CHALLENGING TOURS
Tour Morocco
The Cycle Morocco team have become specialists at creating challenging tours. Our aim is to immerse you in one of the most fascinating countries in the world. With incredible passes to climb, grand souks to explore, tagines to eat and a traditional welcome wherever we go.
We expect there may be travel restrictions in place to travel to Morocco and we advise everyone who is coming on a trip with us to have been vaccinated, we may all need vaccination cards by then to travel anywhere. The Covid-19 situation has been taken very seriously in Morocco and there are currently strict lockdown rules across the country. The greatest worry is that we as visitors re-introduce the virus and we will do everything that we can as a travel company to ensure everyone is safe. During your stay you may be asked to take a thermal test in a hotel or shops and cafes and always follow any local rules on face masks and social distancing in or out of the hotels we use. Any person showing symptoms will be taken immediately to a local centre or hospital for further testing and evaluation. It is especially important that you read the small print on your travel insurance so that you know what is and isn't covered by your insurance.
CHALLENGING TOURS ACROSS MOROCCO
TMENYA
Dates for 2022 coming soon
Tmenya means 8 in Moroccan and this stunning 15 day tour follows a figure of 8 route starting in the walled city of Taroudant and finishing on the sea front at Agadir.
A clockwise loop south across the barren landscape of the Anti-Atlas brings us to the town of Tafroute where we explore for a day. Heading north we make our way back over the mountains on some of the most incredible cycling roads and take a rest day in Taroudant.
Our northern anti-clockwise loop takes us north east over the highest road in Morocco, the incredible Tizi n Test pass, with a 30Km climb to the summit. Our furthest point north is Marrakesh with a rest day to enjoy the madness of it's grand souks.
Leaving Marrakesh behind our road wind through rural roads and up to the village of Immozer with a final fantastic day of riding through the Valley of Paradise. Finishing on the sea front in Agadir this is a truly memorable tour.
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FULL
ITINERARY ON REQUEST
3 TIZI'S
Dates for 2022 coming soon
A massive tour taking in the three highest passes in Morocco. Big days in the saddle, unbelievable views, great accommodation and fully supported.
We are currently working on the details of this tour and hope to have our first 3 Tizi's tour in 2021
SEA TO SAND
Our next big tour is under construction and is looking to be legendary. Our clients just want more epic adventures and this next one wont disappoint. Kept checking back here or send us your details and we'll let you know when the first one is running
GENERAL TOUR DETAILS
Tour cost
Price for all 15 day tours is £1380 + £300 single supplement
The price is based on a minimum number of 10 participants plus 2 tour leaders taking part in the tour.
Maximum number per tour is 14 + 2 tour leaders
Price includes:
- 15 nights hotel accommodation, half board basis, sharing rooms
- Our guide will supply lunches and refreshments at morning and afternoon stops
- Services of backup vehicle for transporting luggage and giving help to riders if needed
- Transport from Agadir airport to our start hotel in Taroudant
-Transport from our final hotel in Agadir to the airport.
- Cycle Morocco Tours costs
Price does not include:
- Travel to and from the airport in the UK or any accommodation needed in the UK before or after the flight
- Drinks with evening meals
- Any extra food or drinks stops that you personally make in local cafes along the route during the day.
- Entry fees at any attractions
- Any other personal expenses, fees, taxes or gratuities
- Travel Insurance
- Single room supplement (£340, subject to availability)
- Please note: No other airport collection times will be made available and participants arriving outside of this time should make their own arrangements to transit to our starting hotel in Taroudant.
The area covered by the Tours
The Anti-Atlas and High-Atlas Mountains are a major part of all our tours. We start Tmenya and 3 Tizi's in Taroudant. Each tour will cover over 800km and most days have 1000m of climbing.The gradients are usually constant with the roads winding around the contours at 4-6%. The highest point of our tours is the Tizi-n-Test pass. At 2100 M with a climb of 30Km, it is a challenging but steady climb. Not all the days are hilly and there are a surprising number of flat kilometres which make for easier riding.
What does challenging mean?
60-120km per day with 1000+M of climbing. These long tours require a good level of riding fitness (not age related) to be able to ride all day and have an ability to acclimatise to the local conditions, mostly 22-35C. We have a support vehicle which riders can use if they do get tired or ill. You should have a good riding ability and know the basics of bike maintenance.
