6 Days Motorcycle Tour from Ouarzazate
This 6 days motorcycle tour from Ouarzazate is a guided motorcycle tour in Morocco that loops off-road through the south of the country to the edge of the Sahara. Over 6 days and 5 nights you ride about 795 km on dirt tracks, dry riverbeds, rocky trails and sand, crossing the Draa Valley, the Lac Maider dry lake and the dunes of Merzouga, then returning through the Jebel Saghro mountains and the Dades Gorge. A local guide leads every ride, an assistance car follows the group, and each night ends in a kasbah, a hotel or a desert camp.
Why this off-road motorcycle tour in Morocco is unique
Most of the tour is off the tarmac, so you ride the Morocco that tourist buses never reach. It is a true Sahara motorcycle tour: you sleep at the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes, ride the final kilometres to camp on sand, and return by a different, wilder route over the mountains. Our team has more than 16 years of experience in southern Morocco, so the routes, the fuel stops and the lunch spots on every Morocco motorcycle tour are chosen from long local knowledge.
Highlights of the Ouarzazate motorcycle tour
- Draa ValleyRide beside Morocco’s longest oasis, through palm groves and old kasbah villages.
- Lac MaiderCross the huge dry lakebed, one of the most open and photogenic spots on the route.
- Erg Chebbi DunesRide the last stretch to the Merzouga camp over Sahara sand, and sleep at the foot of the dunes.
- Jebel SaghroFollow winding mountain trails through a wild and almost empty landscape.
- Dades GorgeClimb the gorge and spend the night in a historic building above the valley.
- Skoura Palm GroveRide through the green oasis of Skoura on the way back to Ouarzazate.
The KTM 450 EXC you ride on this tour
Every rider gets a KTM 450 EXC from our own fleet, 2024 and 2025 models, prepared for the sand, rocks and riverbeds of southern Morocco.
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 assistance car carries tools and spare parts, and the bikes are inspected again when you return them.
Fuel included
Fuel is included in the price. Your guide plans every refuelling stop along the route, so you can enjoy the riding 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 for you.
Route map: Ouarzazate to Merzouga and back through the Dades Valley
The loop leaves Ouarzazate and heads south through Agdz and the Draa Valley to N’Kob. From N’Kob it continues east across the plains and the Lac Maider dry lake to the Merzouga dunes. The return climbs north through Alnif and the Jebel Saghro mountains to the Dades Gorge, then finishes in Ouarzazate by way of Skoura.
Day-by-day itinerary of the 6 days motorcycle tour from Ouarzazate
Day 1: Arrival in Ouarzazate and bike briefing
No riding
The tour starts in Ouarzazate. We meet you at Ouarzazate airport and take you to your hotel. Coming from Marrakech? We include a free private transfer to Ouarzazate, about 4 hours by road. In the afternoon your guide hands over the motorcycles, checks the paperwork and explains how the group rides, the signals and the plan for the next days. Dinner is served at the hotel.
Day 2: Ouarzazate to N’Kob
About 230 km, off-road
The first riding day mixes hard-packed tracks, rocky sections and a few river crossings. We cross the foothills of the Anti Atlas, pass through the town of Agdz and follow the palm groves along the Draa River. A picnic lunch is served on the track after about 100 km, and the night is spent in a converted kasbah in N’Kob.
Day 3: N’Kob to the Merzouga desert camp
About 205 km, off-road and sand
A day of fast trails and dry riverbeds, with a stop at the vast Lac Maider dry lake. We refuel at Remlia and then ride about 20 km over the dunes to reach the desert camp, where you will find hot showers. At sunset you can take an optional ride on the dunes, followed by dinner and an evening around the fire with local musicians. Learn more about Erg Chebbi (opens in a new tab).
Day 4: Merzouga to the Dades Valley
About 170 km, off-road
We ride out of the dunes, refuel at Remlia and cross the dry lakebed and riverbeds again. After lunch and fuel in Alnif, the track climbs into the Jebel Saghro mountains on winding trails, with a short asphalt section before the Dades Gorge. Tonight you stay in an old castle-style hotel above the gorge, with a pool to cool off.
Day 5: Dades Valley to Skoura and Ouarzazate
About 190 km, off-road
The last riding day climbs the Dades Gorge and heads west through the Atlas foothills, with gullies, washouts and river crossings, and a picnic lunch on a plateau. We ride on through Skoura back to Ouarzazate, where the bikes are returned and checked by our mechanic. The evening is for a farewell dinner. Read about the Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou (opens in a new tab), a UNESCO site just outside the city.
Day 6: Departure
No riding
After breakfast we take you to Ouarzazate airport. If you prefer, we take you back to Marrakech instead with a free private transfer, about 4 hours by road.
Price of the 6 days motorcycle tour from Ouarzazate
The more riders in your group, the lower the price per rider. Prices are per rider, with accommodation in double rooms.
Every price includes
Prices may vary depending on travel dates and final accommodation choice. A non-riding companion can travel in the assistance car, ask us for the price. Infants (0 to 5 years) travel free in the assistance car.
