Six Days Desert Tour

Day 0

Fly to Marrakesh. A transfer will pick you up at the airport and bring you to a luxurious hotel in Dades.

Day 1 .: Dades > Zagora (175 km)

Breakfast at 8.00. Outside we can feel the fresh breeze coming down from the Atlas Mountains. The first 30 kms of a shorter day will be nice and easy a good section to warm up and come back again to the bike feelings. We are heading south to Zagora. It`s not a long morning, 88 kms to be precise. The mid morning will be demanding crossing a quite winding section trought the mountain with pretty tight turns some of them dangerous. Lunch will be served at typical hotel hidden on a narrow street of N`Kob. refueling in N`Kob and off we go keeping south on the azimute. Mandatory stop after 6 kms to look back and admire the view! Time for family picture! The section ahead of us it`s quite rocky and sleepery. Caution! Further south leaving the rocky section the ride becomes an easy journey crossing some winding sections alternating with open tracks, riverbed crossings and lost villages with surprising green crops. A total of 87 kms this afternoon to Zagora where we`ll stay the night. Definitively one of the most iconic cities in Morocco when it comes to talk about Rally Dakar and other big rallies. Worth a visit to the market and to the workshops full of stickers from around the world.

Day 2 .: Zagora > Foum Zguid (160 km)

Leaving Zagora we have nearly a 20 kms section of open desert tracks followed by a completely different ones. We are now riding along the valleys of a range mountain where the tracks leads us along the river beds, crossing several rivers going up and down the mountain through winding tracks till lunch. In the afternoon more of the same to Foum Zguid crossing some deep valleys and rocky sections. It´s not a long stage but phisically demanding with winding tracks, river crossings or along the river beds it self which will take us some time to reach the end of the day.

Day 3 .: Foum Zguid > M'Hamid (170 km)

A morning section where you definitely don`t want to lead!! Some tricky secrets along the track must be leaded by your tour leader. Riding along a wide plane, which is much more than that beacuse when it´s raining takes millions of litres of water, leads us to a supposed dry lake which in fact will look like it but it´s muddy and dangerous. Depending on the conditions we might have to take an alternative to go around the dry lake. Another dangerous section is when we arrive to Erg Chegaga. The Chegaga dunes are quite tricky and all the caution might be not enough. Follow the leader! Stop for rest and lunch on the bounderies of the dunes. After the dunes of Erg Chegaga it`s just 58 kms to M`Hamid going East with a particular and funny section with several lanes side by side bypassing right or left small dunes with vegetation. The hotel stays close to the border with Algeria.

Day 4 .: M'Hamid > Bivouac (210 km)

Breakfast, have a strong one!! You will need it!! A long morning with 146 kms. Some of the most iconic tracks of the real Rally Dakar will be waiting for us. A stop for gas in the morning at Tagounite. Refill it to the top and it`s time to take it easy to keep away the hidden threats that steps on our away coming from anywhere. A good excuse to save fuel because we have a liaison of 119 kms till the next refueling. Crossing Tamegroute a grid of small cultivated fields with millions of palm trees drive safely to avoid any crashes head to head with other car or bike. After Tamegroute we are heading N/NE along wide desert planes. A small detour from the natural track will lead us to lunch and refueling. A short afternoon with 62 kms takes us along the route used by the stages of Rally Dakar.

Day 5 .: Bivouac > Erfoud (200 km)

The morning begins with wide open tracks driving us to a dry river where we have to cross from one riverbed to another finding the best way to pass through struggling against some fesh-fesh sections. An adventure just like the ones we see on TV! Remlia is a welcoming small village and another mandatory stop on our way. Rest under the shade, have a coke and watch the old way refuel from the water cans with funnels. Leaving Remlia behind we`ll cross huge dry lake with flat and hard pack ground where we can ride side by side and take some fantastic pictures and videos towards the absolutely fantastic dunes of Ouzina. Not gigantic but big enough to play and have the fun of a live time going up, coming down, switching from one side to the other of the dune crest...can´t put it in words!!! It´s 11 kms to cross the Erg Ouzina. Again not mandatory, there is an alternative route. Heading to Merzouga the Monza Circuit is on our way. Yes! Monza dirt track version!!! Before lunch the famous and enormous Erg Chebbi presents us the highest dune in Morocco and yes we are going up there! Great sensations on the top! The view, the quiet, the endless dunes! No words again to describe! Arriving lunch if it´s hot a swimming pool is available. Nice spot at the bottom of the Big Dune. After lunch refueling at the gas station that looks more like a meeting point of bikes, 4x4, quads and SSV`s. Heading to Erfoud on our 70 kms final stage more dunes to cross. Follow the leader and don`t leave the line for safety reasons this is mandatory.  Leaving the dunes we all stop to admire this astonishing Erg Chebbi. A mixed feeling takes hold of you it`s good to get the finish line but at the same time you`re already missing it. Wide plateaus and fast tracks will take you to our Luxurious Kashbah Hotel.

