Morocco Travel Guide

CYCLING

ADVENTURE   SPORTS

CYCLING

BOUTIQUE    HOTEL

KASBAH

Activities

Though many agencies and hotels still offer them, quad bikes cause considerable damage to
the fragile desert ecosystem and are not recommended. On motorbikes and bicycles, riders
are advised to stay on well-marked trails to minimise their air-quality impact as well as
displacement of native species.

Saïd Mountain Bike

Offline map (    062    869324; www.saidmountainbike.com;   cnr Ave Moulay  Rachid  &   Rue de  la

Poste; per day/week Dh220/990) In addition to 43 rental mountain bikes, this local tour
company offers guided walking tours and desert expeditions via mountain bike, mule and
dromedary.

Wilderness Wheels

Offline map (    0524   88  81  28, in  Marrakesh   024 330443; www.wildernesswheels.com;   61  Hay

al-Qods; 3-day/2-night excursions from Dh8470) Professionally guided motorbike tours are
organised by this British-run company based off Ave Mohammed V. Prices include overnight
stays, complete riding gear and a support car for up to 20 bikes.

Daya Travels

Offline map ( 0524 88 77 07; www.dayatravels.com; Ave Mohammed V) The English-
speaking Dutch-Moroccan owners organise desert excursions, rent mountain bikes and provide
free bike-trail maps.

Festivals & Events

The moussem of Sidi Daoud is held in Ouarzazate each August. Marathon des Sables
(www.saharamarathon.co.uk) is a gruelling six-day, 243km desert ultramarathon each
March/April where you take only what you can carry on your back – though race organisers
thoughtfully provide water, 3200 diarrhoea tablets and about 1.8km of bandages. The course is
revealed when runners converge in Ouarzazate.

Sleeping

Dar Chamaa $$$

( 0524 85 49 54; www.darchamaa.com; Tajdar, Ouarzazate Palmeraie; s/d incl half-board
Dh633/955; ) At the fringe of Ouarzazate’s palm oasis , this stylish new hotel offers
Moroccan-minimalist guest rooms around a central courtyard photography gallery. Spacious
rooms are architect-designed to the last detail, from fossilised stone sinks to tadelakt niches
serving as wardrobes. Ask for rooms with balconies overlooking the pool in the palm-shaded
garden, and take advantage of wi-fi and a well-stocked bar. Follow signs for Dar Daïff left off
the Zagora road; Dar Chamaa is about 3km along the piste on the left.

Dar Kamar $$$

Offline map (    0524   88  87  33; www.darkamar.com;   45  Kasbah  Taourirt;   incl    breakfast   s