Where you stay on the Ouarzazate motorcycle tour
Every night is a secure stop with space for the bikes, chosen for character and a good rest after a day on the trails.
| Night | Location | Accommodation Type |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ouarzazate | Riad, en-suite room |
| 2 | N’Kob | Kasbah, traditional room |
| 3 | Merzouga, Erg Chebbi | Desert camp, private washroom with shower |
| 4 | Dades Gorge | Castle-style hotel, with pool |
| 5 | Ouarzazate | Riad, en-suite room |
What’s included and excluded
Included
- 5 nights accommodation (hotels, a kasbah and a desert camp)
- KTM 450 EXC (2024/2025) hire and fuel
- English-speaking guide who rides with the group
- Assistance car for luggage and backup
- Half board: 5 breakfasts and 5 dinners, plus picnic lunches on riding days 2 and 5
- Riding gear: helmet, boots, gloves and protection
- Pick-up and drop-off in Ouarzazate
- Free private transfer from and to Marrakech (optional)
Excluded
- International flights
- Other lunches and drinks
- Travel and medical insurance
- Entrance fees to monuments
- Tips and gratuities
What riders say about this trip
Lahcen guided us with brand new bikes at near race-pace from Ouarzazate to the dunes of Merzouga. The hotels were very fine, we drank tea with the Nomads and rode the dunes of Erg Chebbi! Would certainly recommend having motocross/enduro experience because Lahcen prefers riding rather than talking 🙂
Amazing just amazing, we went on a 6 day ride, covering all the landscapes Merzouga has to offer. New bikes top notch, some of the protection gear could us an update, but its fine. The accomodation and food just kept getting better! Lahcen and his crew are great guide/team and can fix anything thats needed! We will be back.
Had an amazing experience with SaharaVia and riding with Lahcen was fantastic. We went riding 4 days in total including off-road terrain and riding the dunes (my personal highlight). Felt taken care of and the guide adapted to my riding level perfectly. Bikes and equipment were high quality too.
Good to know before your motorcycle tour from Ouarzazate
Riding level
This is an off-road motorcycle tour, not a road trip. You should be an experienced rider who is comfortable on dirt tracks, loose gravel, river crossings and sand. The guide sets a steady pace and waits for the group.
Licence and documents
Bring your passport and a valid motorcycle licence. We handle the bike paperwork on the first afternoon.
Riding gear
Helmet, boots, gloves and body protection are included, so just tell us your sizes when you book. You may want to bring your own goggles or a hydration pack. Mornings can be cold and afternoons are hot, so wear layers that are easy to remove.
Best time to ride
October to April and the cooler weeks of spring have the best temperatures for off-road riding in the south. In midsummer, daytime heat on the plains is extreme and we do not recommend the tour.
Fuel and distances
Daily distances are 170 to 230 km, but off-road riding is slower than the distance suggests. Fuel stops are planned in advance, and the assistance car carries a spare supply.
Currency & payments
The local currency is the Moroccan Dirham (MAD). Hotels in Ouarzazate take cards, but carry cash for small purchases, lunches and tips in rural areas.
Tipping
Tipping is customary in Morocco. A general rule is 10% in restaurants and a lump sum for your guide and the assistance driver at the end of the trip.
Connectivity
Phone signal is limited on the trails and at the desert camp. Download offline maps beforehand and enjoy the quiet.
Frequently asked questions about the motorcycle tour from Ouarzazate
How much does the 6-day motorcycle tour from Ouarzazate cost?
The price depends on the size of your group. Each rider in a group of 3 or more pays €1640, each rider in a group of 2 pays €2296, and a solo rider pays €2952. All prices include the KTM 450 EXC, fuel, riding gear, hotels, the desert camp, the guide and the assistance car, and may vary with your travel dates. The pricing section above shows what is included.
Which motorcycles can I hire for the tour?
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 to be an experienced rider?
You should have off-road experience and be comfortable riding for several hours a day on dirt tracks, rocks, riverbeds and sand. 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).
Is it safe to ride a motorcycle in Morocco?
Yes, on a guided motorcycle tour you are never alone. The group rides with a local guide who knows the tracks, the weather and the stops, and an assistance car follows behind with tools and first aid. As anywhere, ride within your limits, keep your valuables with you in busy places 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 tour, passengers do not ride on the back of the bike. A non-riding partner travels in the assistance car and sleeps in the same hotels and camp. Ask us for the companion price.
What happens if my motorcycle breaks down?
The assistance car follows the group with tools and spare parts, and your guide handles repairs on the road. If a bike cannot be fixed quickly, we replace it as soon as possible so you can continue the tour.
What is the best time of year for a motorcycle tour in Morocco?
October to April is the best season for off-road riding in the south. Summer days on the plains are very hot, often above 40°C, so we do not run the tour then, and winter mornings 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 in the desert camp?
Yes. All our tours include a private washroom with a shower at the desert camp. The hotels on the other nights have private bathrooms. 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.