oct 14-20, 2024
Morocco Ride
Marrakech and the Atlas Mountains
About the Ride
Ride a colorful tour from Marrakech into the High Atlas Mountains.
Oct 14-20, 2024
Marrakech, Morocco
Climb the Tizi n’Tichka pass, enjoy lunch with a view of UNESCO world heritage site Ait Benhaddou, ride across the Agafay desert, and stay in the heart of the Atlas mountains
This tour offers an authentic experience for guests open to discovering the unique blend of Arab, Berber & European cultures that shape the heart of Morocco.
Join us next time!
Positive Planet Impact
Event Details
Full Event Story
Ride a colorful tour from Marrakech into the High Atlas Mountains. Climb the Tizi n’Tichka pass, enjoy lunch with a view of UNESCO world heritage site Ait Benhaddou, ride across the Agafay desert, and stay in the heart of the Atlas mountains. This tour offers an authentic experience for guests open to discovering the unique blend of Arab, Berber & European cultures that shape the heart of Morocco. Enjoy learning from your local guides, and taste delicious Moroccan food of slow-cooked tagines, fresh juices & bottomless pots of tea. Get off the beaten tourist track into rural Morocco & get ready for the ride of a lifetime!
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Itinerary Overview
Itinerary subject to change, your Ride Guide will include full details.
Note: This is an intermediate to advanced level ride. It is point-to-point, so to shorten the mileage and elevation, riders will need to get a boost in the support vehicle. Please be prepared for adventure and big days in the saddle.
Day 1
Arrival Day, Optional Walking Tour of Marrakech
Welcome to Morocco! Today is all about settling into our new environment, getting our bikes set up, and taking time to discover the city center of Marrakech.
Day 2
Bike 70-104 km | Elevation Gain: 1250-2500 m
Today we ride from Ait Ourir to Telouet. Highlights include meeting farmers and shepherds in Tassourte, mint tea in the Zat Valley, climbing the Tizi n/Tichka Pass, and visiting the Kasbah du Pacha in Telouet. Telouet is a village on the old caravan routes from the Sahara desert to Marrakech. Tonight, we’ll stay in a simple guesthouse.
Day 3
Bike 88 km | Elevation Gain: 1030 m
Today we ride from Telouet to Boutazoulte vai Ait Benhaddou. Highlights include riding the old Spice Caravan road to the Onila Valley. We’ll have lunch at the UNESCO world heritage site, Ait Benhaddou.
Day 4
Bike 88 km | Elevation Gain: 1100 m
Today is a point-to-point ride from Boutazoult to Azgrouz via the Amsouzart valley. We’ll discover the volcanic Anti-Atlas (Low Atlas) region and stay with a local family in the valley and get a taste of rural Berber life. You have an option to add a 14.5 km, 600m climb to the village (or hop in the support vehicle).
Day 5
Bike 70-108 km | Elevation Gain: 1200-2300 m
Today is a big day to ride from Azgrouz to Ijoukak and then to Imlil. The highlights include riding the Ijoukak valley into the heart of the High Atlas and taking an old caravan route to Imlil. Tonight we’ll stay in a traditional Riad in the Atlas mountains at the base of Mount Toubkal.
Day 6
Bike 110 km | Elevation Gain: 1400 m
Our final ride is from Imlil to back to Marrakesh. We’ll travel gravel roads across the Agafay desert, Lalla Takerkoust, and back to Marrakech! We will transfer the last 40 mins by vehicle. We’ll stay in a wonderful riad for our last night.
Departure Day
The tour finishes in Marrakech. We will provide you with a transfer to Marrakech airport on departure day. Our transfer will arrive at the airport at 10:00, suitable for flights out after 12 noon.
Ready to get started?
FAQs and More Info
Arriving & Departing (Important Information)
Arriving
We will pick up riders at Marrakech airport at 12 pm on Day 1. From there, we will transfer to our first hotel. If you have rented a bike, it will be waiting for you at the hotel.
