Two days of sand and a night under Sahara stars
This 2 days motorcycle desert tour from Merzouga takes you deep into the sand around Erg Chebbi, with a night at our desert camp between the two rides. It is a 2 day motorcycle adventure in Merzouga for riders who want more than one taste of the dunes. On day one you ride south past Khamlia and across the black desert to Taouz, close to the Algerian border, then turn back across the sand to camp for sunset. On day two you cross the dunes to visit a nomad family, round the northern end of Erg Chebbi and return to Merzouga by Lake Srji.
Why ride with us in Merzouga
Our KTMs are kept here in Merzouga, so the ride starts at your hotel with no long transfer. You ride about 200 km over two days on fast desert tracks, stony plains, sandy riverbeds and real dunes, and your local guide adapts the pace and the dunes to your level. A support 4×4 takes your luggage to the camp, where you sleep in a tent with a private washroom and shower. Our team has more than 16 years of experience in southern Morocco, so every track, lunch stop and camp is chosen from long local knowledge.
Tour highlights
- Erg Chebbi DunesRide the tallest dunes in Morocco on both days, with sunset and sunrise from the crests.
- Night in the desert campSleep in a tent at the foot of the dunes, with dinner, Berber drums and a sky full of stars.
- TaouzReach the frontier village near the Algerian border, an area known for its fossils.
- Black desertOpen the throttle on fast tracks across a plain of dark volcanic stone.
- Nomad family visitCross the dunes to share tea with a nomad family in their tents on the other side.
- Lake SrjiRide to the seasonal lake where flamingos sometimes stop after winter rains.
Meet your motorcycle
Every rider gets a KTM 450 EXC from our own fleet, 2024 and 2025 models, kept and serviced here in Merzouga.
Why the KTM 450 EXC
It is a light, 450 cc enduro motorcycle with long-travel suspension, electric start and a 6-speed gearbox. It is built for exactly this kind of riding: loose gravel, rocky tracks, river crossings and sand.
Prepared for every tour
Each bike is serviced and checked by our mechanic before you ride, with fresh tyres and fuel included. The support 4×4 carries tools and spare parts, and the bikes are inspected again when you return them.
Fuel included
Fuel is included in the price. The tank is filled before each day of riding, so you can enjoy the tour without worrying about range.
Riding gear included
Your helmet, boots, gloves and body protection are included in the package, so you do not need to bring or buy any. Tell us your sizes when you book, and we will have the gear ready at pick-up.
Route map
Day 1 leaves Merzouga and runs south past Khamlia and across the black desert to Taouz, then turns north along the east side of the dunes to the desert camp. Day 2 crosses the dunes to a nomad family on the far side, rounds the northern tip of Erg Chebbi and returns to Merzouga by Lake Srji.
Day by day
Here is how the 2 days motorcycle tour in Merzouga runs, from the first pick-up to the drop-off at your hotel.
Day 1: Merzouga to Taouz and the Erg Chebbi desert camp
About 110 km, tracks, stony desert and sand
We pick you up at your hotel in Merzouga or Hassi Labied, or you can meet us at our base where the KTMs are kept. After fitting your gear and a short bike briefing, you ride south along the dunes to Khamlia, a village known for its Gnawa music (opens in a new tab). The tracks then cross the black desert, a wide plain of dark volcanic stone where you can open the throttle, to Taouz near the Algerian border, an area known for its fossils. After lunch you turn north on fast sand tracks along the east side of the dunes and ride the last kilometres over the sand to camp, while the support 4×4 brings your luggage. Climb a dune for sunset, then enjoy dinner by the fire with Berber drums and a night under the stars.
Day 2: Erg Chebbi desert camp to Merzouga
About 90 km, dunes and sandy tracks
Wake up early for sunrise over the dunes, then have breakfast at camp. The day starts in the sand: your guide leads you across Erg Chebbi (opens in a new tab) to a nomad family camp on the other side of the dunes, where you share tea in their tents and see how they live with their goats and camels. You then ride north along the dunes and round their northern end, with plenty of chances to play on the sand at your own level. After lunch, sandy tracks lead to Lake Srji, a seasonal lake where flamingos sometimes stop after winter rains, and on through Hassi Labied to Merzouga, where we drop you off at your hotel in the afternoon.
Prices per rider
The more riders in your group, the lower the price per rider. Prices are per rider, including the night at the desert camp.
Every price includes
Prices may vary depending on travel dates. A non-riding companion can travel in the support 4×4 and stay at the camp, ask us for the price. Infants (0 to 5 years) travel free in the 4×4.