Day 6 .: Erfoud > Dades (263 km)

Breakfast, briefing and...let the game begin!! A soft morning with 114 kms crossing some of the tracks used by several factory teams to prepare their structures to race the big events like Dakar. Some of these tracks are actually used by some of the most important races taking place in Morocco. On the first half of the morning it`s time to take some pictures close to the monuments: The City of Orion, Stairway to Heaven and The Golden Spiral. Leaving the monuments bypassing some small dunes that in fact are wells you will have to use the sat nav to find your azimute. Wide open planes with several tricking dried ditches will stand on your way! Take care it`s just the first day. A dried river crossing where you have to find the best way to the other bank due to the amount of big and small rocks it`s the last section before a huge lunar landscape that will lead you to lunch stop and refueling. In the afternoon a memorable section going down in a river bed with rocky sections, sandy sections, "hors piste"...find your way...10 kms of unforgettable fun followed by some quite relaxing 20 kms crossing some typical villages of Morocco! Always be really careful crossing these villages, hundreds of children will cross on your way! Quick stop for chocolate and refueling and heading to Dades. The mid afternoon will be tough and absolutely astonishing crossing the Jebel Sahro considered one of the most beautiful range mountains in Morocco ...you will never forget this range mountain! Arriving the superb Hotel with a smile on your face it´s time for beers and Jacuzzi. Massages may be booked on your arrival. More than 1200 kms, 6 days riding, different kind of tracks, the 3 major Ergs of Morocco you´ve done it! Mission Accomplished! Congrats!

Departure day

Transfer back to Marrakesh. Optional night in Marrakesh with luxurious dinner with Belly Dance Show.

The Bikes

KTM 450 EXC 2018-2020
GPS loaded with routes in all bikes
3rd party Insurance (on rented bikes)

 

Accommodation and meals

6 Nights in twin share accommodation
6 Breakfasts
6 Dinners
6 Lunches

 

Back up Assistance
Support vehicle with spare parts*
Tour Leader

 

*Participants on their own bike don't have included mechanical support and spare parts.

Not Included

Fuel

Drinks (except water)

Flights to/from event location

Transfers between airport and hotel (on the arrival and departure days)

Transport of motorbike when privately owned (rental bikes will be transported by the organization)

 

Do not forget
Medical insurance with repatriation (mandatory)
1000€ returnable deposit for bike and GPS damages
Driving licence (mandatory)
Citizen Card
Passport (validity at least 6 months)

Gear
Chest Protector
Knee Protectors
Elbow Protectors
Enduro Trousers
Enduro Jacket
Helmet
Googles
Gloves
Boots
note: we recommend you to bring your own gear but we can supply this for an extra 130€.

Clothing and other stuff
Lightweight thermal underwear the best option to use over your skin
Sports Socks
Swim wear
Camel Back with about 1.5 liters (OBLIGATORY)
Waterproof jacket

Medical stuff
Aspirins/paracetamol – some form of pain killer
Anti-inflammatory pills/cream
Lip salve – to avoid chapped lips
Plasters
Sun cream
Re-hydration powders.
Energy/glucose tablets

Optional
Personalized jersey with your name and number in the back
Single Room Supplement
Transfers (from Airport to the Hotel and back at the end of the tour)

Reservation process

Reservations are made on HorizonAdventures website (www.horizonadventures.pt). Several extras can be added during the booking process, right after the selection of your tour. The optional extras will be displayed in several lines right below the booked tour. We strongly recommend all participants to plan the return flight on the day after the last riding day. For this reason, the last day’s dinner and accommodation is a pre-selected add on. If a participant need to catch the return flight on the same day, he’s free to remove this extra, before closing the bill.

When finalizing the booking the participant will be asked for a first deposit to reserve his bike. A 3,5% handling fee will be added to cover administrative costs.

As soon as we receive the first deposit, the place on the tour will be reserved. This payment is non-refundable in any case, but can be used if the customer wants to relocate to another tour, as long as it’s booked within 12 months after the initial tour date.

