Mountain & Desert Adventures

Without doubt, the rugged peaks and remote valleys of the High Atlas Mountains are some of the most beautiful places to visit in Morocco, the spectacular scenery, diverse landscapes and fascinating Berber villages will take your breath away.

Mint Morocco can suggest a variety of treks in the dramatic scenery of the High Atlas Mountains; ‘trekking’ may sound a tad daunting, however, don’t be put off!  There are gentle half or full day treks for all the family, even for the little ones! You will be rewarded with an insight into a completely different culture where life has not changed for centuries. Walk, ride a mule or trek (always with a qualified guide), and visit nearby villages and markets, stopping for a glass of mint tea in a local Berber home.

It feels like that you are a world away from bustling Marrakech, yet in just an hour or so, you’ll be relaxing in your mountain kasbah taking in the awesome views. It’s so easy to combine a stay in either Marrakech or Essaouira (or both!), with a short break at one of our comfortable and characterful Atlas Mountain hideaways.

“I’ve always loved the desert. One sits on a sand dune. We see nothing. We hear nothing. And yet something radiates in the silence…”
From ‘The Little Prince’ by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Undoubtedly, the most extraordinary and intriguing landscapes of southern Morocco, are the lush palm groves, oases and endless sand dunes of the Sahara desert. Reached in a day’s journey by 4 x 4, having travelled over the Atlas Mountains, past some of the most spectacular scenery, picturesque Berber villages and impressive ochre-red kasbahs, until you reach the desert gateway towns of Zagora or Erfoud.

From here your desert adventure begins; starting with a camel ride out to your desert camp, climbing or surfing on the sand dunes, followed by dinner around the camp fire, watching the sun go down, before retiring to your own comfortable bivouac (a Nomad’s tent), to sleep under the star-filled skies.

Among your lasting memory memories of this magical journey will be a sense of wonder at the sheer vastness of the desert dunes, the breathtaking views and the genuine friendliness of the Berber people.

To get the full benefit of your desert adventure, you should ideally put aside at least 3 full days and you will be rewarded by some extraordinary sights and scenery. The best months to visit the Sahara are from February to May, and from September until November.

From Ouarzazate, a former French garrison town on the other side of the Atlas Mountains, there are two routes to reach the sands of the Sahara, both offering exhilarating drives past rocky mountain ranges and towering gorges, impressive red pisé kasbahs, remote Berber villages and peaceful green oases and palm groves.

A leisurely drive along the beautiful Dades Valley (Valley of the Thousand Kasbahs) leads to the majestic Erg Chebbi sand dunes at Merzouga. A shorter route following the interesting Draa Valley (Valley of the Dates) leads to the fascinating palm oasis town of Zagora, from where you can visit the great dunes at Tinfou, or M’hamid.

These are both great places to camp out in your bivouac, under the stars, watch the sunset and enjoy your real desert experience.

Spend a few nights at the stylish Azalai Desert Lodge, situated just outside the fascinating former French garrison outpost of Zagora. Venture out on a day excursion to explore the desert villages and local kasbahs. Alternatively, for the real desert experience, why not travel deeper into the dunes on a day excursion by 4 x 4 to the impressive Erg Chigaga dunes (a 3 hour’s drive away). Better still, why not experience the awesome tranquility of the desert and stay overnight in one of the luxury tents at the amazing Azalai Desert Camp. Contact us for more details.

If you wish to have a taste of life in the desert but do not have enough time to visit the Sahara sand dunes, then Mint Morocco can offer desert adventures staying in luxury tented accommodation for a night or two, in the haunting Agafay desert, located only an hour’s drive from Marrakech.

Stay in your own private luxury tent or ecolodge (with all creature comforts) and relax on the veranda, soaking up the silence and sense of solitude of the desert. During the daytime a variety of activities are available at extra cost, including camel riding, treks and buggy rides with qualified guides, pampering massages, yoga classes and more… at night enjoy a delicious Moroccan dinner around a camp fire, before contemplating some bed-time stargazing…this is certainly a perfect place to unwind and forget the stress of modern day life.