Sunrise Camel Ride in Merzouga
For travelers who are usually staying overnight in a desert camp, a sunrise camel ride is a quieter alternative to the better-known sunset trip. Heading out before dawn, you'll be in the dunes as the sky lightens over Erg Chebbi, with the desert at its coolest and calmest and far fewer other visitors around.
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Photo: Mustang Joe, CC0
Activity facts
- Experience type
- Guided camel ride with local handler
- Starting location
- Desert camp or camel point near Erg Chebbi
- Group type
- Private or shared caravan
- Difficulty
- Easy — no riding experience needed
- Best time
- Before dawn, timed to local sunrise
- Suitable for
- Couples, photographers, early risers
Overview
This ride typically starts from an overnight desert camp or a camel point nearby, leaving in darkness so the caravan reaches a dune viewpoint in time for first light. It's the same gentle, handler-led style of ride as the sunset version, just at the opposite end of the day, with a stiller, cooler desert and softer early light.
Highlights
- Quiet dunes with fewer other visitors than at sunset
- Cooler temperatures for a more comfortable ride
- Soft early light that photographers often prefer
- Easy to combine with an overnight desert camp stay
- Return to camp or hotel in time for breakfast
Detailed experience
Your handler wakes the caravan while it's still dark, and after a short briefing you set off into the dunes while the sky is just beginning to lighten on the horizon.
The pace is calm and steady, giving your eyes time to adjust and the desert's colors to shift gradually from deep blue to soft gold.
At a viewpoint, the caravan usually pauses so you can dismount and watch the sun clear the horizon before heading back toward camp or your hotel for breakfast.
Included
- Camel and handler for the ride
- A short safety introduction before mounting
- Time at a viewpoint to watch the sunrise
Not included
- Breakfast, unless already included with your camp stay
- Transport if you're not already staying nearby
- Gratuities for the handler
What to bring
- A warm layer — desert mornings are cold even in summer
- Closed shoes
- A camera for the early light
- A torch or phone light for the walk to the camels
Who this experience is for
Ideal for photographers, early risers and anyone staying in a nearby desert camp who wants a quieter alternative to the sunset ride.
Best time to go
Available year-round; departure time depends on the season's sunrise, so your guide will confirm the wake-up time closer to your stay.
Good to know
This ride works especially well as an add-on for travelers already spending the night in a desert camp near Erg Chebbi, since the camels can often depart directly from camp.
Safety information
Camels are led by hand by an experienced local handler throughout; riders do not need previous experience. Walking to and from the camel point in the dark is done with guide supervision.
Meeting & pickup
Usually starts from your desert camp, or a nearby camel point if you're staying in a hotel in the village.
Related Merzouga tours
Frequently asked questions
Is the sunrise ride colder than the sunset ride?+−
Yes, desert mornings are noticeably cooler than the evening, so a warm layer is worth bringing even outside of winter.
Can I do both a sunrise and sunset camel ride on the same trip?+−
Yes, many travelers combine the two, often alongside a night in a desert camp between the two rides.
Do I need to be an early riser?+−
You'll need to wake up well before dawn, but your guide handles the timing and wake-up call if you're staying in camp.
Is this ride available without an overnight camp stay?+−
It can sometimes be arranged as a standalone outing from a hotel in Merzouga — ask us when requesting availability.
Related desert activities
Sunset Camel Ride in MerzougaRide a camel into the Erg Chebbi dunes as the sun goes down, one of the most photographed moments in the Moroccan Sahara.
Luxury Desert Camp in MerzougaSpend a night among the Erg Chebbi dunes in a more comfortable camp, with private en-suite tents and a higher level of service.
Sahara Desert Stargazing ExperienceSpend an evening under one of the clearest night skies in Morocco, away from city lights in the Erg Chebbi dunes.