride itself can be uncomfortable if you're not used to it—expect sore legs and a numb backside. It gets hot during the day and cold at night in the desert. Peak season (autumn/winter) books quickly. The experience is fairly formulaic; don't expect wilderness solitude or deep cultural immersion. Physical fitness is fine across the board, but a bit of core strength helps with camel posture.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original Global Hobo summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.