Africa & the Middle East cycling tours

We have over 25 cycling trips that visit over 30 countries all over the world. So, whether you’re craving lush mountainscapes or breezy coastlines, chances are we’ll have a trip for you.

While cycling is at the heart of these trips, there will be plenty of activities off the saddle from cooking classes to wine tasting, as well as opportunities to rest and recharge with local food and hospitality.

Check your Essential Trip Information for the physical rating and itinerary.

Anyone with a reasonable fitness level will have no trouble. Most of our trips also have the option to hire an e-bike for an additional cost (it won’t do all the work for you, but it’ll help!) and a support vehicle that follows the group in case you feel like a break.

While there are occasionally longer days, most days you'll ride between 19 and 37 miles at a leisurely pace. When possible, our leaders often let the faster riders set their own pace, but generally, the group rides together. You’ll also have plenty of opportunities to stop and enjoy the scenery or have a snack break.

Check the physical rating in the Essential Trip Information to ensure the trip suits your fitness level.

Not at all. These trips aren't about racing from A to B – they're about exploring the heart of a destination on two wheels. You'll ride predominantly on sealed roads (with the odd unsealed section), but none of the trips require any specialist cycling skills. You don't even need to be a regular cyclist.

If you are an avid biker, we've researched extra routes in each of the destinations we visit, so if you want to stretch your legs a bit more, you can. 

Don’t worry. Our cycling trips are designed to cater to cyclists of all skill levels – and sometimes non-cyclists, too! Our rides are broken up into manageable sections with plenty of rest and photo stops, and we avoid big climbs where possible. A support vehicle also follows the group for the whole trip in case you feel like taking a short (or long) break.

Many of our cycling trips also include the option to hire an e-bike for an extra fee. E-bikes have an electric motor that makes cycling up hills and along flats a lot easier. Let us know when booking if you'd like to request an e-bike.

Bike hire is included in the trip price. The bikes we use are from trusted brands, very well maintained and chosen specifically for the terrain you'll be covering. They come in a full range of sizes from extra small to extra large and usually have front suspension, flat bars and 27 gears.

Please advise us of your height when booking so we can assign you a bike accordingly.

For added comfort, you could bring a saddle (seat) or gel overcover. If you want to use cleats, bring your pedals and shoes too.

If you're bringing your own bike, let us know when booking so we can ensure it's appropriate for the trip.

Most of our cycling trips include the option to hire an e-bike for an additional fee. An e-bike is an electric motor-assisted bike that gives you a little boost when you pedal – particularly handy for those uphill stretches! You essentially get to enjoy all aspects of a cycling trip with less physical effort. 

We have limited e-bike availability, so if you’d like to request one, please let us know when booking. 

You can usually bring your own bike from home if you want to. Be sure to let us know when booking so we can ensure your bike is appropriate for a particular trip – some bikes aren’t suitable for certain terrain. 

If you bring your bike, you’ll need to box it up for transport on the plane. The easiest way to do this is to visit your local bike shop (a fee may apply). They often have boxes on hand from old stock and have the tools to remove the pedals and secure your handlebars.

Airline fees may also apply, so check with your airline about costs before you book.

Helmets are compulsory on our cycling tours. We don’t provide or hire helmets directly, so we recommend bringing your own. Your leader may be able to suggest a local bike store when you arrive, but again, this isn’t always possible so it’s best to bring an approved and well-fitting helmet from home.

Our seats are unisex, but we know that saddle styles and types are personal preferences, so you’re welcome to bring your own. Some people also like to bring a gel seat cover to make the ride more comfortable.

Our bikes have flat pedals, so if you’re used to clip-in pedals, bring them along. But please ensure you bring ‘mountain bike’ rather than ‘road bike’ style shoes as we often do a fair bit of walking, especially in towns and cities.

If you bring your own saddle or pedals, our cycling leaders or mechanics will be more than happy to fit them on your bikes.

Check your Essential Trip Information for more packing information.

Your accommodation is pre-booked and your luggage will be transferred from one point to the next, so all you need to carry is a lightweight backpack with your essentials – phone, snacks and a couple of layers to keep you dry and warm. Our bikes also have water bottle holders for easy access on the go.

All our trips have a cycling leader, a mechanic and a support vehicle. The support vehicle is there in case anyone gets injured or needs a rest, or road or weather conditions become unsafe.

We run risk assessments on all cycling trips to ensure they’re up to scratch – including road conditions, traffic and any potential blindspots. Our leaders have also ridden every inch of the itinerary in advance and are trained in cycling health and safety and basic first aid. 

Generally, your leader will ride at the front of the group, guiding the way and controlling the pace. In some destinations, our support vehicle acts as the back marker, ensuring constant support and making sure no one gets left behind. On some trips, a separate rider will also be at the back. 

Most of our trips depart during the milder months when the weather isn’t too hot or cold, so the ride should be as pleasant (and safe) as possible.

Not as a rule. However, any injuries you might suffer while riding should be covered by a comprehensive travel insurance policy (we can recommend some good brands if you’re unsure).

It’s important to double-check the fine print before departing and be aware that, like all Intrepid trips, travel insurance is compulsory on our cycling trips.

Cycling is the main draw of these trips, but there will also be plenty of activities off the saddle. It might be floating in the super salty waters of the Dead Sea, touring the Taj Mahal or drifting to a Vietnamese fishing village in a traditional basket boat. Not to mention the pitstops at local markets and restaurants to try the local fare.

You will have lots of free time and a rest day or two to explore your own way – though your leader can fill you in on things to do if you'd like some tips. It's the best of both worlds!

Clothing

We recommend lightweight, breathable clothing that dries quickly. A couple of padded cycling shorts for extra comfort wouldn’t go amiss either. The most important thing is to feel comfortable.

In most places, both men and women are OK with riding in short sleeves and shorts (above the knee), but due to cultural sensitivities, there are some exceptions. In predominantly Muslim countries like Morocco and Jordan, or when visiting religious buildings, a more conservative dress code is required – especially for women travelers – even when cycling. As a general guideline, shoulders, cleavage and knees should always be covered.

Shoes

You can cycle in sneakers or anything with a rubber sole. The only thing we insist on is 'closed-toe' shoes. Broken toes or cuts from a loose stick or otherwise innocuous incident can quickly ruin your trip.

If possible, quick-drying shoes with a slightly less flexible sole are preferable. We also recommend bringing a separate pair of comfy shoes like sandals or trainers for when you’re not riding.

It depends on the destination. Most of our Asia cycling trips run all year, so a cycling trip will always be available when you’re ready to ride. In places like Jordan and Morocco where the climate is more extreme, we avoid the peak summer months when it's super hot, as well as January and February when night-time temperatures plummet – especially in the desert.

Over in Europe, most of our trips run between spring and autumn when the weather lends itself to being outdoors. Summer is the most popular time of year (and for good reason), so if you’d prefer smaller queues at iconic sites and fewer tourists in the streets, the shoulder months of April and May or September and October are good options.

There aren’t many places we haven’t been, so if you’ve got a destination or trip in mind that isn’t on our list, our Tailor-Made team is here to help.

We'll use our 30 years of experience and match you with one of our specialist consultants to help you create your perfect adventure.