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Africa / Morocco Morocco Bike + Adventure Tour Berber Villages, Marrakech, and the Atlas Mountains
© 2021 DuVine Adventure + Cycling Co. Work your way through the streets of the medina in Marrakech with a local guide, absorbing the outpouring of sights, smells, and sounds Ride in the Kik Valley, on village roads shared with donkeys, and on routes lined with flowering almond and cherry trees Hike beside a river to the base of Toubkal, the highest peak in the Atlas Mountains Enjoy a delectable Berber-style lunch while biking between remote villages Discover the port village of Essaouira, with its historic architecture and fresh, fragrant cuisine Meet the makers of Moroccan argan oil and French-style wine Arrival Details Departure Details Airport City: Airport City: Marrakech, Morocco Marrakech, Morocco Pick-Up Location: Drop-Off Location: Marrakech Airport or hotel Marrakech Airport Pick-Up Time: Drop-Off Time: 10:00 am 11:00 am
NOTE: DuVine provides group transfers to and from the tour, within reason and in accordance with the pick-up and drop-off recommendations. In the event your train, flight, or other travel falls outside the recommended departure or arrival time or location, you may be responsible for extra costs incurred in arranging a separate transfer.
Emergency Assistance For urgent assistance on your way to tour or while on tour, please always contact your guides first. You may also contact the Boston office during business hours at +1 617 776 4441 or [email protected]. Tour By Day
DAY 1 Morocco and the Ourika Valley
Welcome to the Kingdom of Morocco, a country rich in history, culture, and beauty. Your guides will meet you either at the Marrakech airport or at the designated hotel in town. Our day begins with a transfer to our luxurious kasbah, with its idyllic gardens and sweeping view of the snow- dusted peaks of the Atlas Mountain. You’ll have a moment to freshen up and change into your cycling gear before getting fitted to our bikes and setting off for a warmup ride. Pedal towards Setti Fatma, where we’ll enjoy our first Moroccan tajine lunch. After, we’ll trade our bikes for hiking shoes and trek the "Seven Cascades,” a series of waterfalls nestled in the valley of Ourika. Choose to take a lift in the van or finish riding back to Kasbah Bab. There’ll be time to settle in before we toast to a fantastic week ahead over dinner prepared from the hotel’s organic garden.
Meals: Lunch / Dinner Destinations: Ourika, Setti Fatma Accomplished: 20 miles / 32 km, elevation gain: 2,972 feet / 906 meters Shorter Option: 10 miles / 16 km, elevation gain: 1,486 feet / 453 meters Accommodations: Kasbah Bab
DAY 2 Flavor and Fragrance: Mint Tea and Rose Gardens
Today begins with a ride toward the Kik Plateau, a limestone outcropping in the High Atlas Mountains. This fertile region is crisscrossed with trails that connect Berber villages, and we’re sure to encounter shepherds, villagers, and school children about their daily business. Share the road with donkeys as we climb into the mountain village of Moulay Brahim, stopping to admire panoramic views of the lush and abundant valley below. Feel the breeze on the descent to our home for the next two nights, a family-owned hotel known for its spectacular rose garden. Spend the afternoon by the pool, visit the hammam, or take a short hike to the neighboring Berber homes where you may be invited in for mint tea. Dinner is cozy and intimate, served in front of the hotel’s elaborate fireplace.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner Destinations: Tahnaoute, Moulay Brahim, Asni, Ouirgane Accomplished: 34 miles / 55 km, elevation gain: 2,611 feet / 796 meters Accommodations: La Roseraie
DuVine itineraries may be subject to slight route changes, hotel substitutions, and other modifications. DAY 3 Hiking Toubkal
Leaving the bikes behind, we’ll take a short drive into the foothills of Morocco’s famous Toubkal Mountain. At 4,167 meters, majestic Toubkal is the highest peak in North Africa and a popular destination for mountain climbers. We won’t be trying to summit, but today’s four-hour hike is a treat regardless: follow a meandering river trail to the mountain’s base, then enjoy a picnic lunch before we make our way back to Imlil. The markets in this village are overflowing with hand- crafted tapestries, linens, leather, and pottery—a wonderful place to practice your shopping before we hit the medina in Marrakech later this week. Back at the hotel, wind down with stroll through the fragrant gardens and pre-dinner drink in hand.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner Destinations: Imlil, Toubkal Accomplished: 14 miles / 23 km hiking Accommodations: La Roseraie
