Sample Itineraries for Tours in Morocco

Marrakech Atlas Trips

Trips from Marrakech including the Atlas Village of Telouet (1 Day+)

Take a one day trip from Marrakech to see the diversity of Morocco’s landscapes and experience the traditional culture of the Atlas Berbers. Visit the relaxed coastal town of Essaouira, the waterfalls of Ouzoud, the Ourika valley or the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kasbah Ait Benhaddou.

A popular day trip is to the High Atlas village of Telouet. Cross the highest Atlas Mountain road pass of the Tizi-n-Tichka to this traditional Berber village and visit the abandoned Kasbah of el Glaoui, former Pasha of Marrakech, and wander through a traditional Berber souk on Thursdays, with the local community, to shop for tagine spices and local honey.

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Marrakech Day Trips including the Atlas Mountains

Telouet, visit the abandoned Kasbah of el Glaoui
Essouira, a former Portuguese Colony and enjoyable seaside town
Ouzoud, one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Morocco
Ourika Valley and the waterfalls (short walk) at Setti Fatima
Ait Benhaddou, visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kasbah Ait Benhaddou
Imlil, lunch at Kasbah Toubkal.

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Marrakech Day Trips to the Berber Village of Telouet

Telouet is a fascinating and traditional High Atlas Berber village with a rich history and the abandoned Kasbah of el Glaoui, former Pasha of Marrakech. The small village, where the descendants of the slave of the Pasha live, lies across the stream at the base of the Kasbah. In the region are the salt mines, once an important staging post for the trans-Saharan camel caravans, and the verdant valley of Tighza with traditional Berber homes and valley gardens where crops are grown e.g. cereals, mint, fruit and alfalfa.

We will meet you at your Riad or Hotel and transfer you in a private 4x4 with local driver across the High Atlas Tizi n’Tichka (2260m), the highest road pass in Morocco, with breath-taking views. Arrive in Telouet and enjoy a guided tour of the remains of the abandoned Kasbah of el Glaoui followed by lunch in a Berber café.

Colourful Berber Souks play an important role in Moroccan village life and, each week in Telouet, there is a traditional market where you can wander amongst the local community as they shop for meat on the hoof, dates, spices, fresh vegetables and all manner of household goods. Donkey is a common mode of Berber transport to the weekly market and there is Donkey Park, with attendant, that incurs a donkey parking fee.

For further information about Telouet: ‘Lords of the Atlas, The Rise and Fall of the House of Glaoua 1893-1956’ by Gavin Maxwell.

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Atlas Walking Holidays & Mule Treks (2 days +)

An Atlas walking holiday or mountain trek in the region of Telouet is a great way to spend a couple of days from Marrakech. Base yourself in a Berber Guesthouse and take guided daily walks with a picnic lunch. We offer 2 or 3-days+ guided walking holidays with transfers from Marrakech.

As an alternative, trek with a Berber Guide and mules to carry the kit, through Berber villages and verdant valleys. Breathe the pure mountain air, enjoy the far-reaching views and camp by a mountain lake in the summer. You can also trek from Telouet to Ait Benhaddou, across the original trade route, sleeping overnight with Berber families.

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What to do in Telouet

Visit the abandoned Kasbah of el Glaoui
Base yourself in a Berber Guesthouse and take daily guided walks
Atlas Mountain Trek, with or without mules
Savour home-cooked Moroccan cuisine
Shop at the traditional Berber Souk for a Moroccan cookery lesson
Visit the Berber Nomad Depot for rugs woven in the region
Visit the salt mines* once visited by passing camel caravans

*Salt is an inexpensive and readily available commodity but, in older times, wars were fought over salt and huge taxes were levied on it. In some places, salt was in such high demand that it was minted into coins that were as valuable as gold and functioned as the basic currency for ancient civilizations.

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Atlas Mule Trekking - Sample Trek from Marrakech

Day 1 - Transfer (3hrs) from Marrakech to the High Atlas Berber village of Telouet. Start your Atlas Mule Trek with a mountain guide, cook and mules (to carry the kit). Pass through Berber villages and enjoy the mountain views as you walk along forest tracks and mule trails. Overnight at Tighza in Berber Guesthouse (1900m). 6hrs walking.

Day 2 - Continue trekking from Tighza (1900m) across Atlas mule paths, with wonderful views, to Lake Tamda (2661m); along the route you may meet Berber nomads, who live in the caves, with their herds of sheep and goats. Overnight close to the lake in 2-person tents. 5-6hrs walking.

Day 3 - Continue trekking from Lake Tamda (2661m) to the Cascades of Tizi-n-Tounent (3049m). The route crosses the Plateau d’Amfergal (2247m) and Aglagal (2373m). Overnight close to the waterfalls in 2-person tents. 5-6hrs walking.

Day 4 - Continue trekking from the Cascades of Tizi-n-Tounent (3049m) to the valley of d’Anmiter (1751m). From Anmiter take a taxi to Telouet via the salt mines. Overnight Berber Gite in Telouet. 5-6hrs walking.

Day 5 - Morning tour of Telouet including the Kasbah of el Glaoui. Lunch and return to Marrakech.

