Join us on a journey where the snow-capped Atlas Mountains meet the endless sands of the Sahara – a motorcycle adventure that takes you from the vibrant city of Marrakech to the desert, following in the tracks of history’s greatest rally riders.
We’ll guide you through the dramatic mountain passes of the High Atlas, and further south through the spectacular Dadès and Todgha gorges. We reach Merzouga and the legendary Erg Chebbi, where the sand dunes shimmer in red. Riding among these mighty dunes, past acacia trees and camels peacefully crossing the plains, is a unique experience that only the Sahara can offer. Along our way, we meet people who welcome us with warmth and smiles.
The journey continues via Zagora to the majestic Erg Chigaga, where the legendary Dakar Rally has passed many times. Out here, the sky feels larger, the silence deeper, and the desert reveals itself in its most magical form. On the way back north, we pass the film city of Ouarzazate and the fairytale-like Aït Benhaddou before returning to Marrakech.
 | Africa has always held a special place in our hearts. This is where Ride Nordic (formerly Touratech Nordic) began. In 2002, our founder and CEO, David Johansson, crossed Morocco for the first time on his spectacular motorcycle journey across the African continent en route to Cape Town. During that journey, the idea of creating genuine motorcycle adventures was born. Now, we are finally back – ready to show you the Africa we ourselves fell in love with – authentic, grand, and unforgettable. |
Photo credits on this page: Ann Cathrin Erga, Christian Rodman, David Johansson
Morocco is made for adventure riding – a country where the dramatic silhouettes of the Atlas Mountains meet the endless expanses of the Sahara. Here, every day offers new landscapes, new terrain, and a sense of freedom that only Africa can deliver.
Much of the journey takes place on gravel, dirt, and mountain roads – but always in a well-balanced mix. After an adrenaline-filled stretch through sand and rocky deserts, it’s nice to stretch out on the sweeping asphalt roads that cut through desert landscapes and mountains. For those who prefer to avoid sand, we always offer alternatives on firmer terrain, so you can enjoy the ride without worrying about long sand sections.
We travel across everything from fast, sweeping gravel roads over high plateaus to narrow mountain passes where cliffs rise vertically on both sides. In some valleys, we ride through almost lunar landscapes, while other stretches lead us across vast plains where the horizon seems endless and camels graze along the roadside. And for those seeking maximum challenge, technical mountain roads, sand dunes, and long off-track sections await – always under the safe guidance of our professional tour guides.
Day 5 of this tour offers several options! If, in the coming days, you wish to tackle our advanced route options – which include sand riding – rider training is on the program. We stay in and around the sand dunes of Erg Chebbi. After this day, you’ll know whether the advanced route options are right for you in the following days.
If you already know that long stretches of sand aren’t for you, you can choose a shorter gravel ride around Erg Chebbi, take a rest day by the hotel pool, enjoy a walk in the dunes, or even a camel or jeep safari (additional cost applies).
Our adventure begins in a peaceful oasis just outside Marrakech, approx. 30 km from the airport. Here, we are greeted by orange blossoms, lush gardens, and classic Moroccan architecture – the perfect place to get ready for our adventure.
On nights two and three, we stay at the same hotel in Dadès, surrounded by majestic rock formations and green oases. Nights four and five, we once again stay two nights at the same hotel in Merzouga, where red sand dunes stretch for many kilometres and change colour with the sunlight.
Nights six and seven offer some of the highlights of the journey: a historic kasbah one night and exclusive desert tents in the middle of the Sahara the next. Beneath the starry sky, total silence prevails – a magic that must be experienced. On the way back north, we stop for one night in Ouarzazate before returning to our oasis outside Marrakech. If you wish to explore the city further, it is possible to book an extra night at our hotel.
Breakfast, lunch, and coffee breaks are included on all riding days. Breakfast is served with fresh bread, local cheeses, honey, olives, and Moroccan mint tea, filling the morning with aroma and energy. Lunch is enjoyed at charming local restaurants with tasteful tagines, couscous, golden grilled chicken seasoned with turmeric and saffron, and other Moroccan classics. If no restaurants are available nearby, we instead serve a tasty lunch from our support vehicle along the way.
Coffee breaks feature fresh fruit, pastries, coffee, and, of course, more of the aromatic mint tea. In the evenings, we gather for a joint dinner at the hotel or a cozy local restaurant.
Click on each day for more information and photos
Our adventure begins in our peaceful oasis just outside the lively city of Marrakech – approx. 30 km from Marrakech-Menara Airport (RAK). Here, we are greeted by the scent of orange blossoms, lush gardens, and Moroccan architecture that tells stories from times past. A perfect place to recharge and prepare for the adventure ahead. We recommend arriving at the hotel 16.00 at the latest for the welcome meeting, motorcycle briefing, and dinner.
We leave the vibrant city of Marrakech and quickly climb into the High Atlas, where the road winds through dramatic mountain ranges and lush valleys. We reach altitudes over 3,000 meters, where the air feels clearer and the landscape becomes increasingly majestic. Along the switchbacks, we encounter small Berber villages and shepherds guiding their animals along the mountainsides. The journey ends in Dadès, the gateway to one of Morocco’s most spectacular valleys.
Today offers a loop back to the same hotel, so there’s no need to pack! We start by riding through the Dadès Gorge, where the red cliff walls rise steeply around us and the iconic hairpin bends lead us deeper into the valley. On smaller gravel roads, we continue through remote mountain landscapes and tiny villages where life moves at a gentle pace. When we reach the Todgha Gorge, we ride straight between hundreds-of-meters-high, nearly vertical walls. One of the most dramatic natural experiences of the tour. The day features varied riding and constantly shifting colours in rocks, sand, and sunlight.
