Atlas: A Week of Outdoor Adventure in Morocco
Morocco delivers a diverse cultural and natural experience that is only a 7-hour flight from New York. We’ve designed this week-long adventure for busy people who want to take a short break to reconnect and recharge in nature. This trip packs a lot of hiking and relaxation into one week and is ideal for small groups of friends planning a travel reunion. Highlights of this trip include a night camping in the desert, delicious Moroccan cuisine, and summiting Toubkal, the tallest mountain in North Africa.
This trip packs a lot of hiking and relaxation into one week and is ideal for small groups of friends planning a travel reunion.
This itinerary is priced for groups of 8-10 people traveling with a private guide but can be tailored to suit your specific needs. Further details on pricing and inclusions can be found in the FAQ section at the bottom of the page.
✧ Your custom travel playlist includes Ammouri M’Bareks’s “Mastnit Awinu”
Ammouri M’Barek is a popular and prolific Berber singer that has been active since the 1960s. We love this album from the 1980s for its Moroccan bluesy vibes.
It’s a 7-hour overnight flight from New York and Washington, DC, so you will likely arrive on your international flight in the morning. From there, drive 2.5 hours to Marrakech. From the west coast, you can fly directly to Marrakech via Europe.
Marrakech is considered one of Morocco’s most cosmopolitan cities and boasts a spectacular location surrounded by farmlands and snow-capped mountains. Check into your hotel La Maison Arabe, a traditional riad hotel in the heart of the medina.
After having lunch and recovering from your journey, enjoy a sunset walk through nearby Jemaa el-Fnaa, the central square famous for its lively atmosphere that includes jugglers, dancers, fortune tellers, and traditional musicians. End the day with a group dinner to commemorate the start of your journey.
Wake in the morning to the calls for prayer from the mosque. After breakfast, visit the Koutoubia Mosque and the nearby 12th-century Kasbah, with its many food markets. You can select one of many delicious options from local food stalls for lunch before the short drive to the Agafay Desert.
The Agafay is a stone desert just south of Marrakech, which gives you an authentic tented camp experience without taking two days to drive to the Sahara and back. You will stay at Yes We Camps, an authentic Berber camp that maximizes immersion in nature. Spend the afternoon relaxing in your tent, lounging in the pool, or riding a camel. End the day with a fine meal under the desert stars. You can even walk the open desert on a clear night for an awe-inspiring stroll.
After a leisurely breakfast, drive east into the Atlas mountains to the village of Imlil at the base of Toubkal, the highest mountain in North Africa. Check in to Kasbah Toubkal, your accommodation for the night. The atmospheric hotel is only accessible by a 15-minute hike and commands a gorgeous view over the Imlil Valley and surrounding villages. Spend the afternoon adjusting to the altitude, drinking mint tea, and taking short walks to nearby Berber villages. A picnic can be arranged, or meals can be enjoyed at the hotel.
Start your ascent of Toubkal towards the remote refuge where you will camp for the night. Mules will be loaded with your gear and accompany you on this leg of your journey. Stop at a Berber home en route to enjoy tea and a view of the mountains.
Wake early for the slow final hike to the peak of Toubkal. Enjoy the view from the top that stretches to the Sahara on a clear day. Descend the mountain and take a car to your hotel in Marrakech for the night.
Spend your final full day relaxing back at La Maison Arabe in Marrakech. It’s essential to have a bit of downtime before returning to the rush of life. However, there will be optional garden tours and cooking classes, and you are near the medina if you want to get out. End your trip with a farewell dinner.
Wake early for your drive to the Casablanca airport and your flight back home.
The $2,750 per person rate is based on two people sharing a double or twin room. A single supplement is available for $4,380. This rate is for group departures all year except from December 21, 2023, to January 5, 2024.
Travelers of any age, race, creed, or gender are welcome to join. We have packed a lot into one week to make it accessible to busy parents and professionals. You must be curious, considerate, and physically fit enough to climb a tall mountain. Toubkal is not Everest, and mules will carry your gear, but the peak is 13,671ft. This trip was designed for a small group, so it is perfect for a travel reunion among close friends if you want to book all the spots.
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