Atlas Valley Trek & Sahara Desert Tour

Welcome to Morocco! Salam Alaikum! Arrive at the Marrakesh Menara International Airport where a transfer is waiting to take you to your hotel. If you arrive early, spend some time exploring Marrakesh, one of the most spectacular cities in all of Africa. But remember to get a good night’s rest to prepare you for your trekking adventure!

Leave Marrakesh after breakfast and drive about 65 km to the trailhead town of Imlil (1,740 m/5,709’). Along the way you’ll pass a series of lovely villages as you drive through the valley and into the Atlas Mountains. In Imlil, you’ll meet your guide and muleteer, then begin your trek. Climb to the Tizi Mzik Pass (2,684 m/8,806’) where you’ll find an amazing view of both Imlil and the summit of Mount Toubkal. Descend again and trek to Tamsoulte (2,300 m/7,546’) where you’ll see the Atlas Mountains’ tallest waterfalls, which are about 100 m (328’) high. Continue down through the Azzaden Valley, passing through a lovely juniper forest until you reach the village of Tizi Oussem (1,850 m/6,070’). Spend the night in a local guesthouse.

Leave Tizi Oussem after breakfast and continue your trek. Notice the beauty of the sunlight as it shines in the colorful valley and the local Berber villages. Trek down to the village of Id Issa (1,800 m/5,906’), then climb again to the Tizi Oudid Pass (2,000 m/6,562’). Pass through a wild juniper forest and the village of Matat. Enjoy a relaxing lunch by the river in the shade of the walnut grove before trekking the short distance back to Imlil.

Your desert tour begins with a 9:00 AM pick up at your hotel in Imlil. Drive through the Atlas Mountains and cross the incredible Tizi n’Tichka Pass. You’ll drive through a series of local Berber villages, then out into the desert. Notice the striking riverside oases and the fortified Kasbahs (protected dwellings for families and livestock) that dot the barren hillsides. Stop along the way to either go for a hike or to tour the Ouarzazate Film Studios. After this continue your drive to Dades Gorge, where you will have time to take a hike or just relax in your hotel.

After breakfast at your hotel, leave Dades and drive to the amazing Todra Gorge. This massive fault divides the High Atlas Mountains with a narrow canyon that rises up 300 m (984 ft). There are Berber villages here, as well as palmeries where date palms are grown. Eat lunch here and take a hike through the palm-filled oasis, then drive farther into the desert. Stop for supplies in Merzouga, then continue on to a nearby Kasbah where you’ll leave the vehicle and begin your sunset camel ride into the desert. After about 90 minutes you’ll arrive at a traditional Berber camp where you’ll enjoy a delicious Moroccan dinner then spend the night.

Wake up to an inspiring desert sunrise, then ride the camel back to the Kasbah, where you can eat breakfast freshen up. Then leave the desert and drive to the fortified city of Ait Benhaddou. In this ancient city, you’ll see numerous Kasbahs. Many Hollywood movies, including The Mummy, Alexander, Lawrence of Arabia, and Gladiator, have been filmed in this remarkable location. Your guide will help you to explore the city and its buildings, then spend the night in a nearby hotel.

Finish your tour today with a drive through the Ounilla Valley and a visit to the ruins of the Telouet Kasbah. This intriguing structure was historically an important stop along the trade routes. Take time to explore and have lunch, then return to Marrakesh via the Tizi n’Tichka Pass. Once in Marrakesh explore the central Jema el-Fnaa square at evening, and maybe enjoy one of the open-air restaurants in the square.

Sadly, your adventure in Marrakesh just came to an end. After breakfast, you will transfer to the airport for your flight.