8-Day Draa Valley Discovery: From Marrakech to the Desert's Edge
Embark on a unique and captivating biking tour with MTBMorocco that trades high mountain passes for the lush, date palm-lined avenues of Morocco’s longest river valley. This 8-day expedition from Marrakech explores the breathtaking Draa Valley, a ribbon of life that cuts through the pre-Saharan landscape, dotted with ancient kasbahs and Berber villages. This journey is a perfect blend of manageable cycling, profound cultural immersion, and stunning, ever-changing scenery.
Experience the true essence of southern Morocco as you pedal along quiet roads through the world’s vastest continuous palm grove. This fully-supported bike tour is ideal for cyclists seeking a deeply cultural experience with less extreme climbing but no less awe-inspiring beauty.
Tour Highlights:
Cycle the Draa Valley Oasis: Ride the length of the lush, green Draa Valley, following the river on quiet roads shaded by over a million date palms.
Explore Ancient Kasbahs: Discover the iconic, earthen-walled kasbahs of Tamnougalt and other historic sites that line the “Road of the Kasbahs.”
Anti-Atlas Mountains: Tackle the scenic Tizi n’Tiniffift pass for stunning views over the entire Draa Valley system.
Desert Panoramas: Experience the dramatic transition from lush oasis to stark, rocky desert landscapes near Zagora.
Full Cultural Immersion: Enjoy the legendary hospitality of the south, staying in traditional guesthouses and exploring vibrant local souks.
Is This Tour For You?
Fitness Level: Intermediate. Designed for cyclists who enjoy daily distances of 50-80km with rolling terrain and one significant climb. Less intense than High Atlas tours.
Focus: A cultural and scenic cycling tour, perfect for those who want to explore at a relaxed pace and soak in the history and landscape.
Roads: Primarily smooth, quiet asphalt roads with minimal traffic.
What makes this experience even more significant is that the economic benefits generated directly contribute to the local community. Your participation supports the purchase of local products and, more importantly, directly benefits the lives of the locals. At MTB Morocco, we believe in fostering a positive impact through tourism, ensuring that your visit leaves a lasting and positive imprint on the communities you encounter.
Itinerary
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.
What's 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)
What's Not includes
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”.
Info
- +212 667 212 912
- +212 660 33 55 22
- mtbinmorocco@gmail.com
- Imlil, Atlas mountains, Marrakech