Summary
This a family & friends tour designed to give you all a full Sahara emersion on a 4x4 vehicle.
The offroad itinerary starts and finishes in Ouarzazate.
This tour includes 3 off-road riding days + road transfer to Ouarzazate and back to Marrakesh at the end.
If you need to rent a 4x4 you'll fly to Marrakesh, from there you'll do a road transfer to Ouarzazate before the offroad itinerary starts, as well as a road transfer back to Marrakesh at the end of the off-road section.
If you're going with your own 4x4 you can chose to go via Marrakesh or just show up in Ouarzazate at the defined day.
This is a private tour, with your friends and family. For this reason there isn't a pre-defined set up date on our calendar. Instead, it will be up to you to decide when do you want to live this experience.
Due to weather conditions we recomend this tour between March and May or between October and December.
Please note these recommended dates is high season, therefore the sooner we book the hotels the more chances we have to get the best ones. Usually reservations should be done 6 to 9 months in advance for the best quality hotels.
We recommend a minimum of 2 vehicles and a maximum of 6 on this tour.
Highlights
♦ More than 600 km of all kinds of trails through forests, technical tracks and fast flat lanes.
♦ Top class hotels with swimming pools and one night in a desert bivouac.
♦ Wi-fi at all hotels.
♦ Traditional Morocan Cuisine.
Hotel upgrade
Our hotel selection is high quality, amongst the best 4 start (or equivalent) options available.
We can bring your experience to another level and upgrade to the absolute best luxury options whenever available.
Let us know your requirements and we'll adapt the hotel selection accordingly to your requests. Price will be adjusted accordingly.
Day 1 ♦ Arrival Day > Ouarzazate
There are several options to fly to Marrakesh. From the Airport to othe Rental car company is 15 min drive.
Marrakesh to Ouarzazate is a 5h drive (be carefull with speed limites. Police is everywhere to give you a ticket). You will cross the Atlas mountains with its peak at 2260 meters at the pass of Tizi n'Tichka. Beatiful view and many restaurant options half way to Ouarzazate.
If your going on your own 4x4 you're free to go via Marrakesh or just join in Ouarzazate.
Day 2 ♦ Ouarzazate > Desert Bivouac
Leaving Ouarzazate in the morning on-road during 58 km to Skoura. From there just anoter 10 km and it's the begining of the off-road adventure. Mainly fast and flowing pistes with breath taking views to the mountains of the Jbel Saghro, one of the most beatiful mountain tracks in Morocco. After 97 km it's a lunch stop in N'kob.
After lunch a small asphalt section (27 km) folloed by 99 km of pure desert, crossing the pistes of the old Dakar Rally. Some parts are really fast with many paralel tracks, and the end as a section with lots of sand where you must keep the pace, just before the beatiful Kasbah surrounded by dunes.
Day 3 ♦ Desert Bivouac > Merzouga
Long morning (122 km) starting with a beautiful and long sandy hill climb close to the border with Algeria. Amazing landscape for a memorable photo. After a few kilometers of sandy tracks there is a dry river that is known for the fesh fesh (very light dust similar to poweder), just before Remlia, a typical village where you can stop for a tea of buy souvenirs from the local ladies always waiting for tourists. More nice pistes mostly sandy till Khamlia where is located the recommended lunch stop.
Short afternoon (15 km) to enable an early arrival at Merzouga - the heart of the Morocan Sahara - with plenty to see and enjoy the beatiful hotel with swiming pool.
Day 4 ♦ Merzouga > Dades
We recommend an early departure as you'll have the longest off-road morning with 161 km. A bit of asphalt in the beginging and then, some easy going fast pistes till the reserved lunch spot (please be there on time as they will cook just for you).
The afternoon will be absolutely amazing as you cross the Jebel Saghro, considered one of the most beautiful mountain ranges in Morocco! Memorable landscape. Final section on the asphalt, before arriving at the superb Hotel with a smile on your face. It´s time for beers and Jacuzzi. Massages may be booked on your arrival.
Day 5 ♦ Dades > Marrakesh
From Dades to Marrakesh is a 6 hour drive (100% asphalt).
Enjoy the views while crossing the Atlas Mountains and, if you have the time, prolong your stay in the vibrant Marrakesh.
Get lost in the souk inside the medina, Buy some souvenits and book a nice dinner at a fancy restaurants in Hivernage area, with traditional belly dance.
Flight back home as and when.
♦ Planned route GPX file
Full off-road itinerary in GPX track to enable you to follow the planned route seemlessly.
♦ Twin share accommodation
4 nights, including breakfast and dinner. Single room available as an Add-On.
♦ Lunch recomendations
In specific places (working on reservation only) we'll make the reservation for your group.
♦ Rental car reservation
We'll support you with the reservation of a 4x4 with a rental car company.
