Overnight stay in desert camp & Camel trekking in the Sahara

This experience is interesting because it trades quick photos for real time in the Sahara, starting right in Merzouga and moving by camel into the Erg Chebbi dunes for an overnight camp. I especially like the setup that includes a proper desert camp night, with dinner, breakfast, and a private tent, so you are not rushing to beat a bus. I also love the sensory stuff you can actually feel, like Berber drums and the mint tea around the campfire. One thing to consider is timing and props: sandboarding is listed as included, but you should confirm boards are ready when camp activities start.

The ride itself is the point. Day 1 builds from a calm start at the meeting point, to a sunset walk over the dunes once you arrive, which is when the Sahara starts looking unreal. Day 2 adds a fast, early option for sunrise on the dunes, then a return to Merzouga with breakfast and a chance to freshen up. A possible drawback is that some parts depend on when you arrive in the late afternoon, and there can be waiting before the camel trek begins.

Key Points You Should Know Before You Go

• Camel trek into Erg Chebbi dunes for an overnight camp, not just a short desert stop
• Berber tea and drum music make the evening feel like a real desert night, not a packaged show
• Dinner, tagine, mint tea, and breakfast are included, which helps you travel lighter
• Sandboarding is listed as included, but it is smart to check equipment right away at camp
• Private tent camping gives you a bit more comfort and personal space in the desert

Why Erg Chebbi by Camel Feels Worth the Effort

Merzouga sits close to the dunes people dream about, but the magic here comes from how you reach them. You are not doing this as a drive-by photo stop. You ride out on camel, and that changes your pace. The dunes feel bigger when you are moving slowly, with time to notice the light shifting minute by minute.

Another thing I like about this format is that it makes the night part of the experience. A lot of desert day trips burn through sunset and then sprint back to town. Here, you settle into a camp, eat dinner, and spend the night under clear skies, so stars are part of the plan.

Still, manage expectations around “included” activities. Sandboarding is one of the headline highlights, but deserts run on weather, timing, and camp logistics. If you care a lot about boarding, treat it like a thing you should confirm quickly once you reach camp.

Day 1 in Merzouga: Tea, Dunes, and Berber Drums

Your day starts at Riad Akabar Merzouga. After meeting your local team, you join the group at the riad for a cup of Berber tea and get ready for the camel trek. This brief pause matters. It gives you time to feel settled, ask questions, and get your timing right before you head into the desert.

Then the camel ride begins into the Sahara. Expect a ride that feels scenic and slow, with the rhythm of walking camel back through changing sand texture. The itinerary also includes music played on traditional Berber drums in the middle of the Sahara once you reach the camp. That is not just background. In a place this quiet, drum music gives your evening structure, and it is exactly the kind of cultural touch that makes an overnight feel special.

When you arrive at camp, you walk up to the high dunes to see the sunset. This is where the “wow” moment usually hits. Sunset in Erg Chebbi comes with soft color changes across the sand, and your best photos often happen while you are still moving at a walking pace. Even if you are not a serious photographer, you will want a few minutes to just watch the horizon shift.

By nightfall, the camp atmosphere is the big deal. Dinner is served with traditional flavors, and tea stays in the picture. One practical note from the way the experience is described: you will likely be happier if you plan to be patient with how the evening unfolds, since desert timing can be flexible.

Overnight Desert Camp: Comfort, Private Tent, and Real Star Time

The camp is set up with an equipped camp vibe rather than a bare-bones camping idea. You are sleeping in a private tent, and you will have access to tea/coffee as part of the stay. That means you are not spending the night figuring out where to go for a warm drink.

Dinner is included, and the style is described as tagine with mint tea. In desert settings, meals matter because they are usually your main warm-up and your main “together” moment. This is also when the camp’s sound comes alive. Traditional drums around the fire are part of the evening plan, which helps break the night into something memorable rather than just waiting under a blanket of dark.

If you have heard about sand-based wellness traditions, you might find an opportunity to try a sandbath if it is offered during your stay. It is mentioned as something that can be done and is described as relaxing and therapeutic. Since it is not listed as a guaranteed included item, treat it as a bonus if your camp team suggests it.

Practical comfort tip: plan for cooler desert temperatures at night. The description emphasizes clear skies and star intensity, which usually means you will want a warm layer for after dinner, especially when the temperature drops.

Day 2 Morning: Sunrise Options, Shower, and the Ride Back

You wake up early if you want the sunrise. The plan is to go to a high sand dune next to the camp to watch the sun come up and take pictures. Sunrise in this region tends to be calmer than sunset, and it is often the moment where people feel the desert’s scale most clearly. If you like quiet experiences, this early start is worth it.

