A mountain bike tour from Tangier to southern Morocco through nomadic tracks and trails, from the desert landscapes of the Saghro to the wide open Saharan spaces of the Draa Valley, via the canyons of the Mgoun. This mountain bike tour of southern Morocco links more contrasting regions. Each day features a different landscape: One day in the mountains, with small, deep valleys and gorges, the next the wide oasis valleys of the Dades and Mgoun wadis and the Draa valley.
From Tangier to Marrakech, we’ll head for the central High Atlas, where we’ll get on our bikes. You’ll cross nomadic high plateaus on the southern flanks of the Jebel Mgoun mountains, descending to the beautiful palm grove of Skoura. Then you’ll pedal through impressive canyons to the verdant Mgoun valleys, passing through superb Berber villages. Further south, the djebel Saghro awaits you, a mineral desert that you’ll cross by bike in its wildest part. The last stage of this superb southern Moroccan mountain bike tour ends in the mythical Draa Valley, for a superb 2-day bike ride between lush oases and palm groves that herald the nearby Sahara. Small Saharan villages, too, where a sedentary Berber population cultivates mint and henna in the shade of palm trees.
The 13 day Cycling tour from Tangier to Desert via Marrakech, start when you’ll be arrived at the airport, our driver will pick you up and take you to the hotel where you will spend the night.
After relaxing and showering, you will meet our staff that will be your companion in this journey. Dinner will be served at the hotel.
After breakfast at your Hotel, we will take our way to Marrakech via Casablanca, we will have lunch break on the way, later drive crossing the Oasis, arrive to Marrakech on the evning drop-off by your Riad.
The first day day of the tour begins when the support vehicles will take us and our bikes south to the
Atlas Mountains, a two-hour drive on the road that links Marrakesh to the city of Ouarzazate. The
route is scenic and will take us deep into the High Atlas to reach our starting point at 2200 m high.
After preparing the bikes, the tour begins climbing gently via the Tichka Pass, one of Morocco’s
highest roads culminating at 2268m. After a short photo stop, we will enjoy a first winding descent
towards Telouet where there is a famous Kasbah of the same name -but also called the Palace of
Glaoui after the family who originally owned it. After the visit, we’ll have lunch, and then we will ride
through the superb Ounila Valley with heavily cultivated green terraces and beautiful ochre Kasbahs.
Linking superb villages, the road is undulating with some short steep uphill sections and amazing
switchbacks before it continues down to the small town of Ait Benhaddou where we’ll stay overnight
in a nice Riad.
Transfer by road: 95km / biking distance: 72km / Altitude gain, loss: +1100m, -1850m / Max
Altitude: 2268m, Min Altitude: 1270 / Physical difficulty: ▲▲▲▲▲
After visiting the amazing Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou which is classified as a World Heritage Site by
the Unesco, we’ll drive towards the outskirts of the city of Ouarzazate where we will start our next
stage near Kasbah Tifoultout. The ride beginso n a quiet road that skirts along the western edge of
the Jebel Sahro Range. The road here has a good surface with some long straight sections – so we
can up the tempo here if you wish. The first climb takes us up to Tizi n Ouado pass (1550m) – you’ll
need the small ring here – before we descend to the village of Ait Saoun. From Ait Saoun we climb
again to the highest point of the day, the “Tizi n’Tinififft” (1660m). On top of the pass you will have
amazing vistas of the snow-covered Atlas mountains and stunning views of deep canyons.
The Next part is a pure joy, riding a long descent into the town of Agdz (942m) with the tajine-shaped Jebel Kissane in the background. Agdz, a classic caravanserai oasis with a still-pristine palmeraie, is
located on the old camel caravan route between Marrakech, Timbuktu (which means ‘resting place’)
and the legendary Draa Valley. At the end of the day, we’ll along the left bank to the stage end near
Kasbah Tamnougalt where we stay in a nice hotel with a swimming pool. (Meals: B, L, D)
Transfer by road: 25km / Cycling distance: 82km / Altitude gain, loss: +1380m, -1050m / Max
Altitude: 1660m, Min Altitude: 825m / Physical difficulty: ▲▲▲▲▲
In the Morning, we will discover the amazing palm grove of the Draa Valley before riding the vast arid
plains that lead up to the foothills of the Djebel Bani. After a rewarding lunch pause under tamarisk
trees, we climb a pass to enjoy the superb views on the anti-Atlas mountains. The afternoon ride is
quite easy to our camp which is set in a natural amphitheater!