Rides and rest days
The roads we use are mostly tarmac and the majority are in good condition. However there are some sections which are badly broken up or gravel and the margins at the side of the roads are often unpaved or gravel. We advise that you fit tyres with a tread pattern as slick racing tyres are not suitable in this mixed terrain. We will advise you if any off road or non-tarmacked sections of roads are to be used. The climbs are long, and you should have low enough gears to manage.
We will have some shorter days to do some sightseeing and rest day are also included. Often in the wonderful walled town of Taroudant and if possible in the madness of Marrakesh (which everyone should experience once in there life)
The rides will be supported by a tour leader with a local guide in a vehicle, at a pace of approximately 15-25kph on the flat, a lot slower on the hills. The number of daily kilometres, climbing and temperature as indicated in the itinerary, make some sections of this tour challenging. However due to our fantastic local guides, vehicle support and great accommodation this tour should be accessible to all riders who ride or tour regularly. We do recommend that riders have a good level of fitness which will allow you, and the group as a whole, to enjoy the riding. The support vehicle is always available to riders who would like a rest or are feeling unwell.
It is anticipated that the group will picnic where possible at mid-day with lunches, drinks and snacks provided by our guide during the day. However we will try to stop at least once at a café or road side stalls during the day.
Moving by vehicle
This is a cycling tour and we will do everything possible to make sure that the majority of the tour is about you riding your bike. We will only move the group by vehicle if we believe that the road ahead is too dangerous to ride through normally or that the distance to our next stop is far too long to ride in a single day. We see that too many tours in this country are created by moving riders quickly by vehicle for 50-60% of the time and this is not the wish of Cycle Morocco.
Weather and temperatures
Morocco temperatures are very variable with temperatures during the tour likely to range between 20C-35C with cool evenings. There is even a small chance of rain.
Accommodation / Meals
Accommodation will generally be in 3-star hotels with many having pools and stunning indoor garden areas. Double rooms for couples and shared twin rooms will be the standard, with some singles available for a supplement. In some smaller hotels three or four to a room might be necessary but you will be informed if that situation occurs. Anyone requesting a single room should indicate if they will accept occasional sharing.
We are restricted in accommodation choice in some locations and will have to stay in the only hotels available. These will be basic but functional and usually great fun.
If you know you are a noisy or restless sleeper, we ask you to request and pay the supplement for a single room. This should be stated on the booking form. In the event of an odd number of individual participants expecting to share with another of their sex, one person might sometimes be accommodated in a single room at no extra charge.
All breakfasts and evening meals are included, either at the hotel or in a restaurant nearby. One of the key areas where Morocco is different to any other country is their food with Tagine being the national dish. Moroccan food is generally very good with lots of salad and bread added to each meal. The Moroccan people will often bend over backwards to see that their guests eat well. Vegetarians and vegans will be well catered for. If you have any special dietary requirements please inform us on the booking form.
Travel
Participants will be expected to make their way to and from UK airports and we will give full information of travel details after you have booked.
Group information
The maximum group size will be 16, including the Tour Managers.
Cycles / Equipment
A road bike, touring cycle or hybrid is suitable. You should ensure your bike is well maintained, paying particular attention to wheels, tyres and brakes. A low bottom gear is recommended for the long climbs. If you are unsure about gears, please talk to us.
Lights are recommended but might not prove essential.
Each participant is expected to carry what they need during the day, but otherwise your luggage will be transferred for you to the next hotel in our support vehicle
As stated earlier tyre choice is very important for the mixed terrain we will ride on.
You must bring your own spares.
An equipment list will be included with the final documents.
Maps, Guides and Tour Information
Although Garmin devices are useful a full map gives a better overview of our route. I have found 3 that cover our area with different levels of detail and often different spellings of places.
The Oxford Alpine Club Anti-Atlas map
National Geographic Morocco Adventure map
Marco Polo Morocco
Travel Insurance and Advice
In addition to travel insurance, EU nationals should carry a European Health Insurance Card. This enables you to take advantage of emergency medical services free or at a discount under a reciprocal provision that exists between EU member states. Your travel insurer may refuse to meet the extra costs of medical treatment if you do not carry this Card.
Before booking you should check the Foreign Office ‘Travel Advice by Country’ at www.fco.gov.uk or on 0845 850 2829.
FULL TOUR DETAILS AND BOOKING ON REQUEST