Overview
Trip facts:
Trip length : 8 days
Group size : Min 2, max 12 persons
Location
This Morocco Women cycling adventure takes place in the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco, just a short drive from the vibrant city of Marrakech. The High Atlas Mountains are a spectacular setting for a mountain biking trip with hundreds of miles of dusty singletrack just waiting to be explored. With many years of experience guiding in the region, your local hosts can help you explore this region’s hidden riding potential.
The scenery makes for an impressive backdrop to your journey. The rugged and remote terrain has resisted the pressured of the modern world and feels like a window into a bygone era. Dramatic valleys offer vivid contrasts with the lush green irrigated fields along the valley bottom set against the barren rocky scree slopes that lead up to the snow-capped peaks.
The area is dotted with the villages and towns of the Berber people; their characteristic stone houses nestled picturesquely into steep hillsides. This region of Morocco remained isolated until the early 20th century and for a long time the fiercely independent local people resisted French colonisation. To this day the Berber people retain a strong sense of their unique identity and operate in many ways independently of the Moroccan government. The regions rich cultural heritage makes it the perfect destination for an adventure.
Start point
Finish point
What to Expect
Day 1: Airport – Marrakech
At the airport, we are met by our driver and then have a 30 minute transfer to our riad in the city’s historic centre.
A lovely ride towards the foothills of the Atlas. On our way we will pass through the peaceful village of Tamesloght surrounded by miles of olive and orange groves. A little further on we reach our night’s destination Amizmiz the sight of a long established Tuesday souk – one of the largest Berber markets of the Atlas Mountains.
A beautiful ride today towards the Ourigane valley with its stunning greenery and red earth hills. We will ride over the gentle Nfiss river where the Tizi-n-Test mountain pass begins linking Marrakesh to Taroudant. This is one of the most beautiful places in Morocco; a secret valley surrounded by a jagged horizon of snow capped mountains.
Today we arrive at the edge of the Toubkal National Park named after the highest peak in Africa and embraces some of the most striking and awesome highland scenery in Morocco. Our nights stay is in the small village of Imlil at the most magnificent kasbah of all.
Today we enjoy a day off our bikes to explore these amazing mountains and the tucked away hilltop villages. You’ll notice the dress of the High Atlas women belies a life of continual hard labour with a fantastic array of colours.
Heading north today our road twists up towards the village of Zaouia-Moulay-Brahim one of the most important spiritual centers in the region. We continue riding towards the strikingly picturesque village of Tahanaoute and our night’s accommodation in a wonderful Kasbah.
As we make our way back to wonderful Marrakech through the plains we will pass many small villages and settlements. One of which is the settlement of Dar-Caid-Ouriki with the ruins of a kasbah. These ruins are dramatically placed below a geological fault and retain a certain aura that’s worth exploring. Arriving in Marrakech we make our way to the Medina and back to the riad where our journey began.
Day 8: Marrakech – Airport
This cycling adventure through Morocco comes to an end today. There are no activities planned and you are free to leave at any time, Transfers to airport arranged accordingly.
Note: This itinerary and the duration of the activities are subject to change due to group abilities and preferences, and weather conditions and forecasts.
What Includes
, Airport Transfers, 2 Night hotel in Marrakech on BB, Private Transport from/to Marrakech, English Tour Guide, Accommodation during the trip, All meals during the trip, Assistance car during the tripDoes not Include
, Travel Insurance, Tips, Any Private Expenses, Drinks and Items of personal nature, Meals in Marrakech, Bike hire (Full Suspension) + Helmet (available to rent from our bike shop)Bookable Extras
, Umbrella, Sunscreen, Entrance FeesEssential Equipment
We recommend packing the following items:
- Normal daily clothes
- Padded cycling shorts and gloves
- Breathable top or cycling jersey
- Sunglasses/eye protection
- Stiff-soled shoes suitable for cycling
- Waterproofs and long cycling trousers
- For the earlier departures you may need some warmer layers
- Sun cream
- Water bottle or Camelback
Energy cycling gels offer a quick form of crabs replenishment. Most contain the simple crab sugar, which is the fastest form of energy to replace glycogen. It’s suggested that people who cycle at a moderate intensity for more than 90 minutes, need to replace between 30g and 65g of carbohydrates per hour and we would thoroughly recommend bringing some of these with you, as well as some energy bars.
Accommodation
During this adventure, you will be staying in a Guest house in the Berber village, but we can also update the accommodation suits your needs.
