ATLAS MOUNTAINS EXPEDITION
8 Days / 7 Nights
Marrakech, Morocco
4–10 Riders
600 km
10,000 m
Tour Type
Fully Supported Point-to-Point Gravel Expedition
Schedule
Private Groups & Seasonal Departures
Level / Difficulty
★★★★☆
Languages
English / French / Arabic / Spanish
€
1995
/ per person
* Launch pricing: Current prices reflect introductory launch rates.
Secure your place with a 20% deposit.
Overview
Atlas Mountains Expedition is a fully supported gravel adventure through the heart of Morocco, linking the High Atlas Mountains, ancient caravan routes, remote Berber villages and the edge of the Sahara.
Starting and finishing in Marrakech, the route travels far beyond the tourist trail into a landscape shaped by mountains, desert and centuries of history. Riders cross high mountain passes, descend through hidden valleys, follow remote gravel tracks between traditional settlements and experience a side of Morocco rarely seen by visitors.
Inspired by years of ultra-distance racing, bikepacking expeditions and routes that helped shape events such as the Atlas Mountain Race, this journey captures the spirit of self-supported adventure while providing the support, logistics and local expertise needed to fully enjoy the experience.
Along the way you'll discover UNESCO-listed kasbahs, palm-filled oases, dramatic desert landscapes and some of the most welcoming communities anywhere in the cycling world. Every overnight stop has been selected to showcase the culture, hospitality and character of southern Morocco.
This is not a luxury cycling holiday. It is a genuine expedition designed for riders who want to experience Morocco as it truly is — challenging, rewarding, unpredictable and unforgettable.
Tour Schedule
Day 1 — Welcome to Marrakech
Arrive in Marrakech and transfer to a traditional riad in the heart of the Medina. Build bikes, complete equipment checks and meet the group before a traditional Moroccan welcome dinner. Wander the souks, experience the atmosphere of Jemaa el-Fnaa and prepare for the adventure ahead.
Day 2 — Tizi n'Tichka, Telouet & Aït Benhaddou
After breakfast we leave Marrakech behind and climb into the High Atlas. A transfer takes us to the spectacular Tizi n'Tichka Pass, where the riding begins.
A long descent through the Ounila Valley leads past ancient kasbahs, remote Berber villages and the historic settlement of Telouet before reaching Aït Benhaddou, one of Morocco's most iconic UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Day 3 — Across the Southern Atlas
Leaving Aït Benhaddou behind, the route heads deeper into southern Morocco. Quiet gravel roads and remote mountain tracks link together isolated villages and hidden valleys as the landscape gradually transitions from mountain terrain towards the edge of the desert.
The day finishes in Ouarzazate, known as the "Gateway to the Sahara", where traditional Moroccan hospitality awaits.
Day 4 — Oases, Kasbahs & The Draa Valley
Today's stage explores one of Morocco's most remarkable landscapes.
Climbing away from Ouarzazate, riders reach high desert plateaus before descending into the fertile Draa Valley. Palm groves, ancient kasbahs and traditional villages create a striking contrast against the surrounding mountains and desert terrain.
Tonight's accommodation sits amongst the oasis settlements that have sustained travellers for centuries.
Day 5 — The Road to Zagora
A true expedition stage.
Following ancient caravan routes through the Draa Valley, the route links together oasis after oasis beneath the dramatic mountains of southern Morocco. Date palms, mud-brick villages and vast desert landscapes create an atmosphere unlike anywhere else in the world.
As the day progresses the Sahara begins to reveal itself on the horizon.
Day 6 — Edge of the Sahara
Today's stage takes us towards the edge of the Sahara Desert, following ancient caravan routes through remote settlements and dramatic desert landscapes. The final kilometres lead to M'Hamid, regarded as the last outpost before the true Sahara begins.
Leaving the bikes behind, we transfer by 4x4 into the vast Erg Chegaga dunes where towering sand mountains stretch to the horizon. As the sun sets across the desert, there is time to explore the dunes, enjoy a traditional camel trek or simply absorb the silence and scale of one of the world's great wildernesses.
