Trek the Atlas Mountains
Explore remote Berber villages and rugged valleys surrounded by Morocco’s highest peaks
Trek the Atlas Mountains
Explore remote Berber villages and rugged valleys surrounded by Morocco’s highest peaks
DURATION
5 nights
LOCATION
Morocco
ANNUAL LEAVE
4 days off work
SEASON
Year-round
GROUP SIZE
Up to 14 people
MEETING POINT
Marrakesh Menara Airport
ACCOMMODATION
Traditional riad · Homestay
DIFFICULTY
Moderate
The elevation and long days can be tiring, so a moderate level of fitness and stamina is needed.
Explore the remote and peaceful landscape of the Atlas Mountains with the support of an experienced guiding team
Trek along cascading streams, ascend mountainsides, visit remote Berber villages and stay in traditional gite homes
Enjoy awesome views of Mount Toubkal - the highest peak in North Africa
All our reviews are verified
— Lucy, March 2022
Best experience of my life... so far... I am no mountain climber and only averagely fit. I trained before going but didn't do enough due to illness - get those quads and your cardio to a decent level. I found the climbs daunting at times but managed. How? The incredible kindness, skill and motivation from the guides, the immense beauty of the epic High Atlas and fuelled on by the best food. Top moment: eating a hot, just-cooked lunch sitting on a plateau looking for miles over snowy mountains. This is isn't ONLY a trek though. This was a cultural and historical learning experience, and one I will never forget.
— Darius, March 2022
A truly great way to meet people, explore cultures and see a different community living in a breathtaking location of Morocco. So much adventure, good food and fun all around.
— Hannah, March 2022
Fantastic trip from start to finish! We experienced some unexpected snow on day one, but Ibrahim was quick to make changes so that we could stay safe without missing out on key parts of the route. Our reward was incredible views throughout the rest of the trek, which also featured probably the best food I've ever had on a trip such as this (the lunch spots were truly incredible). Would absolutely recommend.
— David, October 2021
Excellent trek from start to finish, just when we thought the views could not get any better we would turn a corner and there would be something new and amazing up ahead. Each day seemed more amazing that the last, each meal, cooked with basic equipment more tasty that the last. The ‘menu’ was well designed to replenish after the exertion of the trek and prepare you for the next stage. The accommodation in the mountain villages was basic, as expected, but our hosts got set up quickly to make the gîtes as comfortable as possible. Some of the guides would go ahead with the mules to get set up before we arrived and make sure that the tea was ready to drink. Our trip coincided with the end of the walnut harvest and the start of the apple harvest, so the local farmers were busy collecting and sorting the. The farmers were generous in providing additional fresh snacks as were made our way along the same mountain tracks that they were using to gather their crops. An unforgettable trip.
— Katie, October 2021
This trek was amazing; by far the best trip I've ever been on. The landscape was absolutely breathtaking, and the whole thing ran so smoothly. The Riads in Marrakech were comfortable and clean and the gites, though basic, were so welcoming. Hussein (our guide) knew the area like the back of his hand and could answer all our questions from culture to geology! I was also pleased to see that the porters had good kit from well-known brands (e.g. Solomon hiking boots) and the mules were clearly well cared for (plenty of food brought for them, not overloaded, coats shiny etc). Overall, an absolutely incredible experience - most of our group was already booking another MBA trip as soon as we got back to Marrakech!
— Joseph, December 2019
The views and terrain were amazing, our guides were extremely accommodating, food was great and bountiful. The accommodation was better than I'd expected!
— Anna, December 2019
Everything about this trip was incredible. Lovely hiking routes. Stunning views of the mountains daily. Basically nobody else on the trails and got to observe Berber culture first hand. The food was delicious. And most importantly the local guides (Mohamed and team) were really lovely and knowledgeable. I can't recommend enough.
— Natasha, December 2019
Up there with one of the best hiking trips I've ever had, the guides were wonderful, views spectacular, the whole experience well planned.
— Aili, November 2019
The whole experience - the scenery, our guide Mohamed and the muleteers were just amazing, friendly and cheerful. They did everything with smiles, which made me feel so warm and welcomed in Morroco!
— Tori, November 2019
Great walking, good food, stunning scenery, easy-going and knowledgeable guides.
