Atlas Descent

The tour starts at our hotel in Agadir. Depending on arrival time you can go
for a wander around the town, spend some time relaxing by the hotel pool or
take a walk down to the beach which is just 5 minutes from the hotel.  The
trip briefing will either take place this evening or on the morning of Day 2,
depending on arrivals times of all clients.

Setting off from Agadir in our four wheel drive vehicles, we drive across the
plains of the Souss Valley. We climb into the heart of the Anti Atlas range,
reaching the high mountain Pass of Tizi Mlil, above the old garrison town of
Tafraoute (3 hour transfer). From here we get on our bikes and descend on a
rocky, vehicle width track down to Aguerd Oudad where we meet the vehicles
before heading on to the gritty pistes through the extraordinary boulder
strewn moonscape to the famous painted blue rocks. Following non-technical
gravel tracks across the high altitude plains, we return to Tafraoute on a
mix of good tarmac and sections of sweeping singletrack through the beautiful
palmeries. Today's ride is a relatively easy introduction to prepare us for
the days to come.

Today's ride follows a spectacular route through impressive gorges and lush
palmeries around Ait Mansour. After a short transfer high into the mountains
behind Tafraoute to Tizi Tasrite, we begin our 75km ride descending through
the landscape that contrasts so dramatically with what we saw yesterday. The
scenery is breathtaking as the ride descends through impressive gorges,
following dry river beds in places and passing through small berber villages.
25km is off road and 50km is on tarmac, including some massive downhill
sections (and one long optional climb on tarmac) we return to the hotel on
bikes. Back in Tafraoute we can relax by the hotel bar and pool or go for a
walk into town where we can visit a local carpet shop before dinner at the
hotel.

A short transfer takes us back to the high pass of Tizi Mlil (start of day 2
ride). From here we take a 20km high mountain trail above Tafraoute leading
to Tizi Tasrite. Stunning views of our previous ride are clearly visible far
below. Before the village of Tasrite there is a short optional single track
section which leads onto the start of a superb 10km switchback off road
descent. The first 4km of the trail are rough and rocky (and ridden without a
support vehicle), then the trail gets smoother and the flowing gritty pistes
return. After lunch we take a short section of tarmac to the village of Fisli
and then ride on an old piste over the plains back to Tafraoute where we re
join our single track through palmeries back to the hotel. Once back in
Tafraoute there will be time to visit the town or relax by the hotel pool.

We drive for about an hour southwest from Tafraoute to the start of today’s
ride. After a short off road climb to a high col, there is a choice of a
steep technical singletrack descent (followed by a short climb), or a more
leisurely piste trail with stunning views. We then take a superb switchback
piste trail, nearly 20km down off the mountain and pass a number of
traditional villages en route to Anezi. A short tarmac stretch offers a break
from the stony terrain, but the piste soon returns winding its way through a
scenic valley and crossing riverbeds. At the end of the ride, we transfer
approx 30 minutes to Tiznit, an old walled medina town famous for its silver
markets. There is a traditional hammam (steam bath) here that we can visit in
the late afternoon, explore the town or you can relax by the hotel pool.

After an early breakfast and morning transfer (approx. 3.5 hours) we arrive
at the small village of Tiqqi in the foothills of the High Atlas. The
landscape here is very different, with pine and cedar forests and remote
mountainside villages dominating the area. Initially, our track leads past
several untouched Berber villages. Mud houses are perched precariously under
cliff edges, with locals looking on as we cycle through. After lunch the
track becomes slightly rockier as we come to a spectacular gorge, there is
time to admire the views and contemplate the two afternoon climbs, before our
final fast flowing cross-country ride down to tarmac. Rejoining the tarmac we
cycle downhill for the last few kilometres to our hotel in Immouzer.

The ultimate off road trail and a fitting finale to this biking adventure!
Riding directly from the hotel, we take the short scenic tarmac road through
the village of Immouzer, before ascending a rough track which gradually
climbs for 6km onto a high mountain pass. From here the blast down to the
coast begins with a spectacular 40km mountain descent. The trail is rough and
rocky in places as it contours and gradually descends, offering amazing views
over the mountains and to the coastline. Poor weather may make this
particular route impassable, in which case we will make our way out of the
mountains through the Paradise Valley. This route follows a spectacular
winding tarmac road, dropping from the ridges around Immouzer, deep into a
narrow gorge, abundant with palm trees and small oases. After a swim or
stroll on the beach, we load the bikes onto the support vehicles for the last
drive into Agadir (approx. 30 minutes), arriving in time for an optional,
relaxing Berber massage and a farewell dinner.

After breakfast the trip ends in Agadir.
**