Morocco Motorcycle Tour
Sahara Desert Raid - 18 Days
This is a firm favourite tour. A trip of a lifetime. I kid you not, if you haven’t ridden in Morocco before, the sounds, sights, smells and tastes will inspire you! And the roads are FAR better than back home (mostly).
Join me on an adventure motorcycle tour through the heart of Spain to one of the Mediterranean ports. There we will guide you through customs and into AFRICA!
After exploring the delights of the Rif Mountains, we will head over the Middle and High Atlas Mountains to the Sahara Desert.
This is an EPIC, challenging adventure which starts on day one. You will be riding your own motorbike to another continent!
On this tour, you will ride the very high mountain passes over the tallest mountain range in North Africa, sleep in a Berber desert camp in the Sahara, visit colourful and chaotic souks, and experience the warm hospitality in traditional riads belonging to the Moroccan people.
The food will amaze you, the smells will inspire you, the sights will leave you speechless and the roads will give you goosebumps!
If you want to make your own tracks to our nightly accommodation, you’re more than welcome, otherwise we will guide you all the way with an English speaking biker leading.
It is 99% tarmac with no planned off roading.
This is YOUR dream motorbike trip and is MY personal favourite tour.
What's included?
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Return ferry with shared cabin - Portsmouth to Bilbao/Santander.
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Return ferry – Algeciras to Tangiers Med.
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UK guide on a bike.
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Moroccan third party insurance.
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Local guides in certain towns.
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Sunset CAMEL trek into the Saharan dunes and desert luxury camp experience.
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4 evening meals.
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All hotel accommodation in good quality hotels, riads or kasbah.
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All hotels with guarded or private parking.
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All breakfasts in hotels.
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Tour routes and information pack.
What's not included?
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Travel insurance.
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Breakdown cover.
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Hotel parking charges.
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Petrol.
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Drinks.
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Evening meals unless listed.
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Anything not listed.
Day 1-2
Portsmouth to Bilbao/Santander ferry
– 0 miles.
Your tour will start at a pub in Portsmouth (good place to start) where you will have the opportunity to meet the rest of the group and your tour guide. Then we will board the ferry for the crossing over the channel and the Bay of Biscay.​ During the 30 or so hour long crossing you will have time to relax, have a few beers, go dolphin and whale watching in the Bay of Biscay, get some sleep, and chat with the group about plans and routes before reaching the Spanish coast. The ferries are convenient and easy going. Everyone will have a cabin with a shower/toilet (2 people in a 4 berth cabin). In the evening there is sometimes live music in the bar, films or sport on the big screens and several restaurants. It’ll be a great chance for everyone to get to know each other and chill.
Day 3
Bilbao/Santander to Merida
– 390 miles.
The ferry is due to dock in the morning and after clearing customs we will head straight out for a day of riding. The plan here is to get as far south as possible, as quickly as possible, but avoiding motorways. This is the longest ride of the tour. We will head up through the edge of the beautiful Picos Mountains, heading to Zamora. This is an easy ride with sweeping open turns and dense valleys. Passing through many Northern Spanish villages we then head into Salamanca for a spot of lunch, usually at a convenient truck stop where the food is cheap and plentiful. To break up today’s long ride, we will probably take a detour through a couple of hilly national parks on our way to the Andalucian town of Merida. Merida is a beautiful small city and its architecture has lots of Roman and Arabic influence. If there is time, we can view the partially ruined Aqueduct of the Miracles or the Roman Temple of Diana, with its impressive stone towers, which is a 10 minutes walk from the hotel.
Day 4
Merida to Algericas
– 270 miles.
This is a fantastic days riding. First heading south following alongside the motorway to Seville. There isn’t an easy route around Seville but if there is time, we will head into the city and stop for photos outside Plaza de Espana, which the sci-fi fans may recognise as the City of Theed on Naboo in Star Wars: Episode II, or from scenes in Lawrence of Arabia! We continue now off the main roads, skirting around the Parque Natural Sierra de Grazalema, heading for the picturesque town of Ronda, with it’s famous bridge, Punte Nuevo. This fantastic piece of architecture is over 200 years old and spans the 120 metre deep chasm that divides the city of Ronda. We will make our way down to the bottom of the bridge for some great photos and ride back up for a spot of lunch. Onwards now to Algericas, but here we will start to get twisty, heading over the mountain tops before riding straight down into the port town of Algeciras, which overlooks the rock of Gibraltar. This evening we get our papers in order as tomorrow is an early start as we head into AFRICA!