Tonight we stay in a traditional Berber desert camp, sharing a Moroccan feast beneath an extraordinary blanket of stars far from roads, towns and artificial light. For many riders, this unforgettable evening becomes one of the defining memories of the entire expedition.
Day 7 — Return Through the Atlas
The final riding day traces a spectacular route back towards the Atlas Mountains. Palm groves, desert valleys and mountain scenery combine into one final memorable stage before returning towards Marrakech.
That evening we celebrate the expedition together with a farewell dinner and stories from the week.
Day 8 — Departure
Enjoy a relaxed breakfast before airport transfers and onward travel.
Leave Morocco with unforgettable memories of Berber hospitality, mountain passes, desert landscapes and one of the most unique gravel adventures anywhere in the world.
Why Ride With BiciRadVelo
Route Specialists
Designed specifically for gravel, bikepacking and ultra-distance riding—not road tours adapted for dirt.
Ride-Tested Routes
Inspired by the world's toughest races and refined through years of real-world exploration and expedition riding.
Professional Support
Dedicated support vehicles, specialist equipment and rider-focused logistics—so you can focus on the ride, not the planning.
What's Included
✅ 8 Days / 7 Nights
✅ Welcome dinner on arrival day
✅ 7 nights in carefully selected riads, guesthouses, hotels & desert accommodation
✅ Daily breakfast
✅ Daily lunch
✅ Dinner every evening
✅ 6 fully guided riding stages
✅ Professional expedition leader & local support crew
✅ Dedicated support vehicle throughout the expedition
✅ Daily luggage transfers between accommodation
✅ Ride nutrition, drinks & snacks throughout every stage
✅ 2–3 scheduled feed stops per day
✅ Mechanical assistance during every stage
✅ Airport transfers from and to Marrakech Airport
✅ GPX routes & navigation files
✅ Professionally produced expedition roadbook
✅ BiciRadVelo welcome pack
✅ Shared expedition photo gallery
✅ Traditional Moroccan farewell dinner
What's Not Included
❌ Flights
❌ Travel, medical, sports & cancellation insurance
❌ Bike rental (available on request)
❌ Alcoholic drinks and additional beverages
❌ Helmet, shoes and personal cycling equipment
❌ Mechanical repairs requiring replacement parts
❌ Accommodation before or after the expedition
❌ Personal purchases, souvenirs & gratuities
Additional Info
This is a fully supported gravel expedition through Morocco's High Atlas Mountains, remote Berber villages, ancient caravan routes and the edge of the Sahara Desert. Accommodation, luggage transfers, mechanical assistance, ride support and a dedicated support vehicle are included throughout the expedition, allowing riders to focus entirely on the experience.
The route combines high mountain passes, remote gravel tracks, desert plateaus, palm-filled oases and traditional settlements to showcase a side of Morocco rarely experienced by most visitors. Inspired by years of expedition riding and ultra-distance racing, it offers a balance of challenge, adventure and cultural immersion that extends far beyond the typical cycling holiday.
Daily stages are designed to be challenging yet achievable for reasonably fit gravel riders, with support available throughout the journey. Exact routes may vary between departures depending on weather, trail conditions, local conditions and group ability to ensure the safest and most rewarding experience possible.
A modern gravel bike with 45–50 mm tyres is recommended, although lightweight hardtail mountain bikes are also well suited to the terrain. Riders are encouraged to travel with their own bike wherever possible to ensure the best riding experience, although bike rental can be arranged on request.
Accommodation forms an integral part of the expedition. Riders can expect a carefully selected mix of traditional riads, guesthouses, locally owned hotels and a memorable night of desert camping beneath some of the darkest skies in North Africa. Far from towns, roads and artificial light, this unique overnight experience is often one of the highlights of the entire journey.
Airport transfers between Marrakech Airport, accommodation and the expedition start and finish locations are included on scheduled departures, with space available for luggage and bike boxes throughout the journey.
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Answers to common questions about:
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From Girona to the world’s great riding
From quiet Catalan backroads to high mountain passes and remote expeditions, every BiciRadVelo journey combines local knowledge, meticulous planning and genuine adventure. Wherever the destination, the goal is always the same—more riding, less logistics and unforgettable days on the bike.
