HIGHLIGHTS :
- Enjoying panoramic views over the Atlas Mountains and the Tizi-n-Tichka pass
- Visit Kasbah Telouet and the famous UNESCO World Heritage-listed Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou.
- Drive a passing Amazighian village and interact with the locals
- Enjoy dinner under the stars
- Share nomadic music evenings and drum around the campfire
- Sleep in your private comfortable tent at a desert camp in Merzouga
- Gain insights into the lifestyles of local Amazighs and nomads
OVERVIEW :
This eight-day trip mixes culture and adventure in Marrakech, the desert and the High Atlas Mountains. Start and end in Marrakech and explore the historic Medina souks, dilapidated tombs, old madrasas and secret gardens. Cross the High Atlas Mountains into the Moroccan desert and discover the medieval Kasbah, caravan routes and Sahara dunes. Finally, hike a small village in the hills of Atlas for two days, enjoy a meal with your local family, or spend the night.
DAILY TOUR :
DAY 1 : Marrakech
Arrive at Marrakech Airport and pick up and transfer to Riad / Hotel by media. Free time to explore the city. Overnight in Riyadh Medina.
DAY 2 : Marrakech / Ait Benhadou / Ouarzazate / Todra Gorges
Depart Imlil at 8am on a 4WD / minivan over Tizin’Tichka (2260m), Morocco's tallest road pass, and enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding area, including zigzag roads. On your way to Ouarzazate, visit the famous fortified Ksar and Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou. Follow the road, cross Ouarzazate, enjoy the beauty of the Rose Valley and Kellera Meguna, drive out the main road to the Days Valley, visit the small town of Tinghir and proceed to the magnificent Todra Gorge. Overnight at Hotel / Riad.
DAY 3 : Todra Gorges / Erfoud / Merzouga / Erg Chebbi
After having breakfast at the hotel, visit the Todra Gorge and head to Merzouga through several beautiful desert towns. Arrived at Tinjdad, Erfoud & Rissani, Merzouga. Get ready for a camel trek (2 hours) from Merzouga to Ergchebi. You can watch the sunset overnight (150m) at a nomadic camp in the heart of Morocco's tallest dunes. Amazighs dinner, a little entertainment, a drum party.
DAY 4 : Erg Chebbi / Merzouga / Alnif / Tazzarine / Ouarzazate / Imlil valley
Get up early and enjoy the view of the desert sunrise. After breakfast, join Camel again and return the dunes in another way, through Arnif, Tazarine, and part of the long road, back to the vehicle waiting in Merzouga. Before arriving at Agdez, the Draa Valley will proceed to Marrakech via the Ouarzazate & Tizi n'Tichka Pass (2260m), passing through the Ourika Valley and Tahnaoute to reach High Atlas Mountains by the end of the day. Overnight at the guesthouse.
DAY 5 : Imlil / Toubkal Refuge
After breakfast, take a walk along the mule path with your guide through the village of Berber. Follow the mule path to the mountain lodge via the shrine Sidi Cham Halouchi (2500m). Here, after lunch, an outdoor cook prepares a picnic lunch. Take a short break and head towards the Toubkal hut (3200m). As the mules walk fast, mules and cooks pass by and wait for you in the hut, or camp while enjoying a welcoming and delicious mint tea on arrival. A scenic mountain surrounded the base camp. Hot showers can be used to clean and refresh yourself for the next day's adventures. Overnight in the hut (dormitory with bunk beds is not an ensuite room, private rooms with bathrooms are available additionally). 5-6 hours on foot
Option: You can spend the night in a tent, but it's summer time.
DAY 6 : Toubkal refuge / Toubkal Summit / Imlil
Wake up early to avoid sunny paths, have breakfast around 5am, and start climbing at 5:30 am. Each may need to pack their own pack. Walk up the hill to Tizin'Toubkal (4000m), where you can see the first appearance of the summit, and climb the mountain ridge to reach the highest plateau. Take pictures of the mountains, valleys and villages of Berber throughout the Atlas Mountains and have lunch at the top. After a 45-minute break at the top of the mountain, trek to the hut for a variety of lunches. After lunch, follow the same route down the hill towards Imlil.
DAY 7 : Marrakech / Sightseeing
We will have breakfast at 7:30 am and then move to Malakesh. Upon arrival, you will be guided to the most notable historic sites of Marrakech Medina, including the Bahia Palace, Bahia Palace, Saadien's Tombs, Medersa Benyosev and Majorelle Gardens. Take a walk in the medina. Overnight in Riyadh.
DAY 8 : Marrakech / Home
Transfer to the airport for the return flight.
INCLUDED / EXCLUDE :
- Transport from and back to Marrakech
- 2 Overnight in Dar Adrar or similar (Dinner & breakfast)
- English speaking guide, and cook (Mountain trek)
- 2 nights Accommodation in Villages Gites.
- Muleteers and mules for assistance (Mountain trek)
- Full board on trek + mineral water, coffee and tea (Mountain trek)
- 4x4 or Mini-bus during Desert tour
- Camel Ride on Dunes
- 2 overnight in hôtels at Dades gorges & Ait Benhaddou (Dinner & breakfast)
- 1 overnight camping on Dunes at Erg Chebbi (Dinner & breakfast)
- Equipment hire
- Soft drinks
- Snacks
- Tips
- Personal Expenses
- Travel insurance
You need to dress according to your altitude and the environment in which you are. Most hikers are in remote alpine climates. Therefore, there are often large temperature fluctuations. Temperatures are usually lower in the highlands.
- Equipments (Ask)
- Clothes (Ask)
- Electrical (Ask)
- Kit personal medical (Ask)
Trekking equipments list (required)
- Good walking boots and socks
- 3 to 4 season sleeping bag ( winter) or light Sleeping bag ( Summer)
- Lightweight fleece and waterproof outers (summer)
- Layers, windproof jacket, hat, gloves (autumn-late spring)
- Thermal underwear (autumn through late spring)
- Sunglasses.
- Walking stick (useful)
- Personal items e.g. towel, sunscreen, wipes, toilet tissues
- Small First Aid Kit including insect repellent, plasters, meds
- Small rubbish bag to carry out what you carry in.
- Lighter e.g. burn toilet paper
- Day sack/backpack
- Water bottle or camel back (recommended)
- Torch/Flashlight and spare batteries e.g. head torch
- Penknife (useful)
- Trail snacks
- Zip-Up bags for camera etc.
This itinerary is only our suggestion. Please get in touch with us at moroccoinspirations@gmail.com to discuss a more personalised itinerary to your exact requirements.
If the itineraries we offer do not match what you are looking for, do not hesitate to contact us and we will prepare the trip to your needs and requirements and price depending on the number of Travellers, Hotel category and season.
The capacity of our organization is limited to between 2 and 60 people, each group of 4 people takes a separate 4×4 for transfers.
Please note flights are not included. Prices are based on sharing a twin room. If you would like to upgrade to a private single room, this can easily be arrange for you, simply contact our customer experience team.
