Berber Villages Trek : Day Trip To The Atlas Mountains From Marrakech

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This post was crafted with care and occasional typos by Colleen (and not AI)

When we booked our trip to Marrakech, we had no idea what to expect nor if we would occupy ourselves for ten days.  We quickly learned that there is a great deal to see in the city and a great deal more day trips too; like the amazing Berber Villages Trek tour.

If you love to explore nature, hiking and immerse yourself in the local culture then you are going to love this day trip. If you’re worried that it will be a tad touristy then rest assured, it isn’t.  It’s authentic. 

Don’t expect all mod-cons but do expect to be charmed by the hospitality and traditions of the Berber people who call the Atlas Mountains their home.

Can You Visit Berber Villages From Marrakech In One Day?

Absolutely! Marrakech serves as the gateway to the Atlas Mountains and is a fantastic base for exploring the nearby Berber villages. 

We opted for a day tour but if you’re interested in hiking in the Atlas Mountains, the region offers opportunities for longer or more difficult treks. 

You can also stay in the mountains in homestays and hotels too but we were looking for a day tour and still managed a glimpse into this wonderfully traditional Berber life.

Where Are Berber Villages?

The Berber villages are rural communities, scattered across the picturesque landscapes of the Atlas Mountains. Easily reached from Marrakech, the High Atlas region is a popular destination for visitors and perfect for tours such as this Berber Villages Trek.

Villages cling to the slopes, a little like the villages of Andalucia in Spain.  These homes aren’t white but adobe and decorated with intricate geometric patterns. Numerous Berber villages pepper the Atlas Mountains, each with its own character.

What To Expect From A Berber Villages Trek?

What to expect from your Berber Village Trek?  Firstly, do be prepared to hike and do expect some elevation and rural terrain.  It’s easy to get carried away with the idea of glorious landscapes, charming villages and traditional meals; your day will be all of this, but you will also be hiking.

Remember that there are many different tours from Marrakech.  Some offer driving tours and others offer treks.  Make sure you choose the tour that suits your needs; we knew that we wanted to hike.

Also remember that not all tours are equal.  Some vehicles aren’t as good, some guides don’t know the mountains, and some tours are more of a shopping trip.  Read the reviews before your book and make sure you end up having the kind of amazing adventure that we had. The tour that we took has over 8,000 excellent reviews!

Here are three different tours we researched that have the best reviews :

1. Breakfast Stop At Community Argan Oil Project

I am always a little bit apprehensive when a tour stops at a ‘local initiative’; wondering if we’re about to have a sales-pitch? Well this was not like that. So relax and enjoy your breakfast at the women’s co-operative near Asni.  

Here the Berber women make Argan Oil and use it to create food and cosmetics; it was a by-product of the oil that was used during our Moroccan Hamman.

You’ll be offered a simple breakfast of fresh bread and a kind of argan oil Nutella and hot sweet tea. Next there was a demonstration on how the oil is made, traditionally by hand.  And after you can wander around the little shop.  This was a good stop and a great way to support a local initiative, promoting sustainable practices within the Berber communities.

2. Hiking In The Imlil Valley

The next stop was the main event; hiking through the Imlil Valley. We hiked for around 2 hours in total but that did include a few stops.  The hike took us up into the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, above the Berber villages.  The views were stunning and all the while we hiked in the shadow of those snow topped mountains. 

We visited in December and whilst not as green as other times, it was nonetheless spectacular. We were also spoilt with a glorious blue sky and afforded more than a glimpse of the mighty Mount Toubkal, Morocco’s highest peak, at 4,167 metres.

You will hike to a waterfall and a few groups we’re heading here but it didn’t feel busy. The start of the hike was a little steep as most of the elevation starts from the car park.  We were definitely the ‘oldies’ in our group but the guides waited for those at the back.  And the steep section didn’t last too long.

After the elevation comes a much flatter section but watch your feet as you hike; easier said then done with the amazing views!  Before long we were rewarded with a waterfall and some freshly squeezed orange juice. This is a little touristy but still very pretty. 

There was plenty of opportunity to pause and take photos before heading back down the trail, this time on a slightly different route to one of villages that we had seen below.

Hiking Distance And Elevation Gain On The Berber Villages Trek

I should have put my GPS on and tracked the hike but sadly I didn’t.   However, having searched my app I found what I believe to be the hike;

Fitness Level Required For The Berber Villages Trek

We like walking and the trek was not a challenge.  The hill at the start will get your heart pumping but it’s not mountain hiking.  The hike is only around 4 or 5 kilometres, so it’s not a long hike.

I would say that anyone who enjoys a country walk will be good to go.  However, the terrain is a little rustic in places and I suggest that you at least like rural walking before opting for this trek. 

When I lead groups on the Camino de Santiago, it’s always dog owners who cope best; if you own a dog then I’m pretty sure you’ll be fit enough for this trek.

Is It Suitable For Beginners Or Only Experienced Hikers?

