Morocco Travel Guide: Off The Beaten Path

Most travellers will begin their Moroccan journey in a major city, with Casablanca and Marrakech being the most common starting points. However, the latter is the closest major city to the Sahara Desert, and it’s where the majority of our guests arrive. From there, we can arrange for a pick-up and transfer from Marrakech to Ouarzazate, which is around 200 miles away. Alternatively, you can book your own domestic flight from Marrakech to Ouarzazate with a Motor Adventures pick-up at the other end.

If you are arriving in and departing from Marrakech, the Red City rewards exploration with its lively souks, majestic palaces, and world-famous Djemaa el-Fna square. It’s a fantastic introduction to life in Morocco. But with its constant energy and crowds, it can also become overwhelming and draining.

That’s why venturing into Morocco’s rural landscapes offers such a stark and welcome contrast. Away from the bustle, the pace slows, the air clears, and authenticity comes into focus. The High Atlas Mountains rise dramatically against the sky, Berber villages welcome you with warm hospitality, and the Sahara Desert stretches endlessly in golden waves.

Choosing an off-the-beaten-path Morocco travel experience is about more than scenery; it’s about meaningful connection. From evenings in desert bivouacs to winding motorbike rides through remote gorges, these moments stay with you long after you’ve left.

If you want a taste of what makes these journeys so special, read our blog Why You Must Take a Tour of Morocco’s Sahara Desert when you have finished here.

Erg Chebbi and Merzouga

Erg Chebbi is Morocco’s most famous dune field, and with good reason. Rising to 150 metres high (making them the highest dunes in Morocco), these burnt orange sands near the village of Merzouga create an otherworldly landscape. A ride here is unforgettable, and evenings are spent under vast desert skies in a traditional bivouac. Discover more about this dream-like place in our blog Visiting Morocco’s Erg Chebbi Sand Dunes.

Erg Chigaga and Mhamid el Ghizlane

Wilder, more remote, and less developed than Erg Chebbi, Erg Chigaga rewards those seeking solitude. The dunes stretch for over 40 kilometres, and the journey from Mhamid el Ghizlane feels like stepping back in time. This is Morocco at its most remote, perfect for Morocco desert tours that capture the spirit of exploration.

Erg Ouzina

Tucked away from the usual tourist routes, Erg Ouzina combines the majesty of the desert with strong Berber traditions. Staying here often includes sharing mint tea with locals, hearing traditional music, and learning about the rhythms of desert life.

Are you hoping to experience the three ergs of Chebbi, Chigaga, and Ouzina in a single trip? You’re in luck! Our Morocco Desert Quest, with six days of riding, includes visits to all of these famous dune fields.

Boumalne Dadès and the Dadès Gorge

The Dadès Gorge is a stunning natural formation in the High Atlas Mountains, carved out by the Dadès River over thousands of years. The resulting series of valleys and gorges is among Morocco’s most awe-inspiring landscapes. But the most eye-catching section is the serpentine road with hairpin turns winding up the side of the gorge from bottom to top. It’s a paradise for riders and photographers!

Boumalne Dadès is a town a short distance from the gorge that offers a realistic slice of everyday life in this region. While tourism does exist here, it’s a world away from the mass tourism found elsewhere, so the local atmosphere is truly genuine.

Aït Benhaddou

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Aït Benhaddou is a breathtaking ksar (fortified village) that has featured in films and TV shows like Gladiator and Game of Thrones. Its mud-brick towers and ramparts evoke Morocco’s ancient history. When you picture a ksar in your mind, the image will probably have a striking resemblance to Aït Benhaddou!

Foum Zguid

Long ago, the village of Foum Zguid was a key stop on the ancient trans-Saharan caravan routes. And while those days have passed, you can still see and feel the echoes of this history today. Add in sweeping desert views, natural beauty, and warm hospitality, and Foum Zguid is a charming stop on any off-the-beaten-path Morocco itinerary.

Jebel Saghro Range

Located south of the High Atlas and east of the Anti-Atlas, the Jebel Saghro range is a striking natural formation that tells a story of ancient volcanic activity. This is a landscape of flat-topped mesas, deep gorges, and twisted pinnacles reaching into the sky. The austere, lunar landscapes even have their very own “Monument Valley”.

Keen to explore Jebel Saghro with us? Find out more about our High Peaks and Desert Morocco Motorcycle Tour. 

High Atlas Mountains

Crossing the High Atlas is one of Morocco’s great journeys. The range, with its snow-capped peaks and fertile valleys, extends diagonally across Morocco for around 1,000km. The mountains encircle Marrakech to the city’s south and east, and the range’s jagged Jurassic peaks act as a barrier between the mild, Mediterranean climate in the north and the dry, arid Sahara to the south.

Morocco Kasbah Stays and Desert Bivouacs

One of the highlights of a Motor Adventures tour is where you rest your head. Imagine staying in a converted kasbah more than 200 years old, its thick walls echoing with centuries of history. Or picture sleeping in a Sahara Desert bivouac in Morocco, where the silence is broken only by the crackle of a campfire. And overhead, the sweep of the Milky Way shows you more stars in the sky than you could have ever imagined. 

These aren’t just overnight stops — they’re a key part of our unforgettable, culturally immersive journeys.

A day on one of our tours is equal parts adventure and discovery. You’ll set off after breakfast, riding through landscapes that change hour by hour, from mountain passes to desert tracks. Stops along the way might include a Berber village, a palm-filled oasis, or a panoramic ridge for photos.

In the evenings, you’ll relax in welcoming, handpicked accommodation — whether that’s a desert bivouac, a kasbah stay, or a boutique guesthouse. Meals feature fresh Moroccan cuisine, often prepared by local hosts, adding yet another layer of authenticity to your experience.

Of course, each of our tours is unique, so you’ll have to browse the full range to find out more about what you can expect on the road. Our excursions cater to different riding levels, and we provide full support vehicles to ensure peace of mind. 

Looking for practical advice ahead of your trip? We recommend reading our motorcycle touring tips in Morocco, covering everything from essential kit to travel documents and insurance.

Morocco’s climate varies between regions, so tour timing matters. We cover this topic in detail in our blogs What is the Best Time to Visit Morocco and When’s the Best Time to Visit the Sahara Desert in Morocco, so be sure to check them out when you finish here.

But for now, here’s a general guide to what the weather is like in the region of Morocco we explore.

• Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November) are ideal, with warm days and cool nights — perfect for desert riding. Expect temperatures in the low-to-mid 20s (°C). Desert flora blooms into life in spring, while autumn welcomes beautiful golden light.
• Summer (June to August) brings extreme heat to the Sahara. We’re talking peaks of above 45°C. Conditions are not compatible with riding, so we do not operate tours during this time of year. They simply wouldn’t be safe or enjoyable.
• Winter (December–February) sees snow in the High Atlas while the desert remains pleasantly cool. Daytime temperatures of 15 to 22°C create more consistent sand for riding, while the skies are often clear and crisp with invigorating fresh air.

• Layered clothing suitable for hot days and cool nights
• Quality riding gear and protective equipment
• Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a good hydration system

• Rehydration powders and glucose/energy tablets
• Comprehensive travel insurance and necessary travel documents
• Plasters, lip salve, paracetamol, ibuprofen, and other medical supplies