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Things to do in High Atlas

Our most recommended things to do in High Atlas

From Marrakech: Merzouga 3-Day Desert Safari with Food

1. From Marrakech: Merzouga 3-Day Desert Safari with Food

Discover the edge of the Sahara Desert on a three-day budget tour from Marrakech, and explore the dramatic landscapes of the Dades Valley and Kasbah of Ouarzazate. Ride across the dunes of Erg Chebbi by camel and sleep at a desert camp under the stars.  Day 1: Marrakech - Ait Ben Haddou - Dades Begin your journey by crossing the High Atlas Mountains past one Berber village after another to the UNESCO world heritage site of Ait Ben Haddou. This village is famous for its kasbah and fortified village and has been used as a set for some famous Hollywood epics and magazine photo shoots. After some leisure time, enjoy lunch in a local restaurant and continue your drive through Ouarzazate, known as the Gate of the Sahara. Continue to Boumalne Dades, admiring the scenic drive along the Dades Valley, where you can enjoy dinner and rest for the night at Kasbah Amazigh or Hotel Chems.  Day 2: Dades - Todgha Gorges - Merzouga Following breakfast, depart your hotel and drive to Tinghir and its dramatic Todgha Gorges, pausing for some free time to explore the canyons. Enjoy lunch at a local cafe and continue to Merzouga to meet your camel caravan. Experience the Erg Chebbi dunes on camelback and watch the sunset set. Reach your desert camp before nightfall and enjoy an authentic Moroccan dinner under the stars. Local nomads will provide entertainment and show you how to play the traditional Tam Tam drums. Enjoy dinner and an overnight stop.  Day 3: Merzouga Ouarzazate - Marrakech Following an early wake-up to watch the sunrise before breakfast (optional), a driver will be waiting to pick you up for the transfer back to Marrakech. Stop halfway for lunch at a local restaurant. Get dropped off at your original departure point or Djemaa El Fna around 8 PM. You can also book upgrades for the night in the Bedouin camp such as the deluxe desert camp with a luxury private tent complete with an ensuite shower, bathroom facilities, and 5-star amenities. These upgrades need to be booked per person.

From Fes: 4-Day Trip to Marrakech via Merzouga with Lodging

2. From Fes: 4-Day Trip to Marrakech via Merzouga with Lodging

Day 1:Fes / Ifrane /Medilt/Merzouga Depart from fez We pass through Ifrane, a winter ski resort in a totally un Moroccan style built by the French in the 1930's to resemble a Swiss village; we continue passing throughthe cedars forest in Azrou you will see the monkeys , drive across the Middle Atlas Mountains and begin to descend towards the Sahara Desert. Half way, you will stop for lunch in the town of Midelt, famous for its fossils and rocks, then we continue towards merzouga in the road we will stop in a panoramic views to see the a huge oasis of palm tree we reach Merzouga,Dinner & Overnight in the Hotel . Accommodation : Kasbah Mohayut or Similar Day 2 :Merzouga / Erg Chebbi In the Morining visit approximately half day in the desert to see the different faces of deser, villages, stop to listen to some Saharan Music in El Khamlia, the oasis ,you will have a small visit to Rissani the first capital of dynasty alouite ,including some historical Kasbahs ,and the The famous Market ,you will have the opportunity to test the local food of the area the Pizza Berber , we continue to Merzouga ,. the guide and camel will be waiting to carry you across the sandy dunes of the erg-chebbi,you will enjoy the beauty of the sunset on camel, after 1 hou reach to the Camp in the Foot of the Dunes , After a wonderful Dinner, watch the Stars,and overnight in the Tent . Accommodation : Standard Desert Camp (Tent with Private Ensuite Bathroom ) Day 3 :Merzouga / Gorges Todra / Ouarzazate Get up early, to watch the sunrise which just behind the Algerian border, which is about 50 km from Merzouga. After Breakfast & shower, You’ll depart for Ouarzazate, traveling the rugged Road of a Thousand Kasbahs that rise up like turreted sand castles along this ancient caravan trading route. This area has long been a popular location for Hollywood films such as The Last Temptation of Christ, Jewel of the Nile, and most recently Hideous Kinky. The central region is one of the most exciting and romantic destinations of Morocco nestled along rich river valleys, palmeries and burnished mud-brick homes ablaze in vibrant color under the shelter of the blue desert sky. We stop for lunch and walk in todragorges , We’ll travel through the Dadès Valley past dramatic escarpments Dinner & Overnight . Accommodation : Hotel La Perle Du Sud or Similar Day 4 :Ouarzazate / Ait ben haddou / Marrakech After breakfast we visit Ouarzazate ,including the Atlas Studios movie studios, the largest and most famous of all Africa. From here we head to visit the famous Kasbah, declared UNESCO World Heritage and which was the scene of films like The Gladiator, Babel, Lawrence of Arabia,wecoutinue passing through the High Atlas and the Tizi-n-Tichka pass, along a road that climbs from the plains up to 2260 m above sea level passing through small villages & Panoramic Views .we will drop you off in your Hotel in Marrakech for the End of the Tour .

