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Mountain biking in the Atlas Mountains

COUNTRY:
Morocco
LOCATION:
Atlas Mountains
HOLIDAY TYPE:
Moderate / adventurous mountain biking holidays
DEPARTURES:
2012: 24 Feb, 23 Mar, 21 Sep, 19 Oct
PRICE:
From £995 (10 days) excluding flights
MORE INFO:
Price Includes: Place to place, 6 nights hotels/auberges, 1 night family house, 2 nights camping, 90% meals provided, 6 days biking, 2 days sightseeing/ resting, guide & vehicle support. Optional Costs: Bike Hire £140, Insurance £34. Estimated Flight Price: £175.
LATE AVAIL:
Contact us to secure one of the remaining places on this desert biking adventure in the deep south of Morocco.
VOUCHERS:
Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday
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Mountain biking in the Atlas Mountains

Mountain biking in the Atlas Mountains

How this holiday makes a difference

Global adventures start with a local perspective - that's our philosophy. Abroad, or just as importantly at home, the starting point is the same; how to get the most enjoyable vacation for our customers while benefiting the local people, economy and respecting the environment. Mountain biking is a great way to explore seldom visited areas of Morocco, experiencing the wilderness of the deserts and Atlas Mountains, and the colourful bustling towns, and traveling at a speed that enables you to take in your surroundings without damaging the environment.

On this Atlas Mountains mountain biking vacation we select a variety of accommodation that represents the character and diversity of Morocco. We stay in cosy auberges, small hotels and spend a night in traditional family homes experiencing the superb hospitality of the poorer Moroccan families live. We visit local farmsteads and villages and enjoy the hospitality of local restaurants and the local people. By visiting and working with locally based people and buying local products from small producers, (organic if possible) we contribute to the regional economy. Accompanied by a local knowledgeable guide our guests are able to understand in depth about Morocco and its fascinating history.

For this Atlas Mountains mountain biking vacation we provide travelers with Travelers Codes that encourage the reduction of water usage, systems for collecting, recycling or safe disposal of litter and relevant suggestions to minimise damage to the environment, wildlife and marine ecosystems. All our Atlas Mountains mountain biking vacations have a maximum group size of 12 to 15 people minimising both the social and environmental impact. Being able to participate and connect with the local Moroccan people and culture provides a richer vacation experience.

Voted one of the Best Tour Operators in two categories in the Guardian / Observer Travel Awards 2010.

Voted in February 2010, by The Guardian newspapers list of experts as one of the top 75 outstanding green travel companies in the Guardian Green Travel List 2010.

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Story of the holiday provider

Having stayed in touch since primary school, Andy and Paul decided to cycle around South America in 1994. Andy was a keen cyclist but Paul hadn’t been on a bike since doing his paper round. They didn’t have an itinerary and used military maps to navigate through the desert. They had so much fun and met such amazing people that they agreed to set up a cycling tour company together. Andy says their trips create a flexible and intimate way to travel and absorb the local culture and, whats more, you never forget how to cycle – it’s just like riding a bike!

Holiday provider no: 146

Mountain biking in the Atlas Mountains

Reviewed 14 Apr 2009 by Simon Pellew4 star rating

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?


Camping on a steppe just below the highest Atlas Mountains. Very cold but beautiful and remote.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?


Be fit. There are some steep climbs. But, walking up the climbs is fine and they aren't too long.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?


Mostly. We stayed in one village where many villagers contributed rugs.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?


It was really great - a fantastic experience.

Reviewed 10 Apr 2007 by Sandy Wetton4 star rating

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?


The warmth and dedication of the local staff. The labyrinthine souks of Marrakech. A huge improvement in my mountain biking skills! (off a low base, I have to admit)

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?


Avoid Iberia at all costs - horrific flight experiences to and tortured to go into here. Go a few days ahead of the group to have time in Marrakech - it is worth at least two full days of exploring. Stay in one of the Riads in the Medina when you do.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?


You know, no matter how self righteous we might like to feel about doing a biking holiday it comes no-where close to compensating for the emissions caused on the flight to get there!

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?


Really super - ****

Read the operator's response here:

We are so pleased you had a great time on our cycling trip in Morocco. It seems there is no doubt that flying cause’s significant damage to the environment. In that case limiting our number of flights and offsetting the emissions with a good scheme are sensible actions we can all take to mitigate some of the damage caused. Should we stop flying at all? For many that may be impractical to others an unnecessarily extreme stance to take.

Tourism does have benefits, not least it is a very important industry in many people’s livelihoods throughout the world, our view is when you do fly, make sure your holiday is sensitive to the local environment, its people and their culture and that it has wider benefits for the local people, not just the profit margins of large multinational travel businesses. You can read how this particular trip makes a difference in the 'Making a difference' paragraph near the bottom of the holiday page.

Reviewed 25 Nov 2006 by Rich Sharman4 star rating

I'd give the holiday a 4-star rating and would certainly recommend it to others. I'd recommend that other people booking this holiday ensure they're fit enough to achieve the level of exertion required. Other than that the most memorable bit has to be the sunset seen from the village of Monsanto... truly beautiful.
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Holiday Reviews

We invite every traveller who books a holiday via us to send in a review. Because we don't run the holidays they're completely independent and unedited... remember to read between the lines though, as two people on the same holiday can have different views!

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