An e-bike journey through southern Morocco offers varied landscapes and rich cultural encounters. The route winds from Marrakech through the High Atlas Mountains, past traditional Berber villages, to the edge of the Sahara Desert. Riders visit UNESCO World Heritage sites, historic kasbahs, and enjoy authentic hospitality with regular stops for mint tea.
Day 1: Arrive in Marrakech, where you’ll be picked up at the airport and transferred to a centrally located hotel or riad within the Medina. This day allows time to settle in and explore the city’s lively markets and winding streets.
Day 2: Travel by 4x4 from Marrakech over the Tizi N’Tichka mountain pass to Kasbah Telouat, visiting the historic Glaoui Kasbah. From here, begin cycling through the Ounila Valley, passing small Berber villages en route to the fortified Kasbah Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO site and famous film location.
Day 3: Explore Ait Benhaddou’s ancient clay architecture and nearby film studios. Then cycle from the village of Ghassate through a stone desert landscape to the palm oasis of Skoura. Visit Kasbah Amridil and ride within the expansive palm grove.
Day 4: Depart Skoura, passing through the Taslmante Valley and Boutgherar, stopping to see ancient troglodyte settlements where some Berber families still live. The day ends at the dramatic Dades Gorge with an overnight stay nearby.
Day 5: Cycle into the Jbel Saghro Mountains, crossing the Tizi N’Tzazert pass at 2200m. Take in wide-ranging mountain views while making your way to the Berber oasis town of N’Kob for the night.
Day 6: Follow gravel roads along the Draa Valley, with honey and watermelon fields near the riverbanks. Stop in Zagora for refreshments, then switch from bikes to dromedaries for a gentle ride to a desert camp surrounded by sand dunes, where you spend the night under the stars.
Day 7: Bike along the palm-lined Draa Valley from oasis to oasis, enjoying the rich agricultural landscape. After lunch, transfer by vehicle back to Marrakech via Ouarzazate.
Day 8: Enjoy breakfast at your accommodation before your transfer to Marrakech airport. If time permits, there is an opportunity for last-minute shopping or sightseeing in the city.
Starting in Marrakech, known for its bustling souks and unique architecture, the trip quickly moves into the High Atlas Mountains. This region offers extensive off-road trails, high mountain passes, and traditional Berber villages, providing a varied and engaging cycling experience.
Heading south, the landscape transforms into the expansive Draa Valley and the edges of the Sahara Desert. Palm groves, ancient kasbahs, and Bedouin settlements mark the route, with a blend of rocky mountain paths and sandy desert tracks. The trip highlights both natural beauty and the cultural heritage of southern Morocco.
Accommodation includes comfortable riads and hotels in Marrakech and towns like Ait Benhaddou, blending local character with modern comforts. The desert night is spent in an authentic camp beneath the stars, offering a rare chance to connect with the vastness of the Sahara.
Each stay is chosen to complement the cultural aspects of the tour while ensuring restful evenings after long days on the bike. Options to upgrade or customise accommodation are available for those seeking additional comfort.
Riders should have moderate fitness and some experience cycling on uneven or off-road terrain. The tour’s intermediate rating reflects varied elevations and trail conditions, so familiarity with e-bike handling and mountain riding is recommended.
Participants should be ready for temperature changes between the mountains and desert and able to manage several hours of cycling daily. Basic bike maintenance knowledge is beneficial but not essential as support is provided throughout.
With over three decades of mountain biking experience in the region, the team offers unmatched local knowledge and genuine enthusiasm. Direct communication with your guides before and during the tour ensures personalised attention and smooth logistics.
Focused on responsible tourism, the company employs local staff and keeps groups small to protect cultural integrity. Their combination of expert guidance, excellent trail selection, and authentic cultural experiences makes for a rewarding and well-organised adventure.
About the centre
Marrakech
My partner and I did a 3 day MTB tour around the Atlas mountains in late March. Our guide, Lahcen was incredibly accommodating, friendly and knowledgeable of the area. We covered a good distance over the 3 days and found some of the inclines tough. Lahcen was great in coaching…
Ok. My husband enjoyed it. The trails were fun. The first day was very hard - at least black. Second day was good. Third day was brilliant. The guide barely spoke to us. He was often out of sight in areas where there was no obvious route. He didn’t wait…
We had an amazing time. Abdul was fantastic and made sure we were comfortable throughout the day.
We partner with Rewilding Britain to help protect our natural spaces for future adventures.
All centres are vetted for safety and quality. Your adventure is in good hands with adventuro.
