At the Gates of the Desert

This is our Morocco tour that heads west to the ocean: 7 days with 5 days of riding, on a loop from Marrakech over the Tizi-n-Test pass to Taroudant, the Anti-Atlas villages around Tafraoute, Imouzzer and Essaouira, on roads that are almost entirely paved. The Wonders of the Atlas keeps the same format but stays in the High Atlas and the Dadès Gorges. The Argan Tree Route starts from Agadir and lasts 8 days, with a little more off-road.

No, the tour stops at the gates: you ride through the dry, rocky landscapes of the Anti-Atlas, with their palm groves and fortified villages, but there are no dunes and no night in the desert. To ride to the erg and sleep at the foot of the dunes, choose From the Atlas to the Sahara Dunes, an 8-day tour rated Intermediate, with dirt roads and sand.

The tour is rated Accessible: a motorcycle license and regular riding are all you need, even if this is your very first motorcycle tour. The route is almost entirely paved with nothing technical, but the Atlas and Anti-Atlas roads are a long string of curves. A few long stages run far from medical help, so the support vehicle travels with the group.

About 603 miles over 5 riding days, with stages of 93 to 155 miles. The longest one opens the tour, from Marrakech to Taroudant over the Tizi-n-Test pass, at more than 6,500 ft. The shortest crosses the Anti-Atlas to Tafraoute, where you arrive in the afternoon with time to explore the village.

A Royal Enfield, either a Classic 350 or a Himalayan 450 depending on the departure: your travel advisor tells you which when you book. Both are well suited to this road route, and the Classic 350 has the lower seat. If you are very tall or on the short side, mention it before booking so we can check the motorcycle fits you.

Yes, it is one of our most comfortable tours for two: the route is nearly all paved, and your luggage rides in the support vehicle, not on the motorcycle. A passenger pays $1,990, compared with $2,390 for the rider.

An English-speaking motorcycle tour leader rides up front on riding days. Behind, a mechanic and a driver follow in the support vehicle with your luggage and the spare parts. There are no more than 10 motorcycles, so 12 participants with passengers.

$2,390 per rider and $1,990 per passenger. The price covers the motorcycle, gas and tolls, the team, lodging, every meal from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 7 (with water, tea and coffee) and the transfers to and from Marrakech airport. On top, plan for your flights, drinks, entrance fees for visits, tips, a $708 deposit per motorcycle and, on your first trip with us, a $41 registration fee.

Everything happens in Marrakech: you book your flights to its airport, usually with a connection in Europe or Casablanca from the US. Our team welcomes you there on day 1 and drives you to the hotel. That first day is free to wander the medina. On day 7 you still have a few hours in the city before the transfer, timed to your flight. To add nights before or after, talk to your travel advisor.

The season runs from March to April and from October to December; open dates are shown on this page, and other dates are possible on request through your travel advisor. Days are warm, mornings and evenings cold, especially in the mountains: pack a warm layer and rain gear.

You stay in standard to comfort hotels or guesthouses in Marrakech, Taroudant, Tafraoute, Imouzzer and Essaouira, facing the ocean. A soft duffel bag packs into the support vehicle more easily than a hard suitcase.