12 Days Desert Motorcycle Tour – Ultimate Morocco Ride from Marrakech
Ready for the ride of a lifetime? This 12 days desert motorcycle tour from Marrakech dives deep into Morocco’s wild heart, through rugged mountains, remote deserts, ancient kasbahs, and palm-filled valleys. It’s not just a ride. It’s a full-on experience that blends off-road adventure, cultural immersion, and unforgettable landscapes.
From the moment you leave the buzzing streets of Marrakech to your first twisty turns in the High Atlas Mountains, you’ll realize this journey is unlike any other. With KTM bikes roaring beneath you, and the Sahara calling in the distance, you’ll explore both of Morocco’s iconic dune systems — Erg Chegaga and Erg Chebbi, while weaving through Berber villages, oases, and deep gorges.
Whether you’re an off-road lover or a curious explorer on two wheels, this 12 days desert motorcycle tour was built to test your limits and fill your soul.
🏆 Highlights of the 12 Days desert Motorcycle Tour from Marrakech
- Ride across two of Morocco’s most iconic desert dunes: Chegaga (untamed and wild) and Merzouga’s Erg Chebbi (majestic and golden)
- Cross the mighty High Atlas Mountains twice via the scenic Tizi n’Tichka Pass
- Visit Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site and film location
- Navigate through palm-filled valleys, ancient caravan routes, and stone deserts
- Overnight in authentic desert camps beneath a sky full of stars
- Experience a thrilling mix of asphalt mountain twisties and raw off-road desert tracks
- Dive into Berber culture, nomadic traditions, and Morocco’s deep Saharan soul
🗺️ Full Itinerary: 12 Days Desert Motorcycle Tour from Marrakech
Day 1: Welcome to Marrakech
Arrival at Marrakech Menara Airport. Our team greets you and transfers you to a beautiful riad in the medina. In the evening, we gather for a trip briefing, bike handover, and a traditional Moroccan welcome dinner. You’re officially on your 12 days desert motorcycle tour from Marrakech!
Day 2: Marrakech – Telouet – Ait Ben Haddou – Ouarzazate
Your first day of riding kicks off with a scenic climb over the Tizi n’Tichka Pass (2,260 m). Stop at Telouet Kasbah, a crumbling beauty once home to the Glaoui dynasty. From there, follow the winding Ounila Valley to reach the magical Ait Ben Haddou. End your day in Ouarzazate, the cinematic gateway to the Sahara.
Day 3: Ouarzazate – Taznakht – Foum Zguid
Leave the palm groves and ride southeast through the carpet town of Taznakht. The landscapes become more barren as you approach Foum Zguid, one of the last settlements before the desert opens up. Fuel up — tomorrow’s the real deal.
Day 4: Foum Zguid – Lake Iriki – Erg Chegaga
This is where the 12 days desert motorcycle tour earns its name. Today is full-on off-road: dry lakebeds, rocky plains, and endless open space. Cross the fossil-rich terrain of Iriki Lake before arriving at the towering dunes of Erg Chegaga. Spend the night in a remote desert camp with nothing around but stars and sand.
Day 5: Chegaga – M’hamid – Draa Valley – Zagora
After a magical sunrise in Chegaga, ride east towards M’hamid, then follow the historic Draa Valley, Morocco’s longest palm oasis. Pass ancient kasbahs and Berber villages before reaching Zagora, a dusty desert town that was once a major stop for trans-Saharan caravans.
Day 6: Zagora – Nkob – Tazzarine – Alnif – Merzouga
A long yet epic riding day through Morocco’s Jbel Saghro mountains and semi-desert towns. The ride is raw and remote — through Nkob’s 45 kasbahs, Tazzarine’s date groves, and the stark beauty of Alnif. Reach Merzouga, home of the legendary Erg Chebbi dunes, by sunset.
