Camel silhouettes over Erg Chebbi are magic. I like that the guided camel trek includes a sunset break in the dunes, and you’ll sleep in a private tent with an attached bathroom inside a well-kept camp.

One thing to plan for: drinks cost extra. Dinner is included (with one bottle of water), but anything beyond that means an extra spend, and optional ATV/jeep rides aren’t included either.

Key highlights I think you’ll care about

• Erg Chebbi at sunset from camelback with a mid-ride dune pause for photos
• Private tent + private bathroom in the luxury camp
• Mint tea welcome, Berber music, and campfire time under a clear desert sky
• Breakfast and a sunrise camel trek the next morning
• Dinner included, but drinks and ATV/jeep are extra

Erg Chebbi, camelback, and why this overnight works

Merzouga’s Sahara hits different when you go slow enough to feel it. This overnight plan is built around the two best light moments: the sunset ride into the dunes and the sunrise camel trek over Erg Chebbi. Instead of seeing sand for a few hours and racing back, you get to be there as the desert shifts color and mood.

I also like the comfort level for an overnight in the dunes. The camp provides a private tent with a private bathroom, plus coffee/tea and breakfast. That matters because Sahara nights can be long; having real basics handled lets you focus on the stars, the music, and not on logistics.

The trip is priced at $98.72 per person for about 12 hours total, starting at 4:00 pm. For what’s included—camel guiding both directions, dinner, and a private setup—it can feel good value, especially compared with cheaper day-only tours that still charge extra for comfort and activities.

Your 4 pm start: Day 1 camel trek into the dunes

You meet at 3XJW+82 Merzouga area, and the experience begins at 4:00 pm. From there, you’re escorted to where the camels’ caravan departs. The drive/transfer time is about 1 hour 20 minutes before you’re fully in the desert circuit toward the camp.

Once you’re on the camels, the rhythm is simple and scenic. There’s a break in the middle of the dunes to watch the sunset. This is the moment your camera roll will thank you for. It’s also the first time the ride becomes more than transportation—your guide is essentially setting the pace for the experience: ride, pause, take in the view, then keep going.

When the sun drops, the camel trek continues to the camp site. You don’t just arrive and vanish. You get welcomed with a glass of mint tea, then spend time around the camp area with Berber music, a campfire, and the kind of night sky you only see when the town lights are far away.

Important reality check: this is an overnight experience with a fixed timeline. You’ll spend the evening out in the dunes, so plan to keep the rest of your day light and stress-free. The good news is the itinerary is clear and structured for about 12 hours, so you won’t be wondering what comes next.

The luxury tent setup: private bathroom without the fuss

The camp’s selling point isn’t just the tent. It’s the fact that your “luxury” has practical meaning. Your booking includes a private tent and a private bathroom for that tent. In the desert, that’s a big deal. It reduces the awkwardness that can happen when shared facilities are the only option.

The night itself is described as glamping style, meaning you’re not sleeping on bare sand with zero comforts. You should still treat it like an outdoors experience, just with better creature comforts than the bare-minimum desert camp model.

One small note that helps you set expectations: the included basics cover essentials like coffee and/or tea, dinner, and a bottle of water with dinner. If you expect a full bar or bottled drinks on demand, that’s not part of what’s listed as included—so plan around drinks being extra.

Dinner, Berber music, and the campfire routine

After mint tea and music time, the next anchor point is dinner. Dinner is included in your price, and it’s served after you’ve had time to settle in. The experience also includes Berber music and storytelling around the campfire, which is the cultural part of the night that makes it more than just a scenic sleep.

This is where I think the overnight format pays off. If you were only doing a sunset camel ride, you’d likely miss the “slow down” feeling that comes from staying after dark. Here, the evening is paced: tea first, music and campfire energy next, then dinner, then sleep.

I also like that the camp is described as being in the dunes in the Merzouga area. That’s what you want for stargazing and for that separate-world feeling. Even if you don’t get perfect skies, the schedule gives you time both early and late to enjoy the desert atmosphere.

And here’s a detail that feels reassuring: the camp team communicates directly. In a response to a traveler, Hasan thanked the person for taking time to share their experience and emphasized their commitment to improving service. Even if you don’t interact with staff in advance, it’s a good sign that there’s real follow-through when someone raises points.

Day 2 sunrise camel trek and the return to Merzouga

The second morning starts early. You’ll do a sunrise camel trek over the Erg Chebbi sand dunes. Sunrise is the other half of the magic here, and the itinerary gives it a proper slot instead of treating it as an optional add-on.

