Gravel
Morocco

Gravel Morocco

An epic journey to a different world, from the Atlas mountains to the Saharan sand-dunes

Exotic adventure guaranteed on this epic journey across the mountains and desert plains of Morocco.

Overview

Details

Next Departure

November 11th 2023

From

USD $4,595

Duration

8 days / 7 nights

Non-Rider Friendly

Yes

Rental Bike

USD $500

Ride Program

Total Distance

Total Elevation

Daily Av. Distance

Daily Av. Elevation

Overview

We’ve partnered with Moroccan adventure travel experts, Grup Xaluca (based in Barcelona and Marrakech), to bring you this magnificent gravel adventure in Morocco.  With Xaluca’s expert local knowledge, extensive support, and their network of luxury Moroccan hotels – combined with the gravel riding experience of our Gravel Project Manager, Marc Gasch, we’re able to offer you a unique and epic trip to this exotic country.

The trip starts in the most mesmerising of Maghreb cities, Marrakech, continues in the Atlas Mountains near Dades, before crossing the Saghro mountain plateau and reaching the Saharan desert plains in Arfoud. You’ll ride to the incredible Erg Chebbi sand dunes, sleep under the desert stars in the luxury bivouac campsite provided by Xaluca, before heading north along the Kasbah route to finish the ride close to the famous market town of Rissani.

Expect a truly epic trip, designed for riders with experience in riding technical gravel trails and who welcome both a challenge and adventure.

Join the Thomson staff and the local Xaluca experts on this epic journey across Morocco. Are you ready?

Trip Technical Difficulty

1
2
3
Technical, advanced gravel, where classic gravel and paved roads will be combined with some rocky fast descents, technical steep climbs and random mountain challenges.

Ride Surfaces

Grade 1
15%
Grade 2
20%
Grade 3
20%
Grade 4
20%
Grade 5
25%

Bike Setup Recommendations

Recommended Tires

700x42

Morocco is tough on tires (and body). We recommend 700×42’s, or even a 650b wheel-set with 2.0 upwards mixed tyre (even a MTB tire, bring the widest you can fit in your frame for best comfort and absorption) The terrain is dry and loose so tubeless is also critical to avoid flats and for a more comfortable ride.

 

Recommended Gearing

38T x 10-42

We recommend a minimum gear ratio of 0.95 using a 38T chainring × 42 rear cog (or equivalent). Check your gear ratios at www.bikecalc.com/gear_ratios.


Gravel Explained

Read below for a brief description of our gravel definitions. We have classed the surfaces into five categories, from tarmac to boulders, to give an indication of the amount and level of rough stuff on each trip.

Click below to see Cycling Tips’ great explainer video on gravel surfaces.
GRADE 1
Bad roads, cobbles and rough paved surfaces. You’d find this rideable on a standard road bike.
GRADE 2
Well-made, hard-packed dirt roads offering a road-like experience but without the traffic. Some rutting and looseness of stones.
GRADE 3
Reasonably smooth gravel. Discernible small rocks over a hard-packed surface.
GRADE 4
Rough gravel with conditions that may include shale, larger gravel and rocks. Tubeless tyres and big clearance are the most practical choice.
GRADE 5
Borderline MTB terrain, at the rougher end of the spectrum for the capabilities of most gravel bikes.

star star star star star
Gravel Morocco
It's certainly a big challenge to organize a trip through the remote and versatile landscapes of Morocco, but the guys from Thomson did an amazing ...

Marcel Hendriks, Belgium — 2022

star star star star star
Gravel Morocco
Morocco was an unforgettable trip. a great adventure. we are spoiled from start to finish. fun rides. beautiful views and a top team. It is ...

Stig Engelen, Belgium — 2022

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Itinerary

Day Description Distance Elevation Hotel
01 Welcome to Marrakech Hivernage Hotel & Spa
02 Transfer and warm up ride in Boulmane du Dades Hotel Xaluca Dades
03 The Big Dades Loop Hotel Xaluca Dades
04 Crossing the Saghro Range to Nkob Kasbah Imdoukal
05 Sahgro and Iknioeun Xaluca Luxury Bivouac
06 Towards the Erg Chebbi dunes Kasbah Hotel & SPA Xaluca Arfoud
07 The Kasbah's road Kasbah Hotel & SPA Xaluca Arfoud
08 Salam Alaikum!
Daily Averages
Itinerary View Itinerary View
Map View Map View
01
02
03
04
05
06
07
08

Itinerary Detail

Day 1

Distance

Elevation


Welcome to Marrakech

We’ve added an extra day to the start of our trip so you can discover the mesmerising city of Marrakech. Our staff will meet you at the airport before the private transfer to your luxury hotel in Marrakech. After checking in to the hotel we’ll have a brief orientation meeting where we’ll review the itinerary for the upcoming week and you’ll get the chance to meet your fellow adventurers and the Thomson crew. Our mechanics will then be on hand to help you get the bikes prepared for the first ride that will take place tomorrow.

In the evening you’ll enjoy a fascinating walk through the medina (old town) and the labyrinth of alleyways that host the city’s souks, ending up in the famous Djemaa el Fna, Marrakech’s main square. You’ll dine at one of the top restaurants in Marrakech, overlooking the square, where snake charmers, musicians, storytellers and street-food vendors come together for this unique Maghreb spectacle.

