Craggy Mountains, Berber Villages, Marrakesh, and More
Morocco: The High Atlas Trek
Overview
An adventurous trek through the spectacular High Atlas Mountains is not just one of the most scenic hikes in the world—it's also an immersion into the culture of the Berber people, Morocco's original inhabitants. Few roads penetrate this craggy mountain stronghold, where the agrarian way of life has changed very little in a hundred years. As we trek, we see Berber women in brightly colored dresses tending fields amid mud-brick villages, and higher up, we meet shepherds in summer pastures. We often visit homes to share a cup of mint tea with these friendly, open, mountain people. Scenic grandeur abounds, from towering limestone peaks to sheer red-rock canyons. Our journey also explores the fairytale walled city of Fes, and Marrakesh, where labyrinthine bazaars beckon.
Arrive: Casablanca, Morocco
Depart: Marrakesh, Morocco
Highlights
- Camp and hike in the spectacular High Atlas, with “river trekking” through sheer-walled gorges
- Enjoy timeless pastoral villages, dramatic canyons, discover the distinctive Berber culture
- Make an optional ascent of Mt. M'Goun for breathtaking High Atlas views
- Explore the medieval medina of Fes and bustling bazaars of Marrakesh
Itinerary
We discover Casablanca and Rabat, from the immense Hassan II Mosque to the 12th century Oudaya Kasbah, then head for the glories of ancient Fes, resplendent with minarets and domes. The Fes medina dazzles the eye and the senses: it's a completely preserved and thriving medieval Arab city.
Driving across the Middle Atlas and into the High Atlas, we overnight in a small market town and then in the remote mountain village of Ait Imi at 6,500 feet. Our 6-day trek starts with a hike through picturesque Berber villages and then leads us into high summer pastures, with a crossing of a 10,240-foot pass for views of snowy Mt. M'Goun (13,346'). We'll offer an optional summit hike the next day. On some days, the scenery is reminiscent of the great red-rock canyons of Bryce and Zion in Utah, with one hike bringing us through a gorge whose 4,000-foot-high walls are only 10 feet apart in places! Nomadic Berber herders spend the summers in these mountains with their herds, then take them down to the Sahara for winter grazing, a practice known as transhumance.
The 13,000-foot peaks of the High Atlas make a magnificent backdrop for fabled Marrakesh, an immensely beautiful and charismatic city. This vibrant city has been a metropolis for the tribes of the High Atlas since the 11th century. We discover Marrakesh on foot, roaming the monuments and souks, and depart on Day 15.
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
What the Trip is Like
This trip is Level 4, Moderate to Strenuous, according to our trip grading system. It combines easy touring and overland exploration with a moderate 6-day trek.
Review Trip Level Details
On the trek, we hike at altitudes of 6,000 to 10,000 feet and camp at altitudes between 7,000 and 8,000 feet. The trek involves a good bit of up-and-down hiking (between 1,000- and 3,000-foot gain or loss in elevation per day). For the most part, you can hike at your own speed; the group will spread out along the trail during the day during our 4-7 hours of hiking. The trails are mostly rock, sometimes carved out of hillsides, but some are well-worn from village use. There are some short, steep climbs, and some rough going in dry riverbeds. Our hiking also includes "river trekking," wading across rivers that are usually 6-12 inches deep (with lots of crossings in and out), but can range up to 20-30 inches for short distances in the most narrow and deepest part of the river. The water temperature is generally comfortable, a bit cool in the mornings, but warms up quite fast as the day progresses. There is an optional ascent of M'Goun (13,346') on Day 9.
We recommend that you make a special effort to get in top physical shape for the trip. Daily walking or regular hiking, jogging, and stair-climbing, are excellent preparatory exercises.
Morocco has wide range of climatic variations but the weather is largely moderate, with a cooling influence from the Mediterranean and Atlantic oceans. Temperatures in the High Atlas Mountains for July and August range from 70-84°F or more, but will, of course, fluctuate with altitude.
We have 8 nights in first-class and best-available hotels, 1 night Berber house, and 5 nights expedition-style camping. At the camps, there is a private (though rustic) bathing tent, which includes a bucket of hot water you can use to wash yourself.
Client Testimonials
"I especially liked the combination of the exposure to the culture, both in the cities and in the mountains, and the trekking experience."
David F.
Quincy, MA
"The trip itinerary was exceptional. No other company could match it. And wonderful hotels. I loved our Trip Leader's command of several languages—French, Arabic, and Berber dialects."
Jocelyn S.
Arvada, CO
"I was impressed with the coordination and efficiency of the trekking support. All of the muleteers were always cheerful, available and willing to help. Housain the cook was exceptional and we were amazed what he could prepare in his camp kitchen. I would happily have continued traveling with them!"
Kathleen I.
San Francisco, CA
"This trip rocked all my expectations!"
Linda W.
Tucson, AZ
"An excellent trip combining cultural sightseeing with mountain trekking."
Mark P.
Middletown, CT
"The Atlas trek was much more beautiful and memorable than I could have imagined. Seeing and learning about the Amazir, their azibs, transhumance, as well as the isolated valleys was fascinating."
Natalie L.
Warwick, Bermuda
"A well balanced trip with a blend of culture and mountain trekking and exactly what I was looking for. Our Trip Leader's knowledge and passion for the High Atlas mountains and Berber culture was exceptional."
Terry W.
New York, NY
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Book your trip today
Our Area Specialists know every detail about our tours. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!
Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.
Level 1 – Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Level 2 – Easy to Moderate
Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Level 3 – Moderate
Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
- Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
- Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
- Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
- Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.
Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Level 5 – Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Level 6 – Very Strenuous
Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.