Located on the north-westernmost stretch of Africa and a gateway to Europe, Morocco is one of the most vibrant cultural and commercial crossroads of the continent. In the saddle explore Morocco's rugged hills and valleys of the Atlas Mountains. Venture into these highlands inhabited by the Berbers and be delighted by their proud traditions that have been passed down for millennia.
Morocco exceeded our expectations in how friendly it was to tourist and cyclists in particular. I wouldn't hesitate to return and do more cycling and soak in more of its lovely culture, people, and landscape.
Serendipitous grouping of people. It was a pure treasure getting to meet our new friends from Milwaukee, USA, Saipan, USA territory, and merry old England. The tour was set up perfectly with local tours, food, and sleeping accommodations. Everyone with SpiceRoads was delightful especially our bike guide, driver and support vehicle staff. We miss them all!!!
DestinationsMorocco
Tour MeetsMarrakech, Morocco
Fly in toMarrakech Menara Airport (RAK)
Group Size2-10 riders
SpiceRoads jerseyWater bottleSupport vehicleGuide(s)Meals (as indicated)Airport pick upAirport drop offAccommodationSnacks and drinksEntrance fees
International flightsDomestic flightsVisa feesAlcoholTips
On this mountain biking adventure, we will cycle 230 km in 5 days of riding. This is a moderate trip, and riders with reasonable levels of physical fitness should enjoy the entire trip. The riding takes place on approximately 70% unpaved/off-road and 30% tarmac roads.
The trip is fully supported, and your guide’s expert knowledge of the area and terrain means that you always know what is coming up in terms of distance and difficulty. This makes a tremendous difference, as does the constant supply of water and refreshments along the way.
Suitability: Given that the riding is primarily on unpaved roads, we recommend that cyclists be reasonably fit and confident riding on rough terrain. While there is climbing involved on most days, particularly in the Atlas Mountains, for the most part these are gradual and not too steep. Ascents are complemented by swift and long downhill sections. This trip is fully supported so weary cyclists can always take breaks in the support vehicle if desired.
Biking Conditions: The off-road portions of this trip are very fun for mountain bikers, though remember that some parts of the route consist of loose gravel and sandy patches that could prove hazardous to riders. Additionally, some of the descents can be rocky, which requires extra caution and some off-road biking skills. The tarmac roads are in varying conditions - some very good, others more shabby – and some traffic is to be expected. On some of the days we will be transferring to cycling start/end points via the support vehicle in order to avoid heavily trafficked sections and not make the riding days too long.
Upon arrival in Marrakech, we transfer to the riad and meet up for a trip briefing. We then take a city tour to visit the Medina of Marrakech, a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring a maze of shops and stalls selling succulent traditional food and exquisite handicrafts. After our explorations, we have dinner in a restaurant near the Jemaa El Fena Square.
Riad Luzia
DinnerThis morning we leave Marrakech early and drive via the High Atlas Mountains to Kasbah Telouet (3-4 hours). Once the stronghold of Thami El Glaoui, the so-called Lord of the Atlas during French colonial occupation, Telouet is a great place to start familiarizing ourselves with the unique architecture and history of Moroccan desert citadels. This is also where we saddle up for our first ride of the tour. We’ll be cycling on a winding road through the Ounila Valley, surrounded by a picturesque pre-Saharan landscape of rocky cliffs, lush oases, and traditional Berber villages. After 46 km we arrive at our destination for the day: the stunning village of Kasbah Ait Benhaddou. This UNESCO World Heritage Site contains a well preserved medieval kasbah renowned for its labyrinth of clay-brick buildings, meandering alleys, and breathtaking views of the surrounding scenery.
Riad MaktoubBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 46km
+348m
-878mToday we go valley hopping in the scenic foothills of the High Atlas Mountains. These valleys offer a transition zone between the higher altitudes of the Atlas Mountains and the lower, arid desert regions, creating a unique and diverse landscape - perfect for mountain biking! Departing from Ait Benhaddou in the morning we transfer 90 minutes by vehicle to the town of Kalaat M'gouna. This is the gateway to the “Valley of the Roses” which, though known for its annual festival dedicated to the blooming Damascus roses, is gorgeous any time of the year. We start cycling out off Kalaat M’gouna, traversing an impressively high plateau that connects the Valley of the Roses with Dades Valley of southwestern Morocco. In this region, Bebers still live in centuries-old caves and grow figs, almonds, and pomegranates on the scarce, narrow strips of greenery. Should the occasion present itself, we’ll enjoy some fresh mint tea alongside Bebers in one of the inhabited caves.
Dar EssyahaBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 39km+658m-511mToday we will snake our way through the Dades Valley to the Berber oasis town of N’kob. The first 25 km is a gradual uphill trek to the heights of the Tizi n’Tzazert Pass which, sitting at 2,200 m ASL, offers stunning panoramic views over the Jbel Saghro Mountains. We’ll rest our legs a little and then embark on a very pleasant, at times steep, downhill section leading us into the Draa River Valley. This is one of the most fertile landscapes of southern Morocco, jam-packed with crop and palm plantations tended to by Berber communities. We’ll spend the night in the oasis town of N’kob, known for its traditional adobe buildings.
