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CSO
>>> MOROCCO
Southern Oasis Cycling
8 days Hotels Winter Riding on the Kasbah Trail
Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Ouarzazate; transfer to hotel. 2 Drive and cycle through the Draa Valley to Tazzarine. 3 Drive and cycle south of the Jebel Sahro to Rissani. 4 In Rissani, optional cycle ride or visit Erfoud oasis; afternoon optional jeep drive to Erg Chebbi sand dunes at Merzouga for desert sunset. 5 Cycle and drive to Tinerhir and Todra gorge; continue to El Kelaa Mgouna. 6 Transfer into High Atlas to Tizi nOutfi pass (2,150m); dramatic descent by bike towards Demnate and Marrakech (weather permitting); drive into Marrakech. 7 At leisure in Marrakech; optional guided city walk. 8 Fly London. Accommodation & Meals: 7nts hotel; 7 breakfasts included. See p45. Bicycles: 21-gear hybrid bikes with front suspension and a rear pannier bag for carrying day things. Daily distances day 01 day 02 day 03 day 04 day 05 day 06 day 07 day 08 Rest days or optional rides Grade & Terrain: Grade B 170km/4 days (average 43km/cycling day). 1 day free for optional ride. By using our support bus to ascend steep sections we ensure that cycling is either relatively flat or downhill, though there are still a few uphill sections. Expect some exhilarating descents from high passes (including the dramatic Tizi nOutfi). 95% on asphalt. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader/guide cycles with the group each day. A support vehicle/bus accompanies the tour in full, providing transfers between cycling points and carrying luggage. Group Size: Approx. 12 to 16.
45km 50km 12km 40km 35km
Kasbah of southern Morocco/Kate Plummer CYCLE GRADE B
DATES & PRICES in £s per adult 8 days from London (Sat-Sat) 2008 deps 16 Feb-23 Feb 01 Mar-08 Mar 08 Mar-15 Mar 22 Mar-29 Mar 18 Oct-25 Oct 08 Nov-15 Nov 20 Dec-27 Dec 27 Dec-03 Jan 2009 deps 14 Feb-21 Feb 28 Feb-07 Mar 14 Mar-21 Mar 04 Apr-11 Apr Flight Incl 629 629 629 659 629 629 679 679 Flight Incl 659 659 659 689 Land Only 349 349 349 349 349 349 379 379 Land Only 359 359 359 359
Southern Morocco is a land of extreme contrasts from the commanding kasbahs and lush oases of the Draa Valley, to the high peaks and hidden valleys of the Atlas Mountains or the sand dunes of Erfoud. It is also a wonderful region for an exotic cycling holiday traffic is minimal, road surfaces good and the winter climate is ideal!
Gateway to the Sahara From Ouarzazate our first ride takes us down into perhaps the lushest oasis south of the Atlas the Draa Valley. Millions of date palms, ancient kasbahs and ksours (fortified villages) line the way, with the breathtaking mountains of the Jebel Sahro as a backdrop. After a night in the small town Tazzarine we arrive in Rissani, where theres time to cycle or visit Erfoud, to enjoy the local market. In the afternoon a short jeep ride (optional)
takes us to the huge sand dunes of the Erg Chebbi. A walk across them at sunset is an unforgettable experience when light and colours are changing every minute. Here one gets the first impression of what the real Sahara is like. Todra Gorge & freewheeling in the High Atlas Next we cycle towards Tinerhir and, completing the journey by vehicle, enter the dramatic Todra gorge one of the most impressive rock formations in the region. From El Kelaa Mgouna, famed for its rosewater, we continue by bus through the scenic Valley of the 1000 Kasbahs . Then, driving into the High Atlas, we slowly ascend the Tizi nOutfi pass (2,150m). From we take an exhilerating ride downhill through some of North Africas most spectacular mountain scenery from fortified kasbahs to lush valleys and snow-capped peaks to the natural bridge of Imi nIfri. Marrakech A Feast for the Senses Leaving the majestic Atlas mountains behind, we reach Marrakech, the Red City.
MARRAKECH
Demnate
There will be time to enjoy the maze of alleyways in the souks and the celebrated circus of Djemma-el-Fna Square. Crammed with story-tellers, musicians, jugglers, snakecharmers, peddlers and kebab stalls, it is a scene straight from the Arabian Nights. An optional guided walking tour can be organised for anyone interested.
Southern Oasis Cycling Ref CSO
Tizi n Outfi 2150m Todra Gorge
S A
TINERHIR RISSANI
Erfoud Oasis Optional ride
Land Only tour: 8 days - start Ouarzazate day 1 (Sat), end Marrakech day 8 (Sat) Plus Local Payment: MAD1750 (approx £105) payable Ouarzazate Single Room Option: £65* These are guide prices, see p46 for full details
Jebel Toubkal 4167m
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1000 Kasbahs
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OUARZAZATE
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Optional camel ride at Erg Chebbi Sand dunes
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TAZZARINE
MOROCCO
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ALGERIA
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Colourful souks and backstreets/Sandy Beatty
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