Camel Ride in the Agafay Desert at Sunset

An Agafay camel ride is the gentle side of the desert near Marrakech: no engines, no helmets, just the creak of the saddle, the soft thud of padded feet and the light going gold over the Atlas. The camels walk at an easy pace and are led on foot by a cameleer, which is why this outing works so well for families, grandparents and anyone who simply wants an evening out of the city that feels peaceful rather than thrilling.

It helps to arrive with the right picture in mind. Agafay is a stone desert, a lunar-looking plateau of bare hills, gravel and dry valleys about 40 km from Marrakech. You will not be crossing high sand dunes, but you will see open space, Berber villages and, on clear days, snow on the High Atlas in winter and spring. For a full explanation of how it differs from the Sahara, see our guide to the Merzouga and Agafay deserts compared.

Tour overview

We pick you up in the afternoon, drive under an hour to a camel station on the plateau, and help everyone into the saddle. Your caravan sets off in a line, each camel tied loosely to the one in front, with the cameleer walking at the head. The route is short and easy, chosen for its views rather than its distance. Depending on the option, you finish with mint tea as the sun drops, or stay on into the evening for dinner, music and a show in a desert camp before returning to Marrakech under the stars.

This is the calm counterpart to our quad biking in Agafay. If your family wants a bit of both, the combo tour includes a camel ride alongside quads and buggies; compare them all on our Agafay desert tours page.

Highlights

• Docile dromedaries led on foot by an experienced local cameleer
• Easy, unhurried pace suitable for children and older travellers
• Sunset colours across the plateau with the Atlas on the horizon
• Mint tea served in a Berber tent at the end of the ride
• Optional Moroccan dinner with live music and a show
• Round-trip transport from your Marrakech hotel or riad

Itinerary

Afternoon pick-up

Your driver collects you from your accommodation, or the nearest accessible point for medina riads. Departure time is set around sunset, so roughly mid-afternoon in winter and later in summer; we confirm the exact time when you book. The drive takes 45 to 60 minutes.

Meeting the camels (about 15 minutes)

At the camel station the cameleer introduces the animals and shows you how to mount. The camel kneels, you swing a leg over, hold the handle firmly and lean back as it rises hind legs first. Children can ride with a parent or on their own camel if they are confident.

The camel ride (about 1 hour)

The caravan walks out across the stony ground at walking pace, over low rises and along a dry valley. There is time to take photos from the saddle, and the cameleer stops at a viewpoint so you can climb down, stretch your legs and watch the light change. On the sunset options, the ride is timed so the sky turns orange and pink as you head back.

Mint tea or dinner and show

With the tea option, you settle into a Berber tent for sweet mint tea and a short rest before the drive back, arriving in Marrakech around an hour after dark. With the dinner option, you stay for a Moroccan meal, usually salads, a tagine and fruit, followed by traditional music and entertainment around the fire. Expect to be back in the city around 22:00 to 22:30.

Options and prices

Each option is priced per person. The 1-hour camel ride is the simplest version, a short ride you can fit into any afternoon. The sunset camel ride with mint tea times the walk for the golden hour and ends with tea in the camp, which is what most families choose. The camel ride with dinner and show turns it into a full evening, with a sit-down Moroccan dinner and live entertainment after the ride.

The live price for your group, travel date and option appears in the booking form below. Pay a 10% deposit online to confirm, then settle the balance on the day.

What’s included

Included

• Transport from and back to your hotel or riad in Marrakech
• Camel ride with a local cameleer
• Mint tea (sunset and dinner options)
• Dinner and show (dinner option only)

Not included

• Drinks other than tea and water with dinner
• Tips for the cameleer, driver and camp staff
• Travel insurance

Good to know

• Ages: children of around four and up usually ride happily; little ones can share a camel with an adult. There is no upper age limit, but you need to be able to get on and off a kneeling camel.
• Fitness: very low. The motion is a gentle rocking, and the hardest part is holding on as the camel stands up and sits down.
• What to bring: long trousers are more comfortable in the saddle, plus a hat, sunglasses and a jacket. Evenings from November to March can be cold, so dress in layers. Read what to wear in Morocco for more ideas.
• Safety: keep hold of the handle and do not stand behind the camels. Follow the cameleer’s instructions when mounting.
• Best season: pleasant all year at sunset; spring and autumn give the clearest views of the mountains.
• Dietary needs: vegetarian meals can be arranged for the dinner option; let us know when you book.

Frequently asked questions