Marrakech: Ourika and Atlas Day Trip with Sunset Camel Ride

3. Marrakech: Ourika and Atlas Day Trip with Sunset Camel Ride

Discover the unique scenery of the Ourika Valley on a guided trip from Marrakech. Shop at an authentic Berber market, visit the village of Setti Fadma, visit Ourika's waterfalls, hike through the Atlas Mountains, and ride a camel through the Agafay Desert. Following pickup, stop at a Berber market to see where the local families of the valley buy their daily goods. Then, visit an authentic Berber family and take the chance to see and explore their house for yourself. Get to know the local lifestyle and learn how to prepare their refreshing mint tea. After enjoying a cup of tea or two, continue the trip to Setti Fadma, a Moroccan village that is world-renowned for its seven sparkling waterfalls. Wander around the charming Berber villages, then continue through Berber country to the two waterfalls of Ourika. By the river, find local restaurants, where you can enjoy delicious dishes (not included). Experience crossing the river using ropes and small wooden bridges before continuing the journey to the Agafay Desert. Once there, embark on a 1-hour camel ride at sunset to admire the unique beauty of this vast, untouched desert. Later, return to Marrakech for drop-off.

Agadir or Taghazout : Paradise Valley & Atlas Mountain Trip

4. Agadir or Taghazout : Paradise Valley & Atlas Mountain Trip

Start your excursion from Agadir to Paradise Valley's High Atlas Mountains around 8h30 in the morning, and get to explore the the honey road of Immouzar and Atlas mountains. Paradise Valley is a oasis with fresh air in Atlas Mountains surrounded by palm trees and breathtaking mountains, perfect for relaxing, sunbathing and lovers sauvenirs... Take an adventure through Paradise Valley, and make your way from the city to the countryside to see the tiny streams, mountain gorges, and enjoy 100/100 clean oxygine in the picturesque villages. Once you arrive to Paradise Valley, you will have a hike of 10 minutes before settling down for a beautiful time at the natural forest, perfect for rlaxing and taking plenty of pictures and chilling... After the refreshment break, you are going to drive back to Agadir. Paradise valley trip from Agadir is definitely a must trip while visiting Agadir.

From Marrakech: Ourika Valley Day Trip

5. From Marrakech: Ourika Valley Day Trip

Experience one of the best adventures on a day trip from Marrakech and visit the Ourika Valley in the High Atlas Mountains. Depart Marrakech at 09:30 and head towards the Ourika Valley with a private driver. Journey through the spectacular landscapes of the valley, known for its many waterfalls and Berber settlements in the heart of the Atlas Mountains terrain. Visit a Berber family to learn more about everyday life in the area, and then enjoy a relaxing day in the scenic settlement of Setti Fatma (Sti Fadma). Visit the 7 waterfalls of the village, nestled at the southern end of the Ourika Valley. Get enchanting views of the natural surroundings and enjoy your lunch in a beautiful restaurant near the Ourika River. Return to Marrakech by about 17:30.

Private 2-Day Desert Trip with Camping & Camel Trekking

6. Private 2-Day Desert Trip with Camping & Camel Trekking

Day 1 Your Hotel-OUARZAZATE-ZAGORA (6 hours drive) This program begins at 7am from your Hotel. Firstly you take the road towards Zagora via Ouarzazate. We stop at Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah taking in the magical places described on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Youcontinue, heading into the Draa Valley renowned for its Ksour and Kasbah. Finally you arrive at Zagora, where you wil enjoy riding a camel for 1.30 hours at sunset. You round off this wonderful day enjoying a delicious traditional dinner beneath the bright desert stars before retiring to sleep in a Berber tent under the endless sky. Day 2 Zagora-Your Hotel (7 hours drive) You take a typical Berber breakfast early in the morning in Zagora before mounting your camels into the dunes to watch the sunrise. Later you head back to through the Atlas Mountains by road to The Pearl of The South and end at your Hotel.

