On this exciting Morocco desert day tour you’ll travel by 4×4 on an off-the-beaten-track Atlas Mountain view circuit. The drive will take you through the Agafay Desert, Lake Takerkoust & Azzaden Valley.
We include a drive across the barren ‘Marrakech desert’ of Agafay with a wonderful backdrop of High Atlas peaks, a visit to Lake Takerkoust and then a very scenic drive on a remote mountain road to the Azzaden Valley via Amizmiz.
After a tasty local lunch at Dar Tassa Atlas Mountain Retreat you’ll have time to explore the Berber hamlet of Tassa Ouirgane on foot, relax and enjoy unrivalled views of the High Atlas mountains.
From Marrakech your first adventure will be at Agafay, the closest Morocco desert to Marrakech. A hilly barren landscape in the foothills of the Atlas, the Agafay Desert is a playground for quad bikers and buggy enthusiasts with a backdrop of often snow-capped peaks.
Next you’ll pause for tea at Lake Takerkoust, a popular weekend recreational lake for Marrakchi from the city. Boating, swimming and sailing are popular activities here.
Amizmiz to the Azzaden Valley
From lake to mountains as we head higher into the Atlas to the regional Berber town of Amizmiz. If you visit on a Tuesday you’ll witness one of the most traditional and exotic weekly markets in the Atlas mountains.
Next we follow a little-used mountain road to the village of Marigha from where we head off road for 6 km following the Azzaden Valley to Tassa Ouirgane village and Toubkal National Park.
Berber Village Experience
Lunch is a leisurely local affair, taken on the terrace of a Berber house, enjoying a home-cooked three course meal of Moroccan salad, couscous with lamb or perhaps a tasty vegetable tagine, fresh seasonal fruits and tea.
After lunch you have time to discover Tassa Ouirgane village and gaze at the beautiful view of the Azzaden Valley and Takerkhort Wildlife Reserve which dominate the horizon. There’s lots of opportunity for taking photos on this trip, so don’t forget your camera!
Berber Market Days
If your holiday time allows, take this tour on a day to coincide with a Berber market en route.
Amizmiz Market Day Tuesdays
Ouirgane Market Day Thursdays
Asni Market Day Saturdays
Schedule
The timings below are approximate and provided as a general guide.
08:30 Depart Marrakech to explore the Morocco desert Agafay and Lake Takerkoust
10:00 Tea on shore of Lake Takerkoust
11:30 Reach Amizmiz and drive mountain route east
13:00 Arrive Marigha. Head off road up the Azzaden Valley
13:30 Reach Tassa Ouirgane. Lunch then explore village and relax
16:30 Depart to Marrakech via Asni and Tahanoute
18:00 Arrival back in Marrakech
After lunch in a restaurant you will be able to discover the Medina famed for its multiple crafts like woodworking, inlay, leather, copper and Souiri crafts as well as fish and spice markets, bustling souks and relaxing cafes. After a full day spent enjoying these and other Essaouira treasures, you will head back to Marrakech.