Kasbah EnnakhilBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 63km+769m-1359mAs we cycle out of N’Kob in the morning, the scenery opens up to vast stretches of date palm plantations and fertile fields that offer a rich tapestry of greens and earthy tones. The terraced gardens and palm groves present an oasis-like contrast against the arid desert surroundings. We will be cycling on gravel roads that connect the Berber communities and farmlands of the Draa Valley, along the way gaining a candid appreciation for the millenia-old ingenuity required to cultivate under such unforgiving desert conditions. As long as our route follows the river, honey and watermelon fields line our way but, if we move just a few hundred meters away from the riverbanks, the landscape is again dry and barren! By lunchtime we’ll arrive in the village of Tafechna after which we have another 15 km to the cycling end point. We hop in the support van and drive to the tranquil town of Agdz (1 hour) where we spend the night.
Kasbah Itrane TamnougalteBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 50km+551m-548mOn the tour’s final ride we will be cycling from Agdz to Cascade Tisgui, leisurely taking in the scenes of life in the oases and Berber villages lining the Draa River. After completing the ride we will transfer back to Marrakech via the city of Ouarzazate and the Tizi-n-Tichka Pass. At 2,260 m above sea level, it is a spectacular piece of engineering that is often listed as one of the most beautiful roads in the world. We’ll be on the road for 3-4 hours but time goes fast when the views are that nice! Once we arrive in Marrakech we’ll get settled at our hotel and leave the evening for free time. Dinner is on your own in vibrant Marrakech.
Riad Luzia Breakfast, Lunch
Ride 32km+531m-205mIt's a bike-free day, and we relax our muscles by taking a guided tour of Marrakech, the Southern Pearl of Morocco, to learn more about the city's rich history and culture. Discover the Palace of Bahia, built the late 19th century. It consists of 160 rooms and meant to be the grandest palace of the time. Next, we visit the Saadian Tombs, the exquisitely decorated and sculptured mausoleum of the Saadi Dynasty members, who ruled Morocco from 1554 to 1659. And we continue the tour to the 69-m Koutoubia Mosque, the city's most famous and largest mosque, and to the nearby square Djeema el-Fna, a bustling square full of shops and stalls where you can practice your bargaining skills. The tour concludes with an exploration of the souk (market), filled with mounds of spices, intricately woven Berber carpets, ceramics, hand-made leather goods, and tantalising food stalls. Lunch is on your own, but we will meet up for a farewell dinner to reminisce on our magical time in Morocco.
Riad Luzia Breakfast, DinnerTransfer for your onward travels.
BreakfastDisclaimer: The adventure cycling tours we operate often go beyond the beaten track, and the countries where we ride are not always predictable. Due to these reasons, it is occasionally necessary to reroute or update itineraries. Our guarantee is that we will not change a trip unless for safety or to improve it. Our listed hotels are always accurate at the time of writing, but should we have to change any hotel, it will always be for a similar or better one.
Because some people can't imagine going on a trip without their own beloved bicycle, we do not provide them as part of this tour. However, you can hire bikes locally for the price listed in the tour pricing section. The bikes are well-known makes mountain bikes with lightweight alloy frames, 24- to 27-speed gearing, v-brakes, and Shimano components and front suspension. If you bring your own bike, please make sure it is a mountain bike, preferably with front suspension, in good mechanical order.
Basic spares and tools are carried by the guide and on the support vehicle, though we cannot guarantee having spares for every conceivable problem. Carrying a basic tool kit, a spare tube and a pump while riding is recommended.
Wearing a helmet is required on all our biking adventures and is non negotiable. If you do not wear a helmet you will not be allowed to cycle. Your tour leader is trained in first aid and emergency rescue, but to a large degree you must be responsible for your own safety while riding. It is therefore compulsory that you take out travel insurance that will cover you for a mountain biking tour.
You will be led by a local English-speaking guide and if the group is 9 people or more we will add another guide to the tour. All our guides are well informed in the history, culture and religions of the area where you are biking and are skilled at passing that knowledge on to you. Your guide is also medically trained and an experienced cyclist, able to handle most minor repairs en route.
There are no compulsory vaccinations although it is strongly recommended that you are vaccinated against: Typhoid; Hepatitis A and B. Tetanus and polio vaccinations should also be up to date at the time of travel. Please speak to your doctor/physician for the most recent information.
Morocco has a sub-tropical climate with temperatures between 18C and 28C, although they can soar to 35C in the summer and fall to as low as 5C in the winter. However, the weather varies from region to region due to the country's geographical setting. Bordered by the Mediterranean Sea in the north and the Atlantic Ocean in the west, the country enjoys a moderate climate with a warm winter as a result of the sea breezes. On the other hand, its eastern and southern parts are very dry and hot all year round as they are surrounded by the scorching Sahara Desert, while the Atlas Mountains which snake from south to north and divide the country in half make the climate in the central more extreme with unforgiving heat in the summer and freezing temperature in the winter. Therefore, the best times to visit are from March to May and from September to November, when the weather is generally dry and warm.