Marrakech: Toubkal Climbing Circle 3 Days

7. Marrakech: Toubkal Climbing Circle 3 Days

Day 1: Marrakech - Imlil 1740m - Tizi Mzik pass 2479m - Red Valley - Tamsoult Refuge 2550m After breakfast in Marrakech, pick up & drive towards the high Atlas Mountains via Tahnnaout, Oued Ghighaya & Asni, enjoy the stunning view of the villages along the valley . Arrival to Imlil (65km from Marrakech), meet the guide & multeer and then start the trek & climb Tizi Mzik pass (2479m), spectacular view over Imlil valley & Toubkal Summit, continue to Tamsoulte to visit the highest waterfalls in the Atlas Mountains (100m of hight) through juniper forest, Overnight at the Refuge, 5hrs walking. ( Imlil to Tamsoult - 11kms, up 800m and down 400m, 5-6 hours). Day 2: Tamsoult Refuge 2550m - Aguelzim Pass (3650) - Toubkal Refuge 3207m. Today is an intense day, in which we significantly increase the average altitude of the trek. Ahead of us we have the demanding ascent to the Aguelzim pass at 3450 m. The ascent is long but progressive. Once on the pass we will be able to admire the summit of Toubkal. We then descend towards the Toubkal base camp, at 3200 m. Walking time: 6h30. ( Tamsoult to Toubkal Refuge - 10 kms, up 1200m, down 300m, 6 hours ) Day 3: Toubkal Refuge 3207m - Toubkal summit 4167m - Imlil 1740m - Marrakech Up early for the climb up Toubkal (4,167 m) from where, clouds allowing, you will have wonderful views over the Atlas range and the Sahara desert. T hen a long way back down past the refuge and the well-worn path back to Imlil. This is a fairly long day with 8-9 hours of trekking, involving 900m up then almost 2,500 m back down to Imlil. You will normally be dropped off at around 5.00 pm in Marrakech. ( Toubkal Refuge to summit - 4 kms, up and down 980m, 5 hours Toubkal Refuge - 4 hours, down 1400m, 5 hours).

Other Sightseeing Options in High Atlas

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What people are saying about High Atlas

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 2,993 reviews

We had a crazy adventure on route to the Merzouga desert! Obviously out of everyone’s control but we got stuck in a blizzard on the Atlas Mountains which impacted the itinerary of the trip due to time restraints and safety. We didn’t get much time on the sand dunes and only got to go sandboarding because we took it upon ourselves to get up early and grab the board. Even then I only got 1 quick 20 second go before we had to leave. So would’ve loved to spend more time on the dunes because it was so beautiful and magical. However, despite the blizzard and time restraints I still had a wonderful time and will treasure my memories of the desert. Also special shout out to our driver Omar who was a fantastic driver getting us all safely to the hotel and the desert in really tough conditions. He was very calm under pressure and kept our spirits high!

Couldn’t have asked for a better adventure in Morocco than the one we just experienced with Mohammed Himma and our tour group (the kindest, funniest people from all around the world). Such a wholesome experience filled with some of the most majestic landscapes we have ever seen and some of the most unique experiences, contemplating the Sahara is a feeling that will stay with us for a long, long time. If you are considering this tour, do yourself a favour and do it. شكرًا for everything, Himma, we hope to see you on our next tour !

So i have to say this was an amazing experience! Even for the solo traveler like myself i never felt alone everyone was always attentive and friendly. A lot of it goes to our driver Mazozi who has a friendly personality and cares about everyone constantly checking up on them making sure theyre okay. It is a well planned commute despite the amount of driving that is involved you really dont even notice it. Definitely worth booking if you can and once again thank you Mazozi for being so helpful and attentive to all of us!

Incredible experience. The tour guides in each town were great and we got to see so much of Morocco. The highlight was probably camel riding, sandboarding, and camping in the Sahara desert, as well as learning Moroccan music and cultur. Our tour group was great as well, and we got to meet people from all over the world. Couldn’t recommend the experience enough.

Incredible experience in the Desert. The trip is a bit tiring but it's worth it.