Where you sleep
Your night is at our desert camp at the foot of the Erg Chebbi dunes, with a safe place for the bikes and a private washroom with a shower.
| Night | Location | Accommodation Type |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Erg Chebbi, Merzouga | Desert camp, private washroom with shower |
What’s included and excluded
Included
- KTM 450 EXC (2024/2025) hire and fuel
- Riding gear: helmet, boots, gloves and protection
- English-speaking guide who rides with you
- Support 4×4 for luggage and backup
- 1 night in a desert camp with a private washroom and shower
- Dinner and breakfast at the camp, 2 lunches, water, tea and snacks
- Visit to a nomad family in their tents
- Sandboards at the camp
- Pick-up and drop-off at your hotel in Merzouga or Hassi Labied
Excluded
- Other accommodation
- Drinks other than water and tea
- Travel and medical insurance
- Tips and gratuities
What riders say
Good to know before you ride
Riding level
You should be comfortable on a dirt bike and able to ride for several hours on tracks and sand. Your guide adapts the pace and picks the dunes to match your level, and the bigger dunes are always optional.
Licence and documents
Bring your passport and a valid motorcycle licence. We handle the bike paperwork at pick-up.
Riding gear
Helmet, boots, gloves and body protection are included, so just tell us your sizes when you book. Pack a small bag for the night, as the support 4×4 takes it to camp. Mornings and nights can be cold, so bring a warm layer.
Best time to ride
October to April has the best temperatures for riding in the desert. In midsummer the midday heat is extreme, so we start earlier and take a longer lunch break.
Distance and driving
The 2 days motorbike desert tour from Merzouga covers about 200 km, around 110 km on day one and 90 km on day two. Sand and dune riding are slower than the distance suggests, so the 2 days motorbike tour in Merzouga is never a rush. Pick-up and drop-off are at your hotel, so there is no transfer before or after the ride.
Currency & payments
The local currency is the Moroccan Dirham (MAD). Carry some cash for small purchases and tips, as few places around Merzouga take cards.
Tipping
Tipping is customary in Morocco. A general rule is 10% in restaurants and a lump sum for your guide and the camp team at the end of the tour.
Connectivity
Phone signal is weak in the black desert, between the dunes and at the camp. Your guide always has a way to call for help.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to the questions riders ask most before booking a 2 days motorcycle desert tour from Merzouga.
How much does the 2 days motorcycle desert tour from Merzouga cost?
The price depends on the size of your group. Each rider in a group of 3 or more pays €620, each rider in a group of 2 pays €868, and a solo rider pays €1116. All prices include the KTM 450 EXC, fuel, riding gear, the night at the desert camp, meals, the guide, the support 4×4 and hotel pick-up, and may vary with your travel dates.
Do we visit a nomad family on the 2 days motorbike tour in Merzouga?
Yes. On the second morning we cross the dunes to the tents of a nomad family who live on the far side of Erg Chebbi. You share tea with them and see how they live in the desert. To learn more about their way of life, read Berber Nomads (opens in a new tab).
Which motorcycles do you use on the 2 days motorcycle tour in Merzouga?
We rent KTM 450 EXC motorcycles, 2024 and 2025 models, all prepared for off-road riding. Tell us your height and riding experience when you send your request, and we will confirm the bike and availability for your dates. See our guide to Morocco Motorcycle Tours (opens in a new tab).
Do I need experience for the 2 day motorcycle adventure in Merzouga?
You should be comfortable on a dirt bike and able to ride for several hours on tracks and sand. The guide adapts the route and the dunes to your level. If you have any doubts, message us before booking and we will give you honest advice. To know what to pack for the trip, read What to Wear in Morocco (opens in a new tab).
What happens if my bike breaks down during the 2 days motorbike desert tour from Merzouga?
The support 4×4 carries tools and spare parts, and your guide handles small repairs on the spot. If a bike cannot be fixed quickly, we bring a replacement from our base in Merzouga so you can continue the tour.
Is it safe to ride a motorcycle in Morocco?
Yes, on a guided ride you are never alone. Your local guide knows every track around Merzouga and keeps the pace safe for everyone, and the support 4×4 carries first aid. As anywhere, ride within your limits and check your own government’s travel advice. You can also read Is Morocco Safe? What Travelers Should Know (opens in a new tab).
Can my partner join without riding?
Yes. On an off-road ride, passengers do not ride on the back of the bike. A non-riding partner travels in the support 4×4, meets you at the lunch stops and sleeps at the same desert camp. Ask us for the companion price.
What is the best time of year for a motorcycle tour in Morocco?
October to April is the best season for riding in the desert. Summer days in Merzouga are very hot, often above 40°C, so in summer we start early and rest at midday, and winter nights at camp can be cold, so pack layers. Read more in Best Time to Visit Morocco (opens in a new tab).
How does payment work?
We ask for a 30% deposit to confirm your booking, and the remaining balance is paid on the first day of the tour. Send us your dates and group size through the form on this page or on WhatsApp, and we will confirm the details for your dates.
Are there toilets and showers at the desert camp?
Yes. All our tours include a private washroom with a shower at the desert camp, and sandboards are free to use whenever you want. Planning to see more of the region? Read Things to Do in Merzouga (opens in a new tab).
Ready to book this route?
We usually reply within 24 hours.