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Marrakech Atlas Desert Tours

See the diversity of Morocco on a combined Atlas Desert tour. Walk in the mountains and then transfer to the Sahara, via the oasis gorges and valley of one thousand Kasbahs, to camel trek in Erg Chebbi or Erg Chigaga. After your desert sojourn, return to Marrakech via the World Heritate Site of Kasbah Ait Benhaddou. See 'Tea in the Sahara Desert Tours' for more information

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Tour Price Guide

The cost of a private tour, in your own 4x4 with aircon and a local Moroccan driver, depends:

The number in your party e.g. couple, group of friends or family
The number of days
Preferred hotels and activities
Family rates available

Price guide per person for private tours:

1 day tour with private 4x4 and driver from 400 Moroccan Dirhams
2 day tour with private 4x4 and driver from 1500 Moroccan Dirhams
3 day tour with private 4x4 and driver from 2800 Moroccan Dirhams
4 day tour with private 4x4 and driver from 3400D Moroccan Dirhams
5 day tour with private 4x4 and driver from 4100 Moroccan Dirhams
Contact us or a free ‘no-obligation’ quote

To convert Moroccan Dirhams into the currency of your choice: 'Currency Converter'.

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Testimonials

"We would just like to say what a lovely experience we had on the Atlas mountain tour to Telouet. The driver/guide was punctual and courteous and we enjoyed the tour around the berber village. We would not hesitate to recomend you."
"Morocco is far and seems already long ago. However, we had a great time on the trip to Telouet. Glad we took it. It gave us a different perspective. Not only the cities but thanks to the trip also the countryside. The driver was friendly and we had a good time with him. I can recommend everyone who comes to Marrakesh a trip like the one we had. Let's say in Arabic "shokran"."

"Thank you - we had a really wonderful trip and I consider our two days in Telouet to be a real highlight. We were picked up very promptly from Marrakech and our driver was very friendly and patiently waited as we captured the stunning scenery on camera. The couple we stayed with were extremely kind - they fed us well, prepared the hammam on our return from our long walk and were very courteous. Our guide took us on two good walks - the second (on our second day) was particularly beautiful. We were transferred back to Marrakech swiftly and were soon found a grand taxi for Essaouira. Thank you, too, for all your help in advance of our trip - responding swiftly to emails, answering questions over the phone and making all the necessary arrangements for it to go so smoothly. So all in all a really positive experience and I will certainly recommend you/your organisation to others."

"Thanks Liz - just to say we had a really enjoyable day and it was fascinating to see the abandoned Kasbah. The mountains were incredible and definitely another trip is justified, except this time for longer. Please keep us on your mailing list."

"Saturdays' trip into the atlas and to the khazbar was fantastic and Ali was a first class guide, knowing exactly where to plant us tourists for the best pictures and ever watchful of the gathering hawkers. Ali suggested lunch in a cafe just opposite the khazbar for lunch and, whilst the name escapes me, the food, service and ambience were actually the best all weekend … surpassing the hotel by a long, long, way. Simple things are often the best. For Sunday, Hassan, what can we say about Hassan. The guide who seemed to know everyone in Marrakech and they all had complete respect for this man. It made us feel quite safe and, whilst we knew he would lead us down the garden path to "certain" stalls within the soukh, they always seemed to be the very best, most hospitable and most helpful; the visit to the natural remedy pharmacy was unusual but a stroke of genius. Many, many thanks!"

"We had a really great time, Ali was very helpful and really looked after us. Highlights were the desert (bet everyone says that!!!) and the couple of days in Telouet ... we really enjoyed being there and Khalid and Ali were perfect hosts. The only downside was the amount of time traveling, but I understand that you can’t do the itinerary without putting the miles in!! If I were to do again, I think that I would want to take longer over the whole thing ... although neither of us felt "rushed" and it was good to just watch the country side changing. Thank you for organising for us and we will definitely be in touch as and when we return to morocco."

"Thanks very much for organising our trip, especially on such short notice. We had a wonderful time: we had a great driver who was fun to be with, the sights were interesting (especially seeing the Kasbah in Telouet), and the camel trek highlight was better than we expected. Thanks again and we will look you up when returning to Morocco!" "We had an excellent time. The day out was most enjoyable. Ali was superb in looking after us and making us feel welcome. He seemed to take it personally to ensure we had a good time. He could not be faulted and we would be pleased to spend time in his care again. Please pass on our very best regards to him. The trip to the carpet store was fun - the two young men are a delight and although it was business it certainly was a pleasure to spend time with them. Very very bright and charming and fun. - by the way both couples bought a carpet! We would definitely re-visit the 'store'. And if you know them - please pass on our regards and wishes for their future. Lunch was different - the dressing-up and singing - although unexpected - was fun and we haven't laughed out loud so much, without the influence of alcahol, for a long time. The salt mine and castle very interesting, the mountains where fantastic and the stop over for coffee perfect timing and picturesque. All in all a day we are so pleased to have met Abdul and yourself and arranged same. Thank you for your effieciency and care. We are very interested in the trip to the desert and stay over - perhaps we could talk about this some time."

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