Day 5: Marrakech - Telouet (Mountain Biking)
After our breakfast, we set off in Land Cruisers for a scenic drive to the kasbah of Telouet, The crumbling fortress is set in a remote valley overlooking mud villages and fertile gardens. We climb on switchbacks up the Tichka Pass, one of North Africa's highest paved roads. Over the pass we have a few more kilometers to drive before reaching the ruined kasbah. We'll break for a picnic in the gardens, then hop on our bikes to begin our cycling. The ride begins at 6,000 ft / 1,800 m, so the first section might feel a bit tough. After about 10 km we start off-roading down a 32 km jeep track to Tamdaght, set in a desert palm oasis near Ait Benhaddou. The surface is occasionally very poor and sometimes rocky but there are some fun fast sections too as we descend through numerous mud villages and canyon land scenery to an altitude of 4,000 ft / 1,200 m. We aim to arrive well before sundown for some great photo opportunities from the terrace of our converted kasbah hotel. Overnight in a converted kasbah. Mountain Biking 42 km / 26 mi. Ascent 207 m / 679 ft. Descent 665 m / 2,181 ft.