Cycle Morocco’s Royal Cities

1-Join tour in Fes
The tour starts today in Fes.
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Room option available

2-Cycle and drive Fes to Meknes
We spend the morning in ‘the artisan capital of Morocco’ and a wander during the morning’s sightseeing we will have a chance to take in the mosques and souks of the Fes el Bali, view the Royal Palace and drive out to North Borj for some great views back across the city. Craftwork made and sold in the Fes medina is considered amongst the finest in Morocco and a wander through its artisan districts reveal weavers and brass workshops, coppersmiths and tanners, producing beautiful pieces much as they have for
generations. Beautiful buildings abound in this city as well, including the Sanctuary of Moulay Idriss 2nd, the Karouine Mosque and the Al Andalus Mosque (viewed from the outside only). The guided walk through narrow streets and souks will end with a visit to the Attarine medersa. In the afternoon, we transfer to Meknes west of Fes and start the cycling with a warm up tour on a side road crossing the fertile Saiss plaine. Late afternoon we arrive to Meknes and if time permits, we’ll take in a small tour at Place El Hdim facing the impressive Bab Mansour gate.
Total cycling : 28 km / Ascent : 150 m / Descent : 30 m
Total driving : 40 km / Fes to starting point : 21km (approx. 30mn) / End of cycling to Meknes : 12 km (approx. 30 mn)
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Room option available

3-Cycle from Meknes to Moulay Ismail and Volubilis; drive onto Fes
The city of Meknes, once the heart of the Moroccan Sultanate, lying amidst the landscapes of the Oued Boufekrane River valley. ‘The Sultan loved Meknes, and he would have liked never to leave it’ once wrote a chronicler to the tyrannical Sultan Moulay Ismail. Ismail (1672-1727) was a tireless builder, and his greatest efforts were reserved for his capital at Meknes, which at its peak, with over 20 grand gateways and 50 palaces, must have been a sight to inspire any who looked upon it. This morning we enjoy a guided tour of its major highlights, including the old granaries of the Heri es- Souni and the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail himself. The tour takes about 1 ½ hours then we head north to the Holly town of Moulay Idriss. At the end of the uphill road section, we start cycling to the pelgrimage site and take a walk through it’s steets before riding to Volubilis capital of the Roman Province of Mauritania Tingitana. We head back to Fes by Nzala des Beni Ammar with a cycle from Zgota then dow to a panoramic view of the artificail lake of Sidi Chahad. The rest of the journey will be by mini bus to Fes. On arrival we will enjoy a panoramic view from the North Borj of the labyrinthic Medina and it’s surrounding.
Total cycling : 38 km / Ascent : 300 m / Descent : 500 m
Total driving : 118 km / Meknes to 1st starting point : 19 km (approx. 30 mn) / Volubilis to 2 nd starting point : 13 km (approx. 20 mn) / End of cycling to Fes : 48 km (approx. 40 mn)
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Room option available

4-Drive to Immouzar and cycle through Middle Atlas to Ifrane
We leave the atmospheric city of Fes and head south to the middle Atlas home of the fiercely berber people. Our cycling starts from Immouzar into the dense forests of the Atlas Cedar a national protected tree. We’ll stop for a pinic lunch near a natural lake and enjoy the wildlife around.
Later we continue our cycling trip to the small holiday town of Ifrane.
Total cycling : 38 km / Ascent : 400 m / Descent : 200 m
Total driving : 93 km / Fes to the starting point : 55 km (approx. 1 hr)
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Room option available

5-Drive to Azrou and cycle through Middle Atlas to Azega Lake. Drive to Khenifra.
Today you will drive to Azrou, a berber town named after a big rock. We cross a big cedar forest towards Ain Louh then start cycling just before Ouiwane lake to the impressive springs of Oum Rabia one of the biggest running rivers in Morocco.We continue cycling to another natural lake called Aguelmam Azegza before transfering to Khenifra, the capitale of the Zayane berber tribe and knowen for a strong resistance to the frensh during the last century .
Total cycling : 45 km / Ascent : 400 m / Descent : 600 m
Total driving : 147 km / Ifrane to the starting point : 70 km (approx. 1 ½ hrs) End of cycling to Khenifra : 32 km (approx. 1 hr)
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Room option available

6-Drive to Ksibar then cycle mountain road to Ouidane Lake. Drive to Afourar.
Last day crossing the Middle Atlas mountains which is the important fresh water reserve of Morocco with it’s rivers and springs. The cycling starts after El Ksiba for about 45 mn then transfer to Taguelft on a mountain road from where we start another cycling section to the dam of Bin El Ouidane the largest one in Morocco.
Most of the cycling is down hill to enjoy the mountain scenary and feel the fresh air from the green forests. The journey ends with a short drive to Afourar in the fertile plaine of Tadla.
Total cycling : 45 km / Ascent : 100 m / Descent : 1600 m
Total driving : 220 km / Afourar to the starting point : 55 km (approx. 1 ½ hrs) End of cycling to Marrakech : 160 km (approx. 3 hrs)
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Room option available

7-Drive to Azilal then cycle to Ouzoud Falls in High Atlas. Drive to Marrakech.
A scenic drive up to Azilal in the central High Atlas for a final cycle to the famous Ouzoud waterfalls one of the natural attractions in Morocco. Little walk down to appreciate this magic site and a berber tagine in one of the local restaurants will be well deserved. In the afternoon, transfer to Marrakech with a possibility of more cycling.
Total cycling : 37km / Ascent : 200m / Descent : 600m
Total driving : 218 km
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Room option available

8-In Marrakech
After breakfast you will start a guided city tour of Marrakech. Mosques, palaces and souks are only some of the attractive sites of the town. The 12th century Koutoubia mosque is the largest in the city and dominates the Medina. The Bahia Palace, the saadian tombs and the Medersa Ben Youssef provide a picture of the imperial city and it’s facinating history. You can also visit the many gardens and museums and at night walk around the vibrant Jemaa El fna square and the colorfull souks or simply sit at one of the many cafés to watch Marrakech life go by.

9-Tour ends
Your tour ends this morning after breakfast.

Tour includes:

Included meals:
8 breakfasts
2 dinners
Transport:
Bicycle, Bus
Accommodation:
7 nights Standard Hotel
Tour Staff:
Driver(s), Local Guide(s), Explore Tour Leader / Cycle guide
Cycling Information:
On this tour we cycle 231 km over six days (an average of 39 km per day) with further optional rides available. The terrain involves some ascents and longer descents on tarmac roads. A support vehicle accompanies all rides, providing transfers between cycling points. We have graded the route as moderate.
Group Size:
Generally 10 – 16

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