8 days motorcycle expedition across Morocco’s most awe-inspiring desert and mountain landscapes. Starting and ending in the cinematic city of Ouarzazate, this adventure will take you through ancient caravan routes, remote desert villages, vast sand dunes, and the rugged beauty of the High Atlas and Anti-Atlas mountains. From the palm-lined Draa Valley to the golden dunes of Ouzina and Merzouga, from the dramatic Todra and Dades Gorges to the fragrant Valley of Roses – this tour offers the perfect mix of challenge, discovery, and beauty. Whether you’re riding across rocky plateaus or navigating sandy Dakar-style tracks, this is Morocco at its wildest and most authentic.
Tour Highlights
- Ride off-road across Sahara desert tracks and Paris-Dakar rally routes
- Explore remote desert villages like Tafraout Sidi Ali, Ramliya, and Ouzina
- Watch the sunset over the giant dunes of Merzouga’s Erg Chebbi
- Navigate the twisting roads of Todra Gorge and Dades Valley
- Pass through the blooming Valley of Roses and Skoura Oasis
- Visit the iconic Aït Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Fully guided and supported tour with 4×4 assistance and backup
- Authentic local experiences, from Berber camps to traditional kasbahs
Day 1 – Ouarzazate → Zagora
Your journey begins in Ouarzazate, known for its desert landscapes and film studios. As you head south, you’ll follow the road that winds through the Draa Valley, one of Morocco’s longest and most fertile valleys. The road is dotted with ancient kasbahs, palm groves, and traditional ksour (fortified villages). Take time to visit Agdz and the Kasbah Tamnougalt before continuing to Zagora, often referred to as the “Gateway to the Sahara.” The terrain transitions from mountain ridges to desert plains as the real adventure begins. Overnight in a traditional guesthouse or kasbah.
Day 2 – Zagora → Tafraout Sidi Ali
Leaving Zagora behind, you head off the main roads and into the deep desert tracks. Today’s route takes you through a mix of stone desert (hamada) and sandy sections, with minimal traffic and maximum immersion in raw landscapes. You’ll ride past isolated Berber hamlets and grazing camels, crossing remote terrain with views of distant mountain silhouettes. Arrive in Tafraout Sidi Ali, a quiet desert village nestled among rolling hills. This is real off-grid Morocco — spend the night in a basic lodge or desert camp, where the stars seem to touch the earth.
Day 3 – Tafraout Sidi Ali → Ramliya
Today’s ride pushes deeper into the Saharan emptiness. You’ll follow off-road desert trails, winding through soft sandy paths and rocky plains. The track becomes more technical, offering an exciting challenge for experienced riders. En route to Ramliya, you’ll pass fossil fields, dry riverbeds, and old caravan trails. Ramliya is one of the most remote desert settlements, where modern life feels far away. The sense of isolation and silence is profound – this is the essence of the Sahara. Dinner and overnight in a desert auberge or nomadic-style tent.
Day 4 – Ramliya → Ouzina → Merzouga
This stage offers a classic Saharan adventure, taking you through a dramatic series of sand dunes, wide open tracks, and desert hamlets. Ride through the Ouzina dunes, a golden stretch of sand surrounded by dramatic black rock mountains. Stop at the village of Ouzina, a small oasis with mud-brick homes and friendly locals. Then continue to Merzouga, where the towering Erg Chebbi dunes dominate the landscape. Here, you’ll trade your bike (optional) for a sunset camel ride. Spend the night in a luxury desert camp or kasbah, with Berber music around the campfire.
Day 5 – Merzouga → Todra Gorges
After sunrise over the dunes, depart Merzouga via Erfoud, a town famous for its fossils and dates. The road leads north across semi-desert plateaus and palm oases toward the majestic Todra Gorges. As you approach the gorge, the landscape narrows into a spectacular canyon where 300-meter cliffs rise dramatically on either side. It’s a cooler, greener contrast to the desert behind you. Enjoy a refreshing walk along the river, and relax in a gorge-side guesthouse surrounded by natural rock cathedrals.
Day 6 – Todra → Dades Gorges
From Todra, ride west into the Dades Valley, a place of winding roads and breathtaking geology. You’ll tackle the famous Tissadrine switchbacks, one of Morocco’s most photographed motorcycle roads. The ride offers cliffside views, red rock formations, and stops at “Monkey Fingers”, unique eroded rocks. Dades is rich in Amazigh culture, and you’ll see locals tending to terraced farms or herding goats on steep hillsides. Overnight in a charming mountain lodge with panoramic views.
Day 7 – Dades → Valley of Roses → Skoura
The journey continues through the scenic Valley of Roses, famous for its blooming pink flowers (especially in spring). The road is flanked by orchards, rose fields, and riverside villages where rosewater and cosmetics are still produced by hand. Stop in Kelaat M’Gouna, then head west toward the Skoura Oasis, a fertile patch of palm groves and crumbling kasbahs. Explore the iconic Kasbah Amridil and relax in a tranquil guesthouse surrounded by birdsong and palm trees.
Day 8 – Skoura → Ouarzazate
Your final stretch brings you full circle. Take a scenic route back to Ouarzazate, with optional detours to Aït Benhaddou, a spectacular ksar featured in many films including Gladiator and Game of Thrones. Arrive back in Ouarzazate by afternoon, with time to relax, explore local souks, or visit the Atlas Film Studios. Celebrate your unforgettable journey through Morocco’s deserts, mountains, and oases.
Included
- Motorcycle rental (off-road/enduro style, fuel included)
- Professional bilingual motorcycle guide
- 4×4 support vehicle with mechanic and luggage transport
- 7 nights of accommodation (hotels, kasbahs, and desert camps)
- Full board (breakfast, lunch, dinner each day)
- Drinking water during the ride
- Fuel for entire tour
- Scenic stops, photo breaks, and cultural visits en route
Not Included
- International flights to/from Morocco
- Optional camel ride or sandboarding in Merzouga
- Personal extras
- Tips for guides and support staff