We make our way east through majestic mountain formations, where it almost feels like riding on the moon, and across vast plains where small villages appear as green dots in the otherwise dry landscape. The terrain becomes increasingly remote and rugged. We reach the impressive Gara Medouar crater. A natural fortress that has served as the backdrop for several major films, including James Bond – Spectre and The Mummy. As we continue south, sand dunes gradually rise on the horizon. We roll into Merzouga with the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi in front of us, one of the most iconic locations in the Sahara.
This day offers several options.
This day offers two options as we leave Merzouga behind and ride deeper into a more remote, untamed part of the Sahara.
Whichever option you choose, we gather before sunset at our beautiful kasbah, with the sand dunes as our closest neighbours. If you haven’t already felt it, you will for sure experience the feeling of being in Sahara this evening!
We continue through the desert, and once again there are route options with more sand or alternatives that mainly follow gravel and rocky terrain. The further west we go, the more open the landscape becomes. The track (or rather the trackless desert) carries us through silent, almost moon-like areas where the sense of adventure grows stronger with every kilometre. A few acacia trees offer much-needed shade during our breaks. On the horizon, the mighty, wave-shaped dunes of Erg Chigaga rises. One of Morocco’s largest and most remote dune fields. Reaching Erg Chigaga feels like riding straight into a sea of sand, far from the noise of civilization.
We exit Erg Chigaga and follow classic Dakar trails across the a vast plateau where you can see for miles in every direction. Once again, we offer alternative routes depending on how much of a challenge you’re looking for today. As we head north, the terrain changes and becomes rockier, with panoramic views of colourful mountains and dramatic rock formations. The journey continues towards Ouarzazate, where the desert meets the mountains and the atmosphere shifts from the raw Sahara to greener and more vibrant valleys. Ouarzazate, the “Gateway to the Desert,” offers a perfect ending to today’s grand and unforgettable stages.
We begin the day with a visit to the historic area around Aït Ben Haddou, where the clay-built kasbahs climb the mountainside like a living fairytale backdrop. Countless famous productions have been filmed here, including Gladiator, Game of Thrones, and Aladdin.
We continue upwards, once again passing over 2,000 meters. The mountains, winding switchbacks, and ever-changing panoramic views follow us throughout the day. The descent toward Marrakech offers lusher valleys, small villages, and the scent of pine forests.
By the time we finally roll back into Marrakech, it feels like returning to civilization after a journey through nature’s most dramatic contrasts.
Time flies when you’re having fun, and the adventure has come to an end for now. If you’re not flying out early, you can take the opportunity to enjoy the hotel pool or go for one last walk in Africa before making your way to the airport. Or why not stay an extra day for a longer visit to the Marrakech Medina before heading home? If you’d like help booking an additional night at the hotel, we’re happy to assist.
To offer you a safe and seamless experience, we bring two dedicated support vehicles on this journey. The first is a van that carries luggage, spare motorcycles, and a mobile workshop, and can also provide support along the better roads. The second is an off-road-equipped 4×4 pickup that joins us on the more demanding sections.
They are both ready for quick assistance in any situation and ensure that your adventure is smooth, memorable, and free from unnecessary delays or worries. If needed, both vehicles can also transport an injured person lying down, adding an extra layer of safety.
Our support vehicles are equipped with spare wheels for the motorcycles, spare parts, tools, fuel, first-aid kits, AED’s (defibrillators), satellite communication, snacks, drinking water, and lunch when required. First-aid equipment is also carried on all guide motorcycles, and our tour guides and support drivers are trained in remote first-aid. Ensuring your safety wherever the adventure takes us.
Throughout the entire tour, we take care of your luggage and move it between the hotels. This means you can ride completely luggage-free – which not only provides a much better and more enjoyable riding experience but also opens the door to more fun, technical, and challenging routes. Without luggage, you simply get the maximum amount of riding pleasure out of every kilometre!
Any luggage you do not need during the tour can be safely stored and locked at our start/finish hotel.
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Flights, transfers, dinners (dinner package can be added), and riding gear.
To ensure a safe and secure journey, we recommend reviewing your vaccinations before departure. Since our tour takes us into rural areas of Morocco, it is especially important to be protected. We recommend at minimum the following vaccines:
We recommend contacting your travel vaccination clinic at least 4–6 weeks before departure for personalized advice based on your travel plans and duration.
To ride a motorcycle without issues in Morocco, we recommend bringing both your regular driver’s license and an International Driving Permit (IDP). The IDP is a translation document that makes it easier for local authorities to understand your license and may be required during traffic checks in rural areas. Apply well in advance, as it can take a few days to receive the permit. Bring both the original and the international license on the trip.
Photos taken by Ann Cathrin Erga, Christian Rodman & David Johansson during scouting tour.
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| Incl. BMW R 1300 GS | 79 500 SEK(Approximately EUR) |
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| Incl. BMW R 1300 GS ADVENTURE | 79 500 SEK(Approximately EUR) |
The price includes 9 nights’ accommodation in twin rooms/kasbahs/exclusive desert tents, 9 breakfasts, 9 lunches, coffee/snacks on all riding days, tour guides and all guided tours, 8 days motorcycle rental, spare motorcycles, fuel, comprehensive motorcycle insurance, technical motorcycle support, support vehicles with drivers, luggage transport, T-shirt.