DAY 4 Local Flavors of Lakes and Oceans
Sample new and unusual fruits for breakfast before we set off on today’s ride. The route is peppered with almond, cherry, and olive trees, and in certain seasons families (and their donkeys) work to cull the harvest from these orchards. Continue riding across the Nfiss River and pedal through gorges en route the town of Lalla Takerkoust for lunch. Then, we’ll transfer to the whitewashed port of Essaouira, with a stop at a local co-op farm to learn about Morocco’s precious nectar: argan oil. Once we arrive at our exotic 19th-century hotel, you may be tempted by the rooftop pool or a cool drink in the romantic courtyard. Tonight’s dinner takes place in a favorite restaurant, serving fresh-caught grilled fish and local seafood with a side of stunning bay views.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner Destinations: Amizmiz Lalla Takerkoust Lake, Essaouira Accomplished: 37 miles / 60 km, elevation gain: 3,500 feet / 1,067 meters Accommodations: Heure Bleue Palais
DuVine itineraries may be subject to slight route changes, hotel substitutions, and other modifications. DAY 5 Wine and Waves
After a peaceful breakfast on the seaside terrace, we’ll bike north to the fishing village of Moulay Bouzerktoum. On the way, visit Southern Morocco’s only winery: Les Domaines du Val D’Argan. They produce rosé from the same grapes used for Châteauneuf-du-Pape—fitting for a winery started by a Frenchman. Sip some chilled wine while you hear the vineyards’ origin story, built in harmony with argan and olive groves. After, keep riding towards the coast to lunch, where we’ll watch surfers brave the waves from our seats at a seaside bistro. If you’re done riding for the day, let the van return you to the hotel, or finish your last ride of the week in the saddle. As dusk falls, we’ll explore Essaouira’s 18th-century ramparts before an evening on your own; your guides are glad to recommend some favorite restaurants, or simply lose yourself in the streets and follow your nose to simmering spices.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch Destinations: Ounagha, Had Draa, Moulay Bouzerktoum, Essaouira Accomplished: 34 miles / 56 km, elevation gain: 1,315 feet / 401 meters Shorter Option: 16 miles / 26 km, elevation gain: 423 feet / 129 meters Accommodations: Heure Bleue Palais
DAY 6 Marrakech: Magic of the Red City
It’s time for the big adventure in vibrant Marrakech. After a three-hour transfer we meet our friend Mohamed, the best and most beloved guide in the business. Together we’ll visit all the must-sees of Marrakech, beginning at Yves St. Laurent’s colorful Majorelle Gardens—a glorious marriage of Deco and Moorish influence. Share a family-style lunch at Mohamed’s riad, then head for the sensory experience of the medina, where Mohamed helps us navigate the souks filled with everything imaginable. Our next stop is Bahia Palace, a masterpiece of Islamic and Moroccan architecture. The grand finale (and a wonderful final meal to cap off the week) is tonight’s lavish Moroccan dinner at our hotel, the essential La Mamounia. It won't take long to understand why intellectuals and rock stars alike have chosen this property to retreat to—much like Winston Churchill and the Rolling Stones, you’ll find the entire experience downright intoxicating.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner Destinations: Marrakech Accomplished: Walking tour of Marrakech Accommodations: La Mamounia
DuVine itineraries may be subject to slight route changes, hotel substitutions, and other modifications. DAY 7 Leaving Marrakech
After one final lovely breakfast and a stroll around the beautiful hotel grounds, your guides will transfer you to the Marrakech airport, beginning your journey home.
Meals: Breakfast
DuVine itineraries may be subject to slight route changes, hotel substitutions, and other modifications.