Atlas Mountains
An hour and a half from Marrakech begin the highest mountains in North Africa: paths between Berber villages, terraced valleys and the climb to Mount Toubkal, with local mountain guides.
The Atlas range crosses Morocco from south-west to north-east and separates the imperial cities from the desert. Its highest part, the High Atlas, lies less than 70 kilometres from Marrakech: in an hour and a half on the road you go from the city souks to villages of earth and stone, terraced valleys and the paths that climb towards Mount Toubkal, which at 4,167 metres is the highest summit in North Africa.
At about 1,700 metres, Imlil is the starting point of almost every path in the High Atlas. You walk among the villages of Aroumd and of the valley, through walnut and apple trees and terraced fields, to a Berber home where you drink mint tea and have lunch with dishes prepared by local families. It is a hike suitable for everyone, even for those who do not walk often.
The easiest day trip from Marrakech: a road that follows the river between villages and markets as far as Setti Fatma, from where a path leads to the waterfalls. It is ideal for a cool day out in summer.
From April to October the path is free of snow and requires no mountaineering experience, but you do need to be in good shape. From the summit, on clear days, you can see the desert to the south and the plains of Marrakech to the north.
The classic ascent: on the first day you climb from Imlil to the Toubkal refuge, at about 3,200 metres, in 5–6 hours of walking; on the second you set off before dawn for the summit and are back in Imlil in the afternoon.
With a third day the trek becomes more relaxed and allows for better acclimatisation.
The summit is covered in snow: crampons and an ice axe are needed.
The climb to Toubkal is always done with a licensed mountain guide.
Even if you do not go trekking, our desert tours cross the Atlas: the Tizi n’Tichka road, at 2,260 metres, links Marrakech to Aït Ben Haddou and the Dades Valley. You travel along it on the 3-day tour from Marrakech to Merzouga and on the 2-day tour to Zagora. From Fes, on the other hand, you cross the Middle Atlas, with the cedar forest of Azrou and its Barbary macaques.
2 days Private The closest desert to Marrakech: 2 days via Aït Ben Haddou to the Zagora dunes, a camel ride and a night in camp, back through the Draa Valley. From €90 pp.
from 90 € per person
View tour
3 days Private Explore the Atlas Mountains, Berber villages and the Sahara desert on an exciting 3-day adventure.
from 150 € per person
View tour
4 days Private A four-day tour from Marrakech heading south to discover desert landscapes and local culture.
from 200 € per person
View tour
4 days Private 4 days from Fes: out via Midelt and the Todra Gorge, 2 days in Merzouga with Khamlia, the Mifis mines and Erg Chebbi, then back to Fes. From €210 per person.
from 210 € per person
View tour
1-5 days Groups Desert trekking in Merzouga from 1 to 5 days with a Berber guide, camels for the luggage, meals and nights in camps or under the stars. From €100 per person.
from 100 € per person
View tour
In summer the climb does not require any mountaineering experience, but it is demanding: you walk for 5–6 hours on the first day up to the refuge and set off before dawn for the summit. You need to be in good shape and acclimatised to the altitude.
From April to October the paths are free of snow. In winter the climb to Toubkal requires crampons and an ice axe, while walks in the villages at lower altitudes are possible all year round.
Yes: to climb Toubkal you must be accompanied by a licensed mountain guide. Our guides are Berbers from the area and know every path.
Yes: Imlil and the Ourika Valley are about an hour and a half away. You set off in the morning, walk among the villages, have lunch in a Berber home and return to Marrakech in the late afternoon.
Of course: many travellers combine one or two days in the Atlas with a tour in the Merzouga or Zagora desert. We build a single itinerary with a private driver.
High Atlas
We organise your trekking in the Atlas
Tell us how many days you have and how fit you are: we will suggest the right route with a Berber guide.
Need help?
Message or call us: we reply within 24 hours.
We respect your privacy
We use technical cookies to make the site work and, only with your consent, statistics and marketing cookies. Cookie Policy
