How It Works
Despite the common phrase, you'll actually be riding a dromedary — a one-humped camel — saddled and led in a caravan line by an experienced local guide on foot, rather than ridden independently. Camels kneel to let you mount, which involves a slightly jarring forward-then-back lurch as they stand, but the walking pace itself is slow, rhythmic, and surprisingly smooth.
The Sunset Trek to Camp
Most itineraries time the trek for late afternoon, setting off from the edge of Erg Chebbi as the light softens and the dunes shift from gold to deep orange and pink. The pace is unhurried by design — this isn't a race across the sand, but a slow, quiet approach into camp, often the first real moment of stillness after a day of driving.
How Long Does It Take?
The trek to camp typically takes 45 minutes to an hour, depending on which camp you're staying at and how deep into the dunes it sits. It's comfortable for most fitness levels and ages, though very young children or travelers with certain mobility or back conditions may prefer the 4x4 alternative some camps offer.
Photography Tips
The low, golden sunset light is genuinely spectacular on the dunes, and most guides are happy to pause briefly for photos along the way. A phone or lightweight camera is easier to manage on a moving camel than heavier gear; a wrist strap or crossbody bag helps keep it secure.
Sandboarding & 4x4 Alternatives
On longer itineraries with a full desert excursion day, sandboarding down the Erg Chebbi's larger dunes is a popular add-on, and a 4x4 vehicle covers ground camels can't reach as efficiently — useful for visiting more remote nomad encampments as part of a fuller day in the dunes.