10 Days Motorcycle Tour from Ouarzazate: Ride Deep into Morocco’s Sahara
Looking for a motorcycle journey that’s more than just roads and views? The 10 days motorcycle tour from Ouarzazate is for serious riders who want to go beyond the usual tourist paths and dive straight into Morocco’s wildest deserts, toughest trails, and most remote corners. This loop combines challenging off-road tracks, epic landscapes, two iconic dune systems, and timeless Berber hospitality.
Starting and ending in Ouarzazate, the tour crosses rocky Anti-Atlas foothills, vast desert plateaus, deep canyons, and soft golden sands. You’ll ride where few travelers go. It’s part rally, part exploration, and fully unforgettable.
With full support, experienced guides, a 4×4 backup crew, and authentic accommodations every night, this is the kind of ride that leaves a permanent mark in your memory — and on your tires.
🏜️ Highlights of the 10 Days Motorcycle Tour from Ouarzazate
- Explore both Erg Chegaga and Erg Chebbi dunes in a single trip
- Tackle Dakar rally trails and off-road sections across wild desert terrain
- Overnight in nomadic-style desert camps under star-filled skies
- Ride through untouched regions like Ramlia, Ouzina, and Tafraout Sidi Ali
- Cross vast salt flats, stone deserts, and sand valleys
- Visit dramatic landmarks like Todra Gorge, Dades Canyon, and the Valley of Roses
- Discover authentic Berber villages and legendary kasbahs
- Ride fully supported with a guide, backup vehicle, mechanic, and luggage transport
🗺️ Full Itinerary: 10 Days of Adventure
Day 1 – Ouarzazate to Foum Zguid
The ride kicks off from Ouarzazate, often called the “Hollywood of Morocco.” After meeting the team and prepping the bikes, you’ll head southeast, crossing the lower ridges of the Anti-Atlas. The terrain becomes rougher as you leave the paved roads and enter wide, rocky plains scattered with small oases and distant ridgelines. You’ll overnight in Foum Zguid, a gritty desert town at the edge of Morocco’s great southern wilderness.
This quiet settlement marks the final point of civilization before we hit the true Sahara tomorrow. You’ll sleep in a cozy lodge and rest up for the off-road adventure that awaits.
Day 2 – Foum Zguid to Erg Chegaga
This is one of the rawest stages of the 10 days motorcycle tour from Ouarzazate. You’ll ride across the dry bed of Lake Iriki, once a vast body of water and now a wide, cracked salt flat. The trail continues through fossil-filled landscapes and deep desert plains with zero infrastructure — only you, the wind, and your engine.
Arriving at the remote Erg Chegaga dunes, you’ll be surrounded by silence and endless golden curves of sand. This is Morocco’s wildest dune region, far from the crowds. Spend the night in a nomad camp, watch the sun melt into the dunes, and enjoy dinner under a sky bursting with stars.
Day 3 – Chegaga to Mhamid to Zagora
After sunrise in the dunes, you’ll ride east through desert oueds and palm-filled valleys toward Mhamid, the last real settlement before the Algerian border. This dusty outpost holds centuries of desert trade history.
From there, ride north following the Draa Valley, Morocco’s longest river oasis, lined with palm groves and mudbrick ksour (fortified villages). Reach Zagora, a laid-back town that feels like a proper Saharan frontier. Spend the night in a charming kasbah with views of the palms and mountains.
Day 4 – Zagora to Tafraout Sidi Ali
This day pushes deeper into Morocco’s off-grid landscapes. You’ll leave the Draa Valley behind and ride into hamada(stone desert), navigating rocky tracks and remote trails. Along the way, you might spot wild camels, nomad families, or mirages dancing in the distance.
Your destination is Tafraout Sidi Ali, a peaceful desert village where time slows down. You’ll sleep in a small desert auberge or eco-lodge, enjoy traditional cooking, and relax in complete quiet far from any main road.
Day 5 – Tafraout to Ramliya
The fifth day of the 10 days motorcycle tour from Ouarzazate takes you into one of the most remote areas of the entire trip. The riding is challenging and raw — a mix of sand patches, rocky slopes, fossil beds, and dry river crossings.
Your goal is Ramliya, a tiny desert village tucked away in southeastern Morocco, far from the main tourist trails. It feels like a place lost in time. You’ll stay in a true desert hideaway and experience the raw simplicity of life in this forgotten part of the country.
Day 6 – Ramliya to Ouzina to Merzouga
Today’s route follows a quieter path through the Ouzina dunes, peaceful and glowing gold in the morning light. This area is serene, beautiful, and still relatively untouched. It’s a favorite among desert purists who love clean lines of sand and peaceful silence.
Eventually, the towering dunes of Erg Chebbi come into view — the tallest and most iconic dunes in Morocco. Arrive in Merzouga, where you can take a camel ride at sunset, try sandboarding, or just enjoy the view from your camp. This is your second major desert of the journey, and it couldn’t be more different from Chegaga.
Day 7 – Merzouga to Todra Gorges
Time to shift landscapes. Say goodbye to the sand and head north toward Erfoud, then rise into the Todra Gorges, where sheer cliffs rise 300 meters high, forming one of the most dramatic canyons in North Africa.
This is a favorite stop for climbers, hikers, and photographers. You’ll ride along the narrow road between towering walls, with the river trickling beside you. Overnight in a riad nestled deep within the gorge.
Day 8 – Todra to Dades Valley
Another mountain riding day. You’ll climb from Todra into the winding Tissadrine Road, a legendary switchback route carved into the Dades mountains. The views are unreal — deep ravines, surreal rock formations like the “Monkey Fingers,” and tiny cliff-hugging villages.
