The Caravan Trail

This is our tour of southern Tunisia: 7 days with 5 days of riding, on a loop from Djerba via Tataouine and the ksour road, the Ksar Ghilane oasis on the edge of the Sahara, Douz, the Chott el Jerid salt lake and Matmata. The Girls Ride follows the same route, women only, with a female tour leader and on its own dates. In Morocco, The Wonders of the Atlas stays almost entirely on pavement, and From the Atlas to the Sahara Dunes has more dirt roads and sand.

The tour is rated Intermediate: you need to ride regularly and be comfortable with a few stretches off pavement. Several stages include dirt roads, with sand in places, notably around Ksar Ghilane and on the road to Douz. Some stages are far from medical help: the support vehicle follows the group.

About 620 miles over 5 riding days, from 100 to 155 miles a day. Dirt and sand take time: expect a full day in the saddle, with stops in the ksour, the oases and the palm groves.

A Royal Enfield Himalayan 411, maintained by our mechanic, who follows the group with the spare parts. The seat height is 31.5 inches, and a lowered version at 31.1 inches exists: if your height makes you hesitate, talk to your travel advisor before booking.

Yes. The luggage travels in the support vehicle, and your passenger must be fine with a few stretches of dirt and sand. The tour costs $2,490 per rider and $2,090 per passenger.

An English-speaking motorcycle tour leader and a mechanic, with a driver at the wheel of the support vehicle, which carries your luggage and the spare parts. The group is limited to 10 motorcycles (12 participants with passengers).

$2,490 per rider and $2,090 per passenger. The price includes the motorcycle, gas, the team, lodging, all meals from breakfast on day 2 to breakfast on day 7 and transfers from Djerba airport. You pay for your flights, dinner on day 1, drinks, entrance fees, tips and a $708 deposit per motorcycle.

The tour stays in the south of the country, between Djerba, the Dahar hills and the edge of the Sahara, and the group rides with a tour leader, a mechanic and a support vehicle. Read the US State Department travel advisory for Tunisia before booking, and ask your travel advisor any questions.

The tour starts and ends in Djerba, and you book your own flights. Our team meets you at the airport on day 1, 25 minutes from your hotel in Houmt Souk, and takes you back on day 7. US citizens need no visa for a tourist stay of this length: bring a passport valid for at least 6 months after arrival and your driver’s license with motorcycle endorsement (required documents). To arrive earlier or stay longer, ask your travel advisor about the options.

Departures run in spring and fall, from March to May and from September to November; open dates are shown on this page. Days are hot and mornings and evenings cool: bring a warm layer and rain gear. You stay in simple, characterful places, including a fondouk (an old caravanserai), a ksar and a cave dwelling guesthouse, with one night with shared bathrooms. Bring a soft duffel bag.