Morocco in Motion: 7 Days from Mountains to Desert

overview

This 7-day adventure takes you from the bustling city of Marrakech into the heart of Morocco’s High Atlas Mountains and the vast Sahara Desert. Hike through Imlil Valley, Toubkal National Park, and traditional Berber villages while enjoying waterfalls, terraced fields, and panoramic mountain views. Travel along the Tizi n’Tichka pass, the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs, and the Dades and Todra Gorges. Conclude your journey in Merzouga with a camel trek over golden desert dunes and visit the historic ksar of Ait Benhaddou. Perfect for those seeking trekking, cultural immersion, and desert exploration.

ITINERARY

• 01 Marrakech – Imlil – Tinghourine

  After breakfast in Marrakech, transfer to Imlil where you meet your guide and mule team for the start of your 3-day trek. The trail leads toward Tinghourine via Tizi n’Tamatert (2,279m). Picnic lunch in the cool, green spaces of the pass before continuing through Ouanesekra and Tamguist. Overnight in a local gîte in Tinghourine (1,600m). ⏱️ 4 hours walking.

• 02 Tinghourine – Ikkiss – Id Aissa

  The trek continues along the Imnane Valley, passing through the village of Ikkiss (1,700m), where you’ll pause to enjoy panoramic views and snap photos of authentic Berber life. Then climb to Tizi n’Aguersioual (2,000m) before descending to Matate village for lunch. Continue toward Id Aissa (1,800m), where you will spend the night in a Berber gîte. ⏱️ 6–7 hours walking.

• 03 Id Aissa – Tizi n’Mzik – Imlil – Armed

  After breakfast, the trail leads through Toubkal National Park toward the region’s highest waterfalls (2,300m). Continue to Mzik Pass (2,500m) with its sweeping views over the Aït Mizan Valley. Lunch in Mzik, then descend to Imlil. Overnight in Armed, the highest village in the valley. ⏱️ 5–6 hours walking.

• 04 Imlil – Tizi n’Tichka – Dades Valley

  Today the trek portion ends and you set off by road. Travel through Asni, Moulay Brahim Gorges, and Tahnaout before climbing the winding road to Tizi n’Tichka Pass. Descend via scattered Berber villages and secluded gorges. Continue along the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs, stop in Ouarzazate for lunch, then pass through Kelaat M’Gouna (Valley of Roses). Overnight in the Dades Valley.

• 05 Dades – Todra Gorge – Erfoud – Merzouga

  Drive through the spectacular limestone canyons of the Todra Gorges, where cliffs soar up to 400m. Continue across the desert plain toward Erfoud and Merzouga, gateway to the Sahara. At sunset, ride camels across the dunes to your desert camp. Evening by the fire under a star-filled sky. Overnight in nomad tents.

• 06 Merzouga – Ait Benhaddou

  Wake early to witness a magical sunrise over the dunes. Return by camel to meet your driver. Journey across the desert plain and through the Atlas foothills to Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage ksar and world-famous film location. Overnight in a traditional kasbah or guesthouse near the site.

• 07 Ait Benhaddou – Marrakech

  After breakfast, depart Ait Benhaddou and retrace your route across the High Atlas via Tizi n’Tichka Pass. Arrival in Marrakech by mid-afternoon, where your adventure comes to an end.

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