Desert rally training · 6 days
Morocco Rally Training
Roadbook navigation and dune riding around Merzouga, Erg Chebbi and the Ziz Valley. No desert experience needed, just off-road miles and the will to learn.
The training
From first roadbook to desert confidence
Gravel pistes around Erfoud, dry lakebeds, palm valleys of the Ziz and the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi: the region where many rally careers start.
- RegionZiz Valley, Merzouga, Erg Chebbi, Erfoud, Rissani, Taouz, Ouzina.
- FocusRoadbook navigation, dune and oued riding technique.
- FormatSmall groups, two levels if needed, daily briefings and evening reviews.
- WhoRiders with a rally basics course or about 5,000 km of off-road riding.
Programme
Six days, day by day
Day 1 starts with registration in Erfoud in the morning; departure is on Saturday 20 March. Distances and terrain are adjusted daily to the group, the weather and progress.
Day 1Registration, setup, first sand
Registration, bike inspection, roadbook reader, tripmaster, CAP repeater and GPS backup setup and calibration. Tracker installation and safety briefing.
- Roadbook holder setup
- Odometer calibration
- CAP heading basics
- Cockpit ergonomics
- Tyres, mousse and pressures
~180 kmGravel pistes, oueds, rocky plateaus and the first soft sand south of Erfoud.
- Roadbook symbols and tulips
- Odometer and CAP in practice
- Reading the terrain ahead
- Body position and throttle in sand
- Hamada
- Oueds
- Small dune systems
- Acacia desert
- How a rally works
- Stages and liaisons
- Refuelling, waypoints, penalties
- Energy over a multi-day event
Day 2Speed, momentum, terrain reading
~220 kmFast desert riding between Erfoud, Ouzina and Ramlia.
- Choosing the safest line
- Hidden washouts and fesh-fesh
- Camel grass and erosion channels
- Braking in soft terrain
- Open plains
- Low dune corridors
- Volcanic gravel
- Sandy valleys
Day 3Advanced navigation
~240 kmZiz Valley, Gara Medouar and remote tracks, with navigation traps like in international raids.
- Advanced CAP
- Hidden waypoints and validation
- Parallel tracks and route choice
- Time versus precision
- Canyons
- Rocky plateaus
- Dry lakebeds
- Mountain crossings
Day 4Erg Chebbi dune day
~180 kmA full day in the dunes, in groups by experience. The goal is control, not speed.
- Approach and crest management
- Sidehilling and safe descents
- Turning and stopping on slopes
- Dune recovery and rescue
- Small and medium dunes
- High slipfaces
- Soft bowls
Day 5The Grand Merzouga Loop
~330 kmThe longest day: a full loop around Erg Chebbi through Taouz, Ouzina and Ramlia, ridden like a rally stage.
- Stage strategy and fuel
- Navigation at race pace
- Concentration and fatigue
- Preserving the bike
- Dunes and sandy pistes
- Rocky riverbeds
- Palm oases and villages
- Fast open sections
Day 6Marathon stage simulation
~350 kmJebel Zireg, remote hamada and fast valleys, with hidden checkpoints and race-day decisions. You ride and navigate on your own.
- Complete stage execution
- Independent navigation
- Risk versus reward
- Desert self-sufficiency
- Open desert
- Fast gravel
- Sand corridors
- Mountain sectors
What you take home
Ready for an international rally raid
After the week you can ride and navigate on your own at events such as the Dinaric Rally, Hellas Rally, Olympia Rally, Carta Rallye, Tuareg Rallye or Africa Eco Race preparation events.
- Roadbook and CAPReading, odometer management, CAP navigation, waypoint strategy.
- Desert techniqueSand, dunes and recovery, terrain reading, speed management.
- Rally safetyProcedures, communication and what to do when something goes wrong.
- Stage strategyDecisions under pressure, pacing, fuel.
- Energy and hydrationStaying sharp through long, hot days.
- Mechanical awarenessKeeping the bike healthy in rally conditions.
Safety and support
Never left alone in the desert
Instructors, a safety team and support vehicles are on the terrain every day.
- Small groupsLimited headcount for personal attention and clear supervision.
- InstructorsExperienced rally riders on the terrain and in evening sessions.
- Safety teamSupport and recovery vehicles on the route.
- Daily briefingsRoute, hazards, fuel and water, communication.
- MechanicBasic maintenance and quick repairs.