Day 5
Algericas to Chefchaouen
– 100 miles.
We will depart for an early morning ferry. Although a simple crossing, getting through the busy commercial port of Tangier Med can be quite slow. The crossing takes 1 ½ hours and apart from a small cafeteria, there is not a lot to do onboard except view the impressive rock of Gibraltar and it’s amazing Levante cloud if the wind is in the right direction. We will clear passport control whilst onboard the ferry. With passports stamped, once we disembark, we’re in Africa! The Moroccan border crossing is typical of Africa. It’s organised chaos and can be slow going. You need a dose of patience but once through, we quickly get our third party insurance sorted out and mobile sim cards for those that want connectivity whilst in Morocco. Immediately we will climb into the Rif Mountains. We will ride the peaks road and although filled with windfarms, it is quite spectacular seeing the valleys on either side of the road. We will slowly pass through villages where the kids regularly come out and wave at passing motorcyclists. It’ll be your first dose of Moroccan hospitality. Depending on the time of our crossing, we will stop for a light lunch before continuing past Tetouan and then onto the fabled blue city of Chefchaouen, which will be our first night in Morocco. Camera’s at the ready as the views here are amazing. Chefchaouen in local Berber language means ‘look at’ (Chef) ‘the horns’ (chaouen). Behind the town are two tall peaks, denoting the horns. Historically, persecuted Muslims and Jews sought refuge here during the Spanish Inquisition (Reconquista) and they found the naturally fortified town to settle in. During World War II, there was another influx of Jews to this area, fleeing the chaos of Europe. The blue is said to have been introduced by the Jewish settlers as it has significance within Judaism. The town itself has much to offer but is geared towards tourists. There is a lovely waterfall which is an easy walk and if the weather is clear, you can take a spectacular walk up to the Spanish Mosque overlooking the city for an amazing sunset view, where one of the well looked after stray dogs may keep you company for a biscuit.
Day 6
Chefchaouen to Fes
– 140 miles.
After breakfast we will head out of Chefchaouen on our mission South, crossing over the Rif Mountains. If the roads are open, we will pick a more twisty route through, rather than sticking on the main roads. You will experience what life is like up in the mountains. Fun fact, Morocco is the largest supplier of cannabis resin to the European market (whether purchased legally or not) and it’s all grown in the Rif Mountains. No wonder they’re such a happy people! It should be noted that recreational use in Morocco is illegal, but farmers in certain areas have special dispensation to grow ‘Kif’ as it is their only source of income. We will head down into Fes, our first big city. Fes is the oldest of Morocco’s imperial cities and is a World Heritage Site. It is a busy, bustling city with very narrow streets – the only way of getting round the Medina is by foot. Here we will meet a local guide who will take us on a short organised tour of the city, including the world famous (and wonderfully aromatic) Tannery of Fes. Here you will see how leather and hide have been treated, tanned and coloured by hand, for centuries. The process hasn’t changed much over 300 years!
Day 7
Fes to Gorges du Ziz
– 210 miles.
After getting out of Fes, we will again head into the Mountains. This time the Middle Atlas Mountains. These are low Alpinesque hills with firs and pines growing all around. We may pass by the ski lift station on route. Yes, they have skiing in Morocco with regular 6ft snow drifts. Probably a coffee stop at Ifrane National Park. This huge reserve is full of Atlas Cedars and Oak trees, and is known for its population of endangered Barbary macaques (apes). We don’t recommend or encourage it, but it has been known for the macaques to jump on stationary motorbikes looking for a snack. As we head out of the Middle Atlas, we will stop on the plains at the mining town of Midlet for lunch. From there we continue on the barren straight roads heading towards the imposing snow topped peaks of the High Atlas Mountains. There are a few passes and gorges through the High Atlas, the first of which we will go through is Gorge du Ziz. This natural gap in the mountains is by the River Ziz and for centuries has been formed part of the traditional caravan route between settlements from the Northern Sahara. The tunnel was built by French Legionnaires in 1930s and this will form part of our route to the gorge where we will be staying tonight. Tonight's traditional evening meal is included in the tour.
Day 8
Gorges du Ziz to SAHARA DESERT!
– 130 miles.
