Private 4-Day Tour: Atlas Mountains and Desert Tour from Marrakech
Marrakesh, Morocco
Trip Type: Multi-day Tours
Duration: 4 days
This private tour is a great introduction to the Southern region of Morocco with the combination of a day walk in the Atlas Mountains followed by an adventure in the desert and surrounding area which includes a camel ride.
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This private tour is a great introduction to the Southern region of Morocco with the combination of a day walk in the Atlas Mountains followed by an adventure in the desert and surrounding area which includes a camel ride.
Day 1: Marrakech – Imlil (L, D)
Departure by car from Marrakech around 8am for a 90-minute drive south up the Moulay Brahim Gorges, then to Agersioual (1,600m), set in the upper-level foothills of the western High Atlas Mountains. Here you will leave the vehicle and meet your local guide prior to setting out for about a 7.5 mile trek (12km) east to the Berber village of AIkkiss.
Have lunch inside a Berber home or by the river, then carry on up the Imnane Valley and over Tizi n'Tamtert pass (2779m). From here you can view the two valleys, both the Imlil and the Imnane. Another 1.5 hour hike down from here will take you to the village of Imlil, where you will enjoy an evening meal in the charming guest house (Chez les Berberes, or similar) where you will spend the night.
Day 2 : Imlil - Dades Valley (B, D)
You will be picked up from your accommodation in Imlil at 9:00am and head out over the High Atlas Mountains, driving over the stunning Tizi n'Tichka mountain pass. You will pass through several Berber villages and, once you’re in the desert, you’ll see riverside oases and barren hillsides dotted with kasbahs (fortified dwellings that house families and their livestock). Along the way, you will have the option either to take a break or visit the Ouarzazate Film Studios.
A side trip to Ait Benhaddou is possible. This is an ancient fortified city containing countless kasbahs and has been the background of numerous Hollywood movies (The Mummy, Gladiator, Alexander, Lawrence of Arabia, and more). You will have the chance to walk around the buildings and explore with your guide. Once you reach Dades Gorge, you have the option of going for a hike, or relaxing at your hotel. Overnight in Dades.
Day 3 : Dades Valley - Todra gorge - Merzouga (B, D)
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer from the Dades Valley to Todra Gorge, a massive fault dividing the High Atlas Mountains, which rises up almost 1000 feet (300 m) in a narrow valley with date palm groves and Berber villages. Here, you can go for a hike to explore the palmery, a green oasis full of large date palms.
After lunch, you’ll head further into the desert to the gateway town of Merzouga, to pick up supplies for your desert trip. You will then drive on to a kasbah to pick up your camel. At sunset, you’ll travel by camel for a 1.5 hour ride to a Berber camp, where you will enjoy a traditional Moroccan dinner and sleep under the stars or in tents at a desert camp. (Total driving time 5hours )
Day 4 : Merzouga - Marrakech (B)
Wake up early because, just prior to sunrise, you have a 1.5 hour camel ride to explore the area further. Then, head back to Merzouga on your camel. When you reach Merzouga, have breakfast and take the opportunity to shower, then begin your journey through the stony desert and over the Atlas Mountains back to Marrakech.
Departure by car from Marrakech around 8am for a 90-minute drive south up the Moulay Brahim Gorges, then to Agersioual (1,600m), set in the upper-level foothills of the western High Atlas Mountains. Here you will leave the vehicle and meet your local guide prior to setting out for about a 7.5 mile trek (12km) east to the Berber village of AIkkiss.
Have lunch inside a Berber home or by the river, then carry on up the Imnane Valley and over Tizi n'Tamtert pass (2779m). From here you can view the two valleys, both the Imlil and the Imnane. Another 1.5 hour hike down from here will take you to the village of Imlil, where you will enjoy an evening meal in the charming guest house (Chez les Berberes, or similar) where you will spend the night.
Day 2 : Imlil - Dades Valley (B, D)
You will be picked up from your accommodation in Imlil at 9:00am and head out over the High Atlas Mountains, driving over the stunning Tizi n'Tichka mountain pass. You will pass through several Berber villages and, once you’re in the desert, you’ll see riverside oases and barren hillsides dotted with kasbahs (fortified dwellings that house families and their livestock). Along the way, you will have the option either to take a break or visit the Ouarzazate Film Studios.
A side trip to Ait Benhaddou is possible. This is an ancient fortified city containing countless kasbahs and has been the background of numerous Hollywood movies (The Mummy, Gladiator, Alexander, Lawrence of Arabia, and more). You will have the chance to walk around the buildings and explore with your guide. Once you reach Dades Gorge, you have the option of going for a hike, or relaxing at your hotel. Overnight in Dades.
Day 3 : Dades Valley - Todra gorge - Merzouga (B, D)
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer from the Dades Valley to Todra Gorge, a massive fault dividing the High Atlas Mountains, which rises up almost 1000 feet (300 m) in a narrow valley with date palm groves and Berber villages. Here, you can go for a hike to explore the palmery, a green oasis full of large date palms.
After lunch, you’ll head further into the desert to the gateway town of Merzouga, to pick up supplies for your desert trip. You will then drive on to a kasbah to pick up your camel. At sunset, you’ll travel by camel for a 1.5 hour ride to a Berber camp, where you will enjoy a traditional Moroccan dinner and sleep under the stars or in tents at a desert camp. (Total driving time 5hours )
Day 4 : Merzouga - Marrakech (B)
Wake up early because, just prior to sunrise, you have a 1.5 hour camel ride to explore the area further. Then, head back to Merzouga on your camel. When you reach Merzouga, have breakfast and take the opportunity to shower, then begin your journey through the stony desert and over the Atlas Mountains back to Marrakech.
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