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Spain Portugal and Morocco

Duration

21 Days

Ride Grade

2

Ride / Rest day

16 / 5

Sealed / Dirt

99.9% / 0.1%

Distance

4,530 km / 2,830 mi


Spain, Portugal and Morocco: Explore Southern Europe and Northern Africa, a ride from the hills of Lisbon to the sands of the Sahara

A ride of an incredible diversity in peoples, landscapes & cultures, this is a ride that explores the history of Southern Europe and Northern Africa, from the Romans to the Muslims, the Moors to the Christians, maritime explorers to the Conquistadors, they all left their mark on this historically rich part of the world. We will experience life beneath the “tourist surface” as we ride the less travelled paths via country roads, barely a single lane wide, get wonderfully lost in the ancient medinas of Morocco, ditch our bikes in favour of camels as we ride into the endless Sahara and explore ancient Kasbahs and palm filled oases. Join us as we have breakfast in Morocco, lunch in Gibraltar and dinner in Spain, all in one day, this is a classic, all paved, ride never to be forgotten.

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Dates and Pricing

10th Apr 2024 to 1st May 2024
Tour code: SPM/100424
from US$10,530.00
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1st Sep 2024 to 22nd Sep 2024
Tour code: SPM/010924
from US$10,530.00
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27th Sep 2024 to 18th Oct 2024
Tour code: SPM/270924
from US$10,530.00
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1st Sep 2025 to 22nd Sep 2025
Tour code: SPM/010925
from US$10,530.00
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27th Sep 2025 to 18th Oct 2025
Tour code: SPM/270925
from US$10,530.00
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Tour Highlights


Itinerary


 
 

Day 1: Your Lisbon airport transfer will take you directly to our joining hotel, ready for an early start tomorrow. Today you will meet your crew for your tour briefing and welcome dinner.
Day 2: Leaving the Portuguese capital of Lisbon we ride due south along the Atlantic Coastline the most southwesterly point of the European continent, at Sagres, a town with a definite “end of the world” feel to it.
Day 3: We are in the Portuguese Algarve and ride the extraordinary Serra de Monchique, riding small remote backcountry roads through tiny farming communities before returning to the coast at Tavira
Day 4: Crossing into Spain today, and the legendary Andalucía, we ride into the mountains of this remarkable region overnighting in a 15th Century Hacienda located on the outskirts of the stunning Arcos de la Frontera
Day 5: We cross into Morocco today, via the Straits of Gibraltar, and ride onto the beautiful “blue village” of Chefchaouen, a village in the shadow of the Rif Mountains.
Day 6 & 7: A full days ride today to one of the most fabled cities in Morocco, that of Fez. We spend a full day in Fez allowing us time to visit the renowned Fez Medina among ancient sights.
Day 8: Leaving Fez we ascend into the Middle Atlas Mountains and a landscape of vast valleys and oasis of palm filled canyons to our overnight stop at Midelt.
Day 9: Descending somewhat we reach the very edge of the Sahara Desert and swap our bikes for camels and ride out to our overnight 5 star campsite, set deep within the sand dunes, not far from the Algerian border!
Day 10: Back on our bikes we ride the “Route of 1000 Kasbahs”, a historic route littered with Kasbah’s and palm filled oases on our way to the extraordinary Todra Gorge then onto Boumaine Dades, where we spend the night.
Days 11 & 12: We visit one of Morocco’s finest Kasbahs of Ait Ben Haddou before ascending into the High Atlas Mountains via the incredible Tizi n'Tichka pass. Two nights are spent in Marrakesh giving us time to visit the old medina and the amazing Djemaa el Fna, a chaotic main square that bursts to life at sundown, and has been operating since the 11th Century
Day 13: More superb back country riding today and we ascend and descend the Atlas Mountains via rarely used single lane roads; it’s a real introduction into rural Moroccan life
Day 14: More great riding today back into the ever present Atlas Mountains through a rarely visited region of remote villages and epic landscapes. We arrive into the UNESCO listed Meknes for our overnight stop and can visit the old medina.
Day 15: A short ride out to Morocco’s finest Roman ruins of Volubilis before continuing onto the beautiful coastal fortified village of Asilah where we spend our last night in Morocco.
Day 16 & 17: Breakfast in Morocco, lunch in Gibraltar & dinner in Spain!!! We cross back into Spain and stop of the wonderful Rock of Gibraltar before ascending into the mountains to the incredible Ronda. Two nights are spent in Ronda allowing us time to explore this amazingly located, historic city that straddles the El Tajo Gorge.
Day 18: Another superb ride day exploring the empty back roads of Andalucía before reaching the renowned city of Granada, home to the magnificent Moorish fortress & palace complex of Alhambra.
Day 19: We start the day off with a visit to the UNESCO listed Alhambra before riding the “Caliphates Way”, a route littered with Pueblo Blanco’s (White villages) all adorned with ancient fortresses. The day is finished off at the staggering Mesquita (mosque / cathedral) in Cordoba.
Day 20: We cross back into Portugal today via some superb country lanes and mountain top fortress villages. We overnight at another UNESCO listed village of Evora
Day 21: After spending the morning in beautiful Evora we take a short ride amongst beautiful cork, eucalyptus forests and grape vines to Lisbon for our last night of this incredibly diverse ride in 4 different countries.
Departure day: Spend some time in Lisbon or fly home, the choice is yours.

