Trip Highlights
Rub your way through the streets on the medina in Marrakech with a local guide, taking in the outpouring of sights, smells, and also sounds
Drive in the Kik Valley, on village roads shared with donkeys, and also on routes lined with flowering almond and also cherry trees
Hike beside a river on the foundation of Toubkal, probably the highest peak in the Atlas Mountains
Really enjoy a delectable Berber style lunch while biking between remote villages
Discover the port village of Essaouira, with its historic structure and fresh, aromatic cuisine
Meet up with the producers of Moroccan argan oil and also French style wine
Eat
Slow-cooked tagine, couscous, honey drenched pastries, hearty Berber food, and preserved fruit like orange, dates, and figs
Drink
Arabic a cup of coffee, Moroccan mint tea, plus unique nearby roses and reds as Clairet de Meknès, Boulaouane, and also Guerrouane.
Itinerary
Morocco and also the Ourika Valley
Welcome to the Kingdom of Morocco, a nation rich in history, tradition, and attractiveness. The instructions of yours are going to meet you often at the Marrakech airport and in the designated hotel in town. Our morning starts with a transfer to our magnificent kasbah, with its idyllic gardens and sweeping view of the snow dusted peaks of the Atlas Mountain. You will have a few minutes to freshen up and change into your cycling gear before being fixed to the bikes of ours and setting off for a warmup ride. Pedal towards Setti Fatma, wherein we will appreciate our very first Moroccan tajine lunch. After, we will trade the bicycles of ours for hiking shoes and trek the “Seven Cascades,” many waterfalls nestled in the valley of Ourika. Decide to go for a lift in the van or maybe finish driving to Kasbah Bab. There will be the time to take it easy before we toast to an excellent week ahead over dinner ready from the hotel’s organically grown garden.
Meals: Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Ourika, Setti Fatma
Accomplished: twenty miles / thirty two km, elevation gain: 2,972 feet / 906 meters
Shorter Option: ten miles or sixteen km, elevation gain: 1,486 feet / 453 meters
Accommodations: Kasbah Bab
Day 2
Fragrance and flavor: Mint Tea and Rose Gardens
The Morocco biking tour now starts with a ride toward the Kik Plateau, a limestone outcropping in the High Atlas Mountains. This fertile area is crisscrossed with trails that connect Berber villages, and also we are certain to encounter shepherds, villagers, along with school kids about the everyday business of theirs. Share roadway with donkeys as we get into the mountain village of Moulay Brahim, stopping to admire panoramic views of the abundant and lush valley below. Really feel the breeze on the descent to the property of ours for the following 2 nights, a family owned resort noted for its stunning rose garden. Spend the evening by the swimming pool, go to the hammam, or perhaps attend a quick hike on the neighboring Berber houses in which you might be invited in for mint tea. Dinner is intimate and cozy, served before the hotel’s elaborate fireplace.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch or Dinner
Destinations: Tahnaoute, Moulay Brahim, Asni, Ouirgane
Accomplished: thirty four miles or fifty five km, elevation gain: 2,611 feet / 796 meters
Accommodations: La Roseraie
Day 3
Camping Toubkal
Leaving the bikes behind, we will have a quick drive into the foothills of Morocco’s famous Toubkal Mountain. At 4,167 meters, majestic Toubkal may be the highest peak in North Africa along with a favorite location for mountain climbers. We will not be attempting to summit, though present day four hour hike is a treat regardless: stick to a meandering river trail on the mountain’s base, now have a picnic lunch before we create the way of ours to Imlil. The markets in this particular village are overflowing with hand crafted tapestries, leather, linens, and pottery – a fantastic spot to perform your shopping before we reach the medina in Marrakech later this week. Back at the resort, wind down with walk from the scented gardens and pre dinner drink in hand.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch or Dinner
Destinations: Imlil, Toubkal
Accomplished: fourteen miles / twenty three km hiking
Accommodations: La Roseraie
Day 4
Regional Flavors of Oceans and lakes
Sample different and unusual fruit for breakfast before we head out on today’s drive. The path is peppered with olive trees, cherry, and almond, and also in a few seasons families (and also their donkeys) effort to cull the harvest from these orchards. Continue using across the Nfiss River and pedal through gorges en route the city of Lalla Takerkoust for lunch. Next, we will shift to the whitewashed port of Essaouira, with a stop at a neighborhood co op farm to find out about Morocco’s precious nectar: argan oil. After we get to our exotic 19th century hotel, you might be attracted by the rooftop pool or maybe a great beverage in the romantic courtyard. Tonight’s dinner happens in a popular restaurant, serving fresh caught grilled fish and local sea food with a side of amazing bay views.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch or Dinner
Destinations: Amizmiz Lalla Takerkoust Lake, Essaouira
Accomplished: thirty seven miles / sixty km, elevation gain: 3,500 feet / 1,067 meters
Accommodations: Heure Bleue Palais
Day 5
Waves and wine
After a peaceful breakfast on the seaside terrace, we will bike north on the fishing village of Moulay Bouzerktoum. On the right way, go to Southern Morocco’s only winery: Les Domaines du Val D’Argan. They make rose from the same grapes being used for Châteauneuf-du-Pape – fitting for a winery begun by a Frenchman. Sip a little chilled wine while you notice the vineyards’ origin story, made in harmony with olive groves and argan. After, keep using towards the coast to lunch, where we will enjoy surfers brave the waves from the seats of ours at a seaside bistro. If you are not using for the morning, allow the van return you with the resort, or perhaps complete the very last drive of yours of the week in the saddle. As dusk falls, we will check out Essaouira’s 18th century ramparts before a night on your own; your guides are happy to suggest several popular restaurants, or just lose yourself within the avenues and stick to the nose of yours to simmering spices.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch
Destinations: Ounagha, Moulay Bouzerktoum, Had Draa, Essaouira
Accomplished: thirty four miles / fifty six km, elevation gain: 1,315 feet / 401 meters
Shorter Option: sixteen miles / twenty six km, elevation gain: 423 feet / 129 meters
Accommodations: Heure Bleue Palais
Day 6
Marrakech: Magic of the Red City
It is time for the fundamental adventure in brilliant Marrakech. After a three hour transfer we meet our friend Mohamed, the most effective and most beloved guidebook within the company. Collectively we will check out all of the must-sees of Marrakech, starting at Yves St. Laurent’s colorful Majorelle Gardens – a marvelous marriage of Moorish and Deco influence. Share a family style lunch at Mohamed’s riad, and then head for the sensory experience of the medina, in which Mohamed will help us go through the souks loaded with almost everything possible. The next stop of ours is Bahia Palace, a masterpiece of Moroccan and Islamic architecture. The grand finale (and a fantastic ultimate meal to cap off of the week) is tonight’s lavish Moroccan dinner at the hotel of ours, the important La Mamounia. It will not take long to see the reason why intellectuals and rock stars alike are targeting this particular home to retreat to – a lot like The Rolling and winston Churchill Stones, you will discover the whole experience downright intoxicating.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch or Dinner
Destinations: Marrakech
Accomplished: Walking tour of Marrakech
Accommodations: La Mamounia
Day 7
Making Marrakech
After one last beautiful breakfast along with a walk around the gorgeous resort grounds, the guidelines of yours will transport you to the Marrakech airport, starting the voyage home of yours.
Meals: Breakfast