♦ Flights
To / From Marrakesh.
♦ Transfers
Between airport/hotel and back.
♦ Fuel
Make sure you refuel your car before heading into the desert.
♦ Lunches
We'll only give you our recommendations and book specific meals for your group (whenever it's difficult to find a place to eat).
♦ Drinks
Only the food is included at the included meals (breakfast and dinner).
♦ Rental Car Fees
All payments and responsabilities related with the car rental will be directly between you and the car rental company.
♦ Rental Car Damage Deposit
Returnable deposit against car damages to be paid to the rental car company.
Reservation process
Reservations are made on HorizonAdventures website (www.horizonadventures.pt).
After the selection of your package (usually own vs rental motorbike) and input the participant's information, you'll be able to select some add-ons.
We strongly recommend all participants to plan the return flight on the day after the last riding day, enaling a less stressful last riding day and a proper closing dinner. The add-on for this is called "Last night and dinner". If you need to catch the return flight on the last riding day, make sure you book your flight late enough to allow the day's ride + transfer to the airport + check-in time.
Our booking system is powered by wetravel.com. We have set up a planned payment plan, and 30% of the tour value is due at the booking date. For the remaining payment planned dates you will receive a reminder email. Wetravel.com will charge you some fees for each transaction. Payments made outside the wetravel links are not subject to any fee's as long as you set them up with expenses to paid paid on your side.
Should you prefer any other payment method like Revolut or Wise (usually free from any comissions) please let us know.
As soon as we receive the first deposit, your place on the tour will be reserved. This first deposit 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. In such case, the new booking (for the relocated date) will be subject to a new first deposit of 30%. The valid credit from the previous year will be deducted on the final payment.
Up to 60 days before the tour start date, a second deposit will be requested. The remaining payment is due at your arrival, before the start of the tour.
Reservations are accepted only after the acceptance of the present Terms & Conditions, by ticking on the related check box, at the end of the Participants Info section.
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 at the Add-ons section during your booking..
The price is calculated for a minimum of 4 persons. If the group to be transferred is less than 4 participants the cost will be adjusted, and balanced on your arrival.
A dedicated transfer for just one participant is possible, but expensive (regular transfer x 4).
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 initial tour date.
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 to be used towards future tours with Horizon Adventures is calculated based on the formula CREDIT = PAYMENTS - PENALTIES. The penalties are applied on the public tour price (+ add-ons when included on the registration) 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 on the value of the booked tour. The credit is valid for 12 months from the date of the initial tour.
On tours where there’s a minimum number of participants for the tour to take place, in the event that a participant cancels their participation and the number of participants, for this reason, falls below the minimum, HorizonAdventures still guarantees the completion of the tour (so as not to compromise the expenses/flights/insurance of confirmed participants). In this case, the customer who made the cancellation loses the right to the initial deposit, which will not be converted into credit under the terms mentioned in the previous paragraphs.
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 (eg: for not meeting the minimum required participants), no penalties will be applied to any customer, and all participants will have the option to relocate to another date or 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 in any other tour up to 12 months from the initial tour date.
Horizon Adventures is not responsible for expenses incurred by participants in preparing for a trip (eg. Non-refundable advance purchase air tickets, equipment, etc.) or for any additional arrangements pre- or post-departure date. This term applies whether the tour is altered, modified, or canceled by us or by you for any reason.
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. No refunds will be provided for any expenses related to accommodations or meals not used by the participant due to their premature departure from the tour. HorizonAdventures will have no responsibility for repatriation of the participant, or any other expenses which may arise out of such an event.
Motorbikes
The motorbikes 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. Any minor damage will be charged in fair proportion to the damaged material.
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.
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.
Insurance Policy
The motorbikes of HorizonAdventures are covered by a Liability Insurance (civil responsibility third party).
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, 15th amended by the Decree-Law No. 95/2013 of July, 19th.
HorizonAdventures has a Personal Accident Insurance to cover his clients on any tour in Portugal. 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. For any tour outside Portugal, the customer will have to individually purchase their own travel insurance, without any exclusion clause for the use of motorcycles.
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 motorbike 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.
Additionally to the travel insurance mentioned above, and specifically for tours in Morocco (or any other in remote areas where medical support has dificult acess), we strongly recommend each customer to book it's own rescue insurance. In case of severe accident, the Rescue Service is activated. All in all this insurance enables you to be picked up from a remote location and be taken to the hospital in the fastest possible manner. From there your travel insurance is activated. Should you have any doubts who are the insurance companies offering this kind of coverage, don't hexitate asking us.
Room distribution
All tour prices are based on a twin room sharing.
The Single room up-grade 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 up-grade.
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 for at least 6 months beyond departure.
- Driving license is mandatory for all our tours.
- Credit card for online pre-payment authorizations (eg: deposit for motorbike/GPS 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.
