Uwe W.
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 Erg Chebbi...
MOTORCYCLE-TRIPS · TUNISIA
New Year's Eve Motorcycle Trip Tunisia: Sahara Countdown
The New Year’s Eve Motorcycle Trip Tunisia from OVERCROSS is a special kind of winter escape: 15 days of enduro through the Sahara, with the turn of the year right in the desert.
How long?
15 Days
When?
Dec 19, 2026
Price
€ 2,679
/ Person
The Journey
Enduro over New Year's in the Tunisian Sahara
OVERCROSS takes you on an enduro desert tour over New Year's into the Tunisian Sahara. The New Year's Sahara Countdown tour leads you through a landscape of rocky and sandy trails as well as mountain scenery that has served as a film backdrop for, among others, Star Wars and The English Patient. We explore the vastness of the Grand Erg Oriental and spend the nights in remote oases and wild camps in no man's land. On our motorcycle tours, teamwork is paramount: together we tackle the challenging sand passages, and in the evenings we cook and clean up together. One for all, all for one: this motto accompanies us throughout the tour. We design the Sahara Countdown New Year's tour interactively so that in the end, everyone gets a true adventure out of it. Leave your comfort zone with us and join the adventure. The following travel description is a rough suggestion for the tour itinerary, because who wants standard on an adventure trip?
Key Highlights of the Trip
Key Highlights of the Trip
01
New Year's motorcycle trip through the Tunisian Sahara
01
New Year's motorcycle trip through the Tunisian Sahara
15 days of enduro through the desert, with the new year in the middle of the Sahara.
02
Overnight stay in desert camp
02
Overnight stay in desert camp
You sleep in a 1000-star hotel under the open sky in traditional desert camps.
03
New Year's Eve under the stars
03
New Year's Eve under the stars
Celebrate the turn of the year at the Sahara Countdown Tour in the middle of the desert.
04
Challenging off-road sections
04
Challenging off-road sections
Master the dunes and sandy tracks of the Grand Erg Oriental together with the group.
05
Oases and Culture of Tunisia
05
Oases and Culture of Tunisia
The route leads to oasis towns, markets, and Star Wars shooting locations like Mos Espa.
Tunisia
The New Year's Eve motorcycle trip to Tunisia takes you in 15 days from the ferry in Genoa right across the Tunisian Sahara: over the salt lake Chott el Jérid and the dunes of the Grand Erg Oriental to Matmata, with the turn of the year in the middle of the desert.
Days 1–10
Arrival Tübingen → Genoa
On the first day of the New Year's motorcycle trip to Tunisia, we drive from Tübingen to the ferry port in Genoa. There, we meet the participants who have brought their motorcycles to the port on their own. At 3:00 PM, two hours before departure, we gather at the ferry terminal; everyone receives the prepared entry and customs forms as well as ferry and cabin tickets. We load the remaining motorcycles and stow the luggage in the support vehicle. The ferry is scheduled to depart at 5:00 PM, but in practice it is more like 7:00 PM. After settling into our cabins, we meet for dinner and discuss the upcoming stages.
Tunis, arrival and ride to Hammamet
After breakfast on board, we come together for the tour briefing, along with a small surprise from your guide. We talk about riding technique, the schedule of the Enduro Tunisia New Year's tour and the skills of the individual participants. Often, those who have concerns at first end up at the front later on. In the afternoon, we reach Tunis, quickly handle the ferry and customs, and ride about 70 km to our accommodation in Hammamet. There, we meet the participants who arrived by plane. After dinner, we go over the equipment and provide all the information for the next day.
Hammamet, departure to the Sahara
Today we leave luxury behind and start the New Year's Eve Sahara motorcycle tour. The group rides a connecting stage over paved roads, past the foothills of the Atlas Mountains to Tozeur. After a long day of riding, we set up our first campsite, in the middle of a palm grove above Tozeur with a view over Chott el Jérid. Since we arrive only in the late afternoon, there is time only for cooking together and for the odd beer, before we crawl exhausted into the tents and dream of the first ride through the sand.
Mos Espa, Star Wars filming location in the sand
At around 60 to 70 km, today's stage is short, but ideal for the first feeling of sand on the New Year's motorcycle trip in Tunisia. The sand loop leads to the old Star Wars filming location Mos Espa and offers a moderate level of difficulty as a taste of the desert. We complete a small sand training session to prepare for the challenging dune passages. On the way back to Tozeur, we ride along Chott Er Rahim, a lake 17 meters below sea level. Back in Tozeur, there is time for coffee or tea before we cook together by the campfire.
Chott el Jérid, salt lake crossing
Today we have another long stage ahead: on a roughly 80 km long sandy track along the edge of Chott el Jérid, we cross the largest salt lake in Africa, depending on the season and rainfall. This stage of the Enduro Tunisia New Year's tour ends at a palm grove, where we set up our campsite for two nights. We can look forward to a relaxing day with a shower, camping under palm trees and a hearty dinner by the campfire.