Departing
The tour finishes in Marrakech. We will provide you with a transfer to Marrakech airport on departure day. Our transfer will arrive at the airport at 10 am, suitable for flights out after 12 noon.
Accommodations & Meals
This is an adventure! This trip has a mix of accommodations including a hotel, guesthouses, and a traditional riad.
A single supplement is available upon request. Guests can request a single supplement and they will have their own rooms where appropriate (eg. family home nights sleeping arrangements are communal, with appropriate separation of men and women & private space for couples.
All of your breakfast, lunch, and dinners are included. Breakfast and dinners will be at the hotel each day and for lunch, we will stop at cafes along the route or enjoy an al fresco picnic. In addition, snacks and ride fuel will be provided. The ride fuel will be natural and there are no specific bars/gels packed in our support van–please bring your own if you require it. Note that alcoholic drinks are not available – guests are invited to drink Berber whisky (fresh mint tea) instead.
The ride support vehicle is stocked with natural ride nutrition and water. Our team will serve a roadside lunch – a time-efficient pit stop with the right balance of carbohydrates, protein, fruit & veg to keep you energized and feeling healthy all week.
What kind of bike do I need?
We recommend gravel bikes. You do not want skinny tires on this ride.
Gravel bikes are available to rent through our outfitter.
At this point, we are not sure if we can accommodate e-bike charging each day, so we do not recommend e-bikes.
What is included? Not included?
Included:
- Accommodations, and meals
- Expert guides and route support
Not Included:
- All air tickets with airport taxes
- Bike (gravel) — you can bring your own bike or you can rent a bike from our local outfitter
- Travel/supplemental medical insurance (required for international trips)
- Alcoholic drinks and other beverages during meals outside tour inclusion
- Any optional tour
- Tips for guide, driver, hotels’ porters (in your ride guide we will indicate recommended tips)
What are the travel documents/passports required for traveling to Morocco?
You will need a valid U.S. or E.U.passport (valid for at least 3 months or you can be denied entry). If you are a passport holder from another country please check your country’s regulations.
Please check your ride guide and any emails that we send you regarding Covid protocols for entering and exiting Morocco.
Is my U.S. medical insurance valid while traveling outside the U.S.? Should I get travel insurance?
Travel/supplemental medical insurance on international Climate Ride trips is required. Many domestic health insurance companies do not provide coverage outside of the United States, and before leaving for the event, travelers should speak with their healthcare providers to determine if they will be covered. Several private insurance companies offer short-term travel/medical insurance. Check out Allianz Travel Insurance, World Nomads, or other comparable companies.
Remember, travel insurance can only cover expenses you have paid for (flights, additional hotels, etc). It cannot cover your fundraising. Be sure to read the fine print on the travel insurance that you buy.
Can I use my U.S. debit or credit card?
Yes, credit cards and debit cards are accepted in towns and tourist areas. But don’t expect to use your credit card everywhere. When we are in smaller villages you may want local currency to purchase incidentals.
Fundraising Beneficiaries
This is a special Climate Ride Funders Trip and the proceeds directly support Climate Ride’s work. Your fundraising will benefit the programs and efforts of Climate Ride including helping to underwrite the Green Fondo events, our community scholarships for young sustainability leaders, and our Environmental Justice Action Grants. You are helping us grow the organization to become an advocacy powerhouse that engages people in the world of active environmental philanthropy and sustainable solutions. Because of this, you cannot change your beneficiary selection after registering. All donations are tax-deductible.
Fundraising and Transfer Deadlines | Important Dates
Fundraising Deadlines:
| $500 to be raised by: | 7/8/2024 |
| $2,100 to be raised by: | 8/19/2024 |
| $4,200 to be raised by: | 9/10/2024 |
Transfer Deadline: There are no transfers for this event. Donations are non-refundable.
Note: If you’d like to register after or near a fundraising deadline, don’t worry, we’re here to help you get up to speed!
More Questions?
Be sure to review our general FAQ and policies or contact us!