The riding here is a blast — smooth asphalt with tight turns and elevation changes. You’ll sleep in a guesthouse or kasbah overlooking the valley, where you can hear the wind rustling the trees outside your room.
Day 9 – Dades to Valley of Roses to Skoura
Ride west into the Valley of Roses, named for the damask roses that bloom here each spring. The valley is dotted with gardens, small farms, and rose distilleries producing fragrant oils and soaps.
From there, continue to the Skoura Oasis, a dense palm grove with hidden kasbahs and peaceful garden paths. You’ll visit the Kasbah Amridil, one of Morocco’s best-preserved historic fortresses, and enjoy your final night in a relaxing eco-lodge surrounded by olive trees and birdsong.
Day 10 – Skoura to Ouarzazate
The final stretch brings you full circle back to Ouarzazate, with the option to stop at Aït Benhaddou, the UNESCO-protected ksar that has been featured in countless films and TV shows. You might also drop by the Atlas Studios, home to giant film sets and Hollywood stories.
By the time you return your bike and sit down for your last tea, you’ll have ridden more than 1,600 kilometers across Morocco’s most incredible terrain. Your 10 days motorcycle tour from Ouarzazate ends here, but the memories will stay long after the dust settles.
✅ What’s Included: 10 days motorcycle tour from Ouarzazate
- Motorcycle rental (KTM or similar off-road bike)
- Fuel for the full tour
- English/French/Spanish-speaking motorcycle guide
- Support 4×4 vehicle with mechanic and luggage handling
- 9 nights accommodation in hotels, kasbahs, and desert camps
- All meals (breakfasts, lunches, dinners)
- Drinking water during riding days
- All entrance fees to kasbahs and natural sites
- Airport transfers from and to Ouarzazate
❌ Not Included:10 days motorcycle tour from Ouarzazate
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Personal purchases and souvenirs
- Tips for guide and crew
- Optional experiences (camel rides, sandboarding, hammam)
🌟 Why Riders Love This Tour
- Perfect balance between riding challenge and cultural immersion
- Visits two distinct desert regions with totally different vibes
- Local knowledge at every stop — not just sightseeing, but real stories
- Customizable difficulty: easy pace or harder trails if you want them
- Designed by riders, for riders, with full backup for peace of mind
🧭 Is This Tour for You?
This tour is best for intermediate to advanced riders who want a proper mix of terrain. If you’ve done long-distance or off-road travel before, you’ll love the variety here. Newer riders are also welcome if they’re up for a challenge and ride with care.
The 10 days motorcycle tour from Ouarzazate isn’t just a route. It’s a story — and you’re the main character.
What Makes This 10 days motorcycle tour from Ouarzazate Stand Out
- Two Sahara Experiences in One: This tour uniquely includes both Erg Chegaga (untamed, remote, off-grid) and Erg Chebbi (iconic, golden, and towering), giving riders a complete Sahara contrast most tours don’t offer.
- Rally-Style Off-Roading: Sections of the route mirror old Paris-Dakar rally stages, offering a technical and thrilling challenge for off-road enthusiasts.
- Local Encounters: Riders visit untouched villages like Ramliya and Tafraout Sidi Ali, where tourism is almost nonexistent, allowing real cultural moments with locals.
- Comfort Meets Adventure: Even in remote areas, accommodations are thoughtfully selected — from eco-lodges and kasbahs to high-quality desert camps with amenities.
- Flexible Pace: Difficult sections can be adjusted depending on group skill level, with alternative smoother tracks available for less experienced riders.
🧳 Packing Tips for the 10 days motorcycle tour from Ouarzazate
- Riding Gear: Bring your own if possible (helmet, jacket, boots, gloves), but gear rental is available. A hydration pack is highly recommended.
- Weather-Ready Layers: Mornings and desert nights can be cold, especially from November to March. Pack thermal base layers and a windbreaker.
- Dust & Sun Protection: Sunglasses, high-SPF sunscreen, lip balm, and a buff or neck gaiter will make a big difference in comfort.
- Camera or GoPro: The scenery on this tour is unreal — from sweeping dunes to deep canyons — and worth capturing.
- Soft Bag for Essentials: While luggage goes in the support vehicle, a small tank or tail bag is handy for snacks, water, and extra layers.
❓Frequently Asked Questions
What level of riding experience is required?
This 10 days motorcycle tour from Ouarzazate is best suited for intermediate to advanced riders. However, experienced beginners with off-road basics and good fitness can handle it with the guide’s support.
What kind of motorcycles are used?
We typically use KTM EXC or Husqvarna-style enduro bikes with off-road tires. Lightweight and ideal for varied desert terrain.
Is there Wi-Fi or mobile signal during the 10 days motorcycle tour from Ouarzazate ?
Some towns have decent mobile coverage, but expect zero signal in remote areas like Ramliya, Chegaga, and parts of Ouzina. That’s part of the magic.
Are non-riders welcome?
Yes. Passengers can join in the support vehicle and still enjoy the landscapes, camps, and cultural stops.
🎯 Best Time of Year to Ride the 10 days motorcycle tour from Ouarzazate
The ideal season for this tour runs from October to April.
- October & November: Warm days, cool nights, great visibility.
- December to February: Cold mornings and nights, perfect for desert rides with less heat.
- March & April: Flowering valleys (especially the Valley of Roses), pleasant temps, and clear skies.
Avoid July–August due to extreme desert heat, and note that occasional rain in January–February can make certain desert tracks muddy or impassable (alternative routes always planned if needed).