Included
Guides
Experienced, English speaking mountain guide
Accommodation
2 nights in a Marrakech Riad, 3 nights in traditional Berber Gite homes
Meals
All your meals are included
Transfers
To and from the airport and everything in-between
Porterage
Mules to carry your luggage
Not Included
Flights to and from the meeting point
Tips for your guides
Personal expenses
The Area
Logistics
Starts
Marrakech Airport (RAK)
Arrive anytime on Day 1
Ends
Marrakech Airport (RAK)
Depart anytime on Day 6
Transfers
Private transfers between the airport and your Riad are included for any time (and day) you choose to arrive or depart.
Travel options
There are regular flights to Marrakech from airports across the UK and Europe.
Day 1
Traditional riad · Twin share
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 2
Homestay · Mixed dorm
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 3 – Day 4
Homestay · Mixed dorm
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 5
Traditional riad · Twin share
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 6
Departure day
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
What is the food like?
Meals on this trek are fresh, healthy and distinctly Moroccan prepared by your Berber cook. For breakfast, expect bread and jam/butter, cookies, fruit, juice, coffee and milk. For lunch, expect salad, tomatoes, carrots, lentils or beans, rice or pasta, sardines or tuna, and fruit. For dinner meanwhile, expect soup, tajine, couscous, olives, nuts and fruit. Most dietary requirements can be catered for, just let your host know in advance.
Vegetarians, vegans and other dietary requirements and allergies can be catered for - please just request on your passenger info form
What is the accommodation like?
Marrakech
In Marrakech, you'll stay in a beautiful riad - traditional Moroccan houses with an interior garden or courtyard. The exact riad you stay in will be confirmed nearer the time based on availability and group size. All are chosen for their excellent reputation, location, beautiful decor and welcoming service.
Upgrades
For solo travellers looking for their own space, an optional private room can be booked for an extra charge (only for the Marrakech nights), see Optional Extras for the price. Please request this at the time of booking (this is subject to availability).
The Atlas Mountains
You'll stay in local Berber homes known as a Gite d'Etape or just gite. Translating roughly as 'staging post,' these gites are home to Berber families who will be your hosts. Facilities are basic, but there's no better way to see the real Morocco.
Upgrades
Because of the style of accommodation, private upgrades are not available on this trip.
Day 1
Explore the sights and sounds of Marrakech
Your host will meet you at the airport and take you to your traditional riad accommodation in Marrakech’s historic medina. You'll then get the chance to spend the day exploring the city’s colourful souks, wander the UNESCO-listed main square and indulge in some amazing Moroccan food.
Day 2
Imi Oughlad to Tiziane
Hiking
5hrs · 12km · 650m up · 350m down
Meet your fellow adventurers and drive to the trailhead in Imi Oughlad where you’ll meet your local support team. Hike along a dirt track and into the Moroccan countryside alongside your mule train. Enjoy a picnic lunch at 2000m and after a rest in the shade, continue to the picturesque, red clay village of Tiziane (1750m) where you’ll indulge in a delicious Moroccan dinner in a local gite.
Day 3
Springs and forests
Hiking
5hrs · 15km · 600m up · 700m down
Hike through walnut and cherry groves to the refreshing Assaka spring where you’ll relax over a picnic lunch. In the afternoon, gently descend along the forest edge to the traditional Berber village of D’knt or nearby Agouns n Assol (1870m) and enjoy a hot meal in another working Berber home.
Day 4
Berber life
Hiking
6-7hrs · 17km · 1000m up · 800m down
Hike to a freshwater spring, passing shepherds and goatherds tending their flocks and Berber women and children carrying firewood and herbs on their backs in the traditional way. Continue through an amazing landscape of steep, stacked agricultural terraces to the scenic village of Tamsoult (1850m) for another night in a traditional home.
Day 5
Back to Marrakech
Hiking
4-5hrs · 13km · 550m up · 650m down
Start the day with a scenic hike to a nearby waterfall and then continue up and over the Tizi n Mzik pass. At 2000m, this is the highest point on the trek! Enjoy the view and then descend through a shady valley of juniper and pine to the town of Imlil. Eat lunch while you stare at majestic Mount Toubkal – the highest peak in North Africa – then say farewell to your guide and support team and head back to Marrakech in time for onward travel or some more time in this beautiful country.
Day 6
Time to go home and rest those legs
Relax over your last Moroccan breakfast, explore the town some more if you have time, then transfer to the airport to catch your flight home.
15% Off Outdoor Gear
What's provided?
- Sleeping bag (you can bring your own if you like)
What do I need to bring?
