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
Ride Surfaces
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.
Marcel Hendriks, Belgium — 2022
Stig Engelen, Belgium — 2022
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 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.
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Map & Profile
Surface Details
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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 | |
Waiting List
Sign up to the waiting list for this departure, to be notified if a space becomes available. Please fill out the information below:
Trip Hotels
What's Included
| What's Included | What's Not Included |
|---|---|
Accommodations & Meals
 Transportation
Cycling Support
Nutrition during the ride
|
|
| What's Included |
|---|
Accommodations & Meals
Transportation
Cycling Support
Nutrition during the ride
|
| What's Not Included |
|
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
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
