Hiking Morocco: The High Atlas Mountains

What's Included

• G for Good Moment: Akrich Project Visit

  Experience a visit to the Akrich Project, a G Adventures-supported initiative, to learn about the work being done to support the local community and preserve cultural heritage.

• Welcome Moment

  Meet your CEO and group at the start of the tour.

• Foodie Moment: Cooking Demonstration and Lunch, Zagora

  Participate in a cooking demonstration and enjoy lunch in Zagora.

• Tiznit Silver Market Visit

  Visit the local Silver Market in Tiznit, known for its traditional jewelry crafting.

• Hike outside of Icht

  Enjoy a guided hike outside of Icht.

• Icht Locally Guided Underground Village Visit

  Explore the underground village of Icht with a local guide.

• Zagora Desert Stay Experience with Camel Ride

  Experience a stay in the Zagora desert, including a camel ride.

• Aït Ben Haddou Kasbah Tour

  Tour the historic ksar of Aït Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

• Iminifri Natural Bridge Hike

  Hike to the Iminifri Natural Bridge, a stunning natural rock formation.

• Aït Bouguemez Valley Hike & Granaries Visit

  Hike in the Aït Bouguemez Valley and visit the local granaries.

• All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

  Transportation is provided between destinations and to/from included activities.

What's Not Included

Meals Not Included

Generally, meals are not included in the trip price when there is a choice of eating options, giving you flexibility in deciding where, what, and with whom to eat.

Mode of Transport

Travel through Morocco in style with private vehicles, camels, and on foot, ensuring a seamless and immersive journey through diverse landscapes and cultural sites.

Accommodation

Enjoy comfortable stays in hotels for 7 nights and a unique experience in a desert camp for 1 night, offering a blend of modern amenities and traditional Moroccan charm.

Meals Included

8 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 5 dinners

Group Size

Max 14, avg 10.

Minimum Age

You must be 18 to travel unaccompanied on a G Adventures tour. For minors travelling with a guardian over 21 years old, the minimum age is 12.

Local Dress

While visiting mosques and other religious monuments you should dress modestly, cover your shoulders and you shouldn't wear short shorts or skirts. Outside of capital cities and the more touristic centres, local dress is often more conservative and as a matter of respect we ask that both men and women are aware of this and recommend loose-fitting clothes with your shoulders covered. Ask your CEO for more specific advice. ...more ...less

Important Notes

1. ACCOMMODATION NOTE:

Please be aware that properties we stay in with only two stories may not have elevators installed and climbing the stairs with your luggage will be necessary.



2. WEATHER

Please note that the climate in Morocco can be both very hot during the day in summer months (up to 50°C) and cold at night in the mountains in autumn, early spring and winter (down to -6°C). Summer months, from April to September are very hot throughout Morocco. Winter months November to March can be cool to cold, especially in the Atlas Mountains, with high probability of snowfall. Most Moroccan buildings are not equipped with heating, so without proper layers you will be cold at night. Please bring appropriate clothing for the months in which you are travelling and check temperatures before you leave. Bedding is provided in the desert camp and the gîte, but in winter months if you feel the cold you may wish to bring a sleeping bag too.



3. RAMADAN

According to the lunar cycle, Ramadan will fall between Feb 28th - Mar 29th 2025, and Feb 17th - Mar 19th 2026. Please note that Ramadan is a month of fasting observed by Muslims throughout the world, during which time the followers of Islam should not eat or drink between sunrise and sunset. There may be some limitations to services and disruptions to schedules during Ramadan, but generally our tours still operate effectively during this period and food is available to non-Muslims throughout the day. It is very important to display increased cultural sensitivity during Ramadan. Please wear loose fitting clothes, that cover knees and shoulders, and try to avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public out of respect for those who can't at that time.



4. AID AL-ADHA

During your visit to this country, we would like to inform you about an important celebration called Aid Al-Adha. This holiday may impact your travel experience, as most shops and restaurants are closed during the celebration. Some of the historical places we visit might also be closed during this time. There will be a shorter number of staff at the hotels and less crowded streets on the day of the celebration. Aid Al-Adha will fall between Jun. 16th-17th 2024, and Jun. 6th-7th 2025. ...more ...less

Group Leader

This G Adventures group trip is accompanied by one of our group leaders, otherwise known as a Chief Experience Officer (CEO). As the group coordinator and manager, the aim of the CEO is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. You can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of Morocco, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. They will also offer suggestions for things to do and to see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends.



We also use certified local city guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting - we think it's the best of both worlds. ...more ...less

Meals

Generally meals are not included in the trip price when there is a choice of eating options, to give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat. It also gives you more budgeting flexibility, though generally food is cheap. Our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. There is no obligation to do this though. Your CEO will be able to suggest favourite restaurants during your trip. For all trips please refer to the meals included and budget information for included meals and meal budgets.



Breakfasts

Moroccan breakfasts tend to be different from your usual cereal and toast morning fare – most will be very simple - a croissant or sweet roll with jam and instant coffee and some hotels will have buffets where you will have more variety. While you are experiencing what a Moroccan family would eat, some travellers do find the provided breakfasts a bit “bread heavy” and enjoy buying fruit the day before to supplement their breakfast.



Lunches and Dinners

Moroccan cuisine is world famous and your CEO will be taking the chance to show you the best of it. Staples include cous cous, a type of grain topped with stew, tagine which is actually the name of the pot this tasty dish is cooked in, and brochette, bbq skewers of meat. These meals will generally cost between 45- 70 MAD depending on the type of restaurant and which part of the country you are in. Other tastes not to be missed include pastilla, a sweet pasty with a savoury filling which is traditionally pigeon and harira, a delicious soup based on chick peas and filling enough when teamed with fresh bread to be a whole lunch. If you are heading to the coast the fresh seafood cooked at one of the local markets is a must eat!



Snacks

Morocco's fresh orange juice is highly recommended and you should not leave without trying a glass. The brave can try the tiny snails which are perhaps the local's favourite snack but you might prefer a cone of piping hot bite-size fried cake donuts. ...more ...less

About Accommodation

On this trip you can expect to stay in local hotels or pensions (with the exception of the start and finish hotels, which are often larger city hotels), which will vary a little in standard and facilities: some may not have elevators, air-conditioning or English-speaking staff, but most importantly all are locally-run, with some traditional character, and in excellent central locations to give you maximum time for exploring the sights. Where a town has both an ancient medina and a "ville nouvelle" we generally stay in the ville nouvelle, both because the standard of hotels is higher, and because travellers (especially women) often find the medinas at night a little confronting.



Please note that Morocco is a developing country and as such the infrastructure is not as reliable as you would expect at home. Expect quirky plumbing and the odd cold shower! ...more ...less