8 Days Motorcycle Tour from Ouarzazate to Merzouga Desert: Ride into the Soul of Morocco
The 8 days motorcycle tour from Ouarzazate is one of the most rewarding desert adventures in Morocco, blending rugged off-road riding with rich cultural encounters and dramatic landscapes. From the red-earth kasbahs of the Draa Valley to the golden dunes of Merzouga and the twisting canyons of the Atlas Mountains, this journey takes you far beyond the typical travel routes. If you’re looking for something raw, real, and unforgettable, this tour delivers it all.
Starting and ending in Ouarzazate, the tour loops through Morocco’s most spectacular and diverse terrain: deserts, dunes, mountains, gorges, and oasis valleys. You’ll travel on a mix of paved roads, gravel tracks, Dakar rally trails, and sandy desert paths that test your riding skills and awaken your senses. With full support from our professional guide and 4×4 crew, you can focus on the ride while we take care of the rest.
Why This Tour Is Special
This 8 days motorcycle tour from Ouarzazate is more than just a scenic ride. It’s an immersive expedition across Morocco’s geological wonders and cultural heartlands. You’ll sleep under the stars in remote desert camps, sip tea with nomads, ride past ancient kasbahs, and experience the kind of landscapes most people only see in films.
Unlike some shorter tours that skim the surface, this one dives deep into off-the-grid regions like Tafraout Sidi Ali, Ramliya, and Ouzina, where the roads disappear into sand and silence. It’s perfect for riders who want to feel Morocco’s pulse through their handlebars.
Highlights of this 8 days motorcycle tour From Ouarzazate to Merzouga desert
- Ride through the dramatic Draa Valley, home to thousands of palm trees and historic kasbahs
- Tackle off-road sections of old Dakar rally tracks across the stone and sand deserts
- Explore remote Saharan villages such as Tafraout Sidi Ali and Ramliya
- Watch the sunset over the massive dunes of Erg Chebbi in Merzouga
- Ride the thrilling switchbacks of Todra Gorge and Dades Valley
- Cruise through the Valley of Roses and the lush oasis of Skoura
- Stay in authentic accommodations: desert camps, kasbah lodges, and riads
- Travel with a support vehicle and professional motorcycle guide
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Ouarzazate to Zagora
Your 8 days motorcycle tour From Ouarzazate to Merzouga desert begins in Ouarzazate, the famous gateway to the Sahara and home to several major film studios. After a safety briefing and bike handover, you’ll ride south toward the vast Draa Valley. This ancient route once served as a passage for caravans heading to Timbuktu.
The road is lined with endless palm groves, mudbrick villages, and old kasbahs. Stop for a break at Agdz and visit the scenic Kasbah Tamnougalt, a hidden gem from the 16th century. Continue to Zagora, where the road begins to flirt with the true desert. Overnight in a cozy kasbah-style guesthouse.
Day 2: Zagora to Tafraout Sidi Ali
Leaving paved roads behind, you dive into the desert’s edge. Today’s ride is raw and peaceful. Ride through hamada(stone desert), small dunes, and winding off-road tracks. You’ll likely see camels, herders, and landscapes that look like a different planet.
Pass through barely populated hamlets and long-forgotten caravan routes. By late afternoon, reach Tafraout Sidi Ali, a remote Berber village nestled among barren hills. The silence out here is humbling. Stay in a local auberge or desert camp and enjoy a quiet evening with traditional food and stargazing.
Day 3: Tafraout to Ramliya
This section is made for true off-road lovers. You’ll cross technical sandy paths, rocky stretches, and wild desert flats that challenge your skills and reward your courage. The landscape opens up into vast emptiness, where you can ride for miles without seeing another soul.
Midway through the ride, you’ll pass fossil beds and dry riverbeds. Follow hidden tracks to Ramliya, a tiny, windswept village that feels like the end of the earth. Spend the night in a rustic desert auberge, surrounded by dunes and stars.
Day 4: Ramliya to Ouzina to Merzouga
Today’s ride features some of the best desert scenery on the tour. Start the morning riding over soft golden dunes and hard-packed sand between volcanic mountains. Cross the peaceful Ouzina dunes, a lesser-known but spectacular part of the Moroccan Sahara.
Stop in Ouzina village for tea with the locals and continue toward Merzouga, the gateway to the Erg Chebbi dunes. These towering dunes rise up to 150 meters and stretch as far as the eye can see. In the evening, take an optional camel ride to watch the sunset over the sand. Dinner and overnight in a luxury desert camp or a traditional kasbah.
Day 5: Merzouga to Todra Gorges
Ride out of the dunes and head north through Erfoud, a town known for its date palms and fossil markets. As you leave the desert behind, the terrain changes dramatically into rocky plateaus and green valleys.
Approach the impressive Todra Gorge, where massive cliffs rise vertically on both sides of a narrow riverbed. It’s one of the most photogenic stops of the tour. Walk along the river, enjoy the cooler air, and relax in a guesthouse nestled beneath the cliffs.
Day 6: Todra to Dades Valley
Today’s ride takes you into the High Atlas foothills. Climb through the winding Tissadrine Road, known for its thrilling switchbacks and panoramic views. Along the way, stop at unique rock formations like the “Monkey Fingers,” shaped by centuries of wind erosion.
You’ll pass through Berber villages built into the cliffs and see locals going about their daily lives. The ride ends in Dades Valley, where you’ll stay in a charming guesthouse overlooking the canyon.
Day 7: Dades to Valley of Roses to Skoura
Ride west through the stunning Valley of Roses, especially vibrant in spring when the pink flowers are in bloom. Stop in Kelaat M’Gouna, the heart of Morocco’s rosewater industry. You’ll ride through orchards, rose gardens, and riverside villages.
