Tour overview
Eight days, six of them on the bike, from Marrakech over the High Atlas to the edge of the Sahara. You ride past Ait Ben Haddou, down through the palm groves of the Draa Valley, across dry lakes and out to the Chegaga dunes, where you spend a night under a sky full of stars.
The riding is mostly on quiet back roads and desert tracks, so it suits a mountain bike, a gravel bike or an e-bike. A 4×4 support vehicle stays with the group every day, so you can take a break in the car whenever you need one.
- Tour name
- Biking the Atlas Mountains and the Chegaga Dunes
- Recommended age
- 16 to 65
- Accommodation
- Hotels, a desert camp and a guesthouse (gîte)
Highlights
- Explore the old medina of Marrakech
- Cross the Atlas Mountains and ride into the Sahara
- Cycle to Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Six full days of riding in southern Morocco
- Sleep under the stars in the Chegaga dunes
- Ride through the palm groves of the Draa oasis
Route map
The line shows the approximate route. Tap a day in the itinerary to zoom in on it.
- Marrakech
- Ouarzazate
- Tamnougalt
- Zagora
- Erg Lihoudi
- Foum Zguid
- Marrakech
Itinerary
Day1Arrival in Marrakech
We meet you at Marrakech Menara Airport and drive you to your hotel, 15 minutes away. In the evening your guide runs through the tour with the group. If you have time, wander through the old town, Bahia Palace and Jemaa el-Fna square.
Day2Marrakech to Ouarzazate45 km
We leave the city and climb into the Atlas over the Tizi n’Tichka pass (2,260 m). The land turns dry and red as we reach Ait Ben Haddou, the old ksar you may know from Lawrence of Arabia and Gladiator. After lunch we get on the bikes and ride through small villages to Ouarzazate, the ‘city of cinema’.
Day3Ouarzazate and the Draa Valley50 km
A one-hour drive takes us to Tizi n’Tinifift (1,800 m), with a view over the volcanic Jebel Saghro and the Draa Valley, Morocco’s longest valley at about 1,200 km. From there it’s mostly downhill to the Tizgui waterfall and the first oasis. We ride through Berber villages and stop for mint tea with a local family.
Day4Mezguita to Zagora55 km
Today we follow the Draa oasis, where desert sand meets tall green palms. The river road gives some of the best views in southern Morocco. After 55 km on the bike, the 4×4 takes us the last 50 km to Zagora, the traditional gateway to the Sahara.
Day5Zagora to Erg Lihoudi55 km
Desert day. A short 4×4 drive takes us to Tamegroute and its Koranic library, which dates back to the 11th century. From there we ride into the Sahara on a varied route over dry lakes and past small green oases, all the way to our camp in the dunes of Erg Lihoudi. Dinner and the night are under the stars.
Day6Erg Lihoudi to the Chegaga dunes and Foum Zguid65 km
We drive 50 km across the dunes to Lake Iriqi, a dry salt lake where nomads still pass with their camels. Then we ride along the flat lakebed toward Foum Zguid, where we sleep in a kasbah hotel.
Day7Foum Zguid to Taznakht and Marrakech30 km
The last ride is an easy 30 km through quiet oases and Berber villages. From Taznakht we drive back to Marrakech for the night.
Day8Departure
Transfer to Menara Airport for your flight. Check-out is at 11:30. We hope to ride with you again – ma’a salama!
What’s included
Included
- Meals: 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 6 dinners, plus mineral water
- All meals during the tour except dinner on day 7
- Accommodation: 6 nights in hotels and 1 night in a desert camp
- Rooms are twin share; a single room is available for a supplement of 450 EUR
- Transport by comfortable van or Toyota Land Cruiser (4×4), including airport transfers on day 1 and day 8
- A 4×4 support vehicle with the riders every day
- 6 days of guided cycling
- Visit of Jemaa el-Fna square and the old medina of Marrakech
- Visit of Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Riding through the Draa Valley and the Chegaga desert
Not included
- Flights and visas
- Meals not listed in the itinerary
- Tips
- Alcoholic drinks
- Laundry and souvenirs
- Personal travel insurance
- Bike hire (mountain bike, gravel bike or e-bike). You can bring your own bike or rent one from us.
Frequently asked questions
How hard is this Morocco cycling tour?
The tour is graded moderate. You ride 6 days, between 30 and 65 km a day, mostly on quiet back roads and desert tracks. A 4×4 support vehicle stays with the group every day, so you can rest in the car whenever you need to.
How many kilometres do you ride in total?
About 300 km over 6 cycling days: 45 km, 50 km, 55 km, 55 km, 65 km and 30 km. The longest day crosses the flat bed of Lake Iriqi toward Foum Zguid.
Can you really cycle in the Sahara Desert?
Yes. On day 5 you ride from Tamegroute into the Sahara over dry lakes and past small oases to a camp in the dunes of Erg Lihoudi. On day 6 a 4×4 takes you across the Chegaga dunes, and you ride along the dry Lake Iriqi.
What kind of bike do I need?
A mountain bike, a gravel bike or an e-bike all work on this route. Bring your own or rent one from us. Bike hire is not included in the tour price.
When is the best time to do this tour?
The best time is from March to December.
How much does the tour cost and what is included?
The tour costs from 1,100 € per person. The price includes 7 nights (6 in hotels, 1 in a desert camp), most meals, transport with airport transfers, a 4×4 support vehicle and 6 days of guided cycling. A single room costs a 450 € supplement. Flights, insurance, tips and bike hire are not included.
Where does the tour start and finish?
The tour starts and finishes in Marrakech, with pick-up and drop-off at Marrakech Menara Airport. Groups are 2 to 16 riders, and the recommended age is 16 to 65.
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.
Eight days, six of them on the bike, from Marrakech over the High Atlas to the edge of the Sahara. You ride past Ait Ben Haddou, down through the palm groves of the Draa Valley, across dry lakes and out to the Chegaga dunes, where you spend a night under a sky full of stars.
The riding is mostly on quiet back roads and desert tracks, so it suits a mountain bike, a gravel bike or an e-bike. A 4×4 support vehicle stays with the group every day, so you can take a break in the car whenever you need one.
Trip details
- Tour name: Biking the Atlas Mountains and the Chegaga Dunes
- Duration: 8 days, 6 days of cycling
- Grade: Moderate
- Best time to visit: March to December
- Bike: Mountain bike, gravel bike or e-bike
- Group size: 2 to 16 riders
- Recommended age: 16 to 65
- Start / finish: Marrakech
- Accommodation: Hotels, a desert camp and a guesthouse (gîte)
Highlights
- Explore the old medina of Marrakech
- Cross the Atlas Mountains and ride into the Sahara
- Cycle to Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Six full days of riding in southern Morocco
- Sleep under the stars in the Chegaga dunes
- Ride through the palm groves of the Draa oasis
