Surf and camel ride in the Timlalin dunes
The slow version of the same landscape
Overview
The quad ride is the loud way to see Timlalin. This is the other one — an hour on a camel, moving at the pace the dunes were crossed for centuries before anyone brought an engine here.
Itinerary
Getting on — The undignified part
A camel kneels to let you mount and then stands back legs first, which pitches you sharply forward. Everybody grips the saddle, everybody laughs, and it is over in three seconds. Hold on and lean back as it rises.
The handlers lead the camels on foot the whole way — you are not steering, which means there is nothing to learn and nothing to get wrong.
The ride — An hour through the dunes
Roughly an hour at walking pace through the dune field, with the ocean on one side and sand running to the horizon on the other. It is slower than you expect and less comfortable than you imagine, and it is the memory almost everyone keeps.
The handlers stop for photographs at the best viewpoints without being asked. If you want to walk a section instead of riding, that is completely fine and nobody will mind.
Afterwards — Tea as the light goes
Mint tea in the dunes, poured from height. On a sunset departure this is the best twenty minutes of the trip: the sand changes colour, the wind drops, and the Atlantic goes from blue to gold to black.
Add a Berber dinner at the dunes if you want to stay into the evening — grilled food, bread baked in sand, and considerably more stars than you get in Agadir.
What's included
Included
- Camel and handler for the booked duration
- Mint tea in the dunes
- Photographs at the viewpoints — the handlers are good at this
- Local guide
Not included
- Transfer from Agadir hotels unless arranged in advance
- Sunset departure supplement
- Berber dinner at the dunes
- Quad biking or sandboarding add-ons
- Tips
What to bring
- Long trousers — a saddle and bare legs is a poor combination
- A scarf or hat
- Sun cream
- A jacket for sunset departures; it cools fast
- Camera
Price & booking
You pay €3 online to secure the booking. The remaining €17 is paid directly to the operator on arrival.
FAQ
Is it comfortable?
Mildly uncomfortable, mostly at the mounting and dismounting stages, which are more dramatic than the ride itself. An hour is about right. If you have back problems, tell us and we will suggest walking the dunes instead.
Can children ride?
Yes, generally from around six with an adult alongside, and smaller children can often share. Tell us ages when you book so the handlers can pick the right animals.
How are the camels treated?
We work with handlers who own their animals and depend on them. Reasonable questions about welfare are welcome, and if you see anything that concerns you, tell us — we will not work with an operator twice if the animals are not right.
Is this the same as a Sahara camel trek?
Same activity, different landscape. At Erg Chebbi you ride into a dune sea for a night under the stars. Here you ride coastal dunes above the Atlantic for an hour. Both are worth doing and they are not substitutes for each other.
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