4 Days Atlas & Desert Tour

4 Days Atlas & Desert Tour

This 4 days Atlas & Desert tour adventure begins with a transfer from Marrakech to the High Atlas Mountains, where Day 1 is dedicated to a challenging yet rewarding 6-hour trek from Imlil Valley to the Isk Summit (2520m), offering panoramic views of Mount Toubkal and descending via the ancient Berber village of Aroumd. Day 2 transitions to a scenic drive over the Tizi N’tichka Pass, visiting the UNESCO-listed Aït Benhaddou Kasbah and the film city of Ouarzazate before overnighting in the Dades Valley. Day 3 continues through the dramatic landscapes of the Dades Valley and Todra Gorges, culminating in a camel trek into the Erg Chebbi sand dunes near Merzouga for a night in a Berber desert camp. Finally, Day 4 features a Sahara sunrise and the long, direct return drive across the High Atlas Mountains to conclude the tour back in Marrakech.

ITINERARY:

Day 1: Marrakech to Imlil Valley & Isk Summit Trek (6h Hike)

Your adventure begins with a pickup from your Marrakech accommodation after breakfast, followed by a 1.5-hour scenic drive into the High Atlas Mountains to the Imlil Valley (1740m). After checking into your base lodge and meeting the local team, you embark on an easy, yet rewarding, 6-hour loop hike. The trail ascends through the tranquil Tidli Forest, winding past aromatic pine and juniper groves. You’ll gain steady altitude, passing shepherd shelters, until reaching the Isk Summit (2520m). This vantage point offers spectacular, panoramic views, including the towering Mount Toubkal. The descent leads you through the forest to Aroumd, a large, ancient Berber village known for its traditional stone houses, before a gentle path returns you to the lodge for a well-deserved rest and a farewell dinner.

Day 2: Imlil to Kasbah Trail & Dades Valley

Leaving Imlil at 8:30 AM, you journey across the High Atlas via the breathtaking Tizi N’tichka Pass (2260m). Your first major stop is the fortified village of Aït Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site and famous Kasbah, where you’ll pause for lunch. In the afternoon, the drive continues to Ouarzazate, known as the ‘Gateway to the Sahara,’ for a photo stop at the Atlas Film Studios and a panoramic view of the Taourirt Kasbah. The day concludes with the drive through the Valley of Roses to Boumalne du Dadès, where you will check in for dinner and overnight accommodation at a local hotel.

Day 3: Dades Valley to Erg Chebbi Dunes (Merzouga)

Today, the route takes you through the stunning geology of the Dades Valley and the towering cliffs of the Todra Gorges, allowing time for exploration and photo opportunities. After an en-route lunch, the journey pushes on towards the Sahara Desert. The final destination is Merzouga, the gateway to the magnificent Erg Chebbi sand dunes. Here, you will meet your camels for an unforgettable ride deep into the dunes, arriving at a traditional Berber desert camp just before sunset. Dinner and the night are spent under the stars in the peaceful solitude of the desert.

Day 4: Merzouga to Marrakech

Start your final day with the magical experience of watching the Sahara sunrise over the dunes. After breakfast, you will ride the camels back to meet your driver. The long, direct return journey to Marrakech begins, traversing the varied landscapes of Morocco. You will stop for lunch along the way before making the final push over the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi N’tichka Pass one last time. Arrival back in the ‘Red City’ of Marrakech is scheduled for the evening, where you will be dropped off at your accommodation, concluding the tour.