Three days between dune seas and dry lakes
This 3 days motorcycle desert tour from Merzouga takes you far beyond the dunes you can see from town, with two nights in desert camps. It is a 3 day motorcycle adventure in Merzouga that links Erg Chebbi, the small dunes of Ouzina, the old Dakar Rally tracks and the dry lake of Lac Maider. You ride south to Taouz and along the Algerian border to Ouzina, then west to Lac Maider and north to Rissani before a night at our Erg Chebbi camp. The last day crosses the dunes to a nomad family and returns 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. Over three days you ride about 380 km on fast pistes, stony plains, dry lakebeds, sandy riverbeds and two different dune seas, and your local guide adapts the pace and the dunes to your level. A support 4×4 carries your luggage, spare parts and water, and both nights are spent in desert camps 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
- Dakar Rally tracksFollow the fast desert pistes once raced by the Paris-Dakar rally along the Algerian border.
- Ouzina dunesSpend your first night at a camp in the quiet dunes of Ouzina, far from the crowds.
- Lac MaiderOpen the throttle across the huge dry lakebed, one of the most open spots in the south.
- RissaniRide into the old caravan town near the ruins of Sijilmasa.
- Erg Chebbi DunesSleep at the foot of the tallest dunes in Morocco and ride them at sunrise.
- Nomad family visitCross the dunes to share tea with a nomad family in their tents on the other side.
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 runs south from Merzouga past Khamlia and the black desert to Taouz, then west along the Algerian border to the Ouzina camp. Day 2 heads west to Lac Maider, north to Rissani and east to the Erg Chebbi camp. Day 3 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 3 days motorcycle tour in Merzouga runs, from the first pick-up to the drop-off at your hotel.
Day 1: Merzouga to Ouzina
About 130 km, stony desert and fast tracks
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 past the village of Khamlia and across the black desert, a plain of dark volcanic stone, to Taouz near the Algerian border. After lunch the route turns west on long, fast tracks that were once part of the Dakar Rally (opens in a new tab), with sand patches and dry riverbeds to keep you alert. You reach the small dunes of Ouzina in the late afternoon, climb a crest for sunset and spend the night at the camp while the support 4×4 brings your luggage.
Day 2: Ouzina to Erg Chebbi via Lac Maider and Rissani
About 160 km, dry lake, pistes and sand
After breakfast in the dunes you ride west to Lac Maider, a huge dry lake ringed by low hills, where the flat ground lets you ride fast and free. Lunch is served near the lake. In the afternoon the tracks turn north through small villages and palm groves to Rissani, the old caravan town close to the ruins of Sijilmasa (opens in a new tab). From there you head east to the Erg Chebbi dunes and ride the last stretch over the sand to our camp. Dinner is served by the fire with Berber drums, under a sky full of stars.
Day 3: Erg Chebbi to Merzouga
About 90 km, dunes and sandy tracks
Start the day with sunrise from a dune, then breakfast at camp. Your guide leads you through the sand to the far side of Erg Chebbi, where a nomad family welcomes you into their tents for tea and a look at their life with goats and camels. The morning continues north along the dunes, with time to practise dune riding at your own level, and around the northern tip of the sand sea. After lunch you ride on sandy tracks to the seasonal Lake Srji and through Hassi Labied back 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 both nights in desert camps.
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 same camps, ask us for the price. Infants (0 to 5 years) travel free in the 4×4.
Where you sleep
Both nights are spent in desert camps, one in the small dunes of Ouzina and one at the foot of Erg Chebbi, each with a safe place for the bikes and a private washroom with a shower.
| Night | Location | Accommodation Type |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ouzina | Desert camp, private washroom with shower |
| 2 | 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
- 2 nights in desert camps (Ouzina and Erg Chebbi) with a private washroom and shower
- Dinner and breakfast at both camps, 3 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 fit enough for three full days of riding, the longest about 160 km. 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 3 days motorbike desert tour from Merzouga covers about 380 km: around 130 km on day one, 160 km on day two and 90 km on day three. Sand and dune riding are slower than the distance suggests, so this 3 day motorcycle adventure in Merzouga leaves time for stops and photos. 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, around Lac Maider and at both camps. Your guide always has a way to call for help.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to the questions riders ask most before booking a 3 days motorcycle desert tour from Merzouga.
How much does the 3 days motorcycle desert tour from Merzouga cost?
The price of a Merzouga 3 day motorcycle tour depends on the size of your group. Each rider in a group of 3 or more pays €985, each rider in a group of 2 pays €1379, and a solo rider pays €1773. All prices include the KTM 450 EXC, fuel, riding gear, both nights in desert camps, 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 3 days motorcycle tour in Merzouga?
Yes. On the last 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).
What does a Merzouga 3 day motorcycle tour include?
Every rider gets a KTM 450 EXC, 2024 or 2025 model, with fuel, full riding gear, a local guide, a support 4×4, two nights in desert camps and all meals from lunch on day one to lunch on day three. 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 3 day motorcycle adventure in Merzouga?
You should be comfortable on a dirt bike and able to ride for most of the day on tracks and sand, three days in a row. 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 3 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, the support 4×4 takes you on and we bring a replacement from our base in Merzouga as soon as possible.
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 camps. 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. Both camps on this tour have a private washroom with a shower, 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.