Dirt Merchant
An unforgettable immersion into Morocco’s rich culture and landscapes.
Joining In
Marrakesh, Morocco
Skill Level
Intermediate +
Group Size
4-10
Duration
8 days / 7 nights
Per Person From
USD $3095
Single Supplement
$650 USD / supplement
Dates and Availability
Region
Trip Details
We fell in love with Morocco on our first trip 20 years ago, and it remains one of the top destinations in the world for an adventure mountain biking holiday. This journey begins in Marrakech, a stunning 1,000-year-old ochre city with vibrant street life and a unique blend of cultures. From there, we head to the Atlas Mountains, North Africa’s highest range, where prehistoric, flat-topped peaks are crisscrossed by trails and dirt roads still used by the nomadic Berbers. Over six days, with shuttle support, we’ll explore secluded regions, riding desert singletrack and dirt paths that connect remote villages, offering a rare glimpse into authentic Morocco. Evenings will be spent under a blanket of desert stars, sipping mint tea in tranquil surroundings. Our team of guides and support staff are the best in the country, with a combined 30 years of experience—they’re true pioneers of mountain biking in Morocco. With world-class accommodations, exceptional cuisine, and the expertise of our guides, this trip promises an unforgettable immersion into Morocco’s rich culture and landscapes.
- Trip pricing is based on double occupancy. Please review the Single Supplement policy in our Terms and Conditions.
- Expert Local Leadership
- Seven nights’ accommodation
- All breakfasts, all lunches & 6 dinners
- Marrakesh Airport pick-up & drop-off on scheduled days.
- All private shuttle transportation & full-time truck support.
- 24 hour trip support
- Detailed pre-departure information
- Alcoholic beverages
- Personal travel and medical insurance (mandatory).
- One dinner
- Airfare, airport taxes and any excess baggage charges
- Your bike and related equipment needed to ride.
- Personal items like snacks and energy supplements.
- Optional tipping to guides & drivers.
Intermediate +
You have been mountain biking for three or more years, and are confident riding all types of singletrack in various conditions (muddy, dry, loose, rock slabs). You can handle small drops and jumps, descend technical steep sections, and ride at a sustained pace for several hours over multiple days. You can ride confidently with some exposure and handle several climb sections per day. Your overall fitness level is moderate to high, and you bike almost all year round, in addition to other fitness activities.
Pierre-Alain
Swiss-born Pierre-Alain has been living, riding and guiding in Morocco for over thirty years, making him the unequivocal pioneer of mountain biking. He is a veteran guide and consummate professional, and he and his capable support team love to share the secrets of this beautiful country.
Are you looking for a trip where you can ride ridgelines high in the mountains, and traverse across vast desert plains? Do you seek a one-of-a-kind experience involving challenging climbing and exhilarating descents? This trip to Morocco is perfect for adventurous mountain bikers who crave unique trails, cultural immersion, and unforgettable landscapes. The minimum technical ability requirement for this trip is Intermediate Plus. With a blend of shuttle-assisted singletrack descents, high mountain passes, and scenic desert rides, it’s ideal for riders with a high level of fitness and 3+ years of experience looking for a challenge. Our routes traverse rugged terrain and remote villages, offering a rare glimpse into authentic Moroccan life, from Berber traditions to the vibrant medina of Marrakesh. While the rides are thrilling and the days are long, it’s balanced by comfortable and unique accommodations, richly flavoured local cuisine, and opportunities to unwind each evening. If you’re ready for an extraordinary blend of adventure, culture, and natural beauty, this journey through Morocco is for you.
Our Trips, Your People
There’s nothing quite like gathering with close friends or family for an unforgettable adventure — whether it’s a milestone birthday adventure with your closest riding crew, a friend group escape to a fully-catered chartered boat, a couples’ anniversary trip to Italy complete with all the wine tasting, or even an eMTB trip in Mexico combined with yoga classes and beach time.
The possibilities are endless. With a private trip, everything is tailored to your group — your pace, your style, your crew. Choose from one of our existing itineraries and fill out the form below to start planning.
Pricing & Booking Details
Private group pricing follows the posted rates for your chosen itinerary, provided your group meets the minimum number of riders required for that destination.
Your group can choose any available scheduled departure that doesn’t already have riders booked, or — subject to availability of guides, accommodations, and logistics — we can work with you to select custom dates that best suit your group’s schedule. Once dates are confirmed, we require a 25% deposit per person to secure your private departure.
Please note that prices may be subject to change if booking more than a year in advance, or if any factors affect trip costs (such as group size adjustments, accommodation upgrades, or adding extra nights before or after your main itinerary).
Want to customize the itinerary for your group? No problem. Any updates, additions, or changes to existing itineraries are subject to a $1000 USD one-time booking fee.
Our team will maintain close communication with you throughout the process to ensure full transparency — no surprises. Once your trip details and pricing are confirmed, we’ll take care of everything so you can focus on what matters most — an incredible riding experience with your favourite people.
Trip Itinerary
We fell in love with Morocco on our first trip 20 years ago, and it remains one of the top destinations in the world for an adventure mountain biking holiday.
Trip Highlights
Trail
Ride the Crazy Horse trail with its stunning ridgeline descent.
