Tour overview
This 8-day gravel bike tour starts and ends in Marrakech. You ride along the Atlas range and over the volcanic Jebel Saghro, following the old caravan road through quiet gorges, kasbahs and valleys until you reach the Draa Valley, Morocco’s longest oasis.
It’s a proper back-country route: five days of riding on dirt roads, with nights in kasbah hotels and family-run guesthouses.
- Tour name
- Caravan Road by Gravel Bike
- Recommended age
- 16 to 65
- Accommodation
- Hotels and guesthouses (gîtes)
Highlights
- Explore the old medina of Marrakech
- Five days of riding through the High Atlas and Anti-Atlas
- A night in the Draa Valley, the longest oasis in Africa
- Visit Ouarzazate and its film studios
Route map
The line shows the approximate route. Tap a day in the itinerary to zoom in on it.
- Marrakech
- Skoura oasis
- Dades Gorges
- Jebel Saghro
- Mezguita
- Ouarzazate
- Marrakech
Itinerary
Day1Welcome to Marrakech
We pick you up at Marrakech Menara Airport and drive you to the hotel. Later you meet your guide for a short briefing. With any time left, walk around the old town, Bahia Palace and Jemaa el-Fna square.
Day2Marrakech to Skoura Oasis35 km
We drive south over the High Atlas to the village of Ghassat, where the riding begins. The track runs over red earth and along the river to the Skoura oasis. It’s an easy first day to find your rhythm. Night in a kasbah hotel.
Day3Skoura Oasis to the Dades Gorges68 km
A short drive takes us to Souk El Had. From there we ride across the Azaghar plateau, nomad country where some Berber families still live in caves. After lunch we continue through the Kati gorges and the Rose Valley to the Dades Gorges. Night in a guesthouse.
Day4Dades Gorges and Jebel Saghro68 km
We ride from the guesthouse toward the remote Berber villages of Jebel Saghro. A short climb to Boumalne Dades is followed by 15 flat kilometres. After tea with a local family, we cross the rocky Saghro massif to our guesthouse.
Day5Jebel Saghro to the Draa Valley64 km
The day starts with a 5 km climb to the high Saghro plateau and wide views back to the High Atlas. After 15 km of rolling terrain, we drop down the old caravan route into the Draa Valley. Night in a kasbah hotel.
Day6Draa Valley and the Tizgui waterfall46 km
An easy day, mostly flat or downhill, through the oasis and past old mud-brick villages. We stop for a picnic in the palm groves before reaching the Tizgui waterfall, then transfer to Ouarzazate for the night.
Day7Ouarzazate to Marrakech via Ait Ben Haddou1 hour
After breakfast we follow the caravan road through a green oasis to Ait Ben Haddou, famous as a film location. After lunch there’s time for a walk through the old kasbah village, then we drive back to Marrakech.
Day8Departure
Transfer to Menara Airport for your flight. Check-out is at 11:30. We hope to see you on another gravel ride soon – ma’a salama!
What’s included
Included
- Meals: 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 5 dinners, plus mineral water (all meals during the tour except dinner on day 1 and day 7)
- Accommodation: 7 nights (5 in hotels, 2 in guesthouses)
- Transport by comfortable van or Toyota Land Cruiser (4×4), including airport transfers
- 5 days of guided cycling, plus visits to Jemaa el-Fna, Ouarzazate and the Draa Valley
Not included
- Flights and visas
- Meals not listed in the itinerary
- Tips and alcoholic drinks
- Personal travel insurance
- Bike hire. You can bring your own bike or rent one from us.
Frequently asked questions
How hard is the Caravan Road gravel bike tour?
The tour is graded moderate. You ride 5 days on dirt roads, between 35 and 68 km a day, with the biggest climb on day 4 (+1,200 m). You should be comfortable riding several hours a day on gravel, but you don’t need to be a racer.
How many kilometres do you ride in total?
About 281 km over 5 cycling days, with around 3,700 m of total climbing. The daily rides are 35 km, 68 km, 68 km, 64 km and 46 km, and the last day finishes mostly flat or downhill through the Draa Valley oasis.
When is the best time to do this tour?
The best time is from March to November. Spring and autumn give the most comfortable temperatures for riding in the Atlas and the Draa Valley.
Do I need to bring my own bike?
No. You can bring your own gravel or mountain bike, or rent one from us. Bike hire is not included in the tour price, so tell us when you book if you need one.
How much does the tour cost and what is included?
The tour costs from 1,100 € per person. The price includes 7 nights in hotels and guesthouses, most meals (7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 5 dinners), transport with airport transfers, and 5 days of guided cycling. Flights, insurance, tips and bike hire are not included.
Where does the tour start and finish?
The tour starts and finishes in Marrakech. We pick you up at Marrakech Menara Airport on day 1 and drive you back to the airport on day 8.
What is the group size and age range?
Groups are up to 16 riders, and the recommended age is 16 to 65. Private dates for your own group are available on request.
Planning your trip? Read our complete guide to gravel biking in Morocco.
Related guides
Book this tour or ask us anything
Send us your dates on WhatsApp or by email. Our team in Marrakech replies within 24 hours and can adapt the tour to your group, level and dates.
This 8-day gravel bike tour starts and ends in Marrakech. You ride along the Atlas range and over the volcanic Jebel Saghro, following the old caravan road through quiet gorges, kasbahs and valleys until you reach the Draa Valley, Morocco’s longest oasis.
It’s a proper back-country route: five days of riding on dirt roads, with nights in kasbah hotels and family-run guesthouses.
Trip details
- Tour name: Caravan Road by Gravel Bike
- Duration: 8 days, 5 days of cycling
- Grade: Moderate
- Best time to visit: March to November
- Bike: Gravel bike or mountain bike
- Group size: Up to 16 riders
- Recommended age: 16 to 65
- Start / finish: Marrakech
- Accommodation: Hotels and guesthouses (gîtes)
Highlights
- Explore the old medina of Marrakech
- Five days of riding through the High Atlas and Anti-Atlas
- A night in the Draa Valley, the longest oasis in Africa
- Visit Ouarzazate and its film studios