After sunrise, you return to the camp. Breakfast follows. Then you move back with the camels toward the meeting point in Merzouga village, where the service ends.

One comfort detail that makes a difference in real life is the chance for a shower at the meeting point after the trek. Desert nights leave sand in everything, and a place to clean up makes the experience feel smoother and more “complete,” especially if you have dinner plans or onward travel the same day.

As a final note, the return is not meant to be a sprint. The camel ride back gives you time to unwind after the early morning. This is one of the understated joys of overnight camel trekking, it gives you space to come down slowly.

Food and Tea: Tagine Dinner and Breakfast Without the Guesswork

Food is included, which is a big deal because desert timing can be unpredictable if you try to hunt lunch on your own. You get dinner and breakfast, plus tea/coffee at camp. The dinner is described as tagine with mint tea, which is ideal for cold desert hours since it is warm, filling, and easy to share.

Mint tea also has a practical role. It is warm, it helps you feel cared for after time outdoors, and it gives the evening a familiar Moroccan rhythm. Even if you do not drink much tea, take a sip. It is part of how camp life feels.

You should plan on no lunch included. That is the main food gap in the package. If you want something convenient, eat before you start the camel trek on Day 1, then rely on dinner and breakfast in camp.

Sandboarding: Included on Paper, Worth Checking at Camp

Sandboarding down dunes of Erg Chebbi is one of the headline highlights. Since it is listed as included, you should expect to be able to do it. But here is the practical caution I would give you: when you arrive at camp and sand activities are supposed to happen, look for the sandboards right away.

One experience describes a situation where sandboarding was said to be included, but no sandboards were seen at camp. That does not mean it will happen to you, but it does mean you should handle it the smart way. Ask directly about timing and equipment as part of the first check-in at camp. If boards are missing, politely request they be brought out before the window closes.

If sandboarding is a priority, bring a basic attitude adjustment. You are on sand, not a snow park. Expect a playful, quick ride style rather than a long, structured run course.

Timing, Waiting, and How to Avoid the Late-Afternoon Surprise

The itinerary describes a late afternoon start from Merzouga. In practice, one key detail is arrival time. You may be asked to arrive between about 4 pm and 5:30 pm, and the earlier you can be, the better.

The reason is simple: you cannot start the camel trek after dark the same way you can start in daylight. One review-style experience described a delay, with camel riding starting later than expected even though arrival was on time. You cannot always control timing in the desert. You can control your patience by arriving early and having your expectations set that the desert runs on schedules, not just on calendars.

So if your day is packed with other activities in Merzouga, I would give yourself a buffer. You want time to check in, drink tea, and be ready when the group is called.

Price and Value: What $69.79 Covers (and What It Does Not)

At $69.79 per person, this is priced like a budget-friendly overnight desert program. The value comes from what is truly expensive or hard to manage yourself in a remote area: you get camel transport, a private tent, dinner and breakfast, plus tea/coffee, and even a shower at the meeting point. Free parking is included too, which helps if you are driving to the riad.

What is not included is also clear. Lunch is not included. Optional extras include a 4×4 car activity and ATVs quad or buggy biking. Airco is not included, which is standard for desert camping.

When you judge value, focus on the complete night, not just the camel ride. An overnight camp means you are paying for more than movement, you are paying for the full experience: meals, sleeping setup, and the camp evening.

If you are trying to keep your desert day cost low, this package makes sense because the essentials are covered. If you want guaranteed high-adrenaline add-ons like quad biking, you will need to budget extra.

Who This Tour Fits Best

This is a great fit if you want:

• A private group desert overnight, with a tent and included meals
• A slow, cultural Sahara experience rather than a rushed day drive
• A trip that includes both sunset and sunrise options

It is also a good choice for families, since the trek can work well even with children if you keep the pace and stay focused on the experience, not the clock.

If you are someone who hates any waiting at all, or you have a super tight schedule for the evening after Day 2, you might want to plan extra buffer time. Desert starts can shift based on how the group and camp timings come together.

Should You Book This Overnight Camel Trek to Erg Chebbi?

I would book it if you want a real overnight Sahara experience where the night actually happens, with tagine dinner, Berber drum music, and a private tent so you can relax under the stars. The included basics remove most of the logistical stress, and the camel trek is the kind of travel memory you cannot easily replicate with a short stop.

I would pause before booking if sandboarding is your #1 must-do, and you cannot be flexible about timing or equipment. If that is your priority, ask the team to confirm boards and schedule as soon as you arrive at camp.

In short, if you are excited to slow down, look at the dunes twice in one day, and enjoy a night that feels genuinely desert, this tour is a strong value for the price.