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Included


  • Airport Transfers
  • Motorcycle rental as per your selection.
  • Fuel
  • Tolls
  • Support vehicle with passenger carrying ability
  • 21 nights accommodation in excellent small hotels
  • 21 breakfasts
  • 14 Lunches
  • 15 Dinners
  • Services of ride leader and support vehicle driver
  • Pre-departure material and route maps
  • Access to a satellite phone, pay per minute
  • Compass Expeditions tour shirt
  • Entrances to all attractions mentioned in the itinerary

Not Included


  • International Flights
  • Visas (if required)
  • Personal Health/Travel Insurance
  • Tips and gratuities
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Upgrades


If you require a low bike option we have a lowered suspension or lowered seat BMW F750 GS available: Free of charge

All accommodation is twin or double share, if you would like a single room there will be a single supplement: EUR 1 890
(please note, you may be required to share a bathroom at least once on this trip).

Our motorcycles are insured and have a damage excess of EUR 2500, you can reduce the excess by taking advantage of our Excess Reduction Policy: EUR 25 per day

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Ride Details


Ride Profile

99.9% Sealed. The vast majority of the roads are in superb condition, however we do spend considerable time on mountainous roads that are winding and twisting and very narrow with blind corners, generally these roads are empty. Moroccan roads are far more challenging with significant road subsidence in some areas, some sections with massive potholes broken and tall shoulders, narrow and winding roads with tall drop-offs and drivers that are a little less careful than what we may be used to.
0.1% Unsealed. We may encounter some roadwork’s in Morocco where a new road is being built and could experience sections of up to 100mts of dirt around machinery or roadwork’s. Additionally a particular 8ks section of road in Spain is in terrible condition and slowly returning to a gravel surface.

    Tour Start/End

    Tour Start: Lisbon, Portugal
    Tour End: Lisbon, Portugal

    Climate

    September / October in Portugal & Spain will be cooling down as autumn arrives, expect mid 20 to early 30 degrees Celsius. Morocco will also be cooling down with low 30 degrees Celsius but cool nights, especially in the desert. Generally the weather will be clear and sunny but some rain could be experienced as we cross the High Atlas in Morocco. 



    Important Information

    • All riders must have a valid motorcycle license and at least two years riding experience.
    • It is a requirement that all clients have appropriate insurance for this type of expedition.

     
    Ride Grade
    2
     

    Ride Distance
    4,530 km / 2,830 mi

     

    Sealed / Dirt
    99.9% / 0.1%

    Accommodation


    • 21 nights of accommodation.
    • Our accommodations range from small family run hotels through to 5 star hotels.
    • One night "Glamping" in The Sahara; the tents have hot showers & toilets inside so we aren't roughing it.
    • A flexible attitude is needed as standards are not always what we are accustomed to.
    • All accommodation is on a twin share basis. If you are traveling alone we will pair you up with another solo traveler. However, if you prefer single accommodation a single supplement is available:EU$ 1 890.00 (please note that you may be required to share a bathroom at least once on this trip)
     
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    Dining


    • On every day of the tour we include breakfast: 21 Breakfasts
    • On mentioned ride days we provide a picnic lunch that we prepare ourselves from our mobile kitchen: 14 Lunches
    • We include mentioned dinners in reliable restaurants we have used many times before: 15 Dinners
     
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    Bikes


     
    BMW F750GS
    • 853cc Parallel twin cylinder engine (de-tuned)
    • Seat height 81cm (32In) Approx.
    • Inner Leg Curve 183cm (72in) Approx
    • Heated Hand Grips
    • BMW style accessory power socket
    • Engine protection bars
    • Bash plate
    • Dual purpose tyres 
     
     
    BMW 850GS
    • 853cc parallel twin cylinder engine
    • Seat height 86cm (33.5in) approx
    • Heated hand grips
    • BMW style accessory power socket
    • Engine protection bars
    • Bash plate
    • Dual purpose tyres
     
    BMW R1250 GS
    • 1254cc Parallel twin cylinder engine 
    • Seat height 85 cm (33.5 In) Approx.
    • Inner Leg Curve 187cm (73.5in) Approx
    • Heated Hand Grips
    • BMW style accessory power socket
    • Engine protection bars
    • Bash plate
    • Dual purpose tyres
     

    Insurance


    Accidents happen, luggage is lost and tour or flight cancellations can occur, so it is our policy that all participants of Compass Expeditions tours have an appropriate level of travel insurance to cover the unforeseen. This is not only compulsory when joining our tours, but it makes sense.

    If choosing your own insurance – for motorcycle tours it is crucial the insurance policy you choose will offer a policy for riding a motorcycle OVER 250cc (including our bikes). This is a critical point to ensure when purchasing a policy.

    Our experienced In-house travel team are happy to help with getting you the right insurance for your tour and for any other travel you might be doing before or after. Contact our in-house travel team.

    So you’ve read all the info and think you’re ready?...