Marrakech Day Trip: Agafay Desert, Atlas Mountains, Camel Ride

Walk through seven Berber villages and ride a camel without arranging the route yourself

A full-day tour from Marrakech visiting Agafay Desert, Atlas Mountains, Imlil Valley and seven Berber villages, with a private guide, camel ride, tea with a Berber family and shared transport. You start at 9am from your accommodation and return around 5:30pm. The tour includes transport, guide, camel ride and tea; lunch is optional.

Step-by-step itinerary

Desert, Mountains, Villages and Camel Ride

• Meet at accommodation or Cafe de France
• Travel to Agafay Desert
• Visit Atlas Mountains and waterfalls
• Walk through Imlil, Asni, Amizmiz Valleys
• Visit 7 Berber villages
• Have tea with Berber family
• Ride camels
• Visit Argan women's cooperative
• Walk to Naqab waterfall
• Lunch in Berber home with mountain views
• Return to Marrakech accommodation

The Experience

The day starts at 9am when your driver picks you up from your Marrakech accommodation (or from Café de France in Jemaa el-Fnaa if you're staying in the medina). From there you head south toward Agafay Desert, where you'll ride a camel across the landscape before moving into the Atlas Mountains. The route takes you through Asni Valley, Amizmiz Valley and around seven Berber villages on foot, stopping to see waterfalls and the views across the peaks.

Around midday you reach Imlil, where a walk through the valley brings you to Armed at 2,000 meters altitude. Lunch happens in a Berber home in the village—you can try your hand at Berber cooking if you want, and from the house you'll see Mount Toubkal and the sister peaks Agualzim, Adj and Akhbo. After eating, you walk back down through a lush valley lined with ancient walnut trees, stopping at Naqab waterfall before heading back to Imlil to meet your driver.

Your guide speaks English, Spanish or French and travels with you the whole day. The camel ride, tea with a Berber family and all transport are included; lunch costs 6 euros and is optional. You're back in Marrakech by 5:30pm, which leaves the evening free.

What’s included

• Transport from and to your Marrakech accommodation.
• a private guide in English, Spanish or French.
• a camel ride in Agafay Desert.
• tea and coffee with a Berber family.
• entry to the villages and mountain valleys.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Ibrahim Amzil

Is this one for you?Book this if you want desert, mountains, and Berber villages in one day trip that leaves your mornings and evenings free—you're back by early evening, so it doesn't consume two full days.

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Top questions

What's the camel ride like on this tour?

The camel ride happens in Agafay Desert in the morning, before you head into the mountains. It's part of the day's route, not a separate activity—you ride across the landscape as part of moving through the region.

How much walking is involved in the Atlas Mountains part?

You walk through the valley from Imlil to Armed (at 2,000 meters), then back down to Imlil after lunch, passing through Berber villages and stopping at Naqab waterfall. The walk is steady but the tour is suitable for all fitness levels; if you need it, mule transport is available up the valley.

Can I bring young children on this tour?

Children are welcome from age 1. Infants can ride in a pram or stroller, and small children can sit on an adult's lap. The camel ride and walking sections are part of the day, so consider your child's comfort with both.

What does the tea with a Berber family involve?

You'll have tea and coffee with a Berber family in their home in one of the villages. It's a chance to learn about their daily life and how they live in the mountains.

When do I need to be back in Marrakech?

The tour returns to your accommodation around 5:30pm, so you have the evening free for dinner or exploring the medina.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

Lunch is optional and costs 6 euros. It's served in a Berber home in the village during the midday stop, and you can try Berber cooking if you'd like.