Mountain Bike Distance: 62km / Altitude Gain / Loss: +340m, -660m)
Today, we continue our journey south, we will bike a single track that is more accustomed to camels
than mountain bikes! We will discover amazing canyons where few nomad families still live. On the
southern side of the Djebel Bani, a real natural barrier stopping the overwhelming sands, we will see
the first dunes in the distance and we pedal straight down to our camp in the Sahara!.
Biking Distance: 40km / Altitude Gain / Loss: +200m, -580m /
Last day biking, we will leave the sand dunes behind and head west. We will cross the dried lake of
Iriki, riding this lake endless surface is an amazing experience. Our ride ends near the superb Djebel
Mdaouer Kebir. We will handle our bikes and drive to Foum Zguid. Overnight in a nice hotel with a
swimming pool! Biking Distance: 56km /
Biking Distance: 56km / Altitude Gain / Loss: +150m, -150m
Driving distance 26km
After breakfast, we leave the desert for a long drive up north via Taznakht and the Tishka Pass. We
reach Marrakesh at the end of the afternoon. The night is spent in a Riad, not far from Djemaa Lafna
Square (Dinner is not included but your guide will suggest a good restaurant).
Driving distance: 370km
After Breakfast your Local Guide will pick you up from your riad, Admire Mellah Square and the souk, Bab Agnaou, the Bahia Palace and other monuments and must-sees. Your local host will take you to the city’s main sights so you can get the perfect overview of what makes Marrakech so unique.
Along the way, your local host will show you hidden treasures that only locals know about. Get to know the city from a different perspective, the local way, and discover places and stories that few tourists know.
A magical tale Behind every landmark and stop, there’s a story, and your local host is ready to tell it all. Get ready to hear incredible stories, unique insights and fun facts that only a knowledgeable local would know! Special treatment Follow your host to one of his favorite restaurants for a snack or a drink enjoyed by the locals. Take a break and catch up with your new local friend, and get answers to all your travel questions.
Marrakech, unlike Fes, is Berber rather than Arab and a key commercial hub. Its walls and buildings are naturally crimsons, earning it the nickname “Red City” from its 11th-century founding. Discover the medina’s souks and shops with your guide.
See Marrakech’s highest minaret, the 253-foot Koutoubia Mosque! Visit the 16th-century Ben Youssef Madrasa Islamic school to see Moroccan arabesques, calligraphy, and geometric tile work.
Escape the afternoon heat at Ville Nouvelle’s Majorelle Gardens. The 1930s-discovered Saadian Tombs are next. From there, visit the 19th-century Bahia Palace, the most luxurious of its time, and admire its intricate woodwork and painted ceilings.
Before visiting Marrakech’s Mellah, see El Badi Palace and its sunken gardens. As you return to Jemaa el-Fna, notice the large open spaces along the alleyways. These fondouks or caravanserai were once inns along ancient trade routes for travelers and traders.
Rise early and complete any last minute gift and souvenir shopping before finding the 12th-century AlmoravidKoubba. The only surviving Almoravid monument, the Koubba was rediscovered in 1948. Next, visit the Marrakech Museum. Housed in the 19th-century Moorish Dar Mnebbi Palace, the museum offers a collection of modern and traditional art, including artifacts of Berber, Moroccan Jewish and Islamic cultures. If there’s time, you may wish to visit the Museum of Moroccan Arts (also referred to as the Dar Si Said Museum), known for its extensive woodwork collection.
After lunch, begin the return trip to Casablanca (about 3.5 hours). Stop for a quick drink at Rick’s Café—a popular restaurant and bar influenced by the movie Casablanca before catching your return flight to your next destination.
After Breakfast, drive to the airport, End your Morocco Desert Trip