Day 2

Distance

Elevation


Transfer and warm up ride in Boulmane du Dades

After a scenic transfer from Marrakech in the morning (including a drive over the famous Tizi n’Tichka pass, the highest in Africa!), you’ll have a quick lunch at the fabulous Dades Xaluca Hotel, then head out for a beautiful warm-up ride and your first contact with the Moroccan terrain.

Your first ride is mostly flat and a nice combination of asphalt and off-road trails. Leaving the town of Boulmane du Dades, the route heads out into the Moroccan countryside through several typical small villages and farms, before arriving back at the hotel. In the evening enjoy a delicious Moroccan dinner, then relax at the hotel terrace and watch the sunset over the desert.

Day 3

Distance

Elevation


The Big Dades Loop

After yesterday’s “appetizer” loop, today the riding gets serious with a magnificent 55km loop that starts and finishes at the hotel in Dades.

The ride ventures into the foot-hills of the Atlas mountains with several climbs approaching the 2.000m mark. After the small town of Boutaghrar, you’ll cross the M’Goun river and head into a remote mountain desert landscape, eventually riding through the spectacular “Gorges du Dades”, a series of rugged gorges not to be missed. You’ll spend another night at the fabulous Dades hotel where you can hit the jacuzzi-spa before another great Moroccan dinner.

Map & Profile

Read our Gravel Explainer for a full description of our gravel definitions.

Grade 1
0%
Grade 2
0%
Grade 3
0%
Grade 4
0%
Grade 5
0%

Read our Gravel Explainer for a full description of our gravel definitions.

Grade 1
10%
Grade 2
10%
Grade 3
15%
Grade 4
35%
Grade 5
30%

Read our Gravel Explainer for a full description of our gravel definitions.

Grade 1
5%
Grade 2
5%
Grade 3
30%
Grade 4
35%
Grade 5
25%

Surface Details

Day 02
Day 03
Day 04
Day 05
Day 06
Day 07

Dates & Prices Illustration

Dates & Prices



Date Booking Status Availability Price / Per Person Single Supplement Non-rider Discount
2023
Nov 11 - 18
Taking Bookings
Places Available
USD $4,595
USD $800
USD $870
Book this trip
2024
Mar 9 - 16
Taking Bookings
Places Available
USD $4,895
USD $850
USD $920
Book this trip
Nov 9 - 16
Taking Bookings
Places Available
USD $4,895
USD $850
USD $920
Book this trip
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Waiting List


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    Trip Hotels

    Hivernage Hotel & Spa

    View website arrow

    Hotel Xaluca Dades

    View website arrow

    Kasbah Imdoukal

    View website arrow

    Xaluca Luxury Bivouac

    View website arrow

    Kasbah Hotel & SPA Xaluca Arfoud

    View website arrow


    What's Included

    What's Included What's Not Included
      Accommodations & Meals arrow
    • 8 days / 7 nights fully accompanied trip
    • All accommodations
    • All breakfasts
    • All dinners
    • Transportation arrow
    • Pick-up at Marrakech Airport
    • Drop-Off at Fes Airport
    • All transportation during the trip
    • All luggage & bike box transfers
    • Cycling Support arrow
    • 1 x Ride Leader for every 8 guests (approx.)
    • 1 x 4WD support vehicle for every 5 guests
    • Experienced bike mechanic
    • Park Tools Toolkit
    • Daily ride gpx files provided
    • Nutrition during the ride arrow
    • Energy bars, gels and sports drink
    • Variety of snacks and local specialties
    • Bottled water
    • Airfare
    • Travel and personal insurance
    • Additional hotel expenses i.e. phone charges, mini-bar, gratuities
    • Staff gratuities
    What's Included
      Accommodations & Meals arrow
    • 8 days / 7 nights fully accompanied trip
    • All accommodations
    • All breakfasts
    • All dinners
    • Transportation arrow
    • Pick-up at Marrakech Airport
    • Drop-Off at Fes Airport
    • All transportation during the trip
    • All luggage & bike box transfers
    • Cycling Support arrow
    • 1 x Ride Leader for every 8 guests (approx.)
    • 1 x 4WD support vehicle for every 5 guests
    • Experienced bike mechanic
    • Park Tools Toolkit
    • Daily ride gpx files provided
    • Nutrition during the ride arrow
    • Energy bars, gels and sports drink
    • Variety of snacks and local specialties
    • Bottled water
    What's Not Included
    • Airfare
    • Travel and personal insurance
    • Additional hotel expenses i.e. phone charges, mini-bar, gratuities
    • Staff gratuities

    Travel details - airport departures

    Pick-up/Drop-off Info

    Arrival

    Pickup Location Time

    Marrakech Airport

    Anytime

    Departure

    Drop Off Location Time

    Fes

    4:00pm

    OR

    Er-Rachidia Airport (check Day 8 Itinerary for full details)

    6:00am


    Rental Bikes

    Frame

    Felt Breed 20

    Groupset

    SRAM Force 1

    Weight

    9.35kg (size 54)

    Wheels

    Devox Wheels RDS.A0 GXA | 30/21

    Chainrings

    36 or 38 (depending on trip)

    Cassette

    11-42

    Sizes

    47, 51, 54, 56, 58, 61

    Price

    USD $500

    View Full Details


    Gravel Morocco

    From the Atlas mountains near Marrakech to the sand dunes of Erg Chebbi in the Sahara Desert, this is a trip for adventure-lovers