Start your 8 Day MTB Through the Anti-Atlas & The Desert Tour in Marrakech, exploring its vibrant markets and Jemaa el-Fna. Pedal through the High Atlas Mountains, visit the UNESCO-listed Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, and ride through the dramatic Dades Valley. Continue into Jebel Saghro, where the desert meets mountains, then cycle through the lush Draa Valley with its palm groves and oases like Fint, before returning to Marrakech. This tour combines thrilling trails, desert landscapes, and authentic Moroccan experiences—an unforgettable ride!
Transfer from the airport to your hotel in the heart of the medina, near Jemaa el Fna square. Depending on your arrival time you will visit the city on the first or the last day.
Today, we will drive to Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, a UNESCO site since 1987, famous for appearing in many films. After that, we’ll continue our journey to the High Atlas Mountains, passing through the stunning Tizi n’Tichka pass (2260m) with beautiful views along the way. We’ll stop in Telouet (1880m) to begin our first bike ride along the old southern caravan route. As we pedal, we’ll see cultivated terraces, traditional kasbahs, adobe villages, and friendly Berber people who warmly welcome visitors.
MTB Distance: 42 km | Terrain: Mountain roads & gravel | Elevation: +900m / -750m
Today, we will drive on to Rose’s Valley, reaching the foothills of the Atlas Mountains after passing through the palm grove of Skoura Village. It’s a beautiful day for mountain biking. We’ll ride through a vast desert valley with rich colors, followed by narrow green valleys along the flowing water of the Wadi. Along the way, we’ll see terraced gardens and many villages with traditional ochre-red adobe houses. Our day will end in Bou Tgharar where we spend the night in a gite in the old part of the village.
MTB Distance: 38 km | Terrain: Desert trails & oasis paths | Elevation: +600m / -450m
We begin the day with an ochre-red morning in the Aït Youl Desert, making a stop to visit the nomads. Then, we’ll continue through the rich Dades Valley, famous for its majestic kasbahs. For some short connections, we’ll take a 4×4 to reach Iknioun, deep in the heart of Jebel Saghro. Here, everything feels different – from the landscapes and colors to the way of life. In the afternoon, we’ll explore the black mountains with golden reflections, passing through a small pass and scenic valleys before reaching Alnif.
MTB Distance: 50 km | Terrain: Rocky paths & mountain passes | Elevation: +1100m / -950m
At the end of Saghro, we’ll follow a quiet track as it descends to Alnif, with short 4×4 connections to Tazzarine, nestled in the mountains. In the afternoon, we’ll explore a pre-Saharan trail, passing through small villages, oases, and nomadic families with their herds. Along the way, we’ll discover the ancient rock carvings of Aït Ouasik. The day will end with a night spent in a bivouac under nomadic tents, set beside the sand dunes. If the wind is calm, we’ll enjoy a campfire to end the evening.
MTB Distance: 44 km | Terrain: Sandy trails & desert paths | Elevation: +500m / -600m
We’ll enjoy a fantastic final morning of mountain biking, starting by leaving our guesthouse and following the track along the palm trees to the charming villages of the Fint Oasis. After passing through the oasis, we’ll leave the canyon and head towards the road that crosses the Reg. Then, we’ll drive for 3 hours, not including a lunch stop near the Tichka Pass. This scenic road always offers amazing views, making the journey a perfect ending to our adventure.
MTB Distance: 40 km | Terrain: River valleys & mountain passes | Elevation: +850m / -700m