Day 7: Merzouga Desert Exploration
Today is yours. Ride sand dunes. Visit Khamlia village for live Gnawa music. Meet desert nomads. Or just chill by the pool and let the desert heat slow things down. Optional sunset camel trek or quad ride through the dunes.
Day 8: Merzouga – Erfoud – Todra Gorges – Dades Valley
Back on the road, pass through the date capital Erfoud, then rise into the dramatic Todra Gorges, famous for their sheer cliffs. Continue to Dades Valley, a paradise for riders with its “monkey fingers” rock formations and hairpin curves.
Day 9: Dades Valley – Valley of Roses – Skoura – Ouarzazate
Ride through fragrant fields in the Valley of Roses, especially stunning in April/May. Explore Skoura’s palm grovesand historic kasbahs before looping back to Ouarzazate for a relaxing night. Visit the Atlas Film Studios if time allows.
Day 10: Ouarzazate – Tizi n’Tichka – Marrakech
Retrace the mountain path over the Tizi n’Tichka Pass. The curves and scenery are just as spectacular the second time around. Arrive in Marrakech, return your bike, and enjoy a free evening in the Red City.
Day 11: Free Day in Marrakech
You’ve earned it. Visit the Majorelle Garden, shop in the souks, or unwind at a traditional hammam. This day lets you absorb everything you’ve seen, felt, and ridden.
Day 12: Departure
Transfer to the airport. Say goodbye to Morocco — or until next time. End of your 12 days motorcycle tour from Marrakech.
✅ What’s Included
- Motorcycle rental (KTM or similar, fully equipped)
- Fuel throughout the tour
- 11 nights accommodation (hotels, guesthouses, and desert camps)
- Daily breakfast and dinner (except in Marrakech)
- Professional motorcycle tour guide (English-speaking)
- Support 4×4 vehicle with mechanic and luggage
- Airport transfers (arrival and departure from Marrakech)
- All specified excursions and kasbah entry fees
❌ Not Included of 12 days desert motorcycle tour from Marrakech
- Flights to/from Morocco
- Lunches and drinks
- Personal expenses, tips, and travel insurance
- Optional activities: quad biking, camel rides, hammam
- Riding gear (available to rent upon request)
What Makes This Tour Special?
- You’ll explore both Chegaga and Merzouga, giving you two totally different Sahara desert experiences
- It’s a rare blend of technical off-road sections and smooth asphalt rides
- Local knowledge at every stop — your guide knows these roads better than GPS
- Flexibility built-in: you can chill or go all-in on adrenaline, your call
- Small groups only, so everything feels personal and relaxed
12 Days Desert Motorcycle Tour from Marrakech
Day 1: Arrival in Marrakech
Welcome to Morocco! You’ll be picked up from Marrakech airport and transferred to a charming riad in the heart of the medina. In the evening, meet the crew, go over the itinerary, get your motorcycle, and enjoy a traditional welcome dinner. Your 12 days motorcycle tour from Marrakech officially begins.
Day 2: Marrakech – Telouet – Ait Ben Haddou – Ouarzazate
Kick off with an epic climb over the Tizi n’Tichka Pass — the highest paved pass in Morocco. Ride through the colorful landscapes of the High Atlas, visit the Telouet Kasbah, and wind your way through the picturesque Ounila Valley. End the day at Ait Ben Haddou, a red-earth fortress that has appeared in countless films. Overnight in Ouarzazate.
Day 3: Ouarzazate – Taznakht – Foum Zguid
Head southeast toward the edge of the Sahara. Stop in Taznakht, known for its handmade Berber carpets, then continue into the rocky plains and wide-open landscapes that surround Foum Zguid. This is the last town before you hit the deep desert, a true frontier vibe.
Day 4: Foum Zguid – Iriki Lake – Erg Chegaga (Off-Road Day!)
Strap in — this is one of the most memorable days of the 12 days desert motorcycle tour. Go fully off-road as you cross dry lakebeds, rock gardens, and remote fossil plains. You’ll eventually reach Erg Chegaga, Morocco’s wildest dune area, far from civilization. Tonight, sleep in a luxury desert camp with local nomads, traditional food, and star-filled skies.