Once we receive confirmation of the bank transfer, we will send an email notification confirming your place on the tour. In this email you will find a link to be used to proceed with the second payment (the customer must enter the same importance as on the first deposit). This payment should take place no later than 60 days before the start of the tour.

The remaining payment is due at your arrival, before the start of the event.

Reservations are accepted only after the acceptance of the present Terms & Conditions, by ticking on the related check box.

Payments can be made by Paypal. Contact us for other methods of payment.

 

Transfer IN / Transfer OUT

We can arrange the transfers from/to the Airport. We will try as much as possible to join more participants booked on the same tour. If you’re interested to share these transfers, please don’t forget to add it on your booking process.

The extra cost included on the Booking extras is calculated for a minimum of 4 persons. If the group to be transferred is less than 4 participants the cost will be higher, and balanced on your arrival (send us an email should you want more details on these over costs).

 

Cancellations

If a participant book a tour, but for some reason the payment has not been processed, or if only the first payment was done, but the second payment is overdue with less than 60 days prior to the event, HorizonAdventures will not secure the place on the tour, and reserves the right to cancel the reservation and open this place for other participants.

If a participant withdrawals his participation with more than 30 days before the start of the tour, HorizonAdventures will return the full amount paid to date by the participant, except the first deposit, which is non-refundable. This amount will be kept as a credit and can be used on any other tour for 12 months from the date of the initial tour.

If a customer withdrawals his participation with less than 30 days before the start of the tour, Horizon Adventures will apply penalties that will be deducted on the amounts previously paid. The credit is calculated based on the formula CREDIT = PAYMENTS - PENALTIES. The penalties are applied on the sum of payments previously done for the mentioned tour, on the following basis: less than 4 weeks notification 10% penalty; less than 3 weeks notification 20% penalty; less than 2 weeks notification 30% penalty; less than 1 week notification 40% penalty; No Show without any notification to Horizon Adventures 50% penalty. The credit is valid for 12 months from the date of the initial tour.

HorizonAdventures reserves the right, at any time, to cancel, change the itinerary or interrupt a tour when, for any reason, the safety or comfort of the participants are not guaranteed in countries or regions visited on the tour, including force majeure as riots, floods, earthquakes, pandemias, etc.

If HorizonAdventures defeat the realization of the tour, no penalties will be applied to any customer, and all participants will be reimbursed in full amount they have paid except the first deposit, which is non-refundable. This amount will be kept as a credit and can be used on any other tour for 12 months from the date of the initial tour.

 

Bikes

The bikes included in the tour package are limited to be used exclusively in the scope and course of the tour. It doesn’t include and will not be allowed to use the bike outside the described route, or particular uses on rest days and / or at the end of daily stages.

In some HorizonAdventures tours a spare bike is carried. This bike will be used free of charge if there is a mechanical breakdown. During the tour HorizonAdventures is not obligated to replace a damaged bike due to fall or accident.

Before beginning the tour, the client agrees to pay a deposit of ONE THOUSAND EUROS, to cover any damages caused on the bike, during the event. This amount will be returned in full provided that no damage has occurred.

A final check will be done in the presence of the participant to evaluate any possible damages. If for whatever reason it is not possible to check the bikes at the end of the tour (eg: Urgency to catch return flight), HorizonAdventures will have up to 7 days to advise the participant of those damages, which the participant accept to be charged.

Wheelies are not allowed - If damage is caused as the result of doing a wheelie the client will be responsible for the cost of all damages, independently of the deposit to cover damages.

 

Safety

The personal and group security is a priority for HorizonAdventures.

Horizon Adventures has a contract with the world's biggest rescue company, with a wide medical care coverage around the globe. If a severe accident occur we will put your safety first and therefore we will activate this rescue service. If the Rescue Service is activated, independently of the severity of the injury (that might only be confirmed later at the medical care facilities), Horizon Adventures may be asked to support extra costs outside the rescue insurance we have contracted. In such cases, Horizon Adventures will charge the customer for such costs, as they derive from the accident which the customer accept to be is solely responsibility.

The client must hold a full motorbike driving license which must be brought on the tour, and has made known of any endorsements or restrictions made to it by the licensing authorities.

The irresponsibly use of the bike, disregarding the rules of transit or the tour, will not be tolerated and cause the immediate suspension of the pilot, and the bike will be locked.

