From the Atlas Mountains to the Sahara and on to the Atlantic Ocean

Our hotel in the old town of Marrakech, the Riad Bahia Salam, is like a dream from 1001 Nights! Palm-lined courtyards, oriental artworks, warm colors, and a rooftop terrace to dream on. Here, I can arrive in peace and prepare for the upcoming journey. At the welcome dinner, I meet my fellow travelers—only 13 in total. A really nice group. The excitement is growing. (D)

With two modern minibuses, carrying the e-bikes on the roof, we travel from the city of Marrakech up into the Atlas Mountains. We drive over the spectacular Tichka Pass at an altitude of 2,268 meters towards Telouet. Suddenly, it appears like a mirage in the middle of Morocco: the ruins of Telouet Castle. I didn't expect such oriental splendor. After a brief orientation and getting my saddle adjusted, I sit comfortably on my e-bike. This is so easy: with five gears, I can decide at will when and how much assistance I need while cycling. The cycling route through the Ounila Valley, constantly surprising with kasbahs and palm trees, couldn’t be more picturesque. The small road is paved, yet there’s no sign of traffic. Have I really already cycled 40 km today? Unbelievable. Our hotel, Ksar Ighnda, tops everything—it's a meticulously renovated palace with great attention to detail. (B, L, D)

A highlight right in the morning: the world-famous Aït-Ben-Haddou Kasbah, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Massive city gates, behind them vibrant yellow houses and alleys reaching up to the sky. No wonder Aït-Ben-Haddou has served as a film set for countless productions like "Gladiator," "Kundun," "Lawrence of Arabia," and "Game of Thrones." From here, the journey continues through the dramatic landscape of the Djebel Saghro. After a few serpentine curves, we reach the legendary Draa Valley, a dark green sea of date palms, the lifeblood of the entire region. If that’s not a reason to saddle up the e-bikes for the track! I am in awe. Our 45 km bike ride ends in Nekob. Here, we find the inviting Kasbah Hotel Ait Omar—a small gem with the charm of a real kasbah. The German owners, who have lovingly renovated the property with great attention to detail, tell entertaining and insightful stories about their life in Morocco. (B, L, D)

Today, we slowly leave the Djebel Saghro behind. Along the way, we encounter very few people, but the landscapes along our path are even more spectacular. The various shades of red are incredible! We can feel that we are getting closer to the Sahara, as the landscape flattens and changes dramatically. In a few small oases, we can watch the Berbers at work. The children are shy but still wave at us very kindly. After approximately 35 km of our e-bike tour, we switch to the bus in Tazzarine and head towards the Zagora Oasis, the gateway to the Sahara Desert. Here, we change our mode of transport and ride camels to our accommodation for the night: Tizi Deluxe Camp. A true highlight of this Morocco tour: our shared dinner around the campfire. (B, L, D)

Our day starts with a bike stage through the semi-desert, with the dark tents of the Bedouins in the background, who have lived unchanged in this vast, barren landscape for centuries. It’s quite hot. Thank goodness water, sunscreen, and a hat are always within reach in the saddlebag. I probably won’t manage the full 45 km today—halfway through, it gets a bit too warm for me in the middle of the desert. No problem—our air-conditioned support vehicle simply picks me up! After a short transfer, we enjoy a traditional lunch in Foum Zguid—a desert town straight out of a western, and a lively meeting point for nomads and villagers from the oases. In the afternoon, the support bus takes us to Tata, where we spend the night in a small, lovingly decorated guesthouse in the heart of the village. (B, L, D)