- Sturdy hiking boots or hiking shoes (broken in)
- Personal toiletries
- Towel
- Warm layers including gloves and a hat
- Sun protection
- Small backpack to carry daily items
- Flashlight or headlamp
- Raingear (jacket and trousers),
- Water bottle or hydration bladder
- Sleeping bag liner
Pre/Post Trip Accommodation Double/Twin Room
Payable Before Departure
Pre/Post Trip Accommodation Double/Twin Room
… Per Night
Pre/Post Trip Accommodation Single Room
Payable Before Departure
Pre/Post Trip Accommodation Single Room
… Per Night
Optional Private Room Upgrade
Payable Before Departure
Optional Private Room Upgrade
…
We've crunched the numbers to work out the total carbon footprint of this trip, and plant enough trees to suck 2x as much back out the atmosphere.
What's the number?
It works out on average at 325kg of CO2 emissions per person, including all local transport, accommodation, food, activities, guides, staff and office operations.
The only thing it doesn’t include right now is flights and travel to the destination. We do make an overall estimate across all our customers separately, but as we don’t book flights, have customers from all corners of the world, and no way of reliably knowing their travel plans, we simply can’t include an individual number in the figure on display here. We’ve got a goal for 2022 to fix that, so that when you book, there is a way to measure and mitigate the carbon emitted by your flight too.
But what does the number mean?
Yep, hard to picture eh? To give you an idea:
- Driving 1000miles/1609km would be approx. 281kg of CO2 in an average car (or 140.5kg per person if there was 2 of you in it).
- A return economy class flight London - New York would be approx. 1,619kg (1.66 tonnes) per person.
- 10 trees in a temperate forest are estimated to remove approx. 250kg of CO2 from the air in a period of 5-10 years.
What are we doing about it?
Our trips are relatively low-carbon by design, and we're working with all our hosts to develop long term carbon reduction plans. For every person booked with us since 2016 we’re planting enough trees to suck at least 2x more carbon out the atmosphere than is emitted by their trips. All native trees, as part of amazing projects that are re-foresting degraded land, tackling the biodiversity crisis and supporting local communities at the same time. We go further than that too, also funding re-wilding projects worldwide to help protect important keystone species from extinction. See the reforestation and re-wilding schemes we support. See our carbon action plan.
Want to know more?
Amazingly, no international travel company has ever publicly published their carbon measurements before, as far as we know. We believe that must change, quickly. So we’re openly sharing the method we used in the hope that other companies will be able to more easily follow suit and build on what we've done so far. You'll find it all here.
You'll be following established trails but the elevation and long days can be tiring, so a moderate level of fitness and stamina is needed.
Sure can! Over 50% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.
From April to October, daytime temperatures in the valleys are typically warm (25 - 30°C) but cool off considerably at night, and the higher you go, the cooler it gets. In the winter, daytime temperatures are still warm (10 - 20°C), but nighttime temperatures can drop below freezing. Afternoon storms are always possible in the Atlas Mountains during the summer months, but typically the winter months are wetter.
It rains a little in the valleys and snows on the peaks for a few days a month in the winter. Still, the amounts are small and generally, they don’t prevent anyone from enjoying the trek. The valleys are still warm and the snow on the high peaks makes the scenery that much more beautiful!
View detailed weather for the area here on Mountain Forecast
You can leave luggage you don't need in Marrakech, your host will store it safely.
We recommend checking out the country specific information here and also talking to a travel nurse.
For current advice about travelling in Morocco, have a read of the UK Foreign Office pages here.
Tips are not included in the trip cost. These are entirely at your discretion but there is an expectation to tip for good service. Your guide will help with advice however we suggest a minimum of 150 - 200 Dirham per person.
Of course, you are free to tip more or less and the amount should be reflective of your perception of service and quality - a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
Our recommended travel insurance provider is Campbell Irvine.
Travel insurance is compulsory on all of our adventures. Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure.
Your insurance policy should also include specific Covid-19 cover, including cancellation and curtailment cover if you, your travel companion or a close relative are diagnosed with Covid-19.
We fully endorse Campbell Irvine as their insurance offers all of the above, so get in touch with them or call on 020 7938 1734 to get your insurance sorted. We suggest that you book travel insurance as soon as you book your adventure, just to cover you for any last minute life changes. We know you’re an active lot and injuries do happen!
We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.
If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.
All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy (18+) as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. Children can be accommodated on some private departures.
Full Financial Protection
Your money is safe. Every booking is fully financially protected.
Covid Refund Guarantee
If your trip is cancelled due to Covid choose from free date changes, account credit, or a full refund.