Cycle Morocco's Great South

Itinerary Details

1. Day 1Start Marrakech

   Once you arrive in Marrakech, it's highly recommend to walk or take a taxi into the old city. There is plenty to explore, including the old walled medina where winding alleyways are filled with souks selling everything from street food to pottery and jewellery.

   • Hotel Meriem or similar
2. Day 2Transfer to Sid Fares; cycle in the foothills of Mount Toubkal to Ijoukak

   You'll be transferred out of Marrakech this morning to Sid Fares where you can begin your cycling journey into the foothills of Mount Toubkal. After a nice warm up on a wonderful, undulating road, enjoy a long descent into the Asni Valley with beautiful views.

   Keep following the river and cross several bridges before arriving at the hotel for the night in Tigmmi n'Tmazrite.

   • 36.7 - 43.5 miles
   • 3,051.2 ft
     3,051.2 ft
   • Auberge Tigmmi n'Tmazrite or similar
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
3. Day 3Challenging climb followed by exhilarating descent from Tizi n'Test Pass to Oulad Berhil; overnight in traditional riad

   The day begins with a challenging climb to the dramatic Tizi n'Test Pass (6,890ft/2,100m). You'll be rewarded with dramatic views to the south over the Sousse Valley towards the Anti Atlas Mountains. After lunch, have a truly dramatic and, in places, quite steep descent as the road winds down to the valley. Once in the valley, the ride takes you past orange, lemon and grapefruit groves as we approach Oulad Berhil.

   You'll be received with a warm welcome, delicious food and a relaxing evening at our beautiful riad. This converted palace is a wonderful addition to the end of the day with roaming peacocks and the chance to pick a fruit straight off the trees.

   • 54.1 miles
   • 3,543.3 ft
     3,543.3 ft
   • Hotel l'Arganier or similar
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
4. Day 4Cycle towards Tafraoute in Anti Atlas Mountains; optional transfer/ride to see the Blue Rocks

   You'll have a morning transfer into the Anti Atlas Mountains and the real southern Morocco, much of which is semi-desert and a contrast to the fertile Sousse Valley. We travel through argan country trying to spot the much-loved tree-climbing goats.

   From Irherm, you will be surrounded by almond trees and with a road that has some wonderful ups and downs as you pass through many farms and mud-walled Berber villages. The last section of the ride is another wonderful descent of about 7.5mi (12km) through dramatic scenery to Tafraoute.
   
   Time permitting, we will visit peculiar giant painted blue rocks, otherwise we'll visit these tomorrow.

   • 37.3 miles
   • 2,293.3 ft
     2,293.3 ft
   • Hotel Les Amandiers or similar
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

   • 

     Peculiar sights

     You'll never get tired of the views especially when you see tree climbing goats like these

5. Day 5Pass pink houses and kasbahs en route to Ait Baha Lake; transfer to Agadir

   We transfer to Tizi M’Lil and begin another varied ride, undulating through spectacular hills, past traditional villages and hill-top kasbahs, with some superb balcony sections with excellent views. There are a few climbs, but the ride ends with an exhilarating descent to Ait Baha Lake and then we transfer to the coastal resort of Agadir.

   • 43.5 miles
   • 1,853.7 ft
     1,853.7 ft
   • Oasis Hotel & Spa or similar
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
6. Day 6 Spectacular ride through the Paradise Valley; climb to Imouzzer

   Today, you'll enjoy a truly spectacular ride through the Paradise Valley, a narrow gorge lined with palm trees. Towards the head of the valley, have another challenging climb with excellent views, eventually reaching a high plateau and the little town of Imouzzer, the end point of one of the most dramatic rides on our route. Originally the home of the Ida Outanane Berber tribe, Imouzzer retains a strong cultural identity.

   • 28 miles
   • 4,137.1 ft
     4,137.1 ft
     
   • Hotel des Cascades Ecolodge or similar
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
7. Day 7Cycle through traditional villages and palmaris to Essaouira

   Today you can start cycling from the front door and begin with another excellent winding descent on a good road to a valley dotted with palm trees and traditional villages. There are a couple of moderate climbs over rocky hills and descents back into the fertile valleys before you reach the main coast road and the end of the ride.

   After a picnic lunch, we transfer (90 minutes) to our destination for the evening, Essaouira. This old Portuguese fishing port dates to the 15th century, but the present town was constructed around 1760 by Sidi Mohammed ben Abdullah, who needed a base from which to suppress a revolt from Agadir. Today, Essaouira is extremely relaxed and the whitewashed houses with painted shutters, artisan workshops, boatyards and fishermen provide a marked contrast to Marrakech. There's plenty of interest in the narrow traffic-free streets of the old town and we stay overnight in a traditional riad.

   • 37.3 miles
   • 2,690.3 ft
     2,690.3 ft
   • Riad al Madina or similar
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
8. Day 8Free morning in Essaouira; transfer to Marrakech; free time

   After a free morning to explore lovely Essaouira, transfer to the vibrant city of Marrakesh. Simply enjoy a freshly squeezed orange juice in one of the many rooftop cafes overlooking the Djemma El Fna square, or perhaps take a calèche (a horse-drawn carriage) ride to the peaceful Majorelle Gardens. These small but tranquil gardens are decorated throughout in indigo blue and house the small Museum of Islamic Art. A final treat would be to go for a hammam, a traditional Moroccan steam bath.

   A visit to Djemma el Fna this evening is the ultimate reward for our week's cycling – with snake charmers, story tellers, smoky food stalls and souks, there is no other way to experience the exciting atmosphere of Marrakesh.

   • Hotel Meriem or similar
   • Breakfast
9. Day 9End Marrakesh

   The trip ends after breakfast, but you can explore Marrakech if you have time before your onward travel.
   

   • Breakfast