EXPLORE MOROCCO

Back on land, it’s a short ride to the border where once the formalities are complete we’ll continue south toward the Imperial City of Rabat. The capital city is off the tourist trail and the souks of the Medina cater more for locals then visitors which provides a great insight into this country and its culture. After an evening here you have two days to explore Marrakech, known as the ‘Red City’. This ancient city is the beating heart of Morocco and its marketplace never sleeps. A day off the bike will allow you to lose yourself in the bustling Medina, bartering in the Souks and visiting the Berber Museum or relaxing with some Moroccan Whisky – Mint Tea! Your route from Marrakech is to the Atlantic coast and Essaouira with its bluer than blue fishing fleet and walled sea defences lined with cannon. Once again we are staying within the walled Medina in another authentic Riad. It is a short day to Essaouira and so for the adventurous there is a chance to go Quad Biking in the sand dunes during the afternoon

After time spent in three of the great cities of Morocco you are heading into the countryside and a night in a remote Riad. The Atlas Mountains are our playground for the next few days with the awe inspiring Tiz n’Test and Tiz n’Ticha Passes, snaking their way over 2,000 metres skywards. More remote locations follow as you visit UNESCO listed Ait Ben Haddou, an ancient Ksar or citadal. If it looks familiar then it may be because it has featured in many films like The Living Dayights, The Mummy, Gladiator and Jesus of Nazareth. Our Riad overlooks the Ksar, so you can check in and change before wandering its ancient streets and alleys. The following day you have the option to ride the famous Dades and Todra Gorges!  They are connected by a technical gravel section of road, but for those who wish to stick to the tarmac you can still ride the best of both.

Next you are heading into the Sahara for a night in a Riad next to the dunes. Dinner will be served at a Berber camp in the desert a short camel trek away! Heading north you have two nights in the Imperial City of Fes in another Riad in the heart of the Medina. This iconic city with its winding streets and alleys is a maze. Packed with tanneries the faint smell pervades the centre of town. From Fes you head for the west coast of Morocco but not before visiting the UNESCO listed ancient city of Volubilis before our final night on African soil in Tangier, the strategic gateway between Africa and Europe since Phoenician times. The following morning the return ferry crossing to Spain awaits and the last night of our trip back in the Parador for the farewell dinner and to share our magical memories of this most captivating of countries.

Please Note: Throughout this tour we’ll be staying in beautiful authentic Moroccan Riads, either in the heart of the Medinas of Chefchoan, Marrakech, Rabat, Essaouira and Fes, or in remote locations in unspoilt traditional villages. We feel this is important to enjoy the real flavour of Morocco as opposed to staying in large chain hotels on the outskirts of town, even though they would have more convenient parking. The Riads can be challenging to find even with a GPS and a map and it is often easiest to pay a local taxi/moped rider and follow them. The Riads in the Medinas cannot be directly accessed by vehicles and so your bikes will need to be left in a parking area close by and we will pay a watchmen to stand guard over them at night. There are many willing baggage carriers in the towns who will take your luggage to the Riad for a few dirham.

This is a tarmac tour with some optional easy dirt / gravel roads. It is suitable for all competent riders as well as couples riding two up.