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Berber Adventure - Exploring Morocco's High Atlas
offered by supplier M16410 (view this supplier profile)
Key Information:
Tour Duration: 8
- 14
day(s)
Group Size: 2
- 14
people
Destination(s):
Morocco
Specialty Categories:
Bicycle Touring
Cultural Journey
Season: April - October
Airfare Included: No
Tour Customizable: Yes
Minimum Per Person Price: 490 Pound Sterling (GBP)
Maximum Per Person Price: 530 Pound Sterling (GBP)
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* Summary
A breathtaking bike trip across the High Atlas taking in 4 huge valleys, numerous high passes and reaching a maximum height of over 3000 meters! We travel through the fascinating Berber villages of Morocco’s High Atlas mountains on miles and miles of exciting off road trails, exploring the beautifully rugged scenery of central Morocco. Culturally interesting, physically demanding and totally satisfying!
Highlights:
- Challenging climbs leading to rewarding vistas and hour long descents!
- Dramatic scenery, interesting villages and souks (local markets)
- The legendary hospitality of the Berber people
- Cycling for over 200km off road
- A true feeling of adventure through a remote and wild part of Morocco
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive in Morocco. We pick you up and take you to your accommodation in the center of Marrakesh. We’ll get the equipment ready for the journey, have a pre-trip briefing and explore the city. Overnight in our hotel in Marrakesh
Day 2: Vehicle transfer to Demnate and the start of our trip near the stunning Pont Naturale. We acclimatise to the heat and altitude with a 35 km cycle on surfaced roads to Ait Blal, high in the mountains. Camp overnight near Ait Blal.
Day 3: We hit the off road trails properly! Some challenging climbs on rough piste take us to a high point of 3300m. We will discover some ancient stone carvings then a fantastic descent to the village of Abachkou. More technical single track can be found on an optional side excursion from the village.
Overnight stay in Abachkou.
Day 4: We follow canyon like valleys to another high pass into the happy valley – Ait Bougamez with great views of Mt. Mgoun (North Africa’s second highest peak). In the afternoon we can visit a watchtower perched high on top of pyramid shaped hills near the village of Agouti. Overnight stay in Agouti.
Day 5: Today is a day to really explore. We start with a trip millions of years back in time to when the dinosaurs walked in these valleys and a chance to see fantastic fossilized footprints! A few millennia later we visit the site of the oldest village in the Bougamez valley before passing through modern day Tabant. We end the day at the head of the Happy Valley at Zawyat Oulzmi.
Day 6: Today sees some of the most demanding climbs (some more than 11km long) but inevitably the most rewarding downhills too – imagine freewheeling for almost an hour! We can visit a berber café high in the hills and pass amazing rock formations on the way to picturesque Zaouiat Ahansal. There are optional side trips to extend the day and explore the mountain villages and souks. Overnight near Zaouiat Ahansal.
Day 7: We start the day with a tough climb up through some amazing pine forests in the Tamga Nature Reserve. This is followed by a superb descent to rival that of yesterday, into the shadow of the Cathedrale de Rochers, an amazing rock formation and mecca for climbers and BASE jumpers! After a swim in the river we make the final push to Telligouet, one last bit of single track and the end of our cycling adventure. We meet with our transportation and get a lift back to Marrakech. But the scenery isn’t over yet, as we climb in our vehicle over one last high pass for stunning views of Lake Bin el Ouidane. Overnight in our hotel in Marrakesh.
Day 8: A day to relax after an epic week of cycling and what better way than to take in the sights, smells and sounds of Marrakech! It is a cultural masterpiece, with its bustling streets, intriguing medina and seemingly never ending activity. Explore the souks and Jamna el Fna before your final night in this amazing place and your flight home tomorrow. Overnight in our Hotel in Marrakesh.
Day 9: We will transport you back to the airport for your flight back home.
Notes:
- Available on request: Bike and equipment hire.
- Average Daily Distance: 27 miles or 44km
- This trip is suitable for: People with a good level of fitness. The distances covered are not huge but due to the altitude and terrain a good level of fitness is required. You should have some off road experience and also be able to cycle for up to 6 hours over the course of the day.
- Challenging alternatives: For people with a more serious level of fitness and stamina we also run a more challenging trip that covers the route described here in 3 to 4 days. We then continue East for another 2 days traveling through rocky gorges, over another high mountain pass (2500m) and on to Imilchil.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Airport transfers
- 6 days exciting biking
- 3 nights Hotel Marrakesh
- 5 nights Gite or camping
- Baggage transfers
- Guiding – one Berber guide and one UK guide (Languages spoken English, French, Berber and Arabic)
- Vehicle back up
- Mechanic and cook
- All meals whilst cycling
Price Excludes:
- All meals in Marrakesh (before and after the cycling trip)
- Flights
- Drinks on the trip
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
Morocco
Bicycle Touring
Cultural Journey
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