Southern Oasis Cycling

Winter cycling on amazing Morocco's Kasbah trail!

Gateway to the Sahara

From Ouarzazate our first ride takes us down into perhaps the lushest oasis south of the Atlas - the Draa Valley. Millions of date palms, ancient kasbahs and ksours (fortified villages) line the way, with the breathtaking mountains of the Jebel Sahro as a backdrop. After a night in the small town Tazzarine we cycle through the desert towards Erfoud where there's time to cycle or visit Rissani and its local market. In the afternoon a short jeep ride (optional) takes us to the huge sand dunes of the Erg Chebbi. A walk across them at sunset is an unforgettable experience when light and colours are changing every minute. Here one gets the first impression of what the real Sahara is like.

Todra Gorge & freewheeling in the High Atlas

Next we cycle towards Tinerhir and, completing the journey by vehicle, enter the dramatic Todra Gorge - one of the most impressive rock formations in the region. From El Kelaa Mgouna, famed for its rose-water, we continue by bus through the scenic “Valley of the 1000 Kasbahs”. Then, driving into the High Atlas, we slowly ascend the Tizi n'Outfi pass (2,150m). From we take an exhilarating ride downhill through some of North Africa's most spectacular mountain scenery - from fortified kasbahs to lush valleys and snow-capped peaks, to the natural bridge of Imi n'Ifri.

Marrakech - A Feast for the Senses

Leaving the majestic Atlas mountains behind, we return to Marrakech, the 'Red City'. There will be time to enjoy the maze of alleyways in the souks and the celebrated 'circus' of Djemma-el-Fna Square. Crammed with story-tellers, musicians, jugglers, snake-charmers, peddlers and kebab stalls, it is a scene straight from the Arabian Nights. An optional guided walking tour can be organised for anyone interested.

Transport: 21-gear 'hybrid' bikes with front suspension and a rear pannier bag for carrying day things.

What to Expect: Grade B, moderate - 170km/4 days (average of 43km/day). One day free for optional ride. By using our support bus to ascend steep sections we ensure that cycling is either relatively flat or downhill, though there are still a few uphill sections. Expect some exhilarating descents from high passes (including the dramatic Tizi n'Outfi). 95% on asphalt.

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Itinerary / Highlights

Trip Highlights
Draa Valley - Cycling through one of the most picturesque valleys in Morocco with thousands of palm trees and kasbahs.
Erg Chebbi - Excursion to biggest Saharan sand dunes in Morocco.
Tizi N'Fedrhate - Cycle down from stunning mountain pass in the High Atlas towards Marrakech.
Marrakech - Famous city with Djemma-el-Fna Square.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Join tour Marrakech
Arrival and transfer to hotel in Marrakech.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)

Day 2: Drive to Ouarzazate
After time this morning to visit the souks and sites of Marrakech Old City we make a dramatic drive over the High Atlas pass of Tizi n’ Tichka (2260m) to the garrison town of Ouarzazate, gateway to the great Sahara. Before reaching Ourzazate, we plan to visit the UNESCO World Heritage listed Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou, dramatically located on a hillside and one of Morocco’s most famous sites. Once an important strategic lcation on the caravan route linking Ouarzazate and Marrakech in the 16th century, the old buildings remailn in good condition and are intricately decorated

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

Day 3: To Tazzarine; cycling in the Draa Valley
We leave Ouarzazate by bus and drive over the Tizi n’Tinififft mountain pass dramatically situated at 1,660m in the lunar landscape of the Anti-Atlas. After enjoying the views, we continue down into one of the most stunning natural wonders of Morocco – the Draa Valley. Littered with kasbahs and ksours, the Draa Valley is the largest date palm oasis in Morocco. We begin cycling in the small town of Agdz and head south through the oasis for as long as we like before continuing by vehicle to our overnight stop at Tazzarine. (Approx. 45km cycling, downhill or on the flat)

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

Day 4: Cycle/drive to Merzouga
We leave our hotel on bikes and cycle along the southern foothills of the Jebel Sahro mountain range with the Amalou n’Mansour peak as the stunning backdrop (2,712m). This is a very remote part of Morocco and few cars ever pass through here. It is here we receive a vivid impression of the vastness of the hammada stone desert. Later we drive to Merzouga and will be at close reach to one of the biggest natural wonders of Morocco – the sand dunes of Erg Chebbi. In Merzouga we meet our camel handlers for our spectacular ride to the dunes of Erg Chebbi.The word ‘Erg’ is Arabic for ‘great sand dune area’ and although many people imagine the Sahara as an endless sea of rolling golden sand dunes, they actually cover only about one-fifth of its surface. (Approx. 50km cycling with a 200m ascent)

Overnight Desert Camp (C) Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5: Camel ride to Merzouga; cycle Rissani
This morning we will begin the day with a camel ride back to Merzouga. Here we will be reunited with our bicycles for the journey on to Rissani where we will take a short time to visit this local town. Rissani is set at the end of the vegetation belt before the sea of dunes begins. We will then transfer by bus to Erfoud where we stay overnight. (Approx 35kms cycling)

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

Day 6: To El Kelaa Mgouna; cycling and visit Todra Gorge
We set off on our bikes this morning to visit Tinerhir passing alongside the ancient, subterranean irrigation system called ‘Fogaras’. We may have time for a walk through the palmeries and fields in this area and take in the local village houses and agriculture. We continue the journey by vehicle into the gorge of Todra, sometimes described as Morocco’s Grand Canyon. Ochre-coloured cliffs rise vertically to leave just a narrow pass through which the track and river struggle for right of way. We have time for a stroll in this unique setting before continuing by vehicle to our hotel in El Kelaa Mgouna also known as the ‘town of the roses’, at the confluence of the Mgoun and Dades river. Roses are planted as hedges around the fields in the Dades valley. In spring women collect its flowers which are taken to the local factory where the roses are used to produce rose oil, rose cream and rose water used in cooking. (Approx. 40km cycling with a 200m ascent)

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

Day 7: To Marrakech; cycling from Tizi n’Fedrhate pass
After early breakfast we transfer by bus up into the High Atlas until we reach the Tizi n’Fedrhate pass at 2,150m. From here we start cycling (weather permitting) down into the northern foothills of the Atlas Mountains through some of the most dramatic scenery of this entire trip. Amid the silence of the mountain valleys, the hardy Berbers cultivate fields of barley, wheat, olives, figs, beans, peas and almond groves. Their tiny villages are a mass of flat-roofed, stone and mudcement houses painted with colours that soon fade. Tradition is strong and social organisation remains uncompromisingly tribal. Lifestyles vary widely with each region, but all groups share a common language and culture. Later we switch back into our bus returning to Marrakech late in the afternoon. (Approx. 49km cycling with a 250m ascent)

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

Day 8: Tour ends Marrakech
Included meals: Breakfast

Other Details

Accommodation Details

6 nights Standard Hotel (H+)
1 night Desert Camp (C)

Departure Dates, Options & Prices

Sun 23 Oct - Sun 30 Oct 2011 - 1040 GBP Single Room Price: 105 GBP
Sun 12 Feb - Sun 19 Feb 2012 - 1070 GBP Single Room Price: 105 GBP
Sun 04 Mar - Sun 11 Mar 2012 - 1070 GBP Single Room Price: 105 GBP
Sun 01 Apr - Sun 08 Apr 2012 - 1070 GBP Single Room Price: 105 GBP

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