Desert & Oasis Bike Tour Marrakesh

    5/5 (2)
    • 2.5 hours | 9.32 miles
    • From 250 MAD
    • Marrakesh
    Rider Level: Leisure
    5/5 (2)

    Rider Level: Leisure

    2.5 hours | 9.32 miles
    From 250 MAD
    Marrakesh

    Tap above to jump to different sections of this tour

    • Pedal through the Palmeraie Oasis

      Combine a ride to Marrakesh's breathtaking Palmeraie Oasis with a crash course in desert survival from a local guide on this Desert and Oasis Bike Tour from Marrakesh! Cycling out of the city of Marrakesh on this day tour to the tranquil oasis of Palmeraie, you’ll learn about how Moroccan people have survived in the desert for millennia. This bicycle tour also includes stops at traditional artisanal workshops, and a stop at the atelier of charismatic Mr Aziz, who will regale you with tales of his life in the oasis as he serves you traditional bread, olive oil and tea.

      Your guide on this bike tour will be a local young person who gains training, education and employment opportunities through the Pikala Foundation, meaning that you'll be supporting the local community while getting the very best sightseeing experience of the city. These guided tours are developed by the young people themselves, meaning they'll show you their city: the hidden gems, vibrant communities, and local tales that make Marrakesh their home. This is especially true of this desert oasis tour, where your guide will share the wisdom and culture that Moroccan people have developed from centuries of living in the desert environment.

      Located at the northern edge of the city of Marrakesh, legend goes that the 50,000 trees that constitute Palmeraie grew from date seeds discarded by Arab warriors. Your guide will recount the long history of this legend, while explaining how the true roots of this oasis are found in the establishment of the Berber Muslim Almoravid dynasty. Your guide will also share some of the invaluable tips and tricks on how to survive in the desert that have been passed down from generation to generation in this part of Morocco.

      This bike tour will also make stops at handicraft ateliers, where you'll see how traditional Moroccan products like intricate Zelij tiles, rattan products, and wooden crafts have been produced by generations of skilled craftspeople.You'll also see the old water irrigation system, known in Morocco as khettara, that's been used for centuries to bring water from the Atlas Mountains to the oasis. Your guide will share invaluable insights into the local culture, from the sacredness of palm trees to the community’s reverence for water.

      You'll beat the desert heat with a stop for a refreshing drink and delicious Moroccan snack at the atelier of Mr Aziz, included in the price of this bicycle tour. Your host will serve you fresh bread and tea, while telling of his life in Palmeraie. From here, you’ll cycle back to the bustling heart of Marrakesh. By the end of this guided tour, you'll have gained an insight into Marrakesh's desert oasis through the eyes of a local, while supporting a community initiative with social goals.

      • Arts and crafts at the city's market, Marrakesh, Morocco. Danai Tsoutreli@Unsplash
      • Palm tree and bushes by the pool of water in Marrakesh, Morocco. Abdelhamid Azoui@Unsplash
      • A beautiful display of plant life in Marrakesh, Morocco. Alex Plesovskich@Unsplash

      View more photos

      Schedule

      Days Start Finish
      Daily 9:30 am ~12:00 pm
      Daily 3:00 pm ~5:30 pm

      Please arrive 10 minutes before the tour starts.

      Prices

      Rate MAD
      Adult 250

       

      Highlights

      Palmeraie Oasis, Visits to artisanal workshops, Stop for Moroccan drink and snack


      What’s included

      • Bike rental
      • English-speaking guide
      • Water and fruits
      • Morrocan pastries and juices at a local cafe
      • Sunscreen

      Meeting place & directions

      Pikala bikes - Riad Larousse, Marrakesh 40000, Morocco

    • CC-BY-SA-3.0 - Camels resting in the sand, Marrakesh, Morocco. Viault@Wikimedia Commons' data-type='image'> Camels resting in the sand, Marrakesh, Morocco. Viault@Wikimedia Commons
      CC-BY-2.0 - Pedestrians and locals by The walls of Marrakesh, Marrakesh, Morocco. yeowatzup@Wikimedia Commons' data-type='image'> Pedestrians and locals by The walls of Marrakesh, Marrakesh, Morocco. yeowatzup@Wikimedia Commons

      Traveler photos

      • Bread baking outside the village! (photo by Pam)
      • … in the outskirts of Marrakesh (photo by Pam)
      • With Pikala Bike Tours you support many locals! (photo by Pam)
      • Traditional outdoor bread oven (photo by A. Anderson)
      • A luxury villa down the road from Club Med (photo by A. Anderson)
      • A deep pit that is an ancient remnant of the water tunnels that brought H2O from the Atlas Mountains (photo by A. Anderson)
      • Fancy a camel ride? (photo by A. Anderson)
      • A palm forest local nature preserve (photo by A. Anderson)
      • More palm trees (photo by A. Anderson)
      • Pam 1 week ago

        Great way to explore Marrakesh and outskirts!

        · Desert & Oasis Bike Tour Marrakesh

        Mo and Nisserine are fantastic guides and took very good care of us! We learned so much during our bike ride, we got water and had this fantastic local breakfast- a great way to support some local families … we learned about the bread baking tradition in the villages… All in all an excellent experience!

        • Bread baking outside the village! (photo by Pam)
        • … in the outskirts of Marrakesh (photo by Pam)
        • With Pikala Bike Tours you support many locals! (photo by Pam)
      • A. Anderson 4 months ago

        A desert bike ride full of wonder and juxtaposition

        · Desert & Oasis Bike Tour Marrakesh

        This bike tour takes you through the desert outskirts of Marrakesh. Unlike the city tour, which I did the previous day, this ride has an entirely different more chill vibe. The hustle and bustle of town is nowhere to be heard instead you cycle through the desert, poor outlying villages (where we had a delicious traditional breakfast accompanied with tea), and past many stunning private desert compounds. See remnants of the ancient tunnels that brought water from the Atlas mountains to the city was also very cool. Note: I did this ride in mid-August. If you can't handle the heat, stay out in your hotel room.

        • Traditional outdoor bread oven (photo by A. Anderson)
        • A luxury villa down the road from Club Med (photo by A. Anderson)
        • A deep pit that is an ancient remnant of the water tunnels that brought H2O from the Atlas Mountains (photo by A. Anderson)
        • Fancy a camel ride? (photo by A. Anderson)
        • A palm forest local nature preserve (photo by A. Anderson)
        • More palm trees (photo by A. Anderson)