Don’t let the mere 130 miles make you think it’ll be an easy day today, as the temperatures will change and there maybe camels in the road. We will leave the Ziz river and continue South towards Merzouga. After stopping for coffee overlooking the Ziz Oasis (very green area of palm trees surrounded by barren red and ochre rocks), we will pass through the military town of Erfoud. Here there are rows and rows of barracks and garrisons. Hundreds of soldiers guarding the sand from the neighbouring Algerians! There is nothing here now. A long long stretch of tarmac as we head into the deserted desert and will hopefully meet some wild camels on route. It’s like meeting wild ponies on Dartmoor or the Yorkshire Dales, but they’re huge and have got the hump. Photos taken, we will have our first glimpse of the Erg Chebbi sand dunes. This huge pile of sand is the film spot for countless Hollywood blockbusters as it rises an impressive 150m above the desert floor. Stretching over 28km north to south, it’s the Sahara that we’ve all seen on TV. Our accommodation for this evening will be a ‘traditional’ berber tent. Don’t fret. These tents are semi-permanent structures and are only moved when the wind shifts the dunes. They have plumbing and comfortable beds. We may need to ride to the camp. This will be down a compacted sand and stone track but is only a short ride (at a slow pace). Before it gets dark, we will take a camel ride up the dunes on our own humped steeds, where we will watch a magical sunset, before riding back down for a scrumptious traditional berber dinner. Afterwards, there maybe evening entertainment if the travelling musicians are in attendance. A campfire will be lit and the stars will be our only other company. Tonight's traditional evening meal is included in the tour. This is the stuff that memories are made of.
Day 9
Sahara to Dades Gorge
– 240 miles.
Shake the sand out of your boots as today we’re up for some serious riding! We’re heading West across the top of the Sahara. There’s a lot of nothing out here. Rocky moonlike landscapes than go on for miles and miles, but also miles of great tarmac. We will head through the oasis town of Rissani. This dusty town has several dairies offering fresh camel milk (for those who dare to try). We will follow the top of the Draa Valley and head up Todra Gorge. Here, over millennia the river has cut it’s way through the High Atlas Mountains, creating a spectacular narrow gorge, of which the road follows through. A run up the valley for lunch and back down to the next natural gateway through the mountains, the Dades Gorge. Dades Gorge host the famous Instagramable photo of a winding road that zigzags its way down the hillside. It's a cracking ride today, finishing in an family run Auberge within the Dades Gorge itself. Tonight's traditional evening meal is included in the tour.
Day 10
Dades Gorge to Ouarzazate
– 140 miles.
An easy ride further East today, with the option to take a more scenic, single track route through the deserted rocky barren wastelands, with various oasis dotted here and there along the Tafrdout area. We will be staying in Ouarzazate, nicknamed the ‘door of the desert’, as this was the first major town on the Eastern Saharan crossing route from the sub-Sahara. It’s also a noted film location for various Hollywood blockbusters including, The Living Daylights, Gladiator, Kingdom of Heaven and was a backdrop in Game of Thrones. The other nickname is Ouarzawood! The Kasbah (fortified residence – like a keep in a castle) is an impressive sight to be seen, but it has been touristified in recent years. The city was part of the 2006 and 2007 Dakar Rally route, where KTMs ruled the Sahara. The Fint Oasis is a short ride away and is an amazing green oasis surrounded by rocky wasteland.
Day 11
Ouarzazate to Marrakech
– 140 miles.
Another day, another mountain pass! Tizi-n-Tichka and goat testicles, with a stop at Ait Benhaddou, then Marrakech! First we will stop by the Unesco World Heritage Site of Ait Benhaddou. This magnificent fortified kasbah complex is the best example of its kind in Morocco and has been the backdrop for dozens of films. Today we cross the High Atlas for the final time, via the magnificent Tizi-n-Tichka pass. This fantastic, twisty road takes you through jaw dropping mountain scenery, before heading down into Marrakech. The road was itself was originally built by the French Foreign Legion in 1931 and although has been resurfaced and a dual carriageway built in parts, is still a goose-bump inducing experience as it twists and loops its way along exposed ridges, reaching a maximum height of 7,415ft. There maybe snow! We aim to get into Marrakech in the early afternoon, so we get a decent amount of time to explore the crazy city. Unless you’ve ridden around Paris’s Arc de Triumph on Bastille Day, riding into Marrakech will be a new experience for you. Our route tactfully will take us around the outskirts and then straight into the walled city, to our accommodation. In the afternoon, we will meet our local guide who will take us on a whirlwind tour of the markets and artisanal areas of Marrakech. Tonight, we will descend to Jemaa el-Fnaa square which in the early evening is transformed from market square to one of the largest outdoor dining experiences in the world, with hundreds of food stalls offering every dish you could think of. From baked sheep head to goat testicles. But the rest of us will settle for chicken and chips! Whilst the food isn’t the best in the world (by a Moroccan mile), it’s more about the dining experience. Fear not, your guide will be on hand to ‘hold your hand’ through the craziness that is Marrakech. Tonight's evening meal experience is included in the tour.