Day 5: Chegaga – M’hamid – Draa Valley – Zagora
Wake up to silence and shifting sands. Ride out through small desert tracks to M’hamid, the last town before the Algerian border. Then follow the famous Draa Valley, winding past countless kasbahs and palm groves, arriving in Zagora, an oasis town with a rich caravan history.
Day 6: Zagora – Nkob – Tazzarine – Alnif – Merzouga
Today’s route carves through the dramatic Jbel Saghro mountains, filled with narrow passes and moonlike terrain. Stop for a break in Nkob, known for its cluster of traditional kasbahs, then continue past Tazzarine and Alnif toward the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi. You’ll arrive in Merzouga just before sunset — the perfect welcome to Morocco’s most iconic desert.
Day 7: Rest & Explore Merzouga
No need to ride far today. Rest your body or explore the area by 4×4 or camel. Visit Khamlia village to hear live Gnawa music, meet local desert nomads, or just chill out and recharge. Optional activities: quad biking, sandboarding, or a short ride into the dunes. This slow day gives balance to your 12 days motorcycle tour from Marrakech.
Day 8: Merzouga – Erfoud – Todra Gorge – Dades Valley
Ride north, leaving the Sahara behind. Pass through Erfoud, then climb into the towering Todra Gorge — one of Morocco’s most stunning natural canyons. From there, twist your way into the Dades Valley, known for its rock formations and tight switchbacks. It’s one of the best asphalt rides in the country.
Day 9: Dades – Valley of Roses – Skoura – Ouarzazate
Cruise through the Valley of Roses, famous for its fragrant blooms and distilleries (especially in spring). Then ride past Skoura, home to palm groves and the photogenic Kasbah Amridil. Return to Ouarzazate for a night of rest and optional visit to the Atlas Studios — Hollywood in the desert.
Day 10: Ouarzazate – Tizi n’Tichka – Marrakech
Retrace your route over the Tizi n’Tichka Pass, this time with a new appreciation for how far you’ve come. Roll into Marrakech in the afternoon, return your bike, and celebrate the end of your 12 days desert motorcycle tour with a farewell dinner or a relaxing hammam.
Day 11: Free Day in Marrakech
Explore at your own pace: stroll the Jemaa el-Fnaa, shop in the souks, visit the Majorelle Garden or sip coffee in a hidden courtyard. This free day is the perfect way to cap your 12 days motorcycle tour from Marrakech.
Day 12: Departure
Transfer to the airport. One last mint tea before you go. You’re taking home memories, new friendships, and a part of the desert in your soul.
✅ What’s Included in the 12 Days Desert Motorcycle Tour
- Fully equipped off-road motorcycle (KTM 450 or similar)
- Fuel for the entire route
- Accommodation: boutique hotels, riads, and desert camps
- Daily breakfast and dinners (excluding Marrakech)
- Professional English-speaking motorcycle guide
- Support vehicle with mechanic and luggage transport
- Airport transfers in Marrakech
- All entrances to kasbahs and excursions mentioned
❌ Not Included of 12 days desert motorcycle tour from Marrakech
- International flights
- Midday meals and snacks
- Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks
- Personal expenses and travel insurance
- Optional experiences like hammams, camel treks, or quad biking
- Motorcycle riding gear (available for rent if needed)
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be an expert rider?
You don’t have to be pro, but a solid level of comfort with off-road riding is important. There are some challenging sections, especially around Chegaga. Your guide will adjust based on the group’s skill level.
What’s the best season for this tour?
The 12 days desert motorcycle tour from Marrakech runs best from October to May, when desert temps are bearable and mountain passes are open.
Can I bring my own bike?
Yes, if it’s suitable for off-road adventure. But we highly recommend using our fully prepped bikes for convenience, reliability, and support.
