Authentic Morocco by Bicycle

After you’ve been picked up from the airport, a quick briefing will take place about your week ahead. Then, a city tour will whisk you to places such as the Medina of Marrakech, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wander around its labyrinth of stalls selling food and handicrafts. Dinner will be at a local restaurant near the bustly Jemaa El Fna Square.

To get to the starting point of today’s route, you’ll be driven along the Tizi n’Tichka Pass to Telouet. Also known as the Gateway to the Sahara, this windy road is 2260m above sea level. Whilst en route, a stop will be made to visit the grand old stronghold, Glaoui Kasbahof Telouet, once occupied by the French. Rolling through the Ounila Valley, spot the Berber villages that blend into the mountains. Tonight you will stay in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ait Benhaddou, surrounded by high walls.

Visit the ancient Troglodyte settlement on your drive to the next starting point this morning. Witness rural Moroccon life as you ride dirt roads past nomadic herders and Berber built fortresses. When cycling to the Dades Gorges, located between the Atlas and Jbel Saghro Mountains, you may even get invited to sip mint tea and discuss Moroccan culture with the local Berbers in their traditional caves lived in for generations.

Cycle into the golden Dades Valley within the heart of Jbel Saghro. Surrounded by towering mountain cliffs, you’ll snake upward to meet the Tizi n’Tichka road against a dusty jagged backdrop. Admire a panoramic gem of a view, overlooking the vast landscape bursting with sand coloured peaks. Descend toward the Berber Oasis town of N’Kob, where palm plantations line the horizon.

Contrasting the sandy and arid landscapes blanketing the routes you’ve already cycled, the Draa Valley offers pockets of luscious green date palm groves. Enter into the fertile land by dirt track and find yourself in a maze of palms and Berber villages. Tonight you will stay with one of the local Berber families, giving you the perfect opportunity to learn more about Moroccan lifestyle and culture.

Your last day of cycling involves a leisurely ride admiring the gorgeous shades of green painting the Draa Valley oases. Savour the rural stillness before you head back to the buzzing Marrakech via the beautiful Tizi-n-Tichka. Take the time this evening to wonder freely around the vibrant streets of Marrakech, and discover which foods tickle your taste buds.

A day off the bike allows you to explore at a slower pace, and take a closer look at the extraordinary places hidden within Marrakech. The Palace of Bahia, Saddian Tombs and Koutoubia Mosque draw you into Morocco’s colourful history. Allow your senses to come alive in the midst of spice smells, the architecture’s lively patterns and food stalls packed with delicious snacks.

It’s time to say goodbye to Morocco! Let us know your flight details to ensure your transfer back to the airport runs smoothly.