+44(0)191 2651110   info@skedaddle.com
Morocco

Desert, Mountains and Coast

Guided Family Cycling Holiday

Grade

1
2
3
4
5

Duration

8 days

Prices from

£1,870 P.P.
Child Discount Applies
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Morocco is a dream destination for adventurous families.
Just a short flight from Europe, this culturally absorbing and stunningly beautiful country offers education and adventure in equal measure. Life in Morocco is based heavily around the family, and children of all ages are held in high esteem, guaranteeing a warm welcome to families.
This journey has been designed specifically with families in mind, and represents a fun and exciting way to discover the landscape, the people and the culture of one of Skedaddle’s favourite countries. 
Our local team are all experienced guides and love to share their knowledge of the country with those who are first time visitors to Morocco. It is perfect for a first overseas family adventure with a very safe feel, great food options (even for fussy eaters!) and a 'wow factor' waiting around every corner.
With a backbone of mountain biking, we’ve managed to weave in some great experiences for all the family, including a night’s desert camping, camel riding and a mountain adventure park…..and that’s just for starters! 
We can't wait to help you and your family discover this amazing country by bike. 
Family-Cycling-Holiday-Morocco-Desert-Mountains-Coast-biking

Holiday Highlights

  • The sights and sounds of Marrakech’s exotic Djemaa el Fna square
  • Mountain biking from North Africa’s highest ski resort
  • Experience the longest zip wire in Africa
  • Camp in the desert in the shadow of the High Atlas Mountains
  • Learn to surf on the Atlantic Coast of Morocco
  • Go on a treasure hunt through the ancient alleyways of the souk, one of the largest in the world.

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This was the perfect mixture of cycling with other elements (adventure centre and beach). And the guides were brilliant!

Michael, Germany

Itinerary

Day 1
Arrival in Marrakech

On arrival you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in Marrakech’s Ville Nouvelle (New Town) (journey time approx. 30 mins).

Once at the hotel our guides will help you to assemble your bike (for anyone who isn’t hiring a bike) and your guide will hold a pre-trip briefing.

In the evening you can head out onto one of the world’s most exotic city squares – the Djemaa el Fna. Here you’ll encounter snake charmers, acrobats and musicians and dinner will be taken open air at one of the square’s authentic barbecues.

Day 2
Marrakech – Ouirgane
25 Miles - Approx 40 Kms
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

After breakfast we’ll be transferred across the plains around Marrakech and up to the highest ski resort in North Africa.

Oukaimeden sits at 2700m above sea level and makes a great place to start our ride down to the foothills below. During our visit, the snow is likely to be patchy here but there might be a chance to throw a few snowballs prior to setting off on a dirt road route that takes us down some 1700m.

The route is rough in places but doesn’t provide too tough a challenge for riders with some previous off-road experience. We’ll stop for a picnic lunch on the way down before a winding country lane takes us down to the village of Marigha in the foothills of the mountains.

That all adds up to a long day of downhill riding and finishes with overnight in a local auberge with the chance to have a dip in the swimming pool in the evening (weather permitting).

Day 3
Ouirgane Loop
20 Miles - Approx 32 Kms
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

This morning wake to some stunning early morning views over the mountains and the surrounding olive groves.

Today is another day of cross-country mountain biking on a 360 degree loop around the Ouirgane Valley. The riding is a mixture of dirt roads and singletracks and given that it’s a loop, you are never far from the property if anyone gets tired. The valley offers some fun riding and there’s a good chance of meeting the local Berber people as we pass through many typical villages.

Lunch will be taken at a guest house overlooking the valley before a fun singletrack run takes us down to the Ouirgane reservoir – source of much of Marrakech’s water. Late afternoon offers some more pool time and a Berber bread making “cook-off” at the auberge.

Day 4
Ouirgane – Agafay Desert
Variable distance
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Morocco is blessed with a perfect location that combines mountains and desert, and today you will experience both in the same day.

The drive to Terres D’Amanar, a High Atlas Mountains activity centre, takes around 45 minutes, and once there we’ll be given a full safety briefing prior to setting off on a fun circuit in their accropark (tree-tops experience), across suspended bridges and along zip lines, one of which is said to be the longest in Africa. This French-owned activity centre is well organised and extremely safe, so you can enjoy the experience in complete security. They also have some purpose-built biking trails for those interested in some MTB action before lunch, which will be taken at the park’s poolside restaurant.

