Experience two sensational landscapes in Morocco on this 8-day guided tour
The Atlas Valley Trek and Sahara Desert Tour is the perfect way to combine an exciting desert adventure with a beautiful trek through the Atlas Mountains. Your trek takes you over exquisite and scenic mountain passes without climbing to altitudes above 2,000 m. You’ll see beautiful panoramic views and take lovely forested trails past waterfalls.
After your trekking tour, venture out into the Sahara Desert where you can explore the incredible Todra Gorge canyon, ride camels at sunset out to a traditional Berber camp, then spend the night in the camp. You’ll explore ancient fortified Kasbahs and the city of Ait Benhaddou, which is a popular backdrop for filming Hollywood movies. All of this and more awaits you on the Atlas Valley Trek and Sahara Desert Tour, so don’t miss your chance to take this amazing trip!
Highlights of The Atlas Valley Trek & Sahara Desert Tour
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Atlas Valley Trek + Sahara Desert Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Marrakesh
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!
Overnight Location: Riad Viewpoint, Marrakesh
Distance: N/A
Meals: None
Day 2 Transfer to Imlil and trek to Tizi Oussem
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.
Overnight Location: Guesthouse in Tizi Oussem
Distance: 5 hrs
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 Trek to the villages of Id Issa & Matat, then return to Imlil
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.
Overnight Location: Dar Adrar Guesthouse, Imlil
Distance: 5-6 hrs
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 Transfer to Dades Valley via Ouarzazate
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.
Overnight Location: Dar Essayaha, Dades
Distance: 7 hrs of driving
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5 Sunset Camel Ride and Camp in the Sahara
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.
Overnight Location: Desert camping
Distance: 6 hours of driving
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6 Camel Trek and then transfer to Ait Benhaddou
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.
Overnight Location: La Rose du Sable, Ait Benhaddou
Distance: 6 hours of driving
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7 Explore Telouet on drive to Marrakesh
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.
Overnight Location: Riad Viewpoint, Marrakesh
Distance: 4 hrs of driving
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 Departure
Sadly, your adventure in Marrakesh just came to an end. After breakfast, you will transfer to the airport for your flight.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
Atlas Valley Trek & Sahara Desert Tour Dates and Prices
This guided tour of the Atlas Valley and Sahara Desert is always run as a private tour for your group only and the pricing always depend on the size of your group.
Prices below are per person sharing a double or a triple room:
- Guided Groups of 4: from $775 USD per person
Please note that the pricing might change depending on the size of your group
Book NowAccommodation on the Atlas Valley Trek + Sahara Desert Tour
Accommodation along your trek will be in simple Berber gites and guesthouses for an authentic experience of Moroccan life and culture. Camping is an option during the summer months. On the desert tour, stay in hotels and guesthouses for 3 nights and spend 1 night camping in Nomadic tents.
Before and after your trek, stay in a 3-star Riad (bed and breakfast) in Marrakesh. Rooms are double occupancy, and single travelers will pay a supplement.
In some cases, accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other, comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
You can pay a supplement to have a private room as a solo traveler. In some cases, there may be other solo travelers, and we can match you with participants of the same sex.
Hotels on Standard Tour
Riad Viewpoint, Marrakesh ★★★★
Lovely Moroccan-style rooms await you, as well as a beautiful rooftop terrace with a great view. For an extra treat, request a room near the terrace!
Gite in Tizi Oussem
Stay in an authentic gite in Tizi Oussem. The amenities here are basic but sufficient.
Hotel Dar Adrar, Imlil (Guesthouse) ★
A small, clean, and comfortable guesthouse in central Imlil with en suite facilities and cozy fireplaces in each room.
Dar Essayaha, Dades
This beautiful hotel, surrounded by beautiful views from all around, is a true gem. The service here is great and the building itself is full of atmosphere and historic touches.
Desert camping, Merzouga
Camp in nomadic tent under the starry sky for the most authentic Saharan experience!
Rose Du Sable, Ait Benhaddou (Bed and Breakfast)
This guesthouse is basic, but the rooms are big and clean. The location is great – right next to the Kasbah!
Riad Viewpoint, Marrakesh ★★★★
Lovely Moroccan-style rooms await you, as well as a beautiful rooftop terrace with a great view. For an extra treat, request a room near the terrace!
What’s included in the Atlas Valley Trek + Sahara Desert Tour?
Meals
7 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 5 dinners are included. All meals, as well as mineral water on the trek, are included. Lunches are not included during the Sahara Desert tour.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 7 nights are included as described.
Transportation during the Tour
All transportation as described in the itinerary is included. Transfers to and from the airport are also included.
Also Included
- Mountain guide and cook on the trek
- Mules for luggage transport on the trek
- 4x4 or mini-bus tour in the desert
- Camel ride on the dunes
- Airport Transfers to and from the Marrakesh airport
Not included
- Flights to and from Marrakesh
- Lunches during the desert tour
- Soft drinks or alcoholic beverages
- Entrance fee for monument visits
- Personal gear
- Travel insurance
Optional Extras
- Gear rentals (€2-5 EUR/day per item)
- Extra nights in Marrakesh
Frequently Asked Questions about Atlas Valley Trek & Sahara Desert Tour
Aztat Treks (also known at Atlas Trek Shop) is a trekking holiday specialist based in Morocco. Learn about the incredible history, culture and food of Morocco with brothers Mohamed and Ibrahim and their handpicked team of guides, drivers, cooks and muleteers. Aztat has been featured in The Guardian, BBC Radio, Lonely Planet and the Sunday Times.
Learn MoreAtlas Valley Trek & Sahara Desert Tour Map
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