After the sunrise ride, you get breakfast in the camp. Then you head back to Merzouga. The exact return method is flexible: it says the return by camel ride depends on your choice. Either way, the experience ends back at the meeting point area.

That “ends back where you started” detail matters. Desert tours sometimes dump you somewhere inconvenient. Here, your day closes cleanly at the same reference point where the activity started.

Also note: the total trip is listed at around 12 hours, so you’re not signing up for a half-day that turns into a full-day surprise. The schedule is built to fit into one evening plus one morning.

Price and value: what $98.72 includes, and what costs extra

Let’s talk value in plain terms. At $98.72 per person, you get:

• Camel riding each person
• Camel guide
• Dinner plus one bottle of water with dinner
• Breakfast
• Private tent and a private bathroom
• Coffee and/or tea
• A parking option for your car (listed as Park for Your Car)

That’s a lot packed into one price for an overnight. Many desert activities charge separately for the camel, food, and basic comfort. Here, those pieces are bundled.

Now for the catch—the “NO EXTRA” wording can be misleading if you read it as zero add-ons. The data clearly says:

• Drinks are not included
• ATV and jeep costs extra

So the real value question becomes: are you mainly here for the camel trek, the music, the campfire evening, the dinner, and the two ride moments (sunset and sunrise)? If yes, the package looks like a strong match.

If you want extra adrenaline with an ATV/jeep, or you plan to buy drinks beyond the included water, you should budget for those extras.

Practical details that keep your night smooth

A few small items can save you stress.

First, you’ll have a mobile ticket, which is convenient if you don’t want to manage paper vouchers. Second, this is a private tour/activity, meaning only your group participates. If you prefer not to share a camp moment with strangers, that’s a real quality-of-life upgrade.

Third, the tour lists that service animals are allowed. If that’s relevant for you, it’s worth comfortingly clear that they are accepted.

Finally, the camp and ride depend on conditions. The experience is said to require good weather. That usually means you might need flexibility if clouds, wind, or other conditions interfere. The good news is that the cancellation terms say you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather cancels the experience.

Who should book this camel trek (and who might skip it)

This overnight is a great fit for you if you want:

• One full desert night with both sunset and sunrise camel time
• Private comfort (private tent + private bathroom)
• An evening that includes Berber music and campfire time, not just riding and sleeping
• A structured schedule starting at 4:00 pm and ending back at the meeting point

It’s also a good option if you’re the type of person who likes clear inclusions. Your list of what’s included is straightforward: camel riding, camp comfort, dinner, breakfast, tea/coffee, and basic water.

You might consider a different style of tour if you’re mainly chasing optional activities and extra mobility. Since ATV/jeep cost extra, this one favors the traditional camel-and-camp experience over added transport adventures.

Should you book this Merzouga Camel Trek and Luxury Camp?

Yes, I’d lean toward booking it if you want the classic Sahara overnight with a comfortable base. The combination of camel trekking (sunset plus sunrise), Berber music around the campfire, and a private luxury tent with a private bathroom is the core “worth it” package here.

Also, the structure makes it easy to plan: start at 4:00 pm, get into the dunes with about 1 hour 20 minutes of transfer time, enjoy the evening and sleep, then return the next morning with breakfast and a sunrise trek.

Just go in with two expectations set:

1) Drinks and ATV/jeep are extra, so decide in advance if you’ll want them.

2) The experience depends on good weather, so keep your schedule flexible if you can.

If that fits your travel style, this is the kind of overnight that can turn “seeing the Sahara” into a memory you actually feel.

FAQ

What time does the camel trek start?

The activity starts at 4:00 pm.

Where is the meeting point?

The meeting point is listed at 3XJW+82 Merzouga, Morocco.

How long is the experience?

It runs for about 12 hours.

What does the price include?

It includes camel riding for each person, a camel guide, breakfast, dinner, coffee and/or tea, one bottle of water with dinner, a private tent, and a private bathroom for the luxury tent. Parking for your car is also listed as included.

Is dinner included or do I pay separately?

Dinner is included.

Are drinks included with dinner?

No. Drinks are not included (only one bottle of water with dinner is listed).

Is sandboarding included?

Sandboarding is mentioned in the experience highlights as something you can try, and sandboarding is listed as included in the highlights. It’s smart to confirm at booking that it will be part of your exact session.

Do I have a private bathroom in the camp?

Yes. The camp includes a private bathroom for the luxury tent.

Is this tour private?

Yes. It’s listed as a private tour/activity, and only your group will participate.

What happens if weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.