In the afternoon, 4×4 vehicles will take us into the Agafay Desert, a land of stone desert, dry river beds and sweeping views over the nearby Atlas Mountains. We’ll head off road to a caravan of waiting camels and from here we will ride at sunset into camp – a beautiful desert tent camp where we’ll stay for the night with dinner, a camp fire and some local entertainment.

Day 5
Agafay Desert to Atlantic Coast
Variable distance
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Morocco is not just about mountains and desert. The country also boasts a long and wild Atlantic coastline and that is where we are heading today! Setting off early, the journey takes the morning and after stopping en route for some snaps of the rare sight of goats in trees and a visit to an argan oil co-operative where the nuts from the country’s argan trees are made into oils. We’ll stop for a picnic lunch prior to completing our journey to the coast on bikes.

The afternoon ride is along rough dirt roads and finishes at the surf beach of Sidi Kaouki. It’s a perfect place to be based for a couple of nights as there are plenty of watersports on offer, as well as the possibility of visiting nearby Essaouira, one of Morocco’s prettiest towns. In good weather the late afternoon can be spent on the beach, which is located a stone’s throw from our friendly auberge accommodation.

Day 6
In and around Sidi Kaouki and Essaouira
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Sidi Kaouki is known for being a surf beach. There is a surf shop in the village and for those interested in surfing, board hire or surf lessons can be arranged. There are also possibilities to learn how to kite surf as the area is known as one of the world’s best destinations for the sport.

For those with more leisurely pursuits in mind, your support vehicle and guide are on hand to take you into the fort town of Essaouira. It’s a great place to wander around, do some shopping in a laidback environment, visit the busy and atmospheric fishing port, do some horse riding, or to hang out in the surf café on the beach. The vehicle will be at your disposal and you can decide with your guide and driver what you choose to do. The afternoon is at your leisure and dinner will be taken at our auberge in Sidi Kaouki.

Day 7
The Souks of Marrakech
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Today is our transfer day back to Marrakech. The drive takes two and a half hours and when we leave will depend on the group’s preferences. There’s a lot to see in Marrakech and as we only had a fleeting visit on arrival, spending the afternoon there would be recommended. The city has a vast and maze-like medieval centre and in the afternoon we can discover the labyrinth of alleyways either with a guide or in the form of a fun treasure hunt, with clues to help you complete a task of finding items in the extensive covered markets. It’s a fun way to explore the souks (as they are called locally) and the winners will get a prize for their efforts.

The evening is spent around the main square with a farewell dinner with your guide. Tonight is spent at a hotel in the centre of town.

Day 8
Departure from Marrakech
  • Meals: Breakfast

Today we bid farewell to Morocco and the transfer vehicle will take you to the airport (journey time approx. 30 mins)for your flight home.

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The Cycling

Terrain

The cycling included in this trip takes place on a mixture of vehicle width dirt tracks (which can be rocky and sandy in places), and some sections of singletrack. The first day’s riding is primarily downhill so you won’t need to be super fit, although some prior experience will help you cope better with the mix of sand, gravel and occasional rocks.

The riding available on Day 4 is on purpose-built trails at the Terre D‘Amanar activity park and includes a mixture of singletrack of different levels of difficulty and wider vehicle width linking trails.

The riding on Day 2 and Day 5 is more on level terrain and includes a mixture of vehicle width dirt tracks and some sections of narrower singletrack (often made by people and animals walking from village to village). The terrain isn’t too strenuous on either of these days and our support vehicles will be close by in case of tired legs!

Family-Cycling-Holiday-Morocco-Desert-Mountains-Coast-sturns

Family Cycling Grade

1
2
3
4
5
Grade 2 - 3: Gentle/ Moderate

Aspects of both our grade 2 and 3 holidays

Suitable for those looking for some cycle friendly routes

Some modest climbs

Possibly sections of varying terrain (eg. forest tracks, gravel paths etc)

Our grading guidelines have been carefully created based on our many years of cycling experience, as well as customer feedback from our trips. Of course, if you're still struggling to figure out where you fit on the scale, do feel free to give us a quick call and we'll be more than happy to help!

