Private Tour: High Atlas and Agafay Rocky Desert Day Trip from Marrakech

Begin with pickup at your Marrakech hotel, then drive through the foothills of the High Atlas on your way to the Ourika Valley, where lush riverbanks are framed by arid peaks and terraced farms. Follow winding tracks deeper into the mountains to reach Oukaimeden ski resort—at 10,734 feet (3272 meters) this is the highest altitude ski resort in Africa, and skiers reach the top by chair lift, t-bar, or donkey.

Descend to the hillside village of Asni, and pause for lunch in Imlil or Ouirgane, a pair of Berber villages with sweeping valley views and traditional architecture. Continue to an agricultural plateau to learn how local farmers cultivate the steep, parched land, then head to the shores of Takerkoust Lake, a favorite weekend getaway from Marrakech.

Cross the Agafay Desert on the return trip to Marrakech, passing through an undeveloped stretch of sand and rocks that offers a dramatic contrast with the city’s bustling streets. Throughout the day, work with the driver to create an experience that’s perfect for you: take extra time to stroll around Berber villages, meet a local family for a welcoming cup of Moroccan tea, or take a camel ride through the sand. This tour concludes with drop-off at your Marrakech hotel.

This is the most flexible excursion in our portfolio, for a day across a variety of landscapes in the territory around Marrakech. You will discover the Ourika Valley (where it is possible to hire a trekking guide and explore the area on foot), then you will take the mountain road in the direction of the ski resort of Oukaïmeden, reaching Berber mountain villages by road or pist. You may have lunch with a stunning view over the Takerkoust lake and, on your way back back to Marrakech, you will cross the rocky Agafay desert with its colors and different terrains. If you wish, you can walk around the Berber villages we visit, and have tea with a Berber family or even go for a camel or quad ride!

Wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation
Infant seats available
Most travelers can participate
This tour is accessible to people on a wheelchair (we have already had guests on a wheelchair) provided the wheelchair is foldable and that the group consists of maximum 3-4 people (the vehicle is a 4x4 with a large luggage space, but such space would be unavailable if the group consists of 5-6 guests). Our driver will assist. Additionally, the tour is quite flexible and can be adapted to visit sites that are accessible to guests with limited mobility.
The tour is quite flexible and can be adapted to visit sites that are accessible to guests pushing a stroller.
We usually pick up our guests at their hotel/riad, and bring them back there. However, ours is a private and fully customisable service. As a consequence, we can adapt the start and end points to our guests requests.
Infants seats available upon request.
This tour is quite flexible and can be adapted to the requests (wishes, needs) of our guests. As a consequence, it can be organised as a very easy and relaxing day as well as a more active one (guests are welcome to get in touch with us to advance their requests, or can discuss the different options in the morning when the drivers picks them up).
This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate