Imagine a land of snake charmers, fire eaters, camel herders, and desert and mountain nomads. A land where the mountains separate red sand desert from the mighty Sahara. And now imagine yourself riding out across this wonderful land, through bazaars, across mountains, through gorges and to the desert!!! A true Adventure!
The Atlas Mountains in Morocco has it all, in abundance.
And best of all, from the UK we can reach Morocco easily – flying directly
into Marrakech Airport. From here it’s a few minutes to the
Djema El Fna – the main square downtown, where all the fun and games
happens, and from Marrakech the Atlas Mountains rise up just a short
taxi drive away. So all in all this is a perfect recipe for Adventure. Our
bike journey will allow us to explore the high passes of the Atlas, and
onwards down through the spectacular earthen Kasbah of
Ait Benhaddou, to the AntiAtlas Outpost of Ouarzazate.
From Ouarzazate we shall follow the desert side of the Mountains, explore
the valleys and oases, before heading out into the dunes of Merzouga—
the awesome Erg Chebbi!
Itinerary
Day 1 —Fly London Marrakech—Explore Souks and Bazaars
of Old City. Prepare bikes.
Day 2 —Drive / Part Cycle from Marrakech to Tizi N Tikcha
pass—then begin bike ride… bike to Telouet then to
Ait Ben Haddou.
Day 3 —Bike to Boulmane des Dades—entrance to the
spectacular Dades Gorge.
Day 4 —Explore Dades Gorge, then continue bike ride to
Tinerhir and up to Todra Gorge.
Day 5 —Long days cycle from Todra Gorge to Erfoud
Day 6—Cycle to Sahara—Merzouga and into Dunes at the edge of the Sahara desert—and the fantastic Erg
Chebbi Dune System. Camel Trek into the desert and stay
overnight in Bedouin tent beneath the stars.
Day 7 —Return Journey to Marrakech—across the wild
and barren anti-Atlas—and then up and over the high
mountain pass—the Tizi N Tikcha.
Evening meal in one of Marrakech’s old quarter good restaurants—
and possibly time for a glass of wine or two.
Day 8—Morning Chill Out—then Return Flight Late return
to UK.
Accommodation
In Marrakech and where possible we shall be staying in comfortable traditional style accommodation (Riad type) - whilst out on the road, we shall stay wherever is possible, making use of simple guesthouses along our route.
Lightweight sleeping bags / sleeping bag liners are recommended.
Medical Issues
We recommend you take professional advice on immunisations necessary to visit Morocco. Malaria is very low risk—and prophylaxis is not normally recommended.
Do not drink the water untreated in Morocco at any time. Be careful with what you eat—ensure it has been fully cooked.
Special Notes
Please inform Adventure Café before booking if you suffer with a severe phobia of heights or Vertigo.
Ensure you are adequately protected against dehydration (take plenty to drink), against sunburn and sunstroke, and against exposure (hypothermia) - take enough warm clothes with you… Note—this is a strenuous trip—and so you need to be fit—have a good level of endurance—and have well developed cycling muscles—essential for downhilling!
You must bring a cycling helmet with you.
Adventure Cafe Cycle Hire
Adventure Cafe is pleased to offer good quality reliable sports hybrid bikes for hire. These bikes are available in a range of sizes, and are fitted with Shimano running gear, and nice slim wheels - ideal for high speed mile munching! You should provide your own cycling helmet, and small multi tool. We offer these bikes at a rate of £15 per day - with discounted rates for multiple days. Please call us to discuss - 01460 249191!
Visas / Redtape
When travelling abroad you may require a Visa. Please check the Travcour website (www.travcour.com) for up to date Visa information. Here they can advise you on the best action to take. If you require further information please don't hesitate to contact the Café.
Included In Trip
Includes—Transfers from Marrakech Airport, All accommodation, Leader/Mechanic/First Aid Support, guided exploration of the Souks of Marrakech, return journey from Merzouga, Support Vehicle throughout bike adventure. Tented Overnight at the edge of the Sahara.
Excluded From Trip
International Airfares - please ask if you require assistance with flights and we should be able to offer well priced flights with good connections. Excludes transfers in UK to airport (Lift Share may be available – expect to share costs on Parking at Airport),
evening meals, lunches
Equipment Required
Bike Items
Road Bike / Hybrid Bike / Mountain Bike (with Touring Tyres) - please call us for guidance on type of bike on a trip by trip basis
Water Bottles (bladder system/cycle water bottles)
Cycling Gloves
Bike Lock
Neck Scarf
Small Rucksack (or small pannier)
Small Holdall (for overnight gear)
Bike rack for rear pannier
Lamps (front and rear, head torch can be worn)
Under Saddle Pouch (recommended - can be used to carry asterik* items)
Duck Tape (small folded piece off the reel)*
Puncture Repair Kit*
Cable Ties*
Bell or Horn on your bike - Louder the better!
2 x Inner Tubes*
Brake Blocks*
Multi-Tool (with allen keys)*
Cleaning Rag*
Oil/Lube*
Spare parts for your bike (spokes, and other specialist parts for your bike)
Oil/Lube Brush (Toothbrush)*
Pump (suitable for your valve type)
Helmet (compulsory)
Cycle Box / Case / Cardboard Box for Transportation (not the huge rigid boxes on point to point rides please!)
Parcel Tape if required to re-box your bike
Spare Tyre
Medikit
Suncream
Plasters
Vaseline
Insect Repellant
Rehydration Salts
Painkillers
Sunbloc
Washkit
Pack Towel (lifesystems recommended)
Soap (small bar)
Shampoo (not a full size bottle!)
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Warm Clothing
Medium Weight Fleece
Lightweight Gloves
Fleece Hat
Cycle / Overnight Clothing
Lycra Cycling Shorts
Cotton Shorts
Long Cycling Trousers (Tights/Tracksuit Bottoms)
Cotton T-Shirts for evening
Short Sleeve Cycling T-Shirts (Dryflo type material) or Cycle Top with rear pockets
Long Sleeve T-Shirt - preferably white for hot sunny destinations
Cycling Shoes (approach shoes suitable)
Sandals / Spare Shoes for after ride
Underwear
1 Set Casual Evening Wear
1 Pair Cotton Trousers
Waterproof Clothing
1 Outer Fully Waterproof Jacket (gore-tex, e-vent) - comfortable to cycle in
1 Pair Outer Waterproof Bottoms
Other
Camera
Memory Card
Toilet Roll
Spare Lace
Travel Documents
Visa's (if applicable)
Travel Insurance (compulsory)
Passport
Wallet
Money Belt
Credit Cards
Cash
Local Currency
Sunglasses
Mobile Phone
Penknife
Snacks for Cycling Days (dried fruits, nuts, flapjacks, cereal bars etc)
Sleeping Bag / Silk Liner (please check this on a trip by trip basis - it may be required)
Specialist Items for Long Haul Trips
Mosquito Nets
Specialist Medication (AntiMalaria)
Water Purification Kit
Immodium
Sewing Kit
Important
Make sure you do not ‘over pack’ - bring only what is essential for the trip
A final kit list will be provided in your ‘Final Joining Instructions’ pre-departure
Transport / Transfer
No airport transfers are provided for this trip as standard. You will need to transport your bike (in a cardboard box) up to the airport.
Once in Marrakech we will be collected from the airport and transferred to our accommodation (included).
Our return from Merzouga is included—and then finally so too is our transfer to the airport in Marrakech, We shall leave our bike boxes at the hotel until our return from our journey.
Safety Information
By nature all activities contain an element of risk.Your leader will be first aid qualified and will carry the appropriate safety kit for the activity, such as mountain safety shelters, walking rope and from time to time mobile radios. Safety equipment carried will be appropriate to trip. The leader's primary role is to ensure your safety, but it is your responsibility to listen to their guidance and instructions.
Weather
In the high Atlas Mountains the weather and climate are very much influenced by height. The Atlas Mountains here are at their grandest with the highest point rising to 4,163m/13,655ft. Winter snowfall can be heavy and the highest areas are snow-covered well into the summer. Inland at lower levels the summers are very hot, while in winter and spring winds blowing off the mountains can cause some very chilly days. At medium altitudes the climate of Morocco is healthy and very pleasant around the year. Summers are hot but the humidity is quite low, while the winters are generally mild and sunny despite some spells of changeable weather.
Many parts of Morocco see very little rainfall—hence the arid Sahara desert, the extremely dry Atlas and the portion of land between the Atlas and the Atlantic is also very dry.
The North of the country shows some signs of agriculture—but still during the summer this is difficult!
01460 249191 E 
