Morocco Gravel Cycling Tour FAQ's

We ask all customers to pay the required deposit when they book, which confirms their reservation. The balance is due 90 days before departure. If you book less than 90 days before departure, we will ask you to pay the full price upfront.

Cancellations may occur. However, the boutique nature of our tour keeps our groups small, so this is unlikely. If we do have to cancel the tour due to insufficient participants, Covid-19 or for some other unforeseen circumstances, we will naturally provide you with prior notice and refund monies paid to date. However, we will not be liable for any flight or insurance costs you have incurred, as well as any other incidental bookings / reservations you have made.

It is a requirement that insurance is taken out for your tour of Morocco at the time of booking, as this should then cover you immediately, should anything occur between the time you book and departure/return.

APRÈS VÉLO ENCOURAGES AND WELCOMES NON RIDING PARTNERS TO ATTEND OUR MOROCCO TOUR.

Riders and non-riding partners partake in all meals, and post ride activities making it an inclusive and shared experience for all.
A specific itinerary will be put together for non-riding partners that will ensure an equally satisfying and fulfilling experience.
Passenger vehicles will be provided for non – riding partners as well as those who may choose to have a day off the bike. Non – riding partners will enjoy pre-tailored experiences throughout the day, before regrouping at our daily destination.

100%. We cherish the opportunity of designing bespoke tours for groups of friends, corporate clients, teams and families.

Whilst some roads will be asphalt, this tour is classified as a Gravel Cycling Tour and as such, the terrain will be classic gravel, which we have classified into 4 grades for our trip:

Gravel bikes are a necessity for this tour and hire is included in the tour price.

See bike specs here:

36T x 10-40/42
We recommend a minimum gear ratio of 0.85 using a 36T chainring × 42 rear cog (or equivalent).
For info on gear ratios check out www.bikecalc.com/gear_ratios. 

Day 2- covering 90km/2000m elevation, for those electing to do the Tizi ‘n Tichka climb.
See our Itinerary for our daily agenda.

We are never in a rush to get from Point A to Point B. This itinerary has been designed for everyone to be able to be comfortable. However, we are subject to the natural environment and the conditions they present us, which can slow down proceedings if it gets hot or wet or the road conditions have changed. We will always have support vehicles with us for guests to make use of if they feel uncomfortable.

This is not a tour for beginners and encourage everyone to feel comfortable with their bike handling skills and have experience with gravel cycling. We would suggest everyone do at least 6-12 weeks of training to enable you to enjoy every aspect of this trip.

Day 2 provides an option to climb arguably the most famous climb in the Atlas Mountains, Tizi ‘n Tichka which twists and turns for 35km, at an average gradient of just 3%.

On Day 3 there are four main climbs, which are on the lower slopes of the Atlas Mountains, where we approach 2,000m in altitude.

You will always have at least one ride guide on the road with the group. Depending upon the group size and riding strengths, there may be two riding groups, with a ride guide leading each group. Our rides are further enhanced with a support vehicle to provide mechanical help as and when needed, provide hydration and nutrition or just a cosy place to rest up in case of that dreaded bonk.

Après Vélo will arrange transfers for all guests including bike bags at pre-arranged times (both arrival into Marrakech and departure from Moulay Ali Cherif airport).

Weather can always be unpredictable and plays a big part with each ride.
Therefore, each rider must be prepared for rainy weather and colder temperatures. Closer to the time, we will provide you with a comprehensive packing list.

Traditional Berber Villages are located in the Atlas Mountains, Sahara desert and Arif Mountains in the North. The Berbers are indigenous to North Africa west of the Nile Valley. During this trip, we will have the opportunity to experience the Berber culture and meet their communities.

A fortified tribal mansion or castle. When we are in the south of Morocco, we will be visiting some of the most popular Kasbahs of the region. Every Kasbahs has its own history and way of life.

The Après Vélo cycle tours are not just about the bike. They are about the Après Vélo lifestyle where on our trip to Morocco, you will have the opportunity of experiencing:

1. Privately guided city tours in Marrakech and along our adventure
2. Moroccan cooking and culinary workshops
3. Camel rides at sunset
4. Hot air ballooning at sunrise
5. Hiking through the Dades Gorge
6. Local market, spice markets, bazaars and berber villages
7. Explore the Jewish culture in Fes and Marrakech
8. Traditional Hammams

French and Moroccan Arabic. English is widely spoken throughout Morocco. Berber or Amazigh has also been recognized as the official language of the country. It is widely spoken in the mountains and desert.

Morocco is unlike anywhere else you'll ever ride.

From the moment you leave the bustling streets of Marrakesh, the landscape transforms into a world of vast desert plains, dramatic mountain ranges, ancient kasbahs, remote Berber villages and endless gravel roads that disappear over the horizon. Every day feels like a genuine expedition, where the scenery constantly changes and adventure is never far away.

Absolutely.

Many experienced cyclists consider Morocco one of the finest gravel cycling destinations anywhere in the world.

Unlike many European gravel destinations that rely heavily on forestry tracks or technical trails, Morocco offers hundreds of kilometres of wide, hard-packed gravel roads that have linked villages for generations.

Few countries offer the variety and scale that Morocco does. Its network of ancient trading routes, mountain roads and desert tracks creates endless opportunities for gravel riding through landscapes that remain largely untouched by tourism.

You'll experience:

Morocco is an incredibly welcoming country with a long history of hospitality, and cycling is one of the best ways to experience its culture and landscapes. The terrain varies considerably throughout the tour, from mountain climbs and high plateaus to rolling valleys and desert landscapes.

Morocco is blessed with some of North Africa's most spectacular natural scenery.

Highlights include:

Packing for Morocco is relatively straightforward.

We recommend:

• Quality cycling clothing suitable for warm daytime temperatures
• Lightweight arm and leg warmers
• Windproof jacket
• Casual clothing for evenings

Morocco offers excellent cycling conditions during spring and autumn, when temperatures are comfortable and the landscapes are at their most inviting.

Morocco is surprisingly well suited to gravel cycling. Outside the larger cities, roads are generally quiet, while the extensive network of gravel routes carries very little traffic.

Premium gravel bike hire is available through our local tour partners.

Our Morocco Gravel Adventure is designed for cyclists with a reasonable level of fitness who enjoy adventure, exploration and spending several hours each day on the bike.

Not at all.

One of the defining characteristics of our Morocco Gravel Adventure is the quality of the gravel.

Desert riding is one of the most memorable parts of the Morocco Gravel Adventure and unlike anything most cyclists have experienced before.

Yes.

Morocco has become one of the world's most popular destinations for organised gravel cycling tours.

One of Morocco's greatest strengths is its authenticity.

Many of the villages we ride through have changed very little over generations. Life follows a slower rhythm, centred around farming, family and community.

Absolutely.

Our Morocco Gravel Adventure has been designed so non-riding partners can enjoy the country's extraordinary culture, landscapes and hospitality alongside the cyclists.

At Après Vélo, we believe the world's greatest cycling holidays are measured by far more than kilometres ridden.

There's certainly something rewarding about planning your own cycling holiday. However, riding independently also means taking responsibility for every aspect of the journey, from navigation and logistics to accommodation, mechanical issues and unexpected situations that inevitably arise...