60 km 600 m 300 m Guesthouse

Breakfast wolfed down and a radical change of scene: we leave Marrakech and its bustle for a first transfer over the high passes of the High Atlas. On the other side, the south faces, more arid, almost lunar: the setting of the Ouarzazate region, the « gateway to the desert », land of kasbahs and film studios.

That's where you get on your bike for a first steady, pleasant section on tracks, 60 km through authentic Berber villages, earthen houses and kids greeting you with an « Azul ». The pace is easy, the support car follows, and the Imeghrane valley reveals itself little by little, green amid the stone.

Bed and board await for this first night in the High Atlas: tea poured from on high, slow-cooked tagine and a first sunset over the ridges. The tone of the Zagoride is set: ride, look, meet.

 50 km 500 m 600 m Guesthouse

Depending on the group's wishes and level, the morning starts straight from the guesthouse on the pedals, or saving a few kilometres aboard the support vehicle, which climbs a track onto the neighbouring plateaus. Then comes a superb mule trail, laid down by generations of mountain folk, revealing incredible landscapes: Berber villages and kasbahs mingle with the changing colours of the mountains.

You're riding through the land of a thousand kasbahs, those earthen castles with crenellated towers that once guarded the caravan routes. The day ends in the Dades valley and the setting of its imposing gorges, between red cliffs and irrigated gardens.

Night in a local guesthouse at some 1'500 m altitude, around mint tea and a tagine with typical aromas. Outside, the mountain turns red at sunset; tomorrow, it changes face.

 50 km 900 m 1'100 m Guesthouse

Today's goal: the crossing of Jebel Saghro, the volcanic massif that proudly dominates the Draa and Dades valleys. Its jagged reliefs, unique in Morocco, gradually give way to a more desert-like atmosphere, dotted with oases of brilliant green. This is the territory of the Ait Atta, the great nomadic Berber tribe that grazes its herds here in winter.

900 m of gentle climbing on tracks, then a last pass at 2'000 m, the high point of the trip, before plunging back down to the foot of the imposing massif: 1'100 m of descent to savour, never steep, always panoramic.

A new authentic guesthouse for the night, where you let local life charm you: the comfort is simple, the human warmth immense, a long way from the air-conditioned room of your Marrakech hotel. And that's exactly what travelling is.

 60 km 1'000 m 1'300 m Guesthouse

We push on through the Jebel Saghro massif in a totally surreal atmosphere: vast plantations contrasting with the harshness of the rocky immensity and, depending on the season, nomad camps and their dark wool tents, one last exotic note to an already colourful journey.

The pedalling is long but pleasant, leaving you all the time to contemplate this formidable picture before refocusing a little on the riding: the long descent to the Draa valley, 1'300 m of downhill, finishes filling your camera's memory card, probably as exhausted as your calves.

Down below, the Draa, Morocco's longest river, unrolls its ribbon of palm groves. Depending on the stage, a pool or a hammam awaits to ease all that, Moroccan style, before a well-earned night in the guesthouse that welcomes us.

 65 km 500 m 650 m Kasbah

Today we make the most of the coolness of the Draa, winding through the valley of the same name, for the longest stage of the trip: 65 km along the water. Typical earthen architecture, ksour, those fortified villages that protected harvests and caravans, desert landscapes and lush oases: more of the surprising contrasts that make the Zagoride so rich.

You ride through the maze of the palm grove, in the shade of date palms, between seguias and terraced gardens, where some of the best dates in the country grow. For centuries this valley was the last stop for caravans coming from the Sahara: Timbuktu, the famous Zagora sign still says, is 52 days away by camel.

At the end of the day, you enjoy the comfort and special charm of a night in a kasbah, at the ksar of Tissergate, whose pisé walls also house a museum of the arts and traditions of the Draa valley. Dinner under the stars: the gates of the Sahara are just a step away.

 Road transfer Zagora - Marrakech Hotel

Time to gradually ease back into life as it was. From Zagora, the last town before the dunes, we take the road back to Marrakech, not without enjoying the show one last time: the Draa valley, Ouarzazate, then the passes of the High Atlas and the mythical Tizi n'Tichka, at 2'260 m one of the highest road passes in Morocco.

The luxurious comfort of your Marrakech hotel certainly contrasts with the simplicity and authenticity of the lodgings of the previous stages, but the thousand flavours of your bike trip will remain engraved: a formidable human and cultural adventure. Last evening in the medina, where we celebrate as it should be.

 Airport transfer according to your flight times

Depending on your flight times, we take you back to Marrakech airport. In your luggage: the tracks of the Saghro, the palm groves of the Draa, the tagines, the kasbah of Tissergate and the smiles of your Berber hosts. Choukran, thank you in Arabic, and Tanmirt in Tamazight: you'll have said them often.

Ready to live the Zagoride? Open to all, on an MTB or an e-bike, it's waiting for you: book your spot and set off on the caravan trail.

Yes, and it's a commitment: every date we open is a guaranteed departure. No « minimum number of participants » clause: if the date is published, the trip runs. Book your flights and your holidays with peace of mind.

A professional Swiss MTB guide, Swiss Cycling certified, who opened this route and has led over 30 groups on this programme. You're in good hands!

On average 30 to 65 years old: regular riders, on MTB or e-bike, keen to travel differently and discover Morocco at the pace of the bike.

Of course: our groups are regularly mixed, and plenty of women riders have enjoyed this destination.

This route was designed to be open to all: it runs mostly on wide tracks and easy trails, and neither the descents nor the climbs are ever steep. Plenty of scope to ride relaxed and look around.

No: during the day you only carry your riding gear. All luggage travels by car with our team of drivers.

Most nights are spent in comfortable guesthouses, with a hotel in Marrakech at the start and the end. And one charming night in a kasbah, at the ksar of Tissergate.

Yes, all meals are included except the last day in Marrakech, where you pick your own table in town. The rest of the trip, we take you to the best local spots for Morocco's most traditional dishes, often with local families. Brace yourself: Moroccan food is a delight!

Most of the trip requires no special bike gear: a well-prepared MTB or e-bike is enough. The full list is under « Your bike » and « Your gear ».

Yes, e-bikes are very welcome. If you plan to fly in with yours, be aware that flying with an electric bike and its battery is very complicated: some airlines accept the bike, but the battery has to travel separately by road transport. In that case, we can safely receive it in Marrakech. Other options: rent an e-bike in Morocco for the week, or take advantage of the times we drive down to Morocco to transport your e-bike directly. Get in touch to find out more.

No: Morocco strictly forbids the use of drones on its territory, and the authorities carry out very strict checks, starting at customs. Leave it at home.

The programme was built with safety first. At any time you can hop into the support car that follows us at all times to finish the stage, no stress and no judgement.

No, it isn't possible during the week: plan clothes for the 8 days.

Swiss and EU citizens don't need a visa for stays under 90 days: a valid passport is enough. Check the requirements for your nationality before departure.

Very little! The last day's meal is easily paid by card in Marrakech. For the rest, plan the equivalent of about a hundred Swiss francs in dirhams for drinks, souvenirs and crafts along the way: in the valleys, cash is king.

No insurance is required to enter Morocco, but we strongly recommend full cover: health and accident abroad, cancellation and repatriation. Check with your insurer that you're covered for mountain biking in Morocco, for accidents as well as cancellation due to force majeure.

If in doubt, talk to your insurer before signing up.