07 Mountains and Marrakech

Suggested Itinerary Number : 07

Mountain Explorer and Marrakech

For those who love the beauty and peace of the mountains this trip provides the opportunity to relax or to trek on foot or bikes together with a short experience of the souks and sights of Marrakech.

7-10 nights, all year round, flights into Marrakech:

• 4-5 nights High Atlas (Ourigane, Imlil and OurikaValley) or Middle Atlas (Ouzoud) Mountains
• 2-3 nights Marrakech

Transport options: Taxi or car (self-drive or with driver) outside Marrakech.

Extension options: Essaouira.

Activity options: Day or overnight trekking on horse, camel, mountain bike or foot, and day excursions from Marrakech.

Short Trips to do whilst in the High Atlas

Ourika Valley and Setti Fatma: an ideal area for gentle hiking with a harder hike at Setti Fatma’s seven waterfalls Organic herb garden. Souk on Monday at Tnine Ourika.

Lalla Takerkoust Lake and Amizmiz: Lake offering a wide range of watersports. Souk on Tuesday at Amizmiz, reputed to be the best in the region.

Imlil: Stunning mountain scenery. Souk on Saturday at Asni en route.

Ouirgane: Options to visit a spa, relax by a pool or take a stroll or a trek. Souk on Thursdays.

A Choice of Destinations in the High Atlas

With the High Atlas a little more than an hour from the centre of Marrakech and the airport this trip combination provides easy access to two contrasting dimensions of Morocco. The drama of the High Atlas with the Toubkal Massif rising to 4,167 metres and strikingly attractive valleys where the ancient terraced fields and Berber hamlets cling to the slopes offer both opportunities for gentle walking or more demanding treks.

Ouirgane

A Berber village situated in a scenic bowl shaped valley in the High Atlas Mountains some 90 minutes south west of Marrakech, Ouirgane buzzes with activity on Thursdays when Berber families flock down from the mountains by donkey for the weekly souk. It has become a very popular base for day walks into the Tassa Ouirgane National Park and longer treks to Jbel Toubkal and Amizmiz areas.

Imlil

A thriving trekking centre in the High Atlas Mountains just 90 minutes south of Marrakech, the village is in a wonderful setting overlooked by Jbel Toubkal which, at 4,167 metres, is the highest peak in North Africa. There is a wide choice of treks for all abilities amongst some of the most stunning mountainous scenery Morocco has to offer.

Ourika Valley

The Ourika Valley is one of the most stunning valleys in the High Atlas offers a pretty escape from the summer heat of Marrakech, only a relatively short drive away. On the river, high up in the valley is the village of Setti Fatma, surrounded by the high peaks of the High Atlas and with a number of waterfalls a short walk away (season dependent).

Asni

A small town, just 45 minutes south of Marrakech, which has grown up at a crossroads on the edge of the High Atlas, Asni is a good point from which to access walks on the Kik plateau, well known for a carpet of Alpine spring flowers. It has a souk on Saturdays.

Marrakech

Marrakech is the gateway to Morocco for most visitors, and understandably so.  One of the four imperial cities, it is a lively city with a true Moroccan soul and culture, a feast for the senses that caters well for visitors. From the atmospheric souks of the medina, to the villages of the High Atlas Mountains a short drive away, Marrakech offers a vast range of options for the visitor either on a short trip or as part of a longer adventure.

Request a Quotation or Tel: UK: 0845 345 7195 (local rate) or 01239 710 814