Fees 2027
Price and what it covers
The training is priced per rider with half board at the base hotel. Book and pay on untamed.hr.
per rider, half board
- Bike
- €3,200
per rider, half board
- Bike
- €3,550
Included
- Coaching and instruction, daily briefings, evening roadbook analysis
- Terra Pirata, FIM/FIA standard roadbooks
- Tracking and safety devices, CAP heading, danger and speed warnings
- Support and assistance on the terrain
- Half board at Hotel Tombouctou, Merzouga
- Snacks and water on the route
Not included
- Flights and local transfers
- Fuel
- Bar drinks
- Travel insurance (international health insurance with repatriation is required)
- Bike rental and transport
Your bike
Bring yours or rent one
Pick-up and drop-off of rental bikes at the hotel in Morocco.
Your own bike
A rally or enduro bike in good condition. Ride it down yourself or send it with our partner rally support agency, which collects bikes across Europe.
Rental package
KTM EXC 450 or Yamaha Ténéré 700, with new mousse or tubes, oil and filters changed and regular maintenance included. Price and availability on untamed.hr.
Navigation and deposit
- Navigation equipment is not installed on rental bikes; installation and removal cost €100.
- Tablet with Terra Pirata and a remote controller: €50 per day.
- Safety deposit: €2,500 per bike. Damage is charged at local Moroccan parts prices, navigation gear at European web shop prices.
Practical
Getting there and who it suits
Who should join
- Riders new to the desert who want a structured, safe start on dunes and roadbook.
- Off-road riders adding navigation and sand confidence.
- Rally riders preparing for bigger events.
Getting there
Fly to Casablanca and on to Errachidia, then rent a car or take a taxi to Merzouga, about two hours.
Base
Hotel Tombouctou in Merzouga, half board. Single rooms for a surcharge.
Before you come
Participation requirements
The full list arrives with your registration.
Rider
Health and experience
- Fit for long off-road days in heat.
- Off-road skills: a rally basics course or about 5,000 km of off-road riding.
Documents
- Driving licence, vehicle registration, third-party insurance valid in Morocco.
- International health insurance with emergency repatriation.
- Passport. ATA Carnet only if your bike travels in a group transport.
Protective gear
- Helmet, goggles, off-road boots, gloves.
- Knee, elbow, shoulder, back and chest protection.
- Hydration pack of 2–3 litres.
Bike
Motorcycle
- Brakes, chain, bearings and cooling in order.
- Skid plate, handguards, working lights.
- Desert tyres; mousse or heavy-duty tubes recommended.
- Fuel range for the longest day.
Navigation
- Roadbook holder; two tripmeters recommended.
- Fused, tidy wiring ready for the tracker.
Spares
- Toolkit, zip ties, tape, tyre irons.
- Spare levers, air filter, oil.
On site
Admin
- Waiver and media consent before the first ride.
- Tracker deposit €100, refunded on return.
- Deposit for rental bikes (see above).
Personal kit
- First-aid kit and your medication.
- Sunscreen, snacks, water.
Instructors
In the desert with you
Leads the March training
Perica Matijević
Organiser of the Dinaric Rally and author of its roadbooks, search and rescue professional, rally rider since 2011.
Desert co-instructor
Name to follow
For the desert we are adding a co-instructor who knows sand: dunes, oued crossings and fesh-fesh. Someone who can turn a stuck bike into a lesson instead of a drama.
FAQ
Morocco questions
Level
Do I need desert experience?
No. Groups are small, with two levels if needed, and you progress step by step.
Is it physically hard?
The desert demands respect, but the week is paced for learning, with distances adapted to the group and regular breaks.
Safety
How is safety handled?
Instructors and a safety team with support vehicles are always present, with clear briefings and constant communication.
What about insurance?
International health insurance with emergency repatriation is mandatory.
Bikes and gear
Which bikes can I ride?
Your own prepared bike, or a rental such as a Yamaha Ténéré 700 or KTM 450, depending on availability.
What gear is mandatory?
Helmet and goggles, boots, gloves, chest and back protection and a hydration pack. You get the full list after registering.
Gallery
From the desert
Entry list
Riders 2027
14–19 March 2027 · – confirmed riders so far. The list fills up as places are booked; vehicle details appear once riders complete their registration.
Loading the rider list…
14–19 March 2027
See you in Merzouga
Places are limited by group size. Book on untamed.hr or ask us first about bikes and transport.