Day 12
Marrakech to Beni Mellal
– 190 miles.
We head out of Marrakech, back into the Middle Atlas Mountains, finding back roads to the highest waterfall in North Africa, Cascades d’Ouzoud. These falls can be quite spectacular if there has been heavy rainfall. A quick bite of lunch and we head further North taking the twisties to Beni Mellal. On route, we will again be passing through dozens of villages with smiling children waving from the pavements. Beni Mellal is an agricultural city and is the centre of fig, olive and orange production in the area. It sits at the foot of Jbel Tassemit (2247m high), which can be snow capped in winter.
Day 13
Beni Mellal to Meknes
– 200 miles.
We will head through the agricultural plains of Beni Amir, if your fruit or veg from the supermarket has place of origin as Morocco, good chance it came from around here. The going will be relatively flat and straight, but we will take some detours through the villages where possible. We will reach the busy Imperil City of Meknes. We will have a chance to explore the densely packed Medina quarter and get lost in the tightly packed city. This evening is the final chance to pickup any souvenirs or nicknacks to bring back.
Day 14
Meknes to Marbella
– 220 miles.
After an early start, we will charge up back through the Rif Mountains, taking another scenic route through the beautiful countryside. North of Meknes lies the ancient Roman remains of Volublis. This is the greatest archaeological site in Morocco and shows a history of pre-Islamic Morocco. It was founded in 300 BC and was habituated by various rulers and peoples up to the 11th century. Romans, Berbers, Carthaginians, Christians, Muslims have all ruled here. An earthquake in the 18th century devastated the area and the ancient city was looted for stones to rebuild Meknes. The ancient buildings of the basilica, arches, forum and capitol building are still identifiable. It’s impressive Roman ruins, in Africa. We will continue through the mountains, arriving back at port in the early afternoon. Again, the process through customs and the port can be lengthy and repetitive but you’ll be guided through the process. Our ferry back takes 1 ½ hours and after grabbing some incredibly cheap duty free, we’re back in Europe. Once Spain side, it’s a quick coastal run up to Marbella for the night.
Day 15
Marbella to Cuidad Real
– 270 miles.
After a hearty breakfast, we head back up towards Ronda on the twisty and fast mountain roads up the Sierra de las Nieves national park. Our route today will take up through several national parks and wild areas of Spain. A brief lunch stop and we then head into Cuidad Real. The epic novel Don Quixote (often labelled as the first modern novel) was based in Cuidad Real and although fictional, relates to the chivalry and knightliness that medieval Spain aspired to be (think Three Musketeers or Robin Hood, but the Spanish version). There’s even a museum dedicated to him! We know where the good tapas bars are in Ciudad Real!
Day 16
Cuidad Real to Sergovia
– 230 miles.
We’re going to bypass Madrid by looping through the Siera Gredos. This is a practical run back north with a bit of toll free motorway and darting into any national parks on the way to break up the journey. Tonight we stay in Sergovia, nestled in the low foothills of the Guadarrama Mountains, this World Heritage Site has many historic landmarks, noticeably the world’s best preserved Roman aqueducts and a fairytail like Castle Alcazar (said to be the inspiration for the many Disney Castles around the world. This fortified walled city has some magnificent architecture and an abundance of great bars!
Day 17
Sergovia to Bilbao/Santander to Portsmouth
– 220 miles.
Early start today and we will punch it straight through the North of Spain to our departure port for an early afternoon ferry. We usually make a detour through the heart of the Picos de Europa National Park. The roads in this mountainous region are fantastic and it’s a great way to finish this epic motorbike tour.
Day 18
Portsmouth
– 0 miles.
We’re on the ferry for a single night crossing, with plenty of time to reminisce about your amazing motorcycle trip to Morocco, arriving back in blighty in the evening.
Other Costs To Consider (for 2024/25/26 tours)
All accommodation, all breakfasts (excluding onboard the ferry) and 4 evening meals are included.
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Additional costs you may want to allow for:
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£350 - £450 for fuel (depends on how heavy wristed you are).
£250 - £350 for food and drinks that are not already included.
£25 for a Moroccan sim card with 20GB data.
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