Trip overview
A two-seater buggy through the big dunes of Erg Chebbi: one of you drives, the other rides alongside, and the guide leads. Pick-up in Merzouga or Hassilabied. 80 € per person.
- Duration1 day
- Starts inMerzouga
- GroupPrivate · 1–10 people
- DifficultyEasy
- LanguageEspañol
- DeparturesEvery day
Highlights
- Two-seater buggy: one drives, the other rides alongside, swapping at the stops
- A local guide out in front for the whole ride through Erg Chebbi
- Climbs onto the high dunes in the middle of the erg, thanks to the buggy's traction
- Sunset from the crest of a high dune, with the engine switched off
- Helmet, seatbelt and fuel included in the price
- Pick-up from hotels and camps in Merzouga and Hassilabied
- Children can ride as passengers next to an adult (minimum age to be confirmed)
- Can be added as an extra to desert tours with a night in Merzouga
- Seats per buggy
- 2, driver and passenger
- Pick-up
- Merzouga and Hassilabied
- Best time
- Late afternoon
- Includes
- Helmet, fuel and guide
Who rides in the buggy
How to add the buggy to a desert tour
Tours that spend the night in Merzouga reach the dunes in the afternoon, which is exactly the right time for the buggy. When you book the 3-day tour from Marrakech, the 3 days from Fez or the 4-day tour from Marrakech, you tick the buggy as an extra for 80 € per person (the quad is 45 €). We arrange the time around the camel ride and the camp.
If you haven't decided on a route yet, they're all listed under desert tours, and the Merzouga page explains what else there is around Erg Chebbi.
Other ways to explore Erg Chebbi
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Pick-up from where you're staying
At the agreed time we come by your hotel or camp in Merzouga or Hassilabied. The drive to the buggies is short, usually a few minutes along a dirt track. Come already dressed for the sand and leave at the hotel anything you don't want covered in dust. If you're arriving that same day on one of our desert tours, the driver drops you straight at the starting point.
Day 1: Helmet, seatbelt and a test run on flat ground
The guide fits each helmet, shows you how the seatbelt fastens and runs through the controls: steering wheel, accelerator and brake. He also goes over the hand signals he'll use to tell you to stop or slow down. Before heading into the dunes you drive a couple of loops on level ground to get a feel for how the buggy handles in sand. Whoever starts as passenger can take the wheel at any stop.
Day 1: Into the high dunes of Erg Chebbi
You follow the guide's tracks up and down climbs that get steadily bigger. We stop on several crests for photos and to change drivers. On an afternoon ride the last section ends beside a high dune: the engine goes off, you walk up, and you wait there until the sun drops behind the erg.
Day 1: Back to the hotel or the camp
We head back down to the starting point, you hand in your helmet and we take you to your accommodation. Shake out your clothes and trainers before going into your room, because the sand gets everywhere. If you're sleeping in a desert camp that night, the return is timed with the camp so you arrive in time for dinner.
What's included
Included (5)
- Two-seater buggy with fuel
- Helmets for driver and passenger
- Local guide leading the route in his own vehicle
- A run-through of the controls and a test run on flat ground
- Collection from and return to your hotel or camp in Merzouga or Hassilabied
Not included (6)
- Transport from other cities to Merzouga
- Sealed goggles and a scarf for the sand
- Drinks
- Longer routes or a private guide for your group (quoted separately)
- Tips
- Travel insurance
Important information (6)
- We confirm in writing when you book how long the ride lasts, the minimum age to drive or ride as a passenger, and whether a licence is required.
- The buggy in front throws up a lot of sand: bring goggles that seal well and a scarf to cover your mouth.
- Long trousers and closed trainers. In sandals, hot sand gets into your feet from the first minute.
- Keep your phone in a zipped pocket; with all the bumps, anything loose ends up in the sand.
- Not advisable if you are pregnant or have a back or neck injury.
- In strong wind or with sand in the air, we move the ride to another time or another day.
Prices per person
Buggy ride in the dunes
Two-seater buggy ride with a local guide, helmet, fuel and pick-up in Merzouga or Hassilabied
Price per person
Payment and cancellation
You pay a 15% deposit when you book. The rest is paid on the first day of the trip, in cash or by bank transfer. You can also pay it by PayPal or card, with a 5% surcharge.
Private: free up to 48 hours before the start. If you cancel in time, we refund the full deposit.
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Leave a reviewFrequently asked questions
Can two of us share one buggy?
Yes, every buggy has two seats. One person drives, the other rides as passenger, and you can swap at the stops. The 80 € is per person. If you're travelling alone and would rather drive the buggy on your own, message us and we'll tell you how the price works.
Can children come?
They can ride as passengers next to an adult driver, with a helmet and seatbelt. The minimum age depends on the vehicle and the operator, so tell us the ages when you book and we'll confirm in writing. With very young children a camel ride usually works better.
Do I need to know how to drive or have a licence?
The controls are simple: steering wheel, accelerator and brake, and the guide explains them before you set off. Having driven a car before helps. Whether a licence is required, and from what age you can drive, is set by the local operator; we confirm it before the ride.
What time of day is best?
Late afternoon, so you finish on a high dune at sunset. From May to September we don't go out at midday because of the heat, which leaves two slots: early morning or late afternoon.
Can I do it the same day I arrive at the camp?
Yes, plenty of people do. On the desert tours that pass through Merzouga it's ticked as an extra when you book, at 80 € per person, and we fit the time around the camel ride and dinner at the camp. If you arrive very late, we move it to the next morning before you leave.
