The route planning for the motorcycle tour in Tunisia is structured and well thought out. Especially the desert passage on the second day through the...
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Motorcycle Tour through Tunisia: New Year's Eve in the Sahara
Ring in the New Year under the open Sahara sky. This motorcycle tour through Tunisia is built for enduro riders who want more than a standard winter escape. Since 1999, Overcross has run this desert tour for small groups eager for real off-road riding in North Africa.
The motto says it all: one for all, all for one into the New Year. You ride together, dig bikes out of the sand together, and cook under the stars together. This is not a luxury trip. It is a raw desert adventure built on teamwork and shared effort.
Overcross is one of the leading specialists for enduro tours in Tunisia. Certified guides lead every stage. They bring years of desert navigation, first aid, and emergency training. With solid logistics and tested equipment, Overcross creates safe and memorable rides for ambitious enduro riders.
Leave your comfort zone. Join the Sahara countdown and start your year with sand, freedom, and adrenaline.
Introduction to motorcycle travel through Tunisia
Guided Enduro Desert Adventure Through the Tunisian Sahara
Overcross takes you on a legendary enduro desert tour over New Year’s Eve into the Tunisian Sahara. The route leads through wild landscapes with rocky and sandy paths. Mountain scenery along the way has served as film sets for Star Wars and The English Patient.
You explore the vastness of the Grand Erg Oriental. Nights are spent in remote oases and wild camps in no man’s land. Teamwork drives every part of this tour. Together, you master the challenging sandy passages. In the evenings, everyone cooks and cleans up as a team.
We design each Sahara countdown New Year’s tour to stir your sense of adventure. The travel plan below is a rough guide and outline. Who wants standard on an adventure trip? Nothing beats eager riders ready for a tough motorcycle experience. So leave your comfort zone and join the ride.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
• 15-day motorcycle tour with ferry crossing and desert expedition through Tunisia
• Small group format for enduro enthusiasts eager for off-road desert riding
• Sahara expedition: five days of fully autonomous riding in the desert
• Routes through the Grand Erg Oriental, Chott el Jérid salt flat, and Star Wars filming locations (Mos Espa)
• Wild camping in palm groves, oases, and under the open desert sky
• Sand training session included to prepare for challenging dune passages
• Teamwork motto: one for all, all for one – cooking, riding, and camp life together
• Certified guides with desert navigation, first aid, and emergency training
• Rest day on the edge of the Sahara for market visits or relaxation
• Hotel stays in Hammamet at start and end of tour (pool, beach, sea)
• Ferry from Genoa to Tunis included. Fly-in option via Tunis airport with shuttle
• German-speaking guide, 25+ years of Overcross experience, full logistics and technical support
• Possible visit to Lost Lake, Lac Houidhat Erreched (thermal springs, ~90 km from Douz)
Daily program: Guided Enduro Desert Adventure Through the Tunisian Sahara
Arrival Day: Departure to Genoa & Ferry Boarding
On the first day, you set off from Tübingen toward the ferry port in Genoa. Riders who brought their bikes on their own meet us there. We gather at the ferry terminal at 15:00, two hours before departure.
Each rider gets prepared entry and customs forms, plus ferry and cabin tickets from us. We have plenty of time to load the remaining bikes onto the trailer and store luggage in the support vehicle.
The ferry is set to leave at 17:00. In practice, with Tunisian time in mind, it often departs closer to 19:00. We recommend all riders arrive at the port by 15:00 to handle all formalities at a relaxed pace. After settling into cabins, we meet for dinner and discuss plans for the next day.
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1: Tunis – Hammamet
After a cozy breakfast, we come together for the tour briefing and a small surprise from your guide. We cover riding techniques, the tour route, and each rider’s skill level.
Some riders worry they may hold up the group. But it is often these very riders who end up at the front. On this trip, every rider learns a lot about enduro riding and travel. The theory starts right on the crossing.
In the afternoon, we reach Tunis. After a swift clearing at the ferry and customs, we head to our hotel in Hammamet, about 70 km away. Riders who flew in meet us at the hotel. After a hearty dinner, we do the full tour briefing, match equipment, and share all details for the days ahead.
2: Hammamet – Off to the Sahara
Today we leave luxury behind. The group rides a connecting stage on paved roads past the foothills of the Atlas Mountains to Tozeur. After a long day of riding, we set up our first camp.