Questions about the tour itinerary?
Our tour guide is happy to answer any questions about the day-by-day route, stops, and details.
Douz, rest day on the edge of the Sahara
Today you have a free day on the New Year's Eve Sahara motorcycle tour. You can visit the traditional market that takes place on this very day, or recharge your energy in the hammock for the coming days. We use the rest day to stock up on supplies and fill the motorcycles as well as the reserve cans with fuel. Ready for race: ready for the next few days to be self-sufficient in the desert.
Days 7 to 11: Grand Erg Oriental, New Year’s Eve off the grid
Now the five-day expedition begins, the highlight of the New Year's motorcycle trip to Tunisia: completely self-sufficient through the Grand Erg Oriental, with the turn of the year in the middle of the Sahara. Depending on the size of the group and motorcycles, the weather and riding skills, we adjust the route. With good riding practice, we go as far as the lost lake Lac Houidhat Erreched, about 90 km in a straight line from Douz. Shoveling, riding, tipping over, picking up, opening the throttle: these days bond the group together. We celebrate New Year's Eve at the 1000-star hotel under the open sky. This is pure freedom for every enduro rider.
Douz → Matmata via sandy tracks
We have scheduled this day as a buffer, depending on how well we have progressed in the Sahara. If everything goes according to plan, we ride today over sandy stone tracks to Matmata and spend the last camping night of the New Year's motorcycle trip Tunisia in the famous mountain village. In the nearby restaurant we once again enjoy Tunisian specialties before the long return journey to Hammamet tomorrow.
Matmata, return trip to Hammamet
Today we start our return journey to the north. The long connecting stage of the New Year's Eve Sahara motorcycle tour heads towards Hammamet. The route is paved and can be monotonous, but the memories of the last days keep us in a good mood. In the afternoon, we reach our hotel in Hammamet and enjoy the contrast of palm trees, pool and sea, a welcome change after the desert and time to reflect on the journey.
Hammamet, farewell in Tunis
Every adventure comes to an end: today we return to Tunis and say goodbye at the ferry port La Goulette. For participants flying back after the Enduro Tunisia New Year's tour, we organize an airport shuttle. For those continuing by ferry, it means "board the ferry" and off to the bar. Au revoir Tunisie et à la prochaine!
Want a detailed description of all tour days?
Our expert will walk you through the full itinerary and answer all your questions.
Verified Reviews
What riders say about Motorcycle-trips in Tunisia
5.0
Christian K.
The motorcycle trip through Tunisia offered a clear structure during the New Year's Eve celebration in the Sahara. Notably, the support from the escort vehicle,...
Lars K.
The tour through the Tunisian Sahara offered an interesting group dynamic, as the maximum group size of 12 people fostered exchange. The pace was deliberately a...
PRICE
from
€ 2,679
/ person
Price Options
Rider with own motorcycle
€ 2,679
Beifahrer im Supportfahrzeug
€ 1,639
Additional Options
Single room surcharge
€ 169
Motorcycle transport from Tübingen to Genoa and back
€ 259
Motorcycle rental Yamaha XTZ 700 Ténéré or similar (incl. transport)
€ 1,389
Trip includes
- Experienced tour guide
- Accompanying and support vehicle
- Catering from the expedition kitchen
- Ferry crossing Genoa → Tunis and back including port fees (an outside cabin for two)
- All hotel and camping overnight stays (first & last night in Tunisia in a 5* hotel in a shared double room)
- Tour folder with equipment, packing and checklist
- Customs clearance of motorcycles including ferry crossing to Tunis and back for participants arriving by plane
- Travel security certificate, included in all OVERCROSS trips according to § 651 BGB
FAQS
-
What motorcycle equipment and clothing do I need?
You will receive a packing list with all the information in advance.
-
Do I need to bring my own tent and camping equipment?
A small tent or a "dog kennel" is sufficient, we have the expedition kitchen on board.
-
Is there gourmet cooking during the tour?
Definitely not, it's time to lose weight: bread, water and possibly a few dates if you have booked the date upgrade ;-)
-
Is there an emergency number so relatives can contact the group?
Yes, we have an online guide and a satellite phone.
-
What travel insurance is sufficient for a motorcycle tour to Tunisia?
For the motorcycle trip to Tunisia, we recommend liability insurance with a Green Card valid for Tunisia (if not, take out additional insurance locally), ADAC Plus or comparable breakdown and return transport cover, and travel health insurance with medical repatriation.
Optionally useful: trip cancellation and interruption insurance, comprehensive cover for the motorcycle and accident insurance.
-
Which tires are better for the tour: mousse or tube?
We clearly recommend tubes, as they are the more reliable solution in Tunisia.
OVERCROSS note on itinerary
The above travel description is a non-binding online proposal and does not represent a binding travel itinerary. We expressly reserve the right to make changes to the route, schedule, and accommodations (§ 651d BGB in conjunction with Art. 250 EGBGB). The terms and conditions of OVERCROSS apply.Terms and Conditions of OVERCROSS
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