Route

Week 1

The expedition members and staff, with 4x4s, bikes and support vehicles, assemble in the UK on the day of departure. Our first day will take us to Dover and the channel ferry on our way to Paris. In Paris (the spiritual start point of the expedition) you will have your official group photograph taken at the Eiffel Tower, before finally leaving the city on our way to Africa. From here we continue south – across the Pyrenees and into Spain. There is a lot of distance to be covered but it is an enjoyable ride as the sun becomes warmer and Africa comes ever nearer. Some great scenery and a perfect time to get used to your bike and the routine of daily life on the road.

Finally we cross into Africa. After a memorable ferry ride across the Straights of Gibraltar we are soon winding our way through the streets of Fez, dodging donkeys, erratic taxi drivers and waving back at the kids as we pass by. Amazing scenery, friendly people and a colourful, vibrant culture. An eye-opening and unforgettable introduction to an amazing continent.

Week 2

From Fez we continue our journey into the Atlas Mountains. There are some great trail rides here, gradually increasing in difficulty, through amazing scenery, as well as some of the best asphalt rides on earth. Across stunning mountain passes and through remote valleys, your Challenge takes you further and further south and into the Sahara Desert.

At the great sand dunes of Erg Chebbe those off road novices amongst you will begin to learn the unique skills required to ride in sand during training sessions. We head out into the wilderness on remote and challenging desert trails heading west towards the Atlantic Coast. Before long we are in Western Sahara – a unique place, as harsh and rugged as it is beautiful. Finally we cross the border into Mauritania.

After carefully crossing the mine field which marks no-man's land, we arrive in Mauritania - a vast land where sand dunes threaten to swallow up the road in front of you, and where only the most adventurous travellers come. Get ready for some amazing, challenging days in the Sahara.

Week 3

Our final week will be an amazing climax to this classic journey as we head off into the desolate wilds of the Sahara Desert. After final equipment checks the expedition splits into two groups – those undertaking the off-road desert crossing, and those opting for the tarmac route. For those going off-road we will leave the asphalt north of Nouadhibou for the desert crossing to the capital city of Nouakchott. The desert crossing is now part of over-landing folklore and all those who chose to undertake it will remember the experience for the rest of their lives. The terrain you can expect to encounter will vary from slower rocky sections, to fast and flat desert plains before finally travelling the last leg along the serene beach piste to Nouakchott. Here the expedition re-joins those who have taken the tarmac route for the final leg of the journey.

Crossing into Senegal the colours and sounds around you will be distinctly African. You’ll get the chance to recover from the Sahara crossing in the beautiful colonial town of St Louis where you can sink a beer and just relax before continuing south to our ultimate goal – Dakar. Welcome to the chaos of Dakar! A huge, sprawling African metropolis where beggars walk the streets alongside businessmen. Spend the night in this unique city and soak up an atmosphere like no other before riding back out in to the serene African countryside once more. We will be staying at Lac Rose – the traditional finishing point of the Dakar rally – for the essential group photograph of our now travel worn band of adventurers.

On your final day we cross into Gambia – the end of an epic journey and a challenge that will stay with you for the rest of your life. Gambia is used as the end point for the Paris – Dakar Challenge as it is English speaking and an ex-British colony, and therefore has good air and shipping links with the UK. Simply hand back your trusty Kudu bike and relax in the bar during your last night in Africa - life will never quite seem the same again!

Important note: This route is given as an example of what you can expect only and should not be taken as necessarily the route that your trip will take. We are constantly changing the Paris-Dakar Challenge route to make sure that the trip is unique each time it runs and no two trips ever follow exactly the same ininerary. Please contact us for the latest information and updates.