MOROCCO: SOUK TO SOUK (south to north) Bicycle Africa © 2015 (subject to change)
Program: Bicycle tour, self-contained, small group, visiting the people of the diverse cultures of central Morocco. Cycling Conditions: 750 km, 480 miles, paved roads, a couple mountainous sections. Weather conditions: Highs in the 70's and 80's, lows in the 40's, chance of rain.
DAY 01 MARRAKECH. (elev. 460) Arrive in the afternoon and check-in to the hotel. Program options: Start with a Moroccan Dinner & evening exploration of Marrakesh medina.
DAY 02 MARRAKECH. The second oldest Imperial city, known as the pearl of the south. The city was founded by the Almoravides at the end of the 11 th century. Points of interest: the Menara Garden , the Saadian Tombs, el Badi Palace, el Bahia Palace, the Koutoubia Mosque, the Minara and the dar Sidi Saîd Museum, the souks and Djamaa el Fna with its non stop entertainment.
DAY 03 Marrakech to TIZI N’TICHKA (elev. 2210m) (110km by transport) to OUARZAZATE (elev. 1120m) (90km) Long descent with an average slope of 2%. Points of interests: Ait Ben Haddou (improbably, 10km off the road)
DAY 04 Ouarzazate to KALAAT M'GOUNA (elev. 1470m) (100km) Long ascent with slopes under 2%. Points of interests: Taourirt Kasbah (former residence of the Glaoui (pasha)), former base of French Foreign Legion.
DAY 05 Kalaat M'Gouna to TINGHIR (elev. 1310m) (75km) Climb for 25km and descend 300m over 50km. Oasis. Points of interest: road of the thousand Kasbahs, the Dades Gorge (R704) and river (famous for its roses) and Todra Gorge (R703).
DAY 06 Tinghir to GOULMIMA (1040m) (76km) Cross a broad basin, max slope is less than 2%
DAY 07 Goulmima to ERRACHIDIA (Ksar Es Souk) (1045m) (60km) Relatively flat, with a climb and dip midway.
DAY 08 Errachidia to ER RICH (1325m) (70km) Relatively flat, with a couple of high ridges to cross.
DAY 09 Er Rich to MIDELT (elev. 1520) (75km) Climb to 1860m and descend.
DAY 10 Midelt to BOULEMANE (elev. 1820) (110km) 100km climb to 2100m, descend for 10km.
DAY 11 Boulemane to SEFROU (840m) (75km) Descend from the Middle Atlas, mostly 2-5% grade. Berber village and a Jewish town before Islam was introduced in the 8th century. Home of Moulay Idriss II while building Fes. Program options: stopping point on trans-Sahara trade routes, medina, Mellah (Jewish quarter with security features), Jewish School at Bab Merba, Jewish cemetery, Moslem quarter, city wall/ramparts, Cooperative Artisanale (Bab Makame), Oued Aggaï, pedestrians only bridges, waterfall (1.5km west), resting place of Sidi Lahcen Ben Ahmed (17th century saint), Koubba of Sidi Ali bou Serghine , cherries (festival in June), Kef El-Mumen cave (in legend, resting place of the prophet Daniel), Unesco World Heritage Site (2013)
DAY 12 Sefrou to FES (440m) (40km) A long general descent at 2.0% slope
DAY 13 Fez. . First Imperial City which was built in 790 A.D by Moulay Idriss II Points of interest: Medina, Ramparts, Royal palace, Batha museum, Fez Jdid, Borj Nour, Pottery quarter, Jewish and Arab sections, walk along the river, Karaouine University, , the Mederssa Attarine, Bouanania Religious School, Nejjarine Fountain
DAY 14 End of Program