Explore The Atlas Mountains & Sahara In 6 Days
Perfect combination of 3 days atlas valleys trek & 3 days desert tour which will take you to the Moroccan Chamonix “Imlil” from where you will take day walks and explore the berber villages prior to travel over the Atlas Mountain on the following days to get to Dades gorges for 1st stop, carry on to Merzouga where you will have a camel ride and overnight on the nomadic dunes then drive back through the stony desert “ Tazarine” via Draa valley on final day over tizi n Tichka pass to back to Marrakech around 18h.
This trek runs all year-round and can depart at any date of your preference.
We usually have several treks departing each week that you may join if you wish , please get in Touch!!
All of our Mountain treks ca be combined with some other tours either to the sahara desert, Imperial cities or to the Atlantic coast,
Pick Up & Drop Off
You will be picked up from your accommodation in Marrakech city, many riads does not have access by car so the driver will park nearby and come to get you.
You will be dropped off at the nearest point to your riad/hotel, our driver can call your riad to meet you if needed.
Route Details
Day 01
Marrakesh - Imi Oughlad - Tinzert
You’ll leave the vehicle on the road up towards Imlil at Imi Oughlad (1,450m) where you will meet your Berber muleteer and guide. Your first day will be an easier aclimatisation trek in the Ouirgane National Park. The terrain here is gentler with copper green soil and juniper trees. Overnight in Gite in Tinzert, a small rustic Berber Village. Aprox. 4 hrs walking time.
Day 02
Tinzert - Azzaden Valley (Ait Aissa)
After breakfast you’ll head up and out of the valley and traverse over to the stunning Azzaden Valley. The views open up with a rushing mountan stream surrounded by lush walnut groves leading up towards Toubkal and her sister peaks at the head of the Valley. Overnight in a village Gite in Ait Aissa. Aprox. 5-6 hours walking.
Day 03
Ait Aissa - Tizi n Mzik - Imlil
Today involves a fantastic climb out of the Azzadene Valley. You'll head up the valley towards Tizi Oussem from where you'll headup towards the pass at Tizi n Mzik (2489m) before descending down into Imlil for an evening relax or short stroll to explore the town Aprox. 4-5 hours walking. overnight in Dar Adrar or similar
Day 04
Imlil - Dades Valley
You will be picked up from your accommodation in Imlil at 9.00am and head out over the Atlas Mountains, driving over the stunning Tizi-n-Tichka mountain pass. You’ll pass through lots of Berber villages, and once you’re in the desert, you’ll see riverside oases and barren hillsides dotted with kasbahs (fortified dwellings that house families and their livestock). Along the way, you will have the option either to take a break and visit the Ouarzazate Film Studios or stop for a hike. Once you reach Dades Gorge, you have the option of going for a hike, or relaxing at your hotel.Overnight in Dades. (Total driving time 7 hours)
Day 05
Dades Valley - Todra gorge - Merzouga
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer from the Dades Valley to Todra Gorge - a massive fault dividing the High Atlas mountains, rising up 300 metres in a narrow valley with palmeries and Berber villages. Here, you can go for a hike to explore the palmery, a green oasis full of large date palms. After lunch you’ll head further into the desert to the gateway town of Merzouga to pick up supplies for your desert trip. You will then drive on to a kasbah to pick up your camel. At sunset, you’ll trek for an hour-and-a-half by camel to a Berber camp where you will enjoy a traditional Moroccan dinner, and sleep under the stars or in tents at a desert camp. (Total driving time 6hours ).
Day 06
Merzouga - Marrakech
Wake up early , just prior to sunrise, we have a 1h30 camel ride at sunrise to explore the area further and we head back to Merzouga on our Camels. When we reach Merzouga, have breakfast & have the opportunity to shower and then we begin our journey through the stony desert and over the Atlas mountains, with plenty of stops for photos, exploring and lunch as we return to Marrakech. The usual arrival time in Marrakech is between 17:00hrs and 18:00hrs. ( 10h drive)
Note : Itinerary is just a guideline and subject to change to suit local condition.
Equipment
Please ensure you have packed all safety essentials. See the Equipment List here if you're unsure of what to bring. Our guides will conduct a final gear check in Imlil before we commence the ascent to the higher altitudes of the Toubkal massif.
Tour Rates
Flexible Pricing
Group 1 person : 900€
Group 2 people : 540€/person
Group 3 people : 470€/person
Group 4 - 7 people : 395€/person
Group 8 - 12 people : 360€/person
What Is Included?
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All transport
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1 Overnight in Dar Adrar (HB)
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English speaking guide, and cook (MT)
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Muleteers and mules for assistance (MT)
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Accommodation in Villages gites during the mountain trek.
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Full board on trek + mineral water, coffee and tea (MT)
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4x4 or Mini-bus during Desert tour
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2 overnight in hotels at Dades & Ait Benhaddou(HB)
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1 overnight camping on Dunes at Erg Chebbi (HB)
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Camel Ride on Dunes
What Is Not Included
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Travel insurance.
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Soft/alcoholic drinks
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Tips and personal expanses
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Lunches during the desert trip.
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Entrance fee (Monuments visits)
Accommodation & Shelters
1st night in Village Gite in Tinzert
2nd night in a village Gite in Ait Aissa
3rd night in Dar Adrar guesthouse in Imlil or similar
4th Night in hotel in Dades Gorges
5th Night in a nomadic tent at Erg Chebbi dunes
Clothing & Essential Equipment
Essential Equipment
Can Be Hired From Us
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Good walking boots and socks / good trainers for valley treks
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Personnel First aid Kit
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3 to 4 season sleeping bag ( winter) or light Sleeping bag ( Summer)
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Lightweight waterproof over-trousers / rain-pants
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Water bottle or camel back (recommended)
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Soft-sided bag (50-80 litres)
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Lightweight daypack
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Sunglasses
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Sunscreen
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Torch and batteries
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Towels & all personal toiletries
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Ask us to see what we have
What Is Appropriate Attire In Morocco?
Morocco is a conservative and religious country, which means you always need to be mindful of your clothing choices. This is especially true in the country’s more rural areas, which include the Sahara Desert and its surrounding villages. As a general rule of thumb, you should always attempt to cover body parts considered “private”. For women, this means covering the arms (or at least the shoulders) and the knees up. For men, it requires covering up the shoulders and above the knee.
High Energy Meals
Meals on the trek are cooked by the Berber muleteers. The food is fresh and healthy. Example meals:
Breakfast: Jam, bread, cookies, fruit, juice, butter, coffee, milkLunch: salad, tomatoes, carrots, lentils, beans, rice or pasta, fish (sardines, tuna), seasonal fruit
Dinner: Soup, classic Morooccan tajine, couscous, olives, nuts, fruit
Can my dietary requirements be catered to?
Absolutely. Just let us know about your catering preferences when you confirm your booking to ensure any dietary requirements are met. Please remind as well your guide and cook on first day of the trek.
Start Your Journey
Ready to explore the Atlas Mountains? Reach out to us for detailed trek inquiries, tailor-made itineraries, or any questions about our Berber-led adventure tours.
Email: aztat.trek@gmail.com
Phone: +212 668-760165
Location: Imlil, Morocco
Personal baggage, cooking equipment and food are carried by the mules, leaving you to carry only a rucksack with whatever you need close at hand for the day. NB: Left luggage or unnecessary luggage can be left safely in our storage in Imlil till you come back from the trek.