Tours

A good local tour guide will be able to plan with you, and accompany you, on a thorough visit of the region. As well as organizing accommodation and transport (which can be a headache), they’ll be able to point you in the right direction of safe and appropriate treks and worthwhile points of interests while supplying all the cultural information you may require. There is also the language advantage; remember that in the mountains, Arabic or a Berber dialect is mostly spoken and a language-savvy guide is an invaluable asset. Be sure to research tour guides and companies in advance as there are some less reputable organizations around. If you are using a guide, ask if they are licensed.

Argan Xtreme Sports. Owned by the ever-friendly and extremely knowledgeable Saif and Samira Kovach, Argan has a great fleet of bikes for on- and off-road bike tours. They offer a variety of tours from Marrakesh into the Atlas, with options for all abilities from family-friendly to professional bikers. Day and multiday excursions are available, and they also do tours in and around Marrakesh. AXS Bicycle Shop, Rue Fatima El Fihria, Marrakesh, Marrakech-Tensift-Al Haouz. 524/40–02–07; 314/374–20–08; www.argansports.com.

Pathfinders Treks. This local Berber company offers tours with a focus on showing visitors the real Morocco. All the guides speak excellent English and are specialists in mountain and trekking tours (they also offer tours to the desert). The company is particularly passionate about sustainable tourism and supporting local communities. Douar Tagadirt Ait Ali, Imlil, Marrakech-Tensift-Al Haouz. 0639/60–74–75; www.pathfinderstreks.com.