Before your Merzouga quad tour
Most guests book a day or two ahead by WhatsApp. When you write, tell us your date, how many people are riding, whether anyone has ridden a quad before and where you are staying. That is enough for us to suggest the right ride and confirm everything clearly. If you are not sure which tour to choose, say how much time you have — we will be honest about what fits.
The evening before (or the morning of, for afternoon rides) we send a short reminder with the exact time and the meeting point or pickup details. For sunrise rides, the time depends on the next morning’s sunrise, so we confirm it the evening before.
What happens on the day
Every Merzouga quad tour follows the same simple structure, whatever the duration. Longer tours simply spend more time in the dunes and add stops further away.
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Confirmation
After you send your request, we confirm the date, the start time, the number of vehicles, the price and either the meeting point or the pickup place. You receive everything in writing on WhatsApp or by e-mail.
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Pickup or meeting point
We meet at our base in Merzouga village or collect you from your hotel or camp in the Merzouga area. Please be ready a few minutes early, especially for sunrise and sunset rides.
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Safety briefing
Your guide explains the controls, the hand signals, the distance to keep between vehicles and how to climb and descend dunes. Ask anything — there are no silly questions.
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Equipment
Every rider receives a helmet. Wrap your scarf around your face against the sand, put your sunglasses on and secure your phone in a zipped pocket.
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Practice
A few minutes on flat sand to feel the throttle, the brakes and the steering before entering the dunes.
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The ride
You follow your guide into Erg Chebbi. The route and speed are adapted to the group, and the guide checks on everyone regularly.
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Stops and photos
Stops on viewpoints for photos, water and the silence of the desert. Your guide is happy to take pictures of you.
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Return and drop-off
Back to the base or your hotel. Shake out your shoes, drink some water — and tell us how it went.
What the riding is like
Riding in sand feels different from riding on a road. The quad floats a little in soft sand, and you will notice that keeping a steady throttle is easier than braking and accelerating repeatedly. Going up a dune you keep momentum; coming down, you go straight and slowly, letting the engine do the work. Your guide shows you all of this, and most people feel comfortable within fifteen minutes.
The pace is relaxed at first. Once everyone is confident, the guide may choose bigger dunes or longer stretches. If anyone wants to slow down, a simple hand signal is enough. Nobody is ever pushed to ride something they are not comfortable with.
Expect sand everywhere: in your shoes, your pockets and your hair. It is part of the experience and washes out easily. Expect the light to change quickly near sunrise and sunset, and expect a level of silence at the stops that many visitors have never experienced.
What you need to bring
- Closed shoes (trainers are perfect) and long trousers
- Sunglasses or goggles and a scarf to cover your face
- Sunscreen and water, especially from May to September
- A warm layer for sunrise rides and winter evenings
- Any medication you might need, such as an inhaler
See our full guide: what to wear for quad biking in Merzouga.
If plans change
Desert weather is usually stable, but strong wind can lift sand and reduce visibility, especially in spring. If strong wind or a sandstorm makes riding unsafe, we reschedule or cancel without charge. If your own plans change, message us as early as possible — see our cancellation policy.
Practical questions
How early should we arrive?
About 10 minutes before the agreed time, so the briefing can start on time — especially important for sunrise and sunset rides.
Can we bring our own GoPro?
Yes. Make sure it is securely mounted or attached to you; ask your guide before fixing anything to the vehicle.
What if someone in the group is nervous?
Tell your guide at the briefing. The pace is set for the least confident rider, and nervous riders can share a vehicle or switch to a buggy.
Are there toilets?
Use the facilities at your hotel or our base before leaving; there are none in the dunes.
