Atlas to Desert Mountain Bike Tour
Take an amazing biking tour through exotic southern Morocco
Guided

Atlas to Desert Mountain Bike Tour Overview
Southern Morocco is a romantic and ancient land full of historic wonders, towering fortresses that rise from the desert, and green oases that give life. See all of this and more on the Atlas to Desert Mountain Bike Tour, an immersive 9-day journey by mountain bike through Southern Morocco's best sights and hidden gems.
You will see some of the best of Morocco on this guided, private bike tour. You'll ride to a long list of incredible sites, including the UNESCO World Heritage-recognized Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou, the red-bricked walls of Ouarzazate, the Dades Gorges and remote Berber villages tucked away in deep valleys. At the vast sand dunes of Erg Chigaga, you can take a camel ride from the desert campsite where you'll sleep under a billion stars.
This biking holiday immerses you in the rich culture, architecture, and natural beauty of Morocco's wild south.
Browse all guided Morocco bike tours on 10Adventures to explore more guided and self-guided bike tours through southern Morocco to the dunes of Erg Chigaga. For all bike tours worldwide, visit bike tours.
Trip highlights
Ride to vast sand dunes, gorges, oases, and towering mountains.
Visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ait Benhaddou and Ouarzazate.
Marvel at traditional Berber cave settlements and remote villages.
Spend a night in a desert campsite deep in Erg Chigaga.
Day By Day Itinerary
The adventure begins when you arrive in Marrakech, where a driver meets you at the airport to transfer you to your hotel in the city. After checking in you've got the rest of the day free to relax and explore the historic sites, like the old Medina, the colourful souqs, classic North African architecture, and regal palaces.
Have a good rest to be ready for biking tomorrow.
- Overnight Location:
- Hotel in Marrakech
- Distance:
- None
- Meals:
- None
After breakfast you leave Marrakech and travel by 4-wheel drive up to the Tizi N'Tichka mountain pass at 2260m, followed by a stop at the imposing Palace of the Glaoui Kasbah in Telouet. From here you start biking through the small Berber villages at the base of the Atlas Mountains and towards the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ait Benhaddou, a red-bricked architectural wonder of southern Morocco.
You’ll spend the night at a guesthouse in Ait Benhaddou and wake up feeling like you've stepped back in time.
- Overnight Location:
- Guesthouse in Ait Benhaddou
- Distance:
- 48km
- Meals:
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
For today's journey, first make a short transfer to Skoura, a gorgeous oasis in the Dades Valley known as the “Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs.” Your bike route then takes you through the lush green palm grove that stands tall in stark contrast to the dry and rough terrain that surrounds you.
Tonight you stay at a guesthouse in Skoura and get the chance to explore the traditional lifestyle of the remote Berber villages and sample the local cuisine.
- Overnight Location:
- Guesthouse in Skoura
- Distance:
- 35km
- Meals:
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Leaving the oasis of Skoura, ride through the beautiful Roses Valley and visit an ancient troglodyte settlement where you can see nomadic Berbers living in caves that have been handed down through generations of families. From this fascinating area, continue to the Dades Gorge on a zig-zagging route through towering red walls. You’ll finish your ride at the oasis village in the gorge surrounded by surreal scenery.
- Overnight Location:
- Guesthouse in Dades Gorge
- Distance:
- 36km
- Meals:
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
From the Dades Gorge, head out through the Dades Valley and into the high Saghro Mountains, crossing the Tizi n'Tzazert Pass at 2200m with jaw-dropping panoramic views of an endless landscape below.
You'll reach the Berber oasis town of N'kob, nestled at the foot of the towering Saghro Mountains, and enjoy the evening at a charming guesthouse.
- Overnight Location:
- Guesthouse in N'kob
- Distance:
- 64km
- Meals:
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Today's route takes you through the green palm oasis of the Draa Valley, passing by traditional clay villages in very remote areas. From the valley, go deep into the desert and approach the striking sand dunes of Erg Chegaga near M'hamid.
You’ll reach your accommodation for the night, the Dunes Sahara Desert Camp, where you also have the chance to ride camels across the sand. Tonight you're sure to marvel at the billions of stars above you in an endlessly vast sky.
- Overnight Location:
- Campsite in Erg Chegaga
- Distance:
- 60km
- Meals:
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
After your night in the desert, you get to explore the Draa Valley some more to see its incredible geological wonders and striking rock formations. You ride towards the palm oasis of the Agdz Valley and finally arrive at the scenic city of Ouarzazate, often called Morocco's own “Little Hollywood” since many blockbuster movies have been filmed here.
Spend the night in Ouarzazate and quickly see why movie producers flock here to make use of the city's traditional architecture and gorgeous scenery.
- Overnight Location:
- Hotel in Ouarzazate
- Distance:
- 35km
- Meals:
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
The riding segment of your trip officially ends today as the group loads up the bikes onto the minivan and makes the journey back to Marrakech. On the way back you drive over the Tizi n'Tichka Pass, enjoying amazing views below.
Check into your hotel in Marrakech and enjoy time to wander the busy streets, try bargaining in the souqs, eat at the fabulous restaurants, or just rest your weary legs.
- Overnight Location:
- Hotel in Marrakech
- Distance:
- None
- Meals:
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
After breakfast, it's time to get ready to head back home. After checking out the driver will take you back to Marrakech Menara Airport for your journey home. We hope to see you again in Morocco!
- Overnight Location:
- None
- Distance:
- None
- Meals:
- Breakfast
Tour Map

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Inclusions
Included
- 8 breakfasts, 7 lunches, and 7 dinners are included.
- Accommodations for 8 nights are included. Additional nights before or after the tour can be added as a supplement.
- Transportation for you and your luggage is provided throughout the tour, including airport transfers in Marrakech. An assistance car will follow the group during the tour to transfer you, your luggage, and the bikes to the trailheads and the guesthouses each day.
- French/English/Spanish-speaking guide
- Guided biking services for 7 days
- Assistance car
- Cook to prepare your meals during the trip
- Camel ride in Erg Chigaga
- Camping equipment at Erg Chigaga
Not included
- Flights to and from Marrakech
- Bike rental and helmets
- Travel insurance
- Visas
- Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
- Gratuities for tour guides or other staff
Optional Extras
- Additional nights before or after the tour
- Single occupancy upgrades
- Bike rental
Reviews
These reviews reflect all trips offered by this local tour partner on 10Adventures, not just the tour you’re viewing.
These reviews reflect all trips offered by this local tour partner on 10Adventures, not just the tour you’re viewing.
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FAQ
We rate this tour as a 3/5. This tour includes 7 consecutive days of mountain biking through rough terrain and participants should have a suitable level of fitness to successfully complete the rides.
No, the bikes are not included but are available for rental as a supplement.
8 breakfasts, 7 lunches, and 7 dinners are included.
The guesthouses in the villages are rustic and offered shared accommodation and shared facilities.
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover mountain biking. Get your Travel Insurance.
Fly into Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK) where your guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel.
The tour ends when you check out from the hotel in Marrakech on the last day and transfer to Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK) for your outward journey.
The tour guide is English/French/Spanish-speaking.
Check with your family doctor.
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
The best time to travel to Southern Morocco for mountain biking is from March to May and September to November when the weather is cooler. Some parts of Morocco can be quite hot in the summer.
Why book Atlas to Desert Mountain Bike Tour with 10 Adventures?
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Experience a private trip led by a highly-vetted local guide taking you to places most travellers never see.
Packed with Inclusions
Accommodations, luggage transfers, gear rentals, and more - all taken care of so you can focus on making memories.
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