Atlas Descent

Some of the finest mountain biking trails anywhere in the world

Over the years we've ridden every trail through the Anti Atlas Mountains in order to create the best off road cycling tour. This trip has everything from fast singletrack through palm trees, to ancient hairpinned muleteer’s routes and remote, rocky jeep tracks. As well as the amazing trails, there is epic scenery, delicious food and one of the warmest welcomes in North Africa. On this tour you will pass through areas untouched by mass tourism, but also get a chance to interact with local people and really experience the culture of some of the indigenous Berber people who populate this area.

Aldo Kane Collection: A hand-selected range of adventures by our Brand Ambassador:

"This trip is a combination of my two favourite pastimes: biking and being in the mountains. Also, my son's name is "Atlas", so this trip really stuck out for me. From exhilarating hairpin bends that ancient muleteers used to fast, singletrack routes through palmeries, the Anti Atlas Mountains offer some of the best mountain biking trails in the world. I'm looking forward to leading the way on one of Exodus' departures in 2023!"

People, Places & Planet

We work hard to create trips that have a positive impact on the people and places we visit and look after the planet we explore. Learn more about our sustainable travel ethos and practice here and find out about the work of the Exodus Travels Foundation here.

Some sustainable travel highlights of this trip include:

People

How this trip helps improve life for local communities.

• Local guides keep you well informed about local traditions and cultural-social sensitivities.
• This trip brings income and opportunity to the destination community through the inclusion of locally owned hotels, restaurants, and other enterprises, and by championing locally produced food wherever possible.
• We buy supplies from small shops in the villages we pass through which supports the local economy.
• The traditional hammam experience in Tiznit provides employment for local people.
• Read more about our other initiatives here.

Places

How this trip helps protect and conserve local landscapes and nature.

• By travelling in a small group we ‘tread lightly’ to minimise our impact on local resources and the environment.
• We work with our partners on the ground to proactively reduce waste; this includes eliminating all single-use plastic water bottles by providing refills for re-usable bottles.
• We rewild 100 square metres per passenger to compensate for all trip and flight emissions.
• Read about our commitment to nature protection and restoration here, including our rewilding commitment for every customer who travels with us.

Planet

How we seek to keep the carbon footprint of this trip low.

• Accommodation and restaurants in the itinerary use locally sourced food which has not been transported long distances.
• Cycling trips like this have very little detrimental impact on the environment and the locals, as it is a quiet, low impact activity requiring comparatively few resources to support.
• Our local partners have reached B Corp Certification which requires that they demonstrate high levels of social and environmental performance.
• Read about our climate action here, including our carbon reduction and compensation commitments.

Tips for sustainable travel on this trip

• Leave no trace: we do all we can to ensure we leave no rubbish in the wild and beautiful places we visit; we ask that you do the same. If there are no recycling facilities in-country, consider bringing recyclable materials home with you.
• Plastic waste reduction: please bring a re-usable water bottle on this trip, also consider avoiding single-use hotel toiletries, which generate a large amount of plastic waste.

Visa

Morocco

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Morocco. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/africa/morocco
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/morocco
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/morocco/entry-requirements
• USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Morocco.html

Vaccination

Morocco

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies, tuberculosis and typhoid. A polio vaccination certificate may be required for some travellers. Please confirm your needs and requirements with your doctor or travel clinic.

Eating and Drinking

All breakfasts, 6 lunches and 5 dinners are included.

Moroccan food is excellent, though not particularly varied. Breakfasts usually consist of bread, croissants and jam with tea or coffee and freshly squeezed orange juice. Lunch will be prepared by the drivers and served on the bonnet of a 4x4, it normally consists of pasta, rice, bread, salad, tuna and Nutella for desert.

Where meals are not included budget for the following approximate prices.

Lunches: 60 to 100 Dirham (US$6-10) Dinners: In cities 80 to 200 Dirham (US$8-19) and in small towns villages 60 – 100 Dirham (US$6-10)

Soft drinks in restaurants : 10 to 20 Dirham (US$1-1.90) Alcohol: Beer 30 to 50 Dirham (US$2.85-5)– Wine 150 Dirham (US$14) and more

Vegetarians can be catered for but there is a fairly limited choice of vegetarian couscous, tajine or omelettes. This is particularly the case during the more rural sections of the trip. Please note that if you have any special dietary requirements you should inform the Exodus Office prior to the trip. If you have a specific medical/dietary need (e.g. coeliac or vegan) you may find it helpful to bring some food with you from home.

Weather

Mountains can always make their own weather and as a result we may occasionally be forced to amend the itinerary for part of the trip, particularly on days that involve river crossings. On the plains, the days are usually warm to hot (above 25c) but the nights are cooler. In the higher areas and the mountains, days should be warm or even hot in October and April, with clear skies, but the nights are often cold. On the high ridges of the High Atlas there is sometimes snow, but not normally enough to affect the areas we cycle in - in the event of a track being closed we will arrange a suitable alternative ride. Rainfall in the areas we visit is relatively low though there is a chance of rain particularly on trips in December, January and February. Although unusual, there is also the possibility of much colder weather during these times and average temperatures can be as low as 10c.

Weather Charts

MMA

Is this trip for you?

This trip is classified Off Road. Activity Level: 5 (Challenging).

6 days cycling with an average daily distance of 50km/day (31 miles),

Full vehicle support (except on sections of days 2 and 4 and optional singletrack sections).

The trails we follow are mostly vehicle-width with singletrack options available on some days. Trails are generally good dirt and gravel tracks, though sometimes they are rough and rocky, particularly some sections on days 4, 6 and 7. There are some big climbs (500m+), though these are all optional, with the support vehicles available to give lifts whenever people wish, and of course masses of downhill. A good level of fitness and off road experience is highly recommended.

Please note that Ramadan is expected to run from 22 March 2023 to 21 April 2023 and 10 March 2024 to 10 April 2024. Ramadan is a special time to visit Morocco as it is one of the most important periods in the Muslim calendar. Each evening the streets empty while people return home to break the fast and then there is an air of festivity every evening. Our leaders and drivers choose to work at this time so we continue to run trips however please be aware their energy levels may be slightly lower. Tourist sites are still open although closing times may be earlier than usual. Your leader will know how the timings for each day need to be adapted in order to still experience all the inclusions on this trip. Restaurants may close during the day and this is also accounted for in planning meal arrangements for your group. Shops are usually open though their hours may vary and they will definitely be closed during the breaking of the fast. To fully enjoy your holiday experience at this unique time of year we suggest patience and flexibility (in fact these are useful at any time of year on any overseas holiday).

Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as generally not suitable for persons of reduced mobility. However if you are a regular traveller on such trips, please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.