Self-Launched: Cycle Morocco's Great South
9 days · Morocco
Exodus charges £2,360
No-markup version: ~£510 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Trade the guided group price tag for the open road and do this iconic Moroccan cycling route on your own terms. From the foothills of Mount Toubkal through the Anti Atlas Mountains to the windswept Atlantic coast of Essaouira, this self-launched version follows the same spectacular route — high passes, kasbahs, Paradise Valley and all — using a rented road bike, local guesthouses, riads and shared transport. Estimated costs are approximate and based on current budget traveller rates.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Marrakech
Marrakech
Fly into Marrakech Menara Airport and make your own way to your riad or budget hotel in or near the medina — a petit taxi from the airport costs around £3–5. Spend the afternoon exploring the winding souks of the old medina, picking up any last supplies. Head to Djemaa el-Fna square in the evening for street food, musicians and snake charmers. A brilliant and cheap introduction to Morocco.
🚌Petit taxi from Marrakech airport to medina (~£4)
🛏Riad or budget guesthouse in the medina — e.g. Equity Point Marrakech Hostel or similar (~£18–25/night)
- →Explore the Djemaa el-Fna square and night market
- →Wander the souks of the old medina
- →Pick up any cycling snacks or gear from the market stalls
Transfer to Sid Fares; cycle the foothills of Mount Toubkal to Ijoukak
Sid Fares → Ijoukak
Rent a bike in Marrakech before departure — several shops near Djemaa el-Fna and Gueliz offer quality road bikes for hire (£15–25/day; book ahead via cycling forums or local outfitters like Marrakech Bike Action). Arrange a shared grand taxi or private minibus transfer to Sid Fares (around 2 hours, ~£8–12 per person if shared). Then enjoy 59km of cycling through the stunning foothills of Mount Toubkal, descending into the Asni Valley and following the river to Ijoukak. The support vehicle is replaced here by light packing — keep a small daypack and ship your main bag ahead by local taxi if needed.
🚌Shared grand taxi or private minibus from Marrakech to Sid Fares (~£10)
🛏Auberge Tigmmi n'Tamazirte or similar gîte/auberge in Ijoukak (~£20–30/night including dinner)
- →Cycling 59km through Mount Toubkal foothills
- →Descent into the scenic Asni Valley
- →Follow the river road through traditional Berber villages
Climb Tizi n'Test Pass and descend to Oulad Berhil
Ijoukak → Oulad Berhil
An epic 87km day — the big one. Start early for the challenging climb to the Tizi n'Test Pass (2,100m / 6,890ft), with sweeping views over the Sousse Valley and Anti Atlas beyond. Pack extra water and snacks for this remote stretch. After a well-earned lunch stop (bring a picnic or eat at a roadside café in the pass area), enjoy a dramatic and thrilling descent through citrus groves to Oulad Berhil. Stay overnight in Riad Hida or a similar converted riad — book direct for better rates.
🚌Self-powered cycling throughout
🛏Riad Hida or similar riad in Oulad Berhil (~£25–35/night)
- →Cycling 87km over the Tizi n'Test Pass (2,100m)
- →Panoramic views over the Sousse Valley
- →Descent through orange, lemon and grapefruit groves
Cycle into the Anti Atlas Mountains to Tafraoute
Oulad Berhil → Tafraoute
A morning transfer by shared taxi or local bus gets you to the starting point near Irherm in the Anti Atlas. From here, 60km of riding takes you through argan forests — keep an eye out for goats perched in the trees — past Amazigh mud-walled villages and through dramatic desert-tinged scenery before a long descent into Tafraoute. Time permitting, arrange a short taxi or cycle detour to see the famous Blue Rocks painted by Belgian artist Jean Vérame. Hotel les Amandiers sits on the hill above town with great views.
🚌Shared grand taxi or local bus from Oulad Berhil to Irherm (~£8–10)
🛏Hotel les Amandiers or a guesthouse in Tafraoute (~£20–30/night)
- →Cycling 60km through argan country and Amazigh villages
- →Spot the tree-climbing goats
- →Visit the painted Blue Rocks near Tafraoute (optional, ~£3 by taxi)
- →Explore the pink granite boulders and almond groves around Tafraoute
Cycle to Ait Baha Lake; transfer to Agadir
Tafraoute → Agadir
A shared taxi transfer gets you to the start point near Tizi M'Lil for another varied 70km ride through spectacular hills, past hilltop kasbahs and pink-hued villages, with a thrilling final descent to Ait Baha Lake. After the ride, hop on a local bus or shared grand taxi (1.5 hours, ~£5–8) into Agadir for the night. Agadir is a modern resort city — use it as a rest and recovery stop. The beachfront promenade is pleasant for an evening stroll.