Continue to the Skoura Oasis, a green labyrinth of palms and hidden kasbahs. Visit Kasbah Amridil, one of Morocco’s best-preserved fortresses. Spend the night in a relaxing eco-lodge or riad surrounded by birdsong and date palms.
Day 8: Skoura to Ouarzazate
Your final ride is short but scenic. Ride through the foothills of the Atlas Mountains and back to Ouarzazate. Along the way, you can stop at Aït Benhaddou, a UNESCO-listed village made entirely of mudbrick and featured in movies like Gladiator and Game of Thrones.
Return to Ouarzazate by afternoon. Drop off the bikes, enjoy a final mint tea, and celebrate an unforgettable 8 days motorcycle tour from Ouarzazate.
What’s Included
- Fully equipped off-road motorcycle rental (KTM, Husqvarna, or equivalent)
- Professional bilingual motorcycle guide
- 4×4 support vehicle with mechanic and luggage transport
- 7 nights of accommodation (hotels, kasbahs, desert camps)
- All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Drinking water during riding days
- Fuel for the full route
- Cultural stops, visits, and scenic detours
Not Included in this 8 days motorcycle tour From Ouarzazate to Merzouga desert
- Flights to/from Morocco
- Travel insurance
- Tips for guides and staff
- Optional activities (camel rides, hammam, sandboarding)
- Personal purchases and alcoholic beverages
FAQs: 8 Days Motorcycle Tour from Ouarzazate
What level of riding experience is needed?
You should be confident riding on sand and gravel. Intermediate riders will do great. Beginners should have at least some off-road experience or request a slower-paced private tour.
What kind of bikes are used?
We use lightweight off-road bikes, often KTM 450s or similar, perfect for desert terrain.
Can non-riders join?
Yes, non-riders are welcome to travel in the support 4×4 and still enjoy all the sights, food, and desert fun.
When is the best time to go?
The best months are October to April. Summers can be extremely hot, especially in the desert areas around Merzouga and Ramliya.
Why Choose This 8 Days Motorcycle Tour from Ouarzazate?
This 8 days motorcycle tour from Ouarzazate is not just a scenic loop — it’s a rider’s deep dive into the untamed corners of Morocco. While most tours focus only on paved roads or one region, this experience connects all the iconic riding zones in southern Morocco: deep Sahara dunes, lush oases, wild canyons, and the legendary Atlas passes.
What sets this route apart is its balance. You’ll ride through untouched Sahara landscapes like Ouzina, test your skills on Dakar-style tracks near Ramliya, and enjoy smooth mountain twisties in the Dades Valley — all within one itinerary. It’s a compact but rich journey that packs all of Morocco’s raw beauty into one unforgettable ride.
🧭 How Challenging Is the 8 Days Motorcycle Tour from Ouarzazate?
This 8 days motorcycle tour from Ouarzazate is designed for intermediate and experienced riders. It blends technical desert sections with easier mountain roads, giving you a chance to both test your skills and enjoy smoother scenic stretches.
The terrain includes:
- Soft dunes near Ouzina and Merzouga
- Gravel and rocky tracks between Tafraout and Ramliya
- Narrow mountain roads in Dades and Todra
- Fast-paced valley cruising in Skoura and the Rose Valley
Optional routes are available depending on weather and group ability, ensuring everyone rides at their own level while staying safe and supported.
🛎️ Accommodations on the 8 Days Motorcycle Tour from Ouarzazate
Each night of the 8 days motorcycle tour from Ouarzazate is designed to give you a different taste of Moroccan life and comfort:
- Zagora: Stay in a palm-filled kasbah with pool and gardens
- Tafraout Sidi Ali: Remote desert auberge, family-run and truly peaceful
- Ramliya: Rustic desert retreat with fire-lit dinners and nomad vibes
- Merzouga: Luxury desert camp or kasbah facing the dunes
- Todra Gorge: Riad tucked under canyon walls
- Dades Valley: Mountain lodge with terrace views
- Skoura: Eco-lodge in a palm oasis, perfect for stargazing
Accommodations are locally owned, unique, and handpicked for their authenticity and charm.
🏍️ Bike & Support Details
- Motorcycles: You’ll ride lightweight, well-maintained off-road bikes (usually KTM or similar). These are chosen specifically for their ability to handle both deep sand and mountain terrain comfortably.
- Support Vehicle: A 4×4 follows the group carrying luggage, tools, water, and spare parts. There’s always a mechanic onboard.
- Guides: Local, multilingual, and desert-seasoned. They don’t just know the route — they know the people, culture, and alternative trails if needed.
- Navigation: No GPS needed. This 8 days motorcycle tour from Ouarzazate is fully guided, so all you have to do is ride and enjoy.
🕐 Flexibility & Customization
While the standard itinerary covers a wide range of Morocco’s highlights, this 8 days motorcycle tour from Ouarzazate can be customized based on the group’s experience level or special interests. You can request:
- Extra off-road challenges for more advanced riders
- Shorter daily rides with more time at cultural stops
- A loop that includes the dunes of Erg Chegaga instead of Merzouga for a wilder experience
This tour is also ideal for private groups, couples, or groups of friends looking for a tailored desert riding adventure.
🧘 After-Tour Recommendations
At the end of your 8 days motorcycle tour from Ouarzazate, many riders opt to spend an extra day or two in the city to relax and unwind. Ouarzazate is not only a film destination but also a quiet and scenic base with great hammams, peaceful riads, and cultural visits like:
- Kasbah Taourirt
- Atlas Film Studios
- Local souks and cafes
You might also choose to extend your ride or connect this tour with other adventures such as:
A hot air balloon ride over Skoura
A visit to Aït Benhaddou
A night in the High Atlas villages