Our camp sits in the middle of a beautiful palm grove above Tozeur. From there, we enjoy a stunning view over the Chott el Jerid. We arrive in the late afternoon with just enough time to cook together and enjoy a beer or two before crawling into our tents. Tomorrow, we ride through the sand for the first time.
3: Star Wars Is Calling – Mos Espa
Today’s route is short at about 60 to 70 km. But it is perfect for a first feel of riding in Tunisian sand. The sand loop takes us to the old Star Wars filming location Mos Espa. It offers a moderate challenge that gives us a taste of the coming days.
We do a small sand training session here to prepare for the toughest dune sections of the Sahara. On the way back to Tozeur, we ride along a scenic route by the Chott Er Rahim, a lake 17 meters below sea level.
Back in Tozeur, there is still time for a coffee or tea in town. As every evening, we cook together and make a campfire to relax and close the day.
4: Over Africa’s Largest Salt Flat – Chott el Jérid
Today we have a longer route to reach the oasis town known as the gateway to the Sahara. We ride on an 80 km sandy track at the edge of Chott el Jérid. Depending on the season and rainfall, we cross the roughly 7,000 m² salt flat.
At camp, we set up our tents at the edge of a palm grove. We stay here for two nights. A perfect day awaits us with showers, camping under palm trees, and a hearty dinner by the campfire.
5: Rest Day on the Edge of the Sahara
Today is your free day. Visit the traditional market held on this day. Or simply rest in the hammock and gather strength for the days ahead.
We use this rest day to stock up on supplies and fill the bikes and reserve cans with fuel. Ready for the next days – ready to survive on our own in the desert.
6–11: Five Days Into the Garden of Allah – Into the New Year
Today we begin our five-day expedition into the Sahara. We will be fully on our own. The exact route depends on group size, bike type, weather, and the riders’ skill levels.
If the group’s riding skills are strong enough, there is a chance to ride to the Lost Lake, Lac Houidhat Erreched. This complex of thermal springs lies about 90 km in a straight line from Douz. It is not easy to reach.
The days in the Tunisian desert will bring us closer as a group. Shoveling, riding, tipping over, getting up, speeding forward, and taking in the vastness of the Sahara. These days offer the most powerful experiences. Each evening, we reflect under the open sky at the “1,000 Star Hotel.” This is pure freedom and a true adventure for every enduro rider.
12: Douz – Matmata
We have planned this day as a buffer depending on how well we have moved in the previous days. If all goes well, we ride today on sandy rocky tracks to Matmata. We spend our last night in this beautiful mountain village.
In a nearby restaurant, we enjoy eastern Tunisian food once more before starting the long ride back to Hammamet tomorrow.
13: Matmata – Hammamet
Today we head north. The long connecting stage leads us back toward Hammamet. The route is paved and can feel monotonous. But the memories of the past days keep our spirits high.
In the afternoon, we reach our hotel in Hammamet. Here we enjoy the contrast between palm trees, pool, and sea. It is a welcome change from the desert and a chance to relax and reflect on the journey.
14: Hammamet – Tunis
Every adventure must end. Today we make our way back to Tunis to say goodbye at the La Goulette ferry port. Riders who fly home get an airport shuttle. Those who continue by ferry: board and head to the bar. Au revoir, Tunisie!
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What riders say about Motorcycle tours in Tunesien
PRICE
from€2679.00 / person✓ Trip includes
✕ Trip does not include
- Tour guide
- Support vehicle
- Catering from the expedition kitchen
- Ferry passage Genoa - Tunis and back including port fees (shared outside cabin for two)
- All hotel and camping overnight stays (first & last overnight stay in Tunisia in a 5* hotel in shared double room)
HIGHLIGHTS
Adventure in the Tunisian Sahara:
Experience a unique motorcycle tour through the impressive desert landscape.
Overnight stay in a desert camp:
Enjoy the night under the open sky in traditional desert camps.
New Year's Eve celebration under the stars:
Celebrate the turn of the year with a special party in the Sahara.
Interactive adventure tour:
Experience exciting off-road tracks and master challenging sand passages together with the group.
Explore oases and culture:
Our journey takes you through historic cities and impressive oases in the Sahara. Discover cultural treasures like ancient markets and rich hospitality. Additionally, we offer the opportunity to dive into the rich history and nature of this region. Experience the true Sahara adventure of community and freedom during your trip, where you feel the beauty of the desert up close.