🚌Shared grand taxi to start point (~£8); local bus or grand taxi Ait Baha to Agadir (~£6)
🛏Budget hotel or guesthouse in Agadir — e.g. Hotel Sindibad or similar (~£20–30/night)
- →Cycling 70km through kasbahs and hill villages
- →Descent to Ait Baha Lake
- →Relax on Agadir beach in the evening
Ride through Paradise Valley to Imouzzer
Agadir → Imouzzer
Today's 45km ride is the scenic highlight of the whole route. Catch a shared taxi north from Agadir to the foot of Paradise Valley, then cycle up through this incredible narrow gorge lined with palm trees. The climb steepens as you head towards the high plateau and the small Amazigh town of Imouzzer, home of the Ida Outanane tribe. The Hotel des Cascades Ecolodge sits beside a waterfall and is an atmospheric place to spend the night — book directly for the best rate (~£30–40/night).
🚌Shared grand taxi from Agadir to Paradise Valley trailhead (~£5–8)
🛏Hotel des Cascades Ecolodge, Imouzzer (~£30–40/night)
- →Cycling 45km through Paradise Valley gorge
- →Palm-lined gorge and waterfall scenery
- →Explore the traditional town of Imouzzer
- →Swim at the natural pools if water levels allow (seasonal)
Cycle through palmeries to the coast; transfer to Essaouira
Imouzzer → Essaouira
Start cycling from Imouzzer on a winding descent through palm valleys and traditional villages, with a couple of moderate climbs before reaching the main coast road — 60km in total. After a picnic lunch on the road (pick up supplies at a local village shop in the morning), arrange a shared CTM bus or grand taxi for the 2-hour transfer up the Atlantic coast to Essaouira (~£8–12). This UNESCO-listed Portuguese port town is one of Morocco's most beloved cities — whitewashed walls, blue shutters, fresh fish and Atlantic winds. Stay in a riad in the medina.
🚌CTM bus or shared grand taxi from coast road to Essaouira (~£10)
🛏Riad in Essaouira medina — e.g. Riad Al Medina or a similar boutique riad (~£30–45/night)
- →Cycling 60km through palm valleys and rocky hills to the coast
- →Explore Essaouira's medina, ramparts and port
- →Browse the artisan woodworking workshops (thuya wood)
- →Watch the kitesurfers on the beach
Free morning in Essaouira; transfer to Marrakech
Essaouira → Marrakech
Take a leisurely morning to wander Essaouira's traffic-free medina streets, pick up argan oil or handmade crafts, and eat the freshest grilled fish at the port stalls for a few dirhams. Drop your hire bike back in Marrakech (arrange collection or return logistics with your bike hire shop in advance). CTM buses run regularly from Essaouira to Marrakech (3.5 hours, ~£7–9) — book the day before at the bus station. Arrive back in Marrakech in the afternoon for a final evening in the city. Treat yourself to a hammam session (~£10–20) and dinner near Djemaa el-Fna.
🚌CTM bus Essaouira to Marrakech (~£8)
🛏Riad or budget guesthouse in Marrakech medina (~£18–25/night)
- →Final explore of Essaouira medina and port
- →Grilled fish lunch at the port stalls (~£4)
- →CTM bus back to Marrakech
- →Hammam experience in Marrakech (~£10–20)
- →Evening at Djemaa el-Fna — food stalls, storytellers, musicians
Final morning in Marrakech; depart
Marrakech
Enjoy a final Moroccan breakfast — mint tea, msemen flatbreads and honey — at your riad or a nearby café. If you have time before your flight, visit the Majorelle Garden and Yves Saint Laurent Museum (book online in advance, ~£8–12), or simply explore the souks one last time. Petit taxi to the airport costs ~£4–5.
🚌Petit taxi to Marrakech Menara Airport (~£4)
🛏Check-out (no accommodation needed)
- →Final medina wander and souk shopping
- →Visit Majorelle Garden (~£10 entry)
- →Traditional Moroccan breakfast at a medina café
- →Petit taxi to Marrakech airport (~£4)
Self-launched vs. Exodus
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Exodus | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£510 | £2,360 |
| Duration | 9 days | 9 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,850 per person (78%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Exodus-style trips? Check them out here.~£510
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Self-Launched: Cycle Morocco's Great South cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £510 per person for 9 days in Morocco. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Exodus?+
Yes — Exodus charges around £2,360 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £510 — a saving of roughly £1,850 (78%) per person.
How long is the Morocco trip?+
This itinerary runs 9 days, covering 9 day-by-day stops through Morocco.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, cycling, culture trip through Morocco, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
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