For more information about our grading system click here.

Is this suitable for you?

Holidays that are graded as a 2-3, will have aspects of both our grade 2 and 3 holidays. These tours are still suitable for those perhaps who have recently got into cycling, and offer an array of accessible, cycle friendly routes, cycle paths and quiet roads, however there will be some days / sections where you may have to tackle some ups and downs, the occasional steeper climb and perhaps some varying terrain (forest tracks, gravel paths etc). Suitable for those with a decent level of physical fitness, looking for some leisurely rides with occasional (achievable!) challenges along the way.

For more information about the grading of this holiday in particular, please check out the terrain section which will give you some specifics of what to expect on this tour.

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Phenominal guide. Flexible, excellent with kids, thoughtful, and a generally great companion!

Nicolas, London

Dates & Prices

20% discount for children below the age of 12 who are sharing with 2 fully-paying passengers. Further discounts may apply depending on your group size.

Please contact Skedaddle on 0191 265 1110 or info@skedaddle.com to check availability for your specific date, and to discuss further family discounts.

Secure Your Holiday With A Deposit

Book now with a £200 deposit and nothing more to pay until 60 days before departure. Choose a date to start your booking and see all prices, including bike hire and single room supplements.

Select a date to view prices and book
Start Date
End Date
Duration
Price p.p.
Start Date
12/10/2024
Return Date
19/10/2024
Duration
8 days
Price
£1,870.00

Whats Included Tick

A) All accommodation during the trip. (Usually in twin-shared rooms)

B) All breakfasts whilst in Morocco, and other meals as specified in the itinerary. (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner).

C) Full tour service including guide(s) / support person and support vehicle.

D) Most activities (excludes any optional activities mentioned in the itinerary)

E) Mint tea, bottled drinking water.

F) Airport transfers to and from Marrakech (RAK) on scheduled arrival and departure days.

G) Financial Protection through ABTOT

What's not Included Cross

A) Bike rental (available if required).

B) Personal clothing and equipment.

C) Travel to and from Morocco.

D) Travel Insurance.

E) Any optional activities mentioned in the itinerary

F) Bar bills, telephone calls, souvenirs, etc.

G) Entrance fees to museums.

H) Bike carriage on flights (if applicable).

I) Tips for local guides/ drivers/ hotel staff

J) Airport transfers on days other than the scheduled arrival / departure days

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Private Departures

Private Departures

Are you keen to only travel with your family or friends? Struggling to find the right date? Well, we can organise a private departure for this tour and tailor aspects to suit your group's specific needs. Contact our friendly team and we'll help you turn your dream into reality.

The Essentials

Travel Options

Group airport transfers are included in the cost of your holiday. To join the airport transfer on arrival, you’ll need to arrive into and depart from Marrakech (RAK).

Please contact us for more detailed information on the specific flight schedules available for your holiday and check with us before booking any flights, to make sure we have reached the minimum number required to guarantee your holiday and to ensure your flights fit with our scheduled transfers.

Please note If you make travel arrangements that fall outside of the designated arrival and departure days there may be an additional charge for individual transfers.

Accommodation

Accommodation is in a selection of 3* hotels, guesthouses and one night camping. It will usually be in twin-shared rooms, except one night spent in tents or under the stars.

We have deliberately chosen a variety of different styles of accommodation with the emphasis sometimes on comfort, sometimes on character and sometimes necessity, where there are no other options given the remoteness of our location. Most, but not all, hotels, have private facilities. Please note that the average standard of accommodation in Morocco is not as high as many of our other destinations.

Bike Hire

If you don’t own a suitable bike or would prefer to avoid bringing your own we have bikes available to rent. These bikes are typically very good mountain bikes featuring front suspension, disc brakes and good quality components.

We can also supply correctly sized rental bikes for children. Please let us know their heights at the time of booking.

If you do decide to rent bikes we can include a helmet and all necessary spares for the trip. Please request helmets at the time of booking.

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News, Reviews & Stories

Meet the guides: Abdel, Morocco

Our main man in Morocco started guiding back in 2018, he now leads all of our holidays in the country...

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Read our first winning competition entry of 2019!

The Kids Rock the Kasbah!

The Taylor family recently headed to Morocco to take on our first ever family cycling trip to Africa...

Reviews

2

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