Trek To The Atlas Mountains

Not many know, but I am a big adventure enthusiast. I love going on a “trekation”, which basically means spending my vacation on a trek. Although I’ve not been on many treks, I’ve hardly been to two. However, I try not to miss out on any opportunity that comes my way. Therefore, when I got a chance to visit Morocco, I instantly added the Atlas Mountains to my itinerary without any second thoughts.

I wanted to go for the mount Toubkal summit trek. However, due to the time crunch, I only managed to take a day trek to the Atlas Mountains. We walked through the picturesque hamlets like Ait Mizan, Targa and Imoula, covering three valleys of the Atlas Mountains including Imlil.

Here’s a complete itinerary of my day exploring the scenic valleys of the Atlas Mountains.

I took a guided tour from the Get Your Guide website. It was a group day tour that included hotel pick up and drop facility along with lunch. The tour fitted perfectly within my schedule and suited best for a solo traveller like me.

9:00 am – Hotel pick up

Group tour teaches you many things, punctuality being one of them. My pick up was scheduled at 9 am, and I was the first to get picked up. Since I came back from Essaouira quite late, therefore, I made sure to put as many alarms as possible. The trick turned out to be a success, as I managed to reach the lobby on time.

10:00 am – Argan Oil Cooperative

Moulay Brahim Gorges was our first stop for the day. However, on our way, our guide made a quick stop at the Argan Oil Cooperative. It was merely an hour away from Marrakech. We explored the factory and saw the entire process of oil extraction. The trip ended with a quick oil tasting session along with a cup of hot mint tea (the best way to start a day).

11:15 am – Moulay Brahim Gorges

Moulay Brahim Gorges rests amidst the snow capped mountains and dramatic scenery. According to the locals, the best way to enjoy the landscapes is on a camel. However, I would recommend taking a walk to enjoy the true spirit of this place. We spent about an hour, admiring the beauty of this place, dressing up as locals do and clicking selfies before heading to Imlil.

12:30 pm – Imlil

Imlil is where our trek began. We started our ascend through a Berber village. The initial climb was slightly steep. However, the scenic scapes made us through it. We stopped by a local’s house, where we were welcomed with a piping hot mint tea. A much-needed drink to charge up for our next ascend.

Tip: The weather might make your throat dry. Therefore, make sure to stay hydrated and carry at least 2 litres of water with you.

1:10 pm – Exploring the hamlets of the Atlas Mountains

We walked for 2 hours exploring the hamlets of Ait Mizan, Targa and Imoula. On our way, we saw the highest village of Imlil Valley. We crossed lush green valleys, narrow streams, local shops selling carpet, terraced fields and a waterfall. The blooming cherry blossoms were creating a beautiful contrast with the muddy brown landscapes, producing a spectacular view.

3:00 pm – Lunch with a view!

After a long hike, we reached our final stop in Ait Souka, where we had our three-course meal with a Berber family. We started our meal with a vegetable soup followed by Moroccan salad and Chicken Tajine. The lunch couldn’t have been better, with a view so mesmerising. We relaxed for a while ogling at the beauty of snow-capped mountains, before heading back to our vehicle.

4:30 pm – Final descend

We made descend via Taourirt to reach our minivan. After which, we started our journey back to Marrakech.

If you have any questions, drop us a note or comment below. Also, if you are planning a trip to Morocco, then here’s a complete itinerary just for you.