In the event of an accident involving a third party, in which the participant (driver) is found guilty, in particular for infringing the traffic rules, the participant's responsibility will be the total replacement of the damage caused on the bike, regardless of the initial deposit

All fines, judicial costs, etc., derived from any form of traffic infraction or other, caused by the client during the tour, will be payable by the client.

For all intents and purposes, the client is aware of the current legislation in Portugal and therefore assure, under Article 40, paragraph 2 of Law 5/2007, from January 16th, approving the Basic Law of Physical Activity and Sport, that does not have any contraindications to the practice of various sporting activities, which will be taking place.

The client declare that he has taken note of the program, including the fact that he will mainly engage in driving motorcycles and all risks associated with the practice of this sport, taking any and all liabilities arising from acts performed by him of which result in damages to HorizonAdventures, or others, and accept to be obliged to pay compensation to the affected parties at the precise extent of this damage.

If the client leaves the tour voluntarily before completion of the tour, or is required to do so by HorizonAdventures, (on the grounds that the client’s presence is detrimental to the safety or well-being of the tour or any one person on the tour), then all liability that HorizonAdventures may bear to that client (namely the event insurance) will cease immediately. HorizonAdventures will have no responsibility for repatriation of the participant, or any other expenses which may arise out of such an event.

 

Insurance Policy

HorizonAdventures has contracted for all its activities a Liability Insurance, mandatory for all Touristic Animation Agents, according to article 27 of Decree-Law No. 108/2009 of May, 15^th amended by the Decree-Law No. 95/2013 of July, 19^th.

The motorbikes of HorizonAdventures are covered by a Liability Insurance (civil responsibility third party).

HorizonAdventures has a Personal Accident Insurance to cover his clients on any tour. The client is aware of the conditions of the Personal Accident Insurance, inherent to the tour, in particular the conditions and the coverage, according to article 27 of Decree-Law No. 108/2009 of May, 15th assuming responsibility for any damage not covered by its Policy, as well as any expenses that exceed the coverages of that policy, or any disease / pernicious situation that may occur.

Additionally, each participant must book in his country of residence a travel insurance including health care with repatriation to his own country, to be used in the event of an accident or medical emergency. This insurance must explicitly not exclude the bike as means of transport, and has to be valid in all countries included on the tour. The client acknowledges that this specific risk coverage is his solely responsibility.

 

Room distribution

All tour prices are based on a twin room sharing.

The Single room supplement can be added on the booking process (extra cost). There is a limited number of single rooms which will be confirmed on a first come, first serve basis. If you are traveling alone but wish to share a twin room, HorizonAdventures will try to find you a roommate in the same situation.

If HorizonAdventures is unable to find a roommate, the last participant to book the tour will have to be charged for single room supplement.

 

Rules during the tour

In the initial briefing, some basic rules will be communicated to the group. Failure to follow these rules or any other staff indication that could compromise the security of any member of the group will result in immediate suspension of the participant.
GENERAL RULES:
- Do not surpass the Tour Leader;
- Do not leave the GPS track;
- Respect traffic regulations and local speed limits;
- Do not consume alcoholic beverages during riding hours;
- Meet the timetables set out in the daily briefing;
- Comply with the directions and decisions of the Tour Leader.

 

Tour Changes

Tours are operated on a seasonal basis. If variations in weather conditions that may result in damaged / dangerous road conditions, HorizonAdventures may change the tour itinerary and accommodations. In such case, the route will be adjusted and alternative hotels & restaurants will be used.

 

Required documents

- Valid passport with expiration date higher than 6 months after the end of the tour.

- Driving license is mandatory for all tours.

- Credit card for online pre-payment authorizations (eg: deposit for bike damages).

- Travel insurance including health care and repatriation to the country of residence.

 

Photo and video material

Photos and videos produced by HorizonAdventures in any tour are property of HorizonAdventures. The copyright is owned by HorizonAdventures.

With the acceptance of these terms and conditions, HorizonAdventures is authorized to use all this material for advertising and marketing purposes, including images of tours where participants can be recognized. Participants aren’t entitled to any claim against HorizonAdventures due to the use of these materials.

 

Final considerations

The client will comply strictly with the laws and customs of all countries visited, whether in respect of health, immigration, exchange control, drugs or any other matter.

Any discrepancy that may arise between the client and HorizonAdventures will be dealt with under the jurisdiction of the Company's home country - Portugal.

Read carefully the conditions described above and clarify all of your doubts.

To complete the booking process the client must agree and accept all these terms and conditions by ticking on the related checkbox.