The answer is that it really depends on your fitness level.   This is not a technically difficult hike. If you’ve never hiked before, you don’t have appropriate footwear and you’re not particularly fit then you may not enjoy this hike. 

But even if you are new to hiking, with a decent pair of shoes and if you’re in good shape then it’s not a challenging hike. 

Top Tip : If in any doubt then check with the guide before you book.  I’m not a doctor and I don’t know you.  Be realistic about your fitness.  This is a hike and not a stroll in the park but having said that it’s not a difficult hike.

Hiking Gear Needed For The Berber Villages Trek

The most important thing is to wear sensible footwear.  This is a hike. 

I know that most folks may not travel with hiking boots or shoes but a comfortable pair of flat shoes, like a sport shoe will work for you.   Flip-flops and sandals are a no-no; unless they are specifically hiking sandals.

Apart from sensible footwear I would also suggest :

3. Traditional Berber Lunch Of Moroccan Tagines

All that fresh air builds a healthy appetite and our guides led us down from the waterfall, around the villages and into one of the little village houses.  The house was traditional but all services were modern and spotlessly clean. 

We were offered cold water to quench our thirst and the group were left to chat.  This is another aspect of tours that we adore and shouldn’t be overlooked; meeting other travellers is always wonderful.

Lunch was home baked bread and chicken or vegetarian tagines, along with Moroccan salads and freshly made hummus. Just like on our cookery class in Marrakech, there was a lot of food!  For dessert there was sweet Moroccan cake and fruit washed down with glorious, sweet mint tea.

And after all that food we chatted on the terrace for a while, before packing up and continuing the hike down through dried up river beds and back to another village where our minibus was waiting for us. 

4. Camel Rides and More Hot Tea

Our tour continued into more remote areas and more Berber Villages.  Our last stop was to be a camel ride in an area of rocky desert on the other side of the mountain pass. The road plateaued into a vast landscape, although not the Sahara, the land is dry and we could see forever.  The landscape reminded us of very much of our travels through Jordan.

We had always been concerned that this part of the day was going to be a touristy.  At first we considered sitting it out but Karim (our guide) was so joyful that in the end we dressed in our Berber outfits and headed off to meet our camels.

There were five camels tied together with one chap leading. We meandered around the hills for maybe 20 minutes before returning for yet more hot sweet mint tea.  Ultimately, I’m glad we did the ride.  We laughed a lot. One of our group thought Gerry was called Terry and so we christened him Terence of Arabia; all very silly now but it caused much laughter and it was a good end to our day.

How Much Does The Berber Villages Trek Cost

Cost will vary depending on the tour that you choose.  We opted for a simple tour, with some hiking and lunch.  It was perfect for us and we felt that it represented excellent value.   

Comparing other Berber Village tours you could expect to pay :

What’s Included In The Berber Villages Trek?

What’s included in your tour will very much depend on the tour that you have chosen, but typically most Berber Village Treks from Marrakech will include :

Best Time Of Year For A Berber Village Trek

Whilst the air in the mountains is cooler than the city, Morocco still gets very hot in summer.  The best times are undoubtably going to be outside of the heat of July and August.

Spring (March to May) and autumn (September-November) offer pleasant temperatures and while winter brings snow at higher altitudes, December it wasn’t a problem for us.

I read reviews for every month of the year and other visitors talk of their wonderful experiences throughout the seasons. Ultimately, wise hikers will say that there is no such thing as bad weather; just bad clothing.  This maybe true but I still prefer to hike in cooler temperatures.

Who Are The Berbers In Morocco’s Atlas Mountains?

The Berbers in Morocco are an indigenous population of North and Sub-Saharan Africa.  Ancient remains have been found older than 300,000 years, which suggests that the Berbers have been living in these mountains for a very for a long time.

They were nomads of the desert caravans and their villages were important staging posts along ancient trade routes.

Our guide, Karim, was born and raised in these villages and taught us so much about Berber history. 

Cultural Sensitivities And Etiquette In Berber Villages

Firstly, I want to say that we never experienced any issues during our stay in Morocco.   But it is fair to say that Marrakech offers a different cultural experience than Bordeaux, and the Berber villages perhaps even more so.

On all of our travels around the world we’ve found that a smile is a wonderful thing and a great icebreaker.

Is It Worth Doing the Berber Villages Trek For A Day?

Oh Yes! When we booked our trip to Marrakech we always knew that we wanted to hike in the Atlas Mountains.  Our day was perhaps just a short hike but nonetheless we hiked in the High Atlas Mountains and that’s rather special.

Apart from the wonderful hike, this whole day was a great experience. Our guides were excellent and we genuinely felt that we had been given an insight into the Berber culture as well as enjoying the glorious landscape of the Berber villages. 

The journey from Marrakech is easy and a day hike offers a manageable yet rewarding taste of adventure, making this the perfect trip for anyone visiting Marrakech.