Morocco: Kingdom of the West

Join us on this mystical cycling odyssey through Morocco – The Kingdom of the West. It is a country of mountains and beaches, souks and mosques, Berbers and Arabs, of the Spanish and the French, a mix of the ancient and the modern. The journey starts in Casablanca on the shoes of the Atlantic Ocean and in the shadow of the stunning Hassan II Mosque. The route takes the riders north through the country’s capital, Rabat, to the north western tip of Africa and the port city of Tangier, in the past a haven for spies, conspiracies and vice. The adventure continues south through the Rif Mountains, the blue-washed streets of Chefchaouen and into Fez. Once the ancient imperial capital, this city is at the heart of Morocco’s history and its convoluted medina is a wonder to behold and experience.

The ride heads south through the challenging Middle Atlas Mountains, eventually leading the riders down to the spectacular sand dunes in Merzouga. From there the route turns west passing through a desolate plain sprinkled with palm-fringed oasis towns. Climbing up into the High Atlas Mountains, the riders arrive in legendary Marrakesh, the Red City, with its unbelievable souks, ancient palaces and winding laneways. The road now takes the riders over high mountain passes and down some spiralling switchbacks on the way to the walled city of Taroudannt and eventually back to the Atlantic coast at the beach resort city of Agadir. The last days of riding spin the cyclists past endless sandy beaches and into friendly villages offering incredible seafood before returning them to their starting point in Casablanca.

Highlights

• Blue-washed town of Chefchaouen
• Imperial City of Fez
• Dunes at Merzouga
• Souks of Marrakesh