9 Day – Morocco Cycling Tour

Departing from Zaouiat Ahansal at 8:00 a.m., you will follow a track that leads to the Cathedral Rock and covers 48 km of undulating terrain among pine trees. The trail first runs parallel to the Assif Ahansal river in a gentle descent to the bridge that marks the end of the Zaouiat Ahansal region. After the bridge, an ascent begins through a pine forest surrounded by high limestone mountains, reaching about 1830m.

A steep descent brings you back to the Assif Ahansal, crossing the bridge near the Cathedral Rock Lodge (about 1143m). Lunch at the Cathedral. The afternoon consists of a more technical 33 km ride through the spectacular gorges of Assif Melloul, arriving at Anergui (1497m) in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight at the Chrifi family lodge.

Time of departure 8:00 am. The route begins with an ascent to one of the most challenging passes of the day (2515m), with over 1000m of elevation gain in about 12km. After the pass, you will take a track along the Assif n Tafedna, passing through several villages with traditional mud-brick architecture, including Tasraft, Taghzout, and Ighrem n Ait Ouaghad.

This section of the route runs at altitudes between 1890m and 2267m. After the pass, a steep descent leads to Tassent (1919m), where you will encounter asphalt and a steep pass that climbs to about 2300m in 4 km. You will reach Tislit Lake, where a gentle descent begins to Imilchil (2159m). Lunch, dinner and overnight stay with the Ouchaoua family.

A flat half-day stage with some climbs; the wind could be a challenge in the second part of the route. After visiting the Tislit (2285m) and Isli (2328m) lakes, you will cross the Atlas plateau surrounded by dry peaks over 3000m high. After a short stretch of asphalt, you will take the track towards Agoudal, one of the highest villages in the Atlas (2360m), arriving at noon. Lunch, dinner and overnight stay at Ibrahim’s Lodge. Afternoon excursion to the caves of Akhiam.

From Agoudal, you will climb the highest pass of the entire trip, Tizi N’Ouano (2910m), which provides access to the valley of the pre-Saharan oases through a spectacular and steep descent. You will see only high altitude vegetation such as junipers and cushion plants. Asphalt appears in Msemrir (1939m), where you will also find vegetation such as walnuts, poplars, willows, apples, cereals and potatoes, forming green corridors between the dry mountains.

A quick descent on asphalt will take you to the Dades Gorge, the most famous geological monument of the Dades Valley. A visit to the Monkey Fingers, another geological monument in the area, is recommended if you are not too tired. Refreshments on the way, dinner and overnight stay at the hotel Kasbah de la Vallée or similar.

An early morning departure from Dades to Erfoud by car, with a stop on the way to visit the gorges of the Todra. On arrival in Erfoud, you will take your bikes and head towards Rissani, the gateway to the desert and the birthplace of the Alaouite dynasty. Cycle through the oasis in the shade of palms, surrounded by fields and irrigation channels fed by the Ziz River. After crossing Rissani, you will continue towards Erg Chebbi, the highest concentration of dunes in Morocco. Lunch en route, dinner and overnight stay at Auberge Du Sud.

After breakfast, you will begin a challenging and special day with a loop around the dunes, cycling through the Hamada, a plain of black stone where mirages are not uncommon. You will pass through part of a former Paris-Dakar stage and meet nomadic families living in tents on the Hamada, accompanied by their herds. Return to the hotel in the afternoon, where you can relax and explore the dunes or take a dip in the pool. Dinner and overnight at the Auberge-du-Sud.

After a delicious breakfast, you will be transferred by car to Errachidia for your flight back to Marrakech. Free lunch en route. Arrival in Marrakech in the late afternoon. Free dinner and overnight stay at Hotel Riad Assia or similar.

Breakfast and transfer to the airport for your scheduled flight.