Meals are included in the itinerary as B = breakfast, L = lunch, and D = dinner. Most meals will be prepared by the cooking team on the support staff and feature Western-style cuisine with a sampling of Moroccan food. Any special dietary requirements can also be catered for as well. Please let us know at the time of booking.
Keeping you completely hydrated is a job we take very seriously. Cold water, some energy-restoring local fruit are included in the tour price while riding. Soft drinks and other beverages during meals are not included. Beer and alcohol are NOT included in the price.
SpiceRoads does not require you to pay a surcharge for travelling alone. We will arrange for you to share accommodation with another traveller of the same gender and if we can not match you up we will provide a single room at no extra charge. If you prefer not to share a single supplement is payable to guarantee your own room. The cost of the single supplement is listed above.
We recommend that you tuck away a few extra dollars, say 20, a day for incidentals. Included entrance fees are those for the listed sites and national parks that are part of the itinerary. Any other site fees are not included.
Morocco's currency is the Moroccan dirham (MAD), and although the dirham is officially the only accepted currency, some hotels and restaurants may also take EUR/ USD for payment. While exchange rates are generally the same at all banks and official exchanges, there are also “unofficial” places to get the dirham, but be sure to check the rate first to prevent an unfair deal. While ATMs can be found in major cities' chain hotels and modern shopping centres, make sure that the ATM accepts your cards (look for the Maestro, Cirrus or Plus logos). However, don't expect to see many banks in the souks or medians, and try to have as much small change as possible as well as putting large bills in separate pockets. In Morocco, credit cards are accepted by only a limited number of businesses, and those who do are likely to accept Visa or MasterCard with a surcharge for the transaction. Most important, before leaving Morocco don't forget to exchange the dirhams into major currencies as it will be worthless elsewhere, and it is also illegal to take more than 100 dirhams outside the kingdom.
If this is the tour for you here's what you need to do to confirm your place:
Just complete our online booking form or send your booking details offline (email or post), and we will confirm your participation. No deposit is needed to confirm your place on a SpiceRoads tour.
You are advised to read our Booking Conditions in full before you make your payment and should you require further clarifications of any of the conditions below, please email us or call our office.
There is a minimum number of participants (usually 2) required to enable the trip to go ahead. Once the minimum number is reached, the trip status will change from 'Available' to 'Guaranteed to Depart'. Once a trip is guaranteed to depart you are free to book your flights and make other travel arrangements. If the trip status is ‘Limited’ will mean we have only a small number of spaces available for booking. If you are unsure about the trip status, please email us or call our office.
From the tour page, click the 'Book Now' link. All departures for this tour will appear, just select the date you'd like to travel. For the next steps, you'll need to know the names of the people travelling. If you wish you can also provide extra details such as passport numbers, height (for bike hire), or you can add that later by logging into Manage My Trip (we'll set up an account for you automatically if you don't already have one). Our system will contact you from time to time to fill in the missing information, as it will be required before departure. However, if the trip that you are booking offers a child discount, you will have to fill out the date of birth of each rider (so we can calculate the appropriate discount).
If you are having any problems please send us an email, or give us a call (+66 026 3295) and one of our travel specialists will assist you with your booking.
Just call us or send an email indicating which trip you want to join and we will happily send you a list of questions and process your booking for you.
We do not require a deposit or full payment to book a place for you on a tour.
The balance of the tour’s cost (final invoice) will need to be paid 60 days before the departure date with fees for any bicycle rental(s), single supplement(s) and extra hotel nights.
In the case where a booking is made when there are less than 60 days until the tour departure date, the tour’s cost should be paid in full within 72 hours of receiving an invoice from SpiceRoads. Payment can be made by credit card using our online payment gateway or by bank transfer. When making payment online you will need to confirm that you have read these booking conditions during the "checkout" process, which equates to agreeing to the terms of services and stipulations as indicated in this document.
In all cases, tour fees need to be paid “in full” before participation in a tour. No person(s) will be allowed to join a tour without fully settling their invoice and receiving a confirmation number from SpiceRoads.
The exception can be made for last-minute miscellaneous fees that can be paid locally (visas, additional local hotel bookings, etc.) can be settled on the day of arrival.
If the tour is cancelled or postponed by SpiceRoads because we didn't make the trip numbers and the tour can’t run, we will make a full cash refund (by bank transfer or on your credit card).
If the tour is cancelled for any other reason, including due to Covid related travel restrictions, we will give you a full credit (with no deductions for admin or any other small-print item) to use on any SpiceRoads tour with no time limit. (Exceptions being flights, special permits and other non-refundable items and these will be advised when booking the trip).
Before paying for your tour, you can cancel your booking with no charge and up until 40 days before departure, you can change your booking to another travel date or move your booking onto another SpiceRoads tour with no charges.
If you need to cancel after you have made full payment, please see our cancellation policy.
The information in this document is given in good faith, and covers the average range of conditions likely to be found on this trip. Please note that the itinerary is subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances, however, we will always do our best to adhere to this original itinerary
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An amazing way to experience the colors, sights, people and landscape of Morocco!