Summary
This tour includes 5 riding days + arrival and departure day.
This expedition tour starts and finishes in Arfoud, just a few kilometers from the stuning Sahara desert. Except on day 1 that is a loop day, in every stage we move to a new destination. A support 4x4 will be following us and will be carrying all our luggage + tools for daily maintenace + spaire parts (for our fleet of rental bikes).
This tour requires a minimum of 7 riders to occour.
If the trip does not hit the minimum you will be notified, and new trip departure dates will be available to you.
Because the tour may be canceled when a minimum number of participants have not signed up, we recommend that you either purchase refundable air tickets or wait until we have confirmed with you that we have a sufficient number of participants (latest 1 month prior to the tour date).
Highlights
♦ More than 1000 km of all kinds of trails through sandy tracks, dunes, technical tracks and fast flat lanes.
♦ Top class hotels with swiming pools and one night in a desert bivouac.
♦ Wi-fi is available at all hotels.
♦ Traditional Morocan Cuisine as well as European options.
Due to weather conditions this tour is only scheduled for March and November.
It's the perfect temperature to ride in the desert.
Day 0 ♦ Arrival Day > Arfoud
There are several options to fly to Errachidia. The most common ones are via Casablanca or Marrakesh. From Marrakesh you'll have the option to stay 1 or 2 days extra and explore this vibrant city (after the tour preferably).
From the Airport to our hotel is one hour drive. This transfer is available as an Add-on. We'll optimize the transport between all participants and get a transport to pick you up.
Day 1 ♦ Arfoud > Arfoud
First morning starts with some fast tracks, interspersed with small sandy parts, followed by a flat area with enormous visibility and several parallel tracks reminding the Dakar stages. As we approach the cathedral of the dunes – Erg Chebi - we see how beatiful and vast the desert is. We'll start with the small dunes, and then we dive into the Northern part of this ocean of sand, crossing it till lunch time in Merzouga.
Refuel after lunch, followed by a fast and flowing track. Beautiful landscape with its peak at Gara Medouar, a mountain that used to be a prision with endless views. From there we head back to Arfoud on the only circular day of this expedition.
Day 2 ♦ Arfoud > Dades
Small asphalt section the leave Arfoud and get on our piste. Mostly fast lanes during the morning, but also some nice sandy river beds before refuel. Crossing a small village folloed by afast sectio before lunch, where we refuel the bikes from the Jerrican.
The afternoon will be absolutely amazing as you cross the Jebel Saghro, considered one of the most beautiful mountain ranges in Morocco! Memorable landscape. Arriving the superb Hotel with a smile on your face it´s time for beers and Jacuzzi. Massages may be booked on your arrival.
Day 3 ♦ Dades > N'Kob
Outside we can feel the fresh breeze coming down from the Atlas Mountains. The first kms will be on fast tracks followed by a sandy section with some parts inside dry riverbeds. A nice start to warm up your body. The mid morning will be demanding crossing a quite winding section through the mountains with pretty tight turns some of them dangerous.
Refuel and lunch at km 111 followed by a fast section. The section ahead of us it`s quite rocky and slippery on the mountains of Jbel Sagro. 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. Dinner and accommodation will at typical hotel hidden on a narrow street of N`Kob.
Day 4 ♦ N'Kob > Desert Bivouac
Initial mountain climb and a recommended stop to look back and admire the view! Next kms will be rocky with dry river beds and tecnhical sections to warm up your body. Then we cross some ancient villages, before a sandy route followed by a flat fast section just before lunch.
The afternoon starts with a stunning sandy long hill climb that used to be part of the Dakar rally route. Then we get to the fesh-fesh section (dust as light as powder) before the refueling at a welcoming typical small village - Remlia. Time for tea or Coke (as refuel is from cans and takes time), and we head into the dunes till our desert bivouac fully serouded by sand dunes and astonishing views.
Day 5 ♦ Desert Bivouac > Erfoud
We start the day in the dunes of Ouzina towards Merzouga. After the sand section, we will enter fast and beautiful tracks with compact sand and beautiful views. Some dry river crossings on the way and a short rocky section, before the fast tracks close to the refuel in Merzouga.
After lunch in Merzouga, we go to conquer the cathedral of the dunes - Erg Chebbi! At this point, everyone should feel free to read the dunes. Perfect for the final challenge! The pace is slow, but the joy and fun is remarkable! Leaving the dunes behind, we find fast tracks and a section of sandy tracks and low dunes! Dinner and accommodation at our Kasbah Hotel. Mission Accomplished! Congratulations ! You did it !
Day + 1 ♦ Arfoud > Errachidia - Departure Day
After breakfast the transfer will take you back to Errachidia Airport.
Looking forward to seeing you with us again.
♦ KTM 450 EXC
Choose the corresponding package and one motorbike will be reserved for you.
♦ Garmin GPS
One GPS on each rental motorcycle so you never get lost and ride your own ride.
♦ Garmin inReach
Satelite device with tracking subscription (for urgent rescue call in case of a life threatening situation)
♦ 3rd party insurance
Basic 3rd party insurance is included on our feet of motorbikes.
♦ Twin share accommodation
6 nights, including breakfast and dinner. Single room available as an Add-On.
♦ Lunch or pic-nics
6 meals, mostly in restaurants previously reserved.
♦ Tour leader on motorbike
Speaking English, French, Spanish and Portuguese.
♦ Support vehicle
With mechanic, tools and spaire parts for our fleet of motorbikes as well as first aid box.
♦ Drinking water
Carried on the support vehicle to refill the camel back at all times during the ride.
♦ Flights
From / To Errachidia
♦ Transfers
Between airport/hotel and back. Available as an Add-on.
♦ Single room upgrade
Available as an Add-on (limited availability).
♦ Drinks
Only water is included in every meal.
♦ Fuel
We'll stop at fuel stations or carry jerricans in the support vehicle.
♦ Enduro riding gear
Chest, knee and elbow protection. Boots, pants, jersey. Helmet, goggles, gloves and camel back. This tour is a Bring your own gear tour.
♦ Travel insurance
Including repatriation coverage (mandatory) and trip cancellation.
♦ Damage deposit
Returnable deposit (1000€) against motorbike and/or GPS damage (applicable for our rental motorbikes fleet).
♦ Transport of your bike
Only rental motorbikes will be transported by the organization to/from the event venue.
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.