Amenities
Outdoor hotel glamping, and a lakeside hotel with pool.
Views
Sandy deserts, starry nights, and vast plains amidst the mountains.
Cuisine
Tagine with couscous, mint tea, spiced olives, and savory pastries.
Geographic Marvels
Remote Berber towns, frozen in time.
Cultural Experiences
Marrakech’s Jemaa el-Fnaa square filled with merchants, entertainers and hawkers.
Getting Ready
- Gore-Tex/water-proof riding jacket
- Thin down jacket
- Toque/warm hat
- Polypro/Merino layers
- Bathing suit
- Bike shorts/pants & riding jerseys, etc.
- Socks (extras are good)
- Casual shorts/light pants
- Comfortable clothing for evenings
- Walking/running shoes & flip flops
- Long fingered bike gloves (two pairs)
- Warmer riding gloves (light version)
- Water shoes (for rocky beaches like Croatia)
Mandatory Parts & Tools (MTBs):
- Brake pads (one set)
- Derailleur hanger (for those that have a replaceable one)
- Chain link specific to your bike
Mandatory Parts & Tools (eMTBs & MTBs):
- Two tubes & tire irons & pump
- Chain lube & rag
- Allen keys & multi tool
- Pedals, hemet, riding gear (gloves, knee/elbow pads, eye protection, riding pack)
- Saddle (optional)
Additional Suggested Parts & Tools (MTBs only):
- Brake rotor
- Used derailleur
- Extra spokes
- Small bolt assortment
Suggested Miscellaneous:
- Headlamp
- Personal toiletries & hand sanitizer
- Camera (batteries)
- Sunglasses & sunscreen
- Clear & sun lensed eye protection
- Earplugs (for the light sleepers!)
- Eye mask (for sleeping)
- Energy bars & electrolytes
- Packable snacks or preferred foods
- Air Tags / tracking devices for your luggage
NOTE: Some items on the parts list can be split up among the group and is only a recommendation for convenience. We recommend labeling your belongings & parts in case things get mixed up.
Bike
It is recommended that riders bring their own bikes. A lightweight full-suspension trail bike with 130/140mm travel that climbs and descends capably is best for this adventure. As the terrain is rocky tires should be tubeless, 2.30” or above, aggressive tread, one to two-ply casing for durability, puncture resistance and added control. Short stem and riser bars are recommended.
Please ensure your bike is in top working condition and freshly tuned. Never arrive with new parts or a bike that hasn’t been ridden. Eye protection and knee pads that you can comfortably pedal in are highly recommended. Helmets are mandatory when on your bike. A 20L backpack is recommended.
Rental Info
The Dirt Merchant is a very unique mountain bike adventure: we will be travelling up and down mountains, along remote valleys on our bikes – rolling into places that seem as if they haven’t ever changed. Most trails are shuttle-accessed, on singletrack in a desert landscape, but with some double-track and dirt roads.
15-55km, 4-6 hours
It is primarily desert riding so trails are generally smooth, but distances can be long. There are daily sections through loose and fixed rocks. Expect dry, loose surfaces, rock gardens, sand and lots of flowy sections on ancient walking trails used to access villages. Be prepared for some short hike-a-bike sections, so ensure your riding shoes are appropriate for hiking. There is some mild exposure and roots through forest sections, with descents that can last over 20 minutes.
As we are generally self-reliant on some days you might be packing a bit of weight in your daypack (more water, bigger lunch, warm layers, etc). But your gear is transported to each location.
There is no shame in walking your bike on any section of trail that makes you uncomfortable. We recommend you ride well within your limits and ride conservatively.
Our accommodation will vary from a three-star hotel and a traditional riad in Marrakech, to simple mountain lodges, and a gorgeous outdoor tented camp in the desert.
All breakfasts, lunches & 7 dinners (starting with dinner on Day 1, ending with breakfast on Day 8).
Moroccan cuisine is a vibrant fusion of spices, fresh herbs, and slow-cooked flavors, featuring dishes like tagine, couscous, and flavourful mezze.
Most locations during the trip have laundry services. Your guide will confirm the best locations for last-minute or overnight service.
Generally, Morocco’s climate is moderate and subtropical, cooled by breezes off the Atlantic and Mediterranean. In the interior the temperatures are more extreme, it could be 30 degrees Celsius one day and then nearly freezing on a mountaintop the next day. Our trips take place in Atlas Mountains – expect warmer temperatures during the day with cooler evenings.
The preferred currency is Moroccan Dirham. If you can, purchase some before you leave home, that said there are ATM’s and banks in Marrakech. You should have Dirhams on your prior to leaving to city for duration of your trip.
Gratuities for all restaurants, hotels, additional guides and transportation – which are part of your trip are paid by Big Mountain. If on your own, tipping is generally accepted for good service. Moroccans themselves might only leave a few dirhams on a 150 dirhams dinner bill. At many of the upmarket restaurants in the tourist areas, they will add 10% to the bill, therefore always check your bill before adding a tip. If you don’t receive good service then don’t tip and if you get great service we recommend giving more than 10%. Gratuities for your guides may be given at your discretion in response to their professionalism and leadership throughout the week. We suggest 5-10% of the trip price per individual guest to be divided among your guiding team as a tipping standard.
