FROM THE ATLAS TO THE VALLEY OF THE DRAA TN22

THE STRONG POINTS

The diversity of the landscapes encountered in just one week of travel:​

• Mountains of the High Atlas.
• Gorges and rocky peaks of Sarhro.
• Greenery of the gardens and palm groves of the Draa Valley.
• Dunes of Tinfou.

DETAILS

·         ACCOMPANIMENT: Mountain bike guide
·         ACCOMMODATION: guest-house, homestay and hotel
·         BAGGAGE TRANSPORT: Only your business for the day; a vehicle transports your luggage from one accommodation to another.
·         NEXT DEPARTURES: See dates

DESCRIPTION

Morocco in all its regions: the Atlas Mountains, the palm groves of the Draa Valley and the desert of southern Morocco by mountain bike
Ref TN22
Like a gigantic toboggan, the slopes of the High Atlas launch us towards the Draa Valley, until the dunes stop us... Softness of the reliefs and colors, greenness of the oases and meetings in multiple villages, characterize this valley that we reach after crossing the volcanic massif of Djebel Sarhro and its famous rocky peaks. We pedal on the old caravan tracks, between Ouarzazate, at the foot of the Atlas, and Zagora at the gates of the desert...

DAY1: Marrakesh

Reception at the airport, transfer and installation in our 4* hotel. Depending on the time of arrival, possible visit of the souk of Marrakech and the atmosphere of the Jemaa El Fna square.

DAY2: Marrakesh - Tighza

Immediately after leaving the city, we follow a spectacular road through the high Atlas Mountains. Passage of the Tizi N'Tichka pass before descending into the gorges on the southern slope. We continue towards the wide valley leading to Telouet (1780 m). Visit of the fortress (kasbah) of Telouet, citadel of Glaoui and its tribe until the end of the 1950s. From these mountains, the power and the power of Glaoui spread throughout Morocco… After the visit of the Kasbah of Telouet, first pedal rides in the Atlas Mountains to reach our lodge in the village of Tighza.
Distance traveled: approx. 25 km / Ascent: approx. 250m

Day3: Tighza - Aït Benhaddou - Fint

Superb route on the old caravan route in the Ounila valley, through the hamlets clinging to the mountainside. Mostly descending route to the Kasbah of Aït Benhaddou, the most impressive and one of the best preserved in all of southern Morocco. It is also declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Transfer by vehicle to cross the plateau of Ouarzazate, and resumption of mountain biking around an impressive castle, which is none other than one of the film sets of the famous studios of Ouarzazate. We cross a small lunar mountain range, with in particular the technical ascent of a small dry wadi, which allows us to emerge on the plateau which leads us to the green setting that is the oasis of Fint. Night in a gîte at the entrance to the oasis of Fint.
Distance traveled: approx. 60 km / Ascent: approx. 300m.

Day4: Fint - Draa waterfalls – Tansirt

This morning, we leave the magnificent valley where the oasis of Fint is nestled and make a short transfer to join "the loop of the waterfalls". We resume our mountain bikes around D'Jbel Sarhro, on a track bordering the Draa wadi, clearing its way between the mountainous folds and a valley continuously lined with cultivated fields, palm groves and dotted with a series of kasbahs built in adobe. Night in a lodge towards Tansirt.
Distance travelled: approx. 65 km / Ascent: negligible.

Day5: Tansirt – Timasla

The track weaves between the gardens and palm groves clinging to the villages, and the arid hills delimit the Draa Valley.
We will not hesitate to enjoy a panorama of the valley by opting here and there for a scenic round trip. Many meetings with the population. Night at the inhabitant.
Distance travelled: approx. 65 km / Ascent: negligible.

Day 6: Timasla – Zagora

Cultivated fields and palm groves follow one another. Here and there, a kasbah or an adobe ksour. Discovery of the life of the oases. Our journey ends not far from Zagora, the "gateway to the desert". The famous sign "Timbuktu, 52 camel days" makes us understand that we would have to change the means of transport to continue! A little further than Zagora, the surreal dunes of Tinfou welcome us for our bivouac under a traditional "khaïma" tent. It is a comfortable camp set-up.
Distance travelled: approx. 60 km / Ascent: negligible

Day7: Zagora – Marrakesh

Transfer to Marrakech through the Draa Valley and the Atlas Mountains. Installation at the hotel. In the evening, stroll through the shopping streets and the souk of Marrakech. An unmissable atmosphere…

Day8: Marrakesh – Home

Airport transfer

Level of difficulty (1, 2, 3) of this circuit:

As an indication on the technical level, this circuit receives classification 1 or 2:

Level 1: rolling path or path, without obstacles, small roads with little traffic;
​
Level 2: Path or path with passages containing obstacles (stumps, stones, etc.) steep path with slope.

The price includes :

• Ground transfers necessary for the normal course of the trip
• Accommodation as described
• Full board during the circuit (except for lunch and dinner in Marrakech)
• Supervision by a guide - Moroccan guide from the MTB Morocco team
• Assistance from a local team (drivers, cooks)
• A group pharmacy
• Mineral water (water to be treated provided)

The price does not include:

• Insurance, assistance
• Lunch and dinner in Marrakech
• Visits to museums, monuments and sites not included in the program
• Additional trips related to a modification of the program for meteorological reasons
• All personal expenses
• Everything that is not indicated in the section “the price includes”.