The snow-capped peaks of the Atlas Mountains are so often visible from Marrakech that it’s hard to resist their Sirens’ call. Meanwhile, the Agafay Desert provides a taste of desert life without the long days of driving that a trip to the Sahara requires.
Follow centuries-old shepherds’ paths between remote Berber villages on a guided hike through the mighty High Atlas.
Discover the 12th-century Tinmal Mosque with its stunning architecture and rich history, then take a breathtaking drive along the Tizi n’Test Pass, passing ancient Berber villages and lush orchards.
For adventure seekers, a Tadmamte and Ourika Valley tour offers stunning views of Mount Toubkal, remote mountain villages and the lush Ourika Valley.
In the Middle Atlas, tribes from the region gather at Imilchil for the three-day Marriage Festival each September, where young women get to choose a partner to marry.
Quad biking, e-biking, stargazing and desert picnics are just a few of the many ways to enjoy the rocky lunar landscapes of the Agafay Desert.
The Atlas Mountains are in fact three distinct ranges that run in bands across Morocco’s interior. Furthest north are the Middle Atlas. In the south, the Anti Atlas work tirelessly to keep the Western Sahara at bay. But it’s the central High Atlas that are by far the most dramatic, home to both north Africa’s highest peak, the 4,167-metre Mount Toubkal, as well as countless Berber villages that seem to melt into the hillsides. We recommend at least three nights near Asni at Kasbah Tamadot, Sir Richard Branson’s High Atlas hideout, to allow for some varied day walks and to visit the Berber villages.
Between Asni and Marrakech is the Agafay Desert, a rough, dry, moon-like expanse of semi-arid plains, stark valleys, occasional oases and scattered Berber villages. A couple of nights here beneath star-ladened skies at luxurious Inara Camp make a wonderful contrast to the pace of Marrakech.
An award-winning property in Sir Richard Branson’s lavish hotel portfolio, the striking Kasbah Tamadot is an exclusive hideaway located high in the Atlas Mountains in Morocco. Lofty luxury abounds throughout the hotel, with Berber-style tents, alfresco dining and breathtaking mountain views as far as the eye can see.
A night or two beneath starry desert skies at Inara Camp makes a wonderful contrast to the bustle of Marrakech or the sky-high peaks of the Atlas Mountains.