Atlas Panorama
8 Days Starting and ending in Marrakech
Visiting: Morocco
Tour operator:
Tour code:
TMP
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
5 - 16
Age range:
16-99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Tour Overview
The perfect introduction to Morocco; an insight into the colourful city of Marrakech along with some varied walking exploring the striking High Atlas Mountains. Based in the remote and picturesque village of Tijhza, were we stay in a simple but pleasant riad and enjoy optional walks each day.
The pace is relaxed, allowing us to enjoy the scenery of the mountains and learn about the way of life of the friendly Berber people. You will also have the opportunity to experience a traditional hammam, as part of Exodus' ongoing responsible tourism project in Tijhza. Our time in Marrakech sees us exploring palaces and busy souks with free evenings to enjoy Jemaa el-Fnaa famous for its street food, juice sellers and musicians.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Start Marrakech
The adventure starts in the culturally rich city of Marrakech. We gather as a group in the early evening for our welcome briefing.
Accommodation: Hotel Gomassine (or similar)
Day 2 : Explore Marrakech; Visit Jemaa El-Fna Square To Explore A Labyrinth Of Souks With Our Expert Guide. Free Afternoon
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today is spent in Marrakech, where we can soak up the atmosphere of the bustling bazaars, palaces and mosques. In the morning, we have a guided tour to orientate ourselves and the afternoon is free for individual sightseeing. You can choose whether to brave the haggling of the souks, visit the more peaceful Jardin Majorelle or relax in one of the hammam steam baths.
In the evening, we visit Jemaa el-Fna, the open-air square around which Marrakech revolves. The name literally means 'place of death' as it was where Sultans once displayed the heads of their enemies. Now, with the snake charmers, juice sellers, travelling musicians, acrobats and food stalls, it is a place of entertainment for both the local people and visitors.
Accommodation: Hotel Gomassine (or similar)
Day 3 : Drive To Anmiter; Walk To Tijhza And Explore
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today we drive into the High Atlas Mountains. The road up to the mountains is a real switchback but very scenic. Eventually we cross the Tizi'n'Tichka which, at 7,415ft (2,260m), is the highest road pass in Morocco. This is a narrow range of mountains and we soon drop into the gorge on the other side. Here we turn into a wide valley towards Telouet, where we stop to look at the kasbah. This amazing fortress-palace was the stronghold of the Glaoui clan until the late Fifties. On their downfall, they dispersed and the castle fell into disrepair. Consequently, we can now only look at this labyrinthine mass from the outside.
From here, we travel to Anmiter, where we have lunch with a local family before walking uphill on a track for an hour and a half to our riad. The track leads through lush farmland of fruits, nuts and vegetables and local villages. (our luggage will be transported to the Tijhza for us).
Accommodation: Riad Bouchahoud (or similar)
Drive time: Three and a half hours
Day 4 : Loop Through The Tizi'n'ourghsan And Back Down The Ouarikt River To The Village
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we take a moderate six-hour loop through the Tizi'n'Ourghsan and back down the Ouarikt River to the village. Starting in the terraced fields of Ouarikt, we climb up through the high summer pastures to reach the col with fantastic views of the Ouarikt Gorge. After a relaxing lunch close to a waterfall, we follow the river back to the village. Along the way we may meet nomads and villagers going about their business.
Accommodation Riad Bouchahoud (or similar)
Day 5 : Hike Up And Around Mount N'oughlagal
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Leaving the riad and heading around the back of Mount n'Oughlagal (8,530ft/2,600m), we are met with fantastic views of the valley before arriving back at the riad in time for a late lunch. Please note, the hike includes a scramble along a steep, sandy section of trail, which can be a bit more challenging and is especially tricky in wet weather conditions.
We have the rest of the afternoon to explore the village, take a short walk or relax with a book on the large terrace overlooking the Tijhza valley.
On our return, we visit the village hammam, built with money raised by our passengers. This is a truly authentic and enjoyable experience. It is very much a local hammam and you are likely to get the opportunity to mix with the villagers, which further adds to the experience. A standard treatment is included, but you will need to purchase a scrubber and soap for 20 dirhams (US$1.90) plus a customary tip of 20 dirhams. Refreshed, we return to the riad for dinner.
Accommodation: Riad Bouchahoud (or similar)
Day 6 : Optional Harder Day, With The Chance To Trek To Beautiful Lake Tamda
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A longer, harder day includes a visit to the beautiful Lake Tamda, which is strikingly azure against the stark white-rock scenery. This lake is almost 3,280ft (1,000m) long, lying between the impressive peaks of Jebel Anghomar and Jebel Tamda. In the afternoon, we retrace our steps to our start point. If the leader feels this walk is beyond the capabilities of the majority of the group, a shorter day along the same route will be planned.
Ascent: 2,460ft (750m); descent: 2,460ft (750m)
Accommodation: Riad Bouchahoud (or similar)
Day 7 : Walk To Anmiter; Drive To Marrakech Across The High Atlas
Meals Included: Breakfast
We say goodbye to Tijhza and return to Marrakech by lunchtime, leaving the afternoon free for more sightseeing; you may want to visit the Menara Gardens or do some last-minute shopping. Alternatively, you may decide to relax in the hotel and enjoy the swimming pool.
Accommodation: Hotel Gomassine (or similar)
Drive time: Three and a half hours
Day 8 : End Marrakech
Meals Included: Breakfast
The adventure ends after breakfast. If you’d like a little more time to explore the city, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.
What's Included
-
Meals
7 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinners.
* All breakfasts, 3 lunches and 4 dinners
* All accommodation
* Free transfers
What's Not Included
-
Travel insurance
-
Visas and Vaccinations
-
Single supplement
Food
All breakfasts, 3 lunches and 4 dinners included.
Breakfasts usually consist of porridge, bread and jam with coffee or tea.
When eating out, meals are reasonably priced - kebab and bread cost only
about £4 (approx. US$6.50). In main towns it is possible to find very good
French and Moroccan restaurants where a meal with wine will cost anything
from £20 (approx. US$30) upwards. Generally dinner is likely to cost between
£5-10 (approx. US$8-15) depending on what you drink. £15 (approx. US$25) a
day for food should be sufficient. Local beers, wines and soft drinks are
available at very reasonable prices but you can pay UK prices or more for
imported alcohol. Your leader can help recommend restaurants each evening.
Vegetarians can be catered for but there is a fairly limited choice of cous
cous and tajine or omelettes. This is particularly the case during the more
rural or trekking sections of the trip. Please note that if you have any
special dietary requirements you should inform the Exodus Office prior to the
trip. If you have a specific medical/dietary need (i.e. coeliac or vegan) you
may find it helpful to bring some items of food with you from home.
If you are travelling from UK we advise you buy your own water purification
tablets in the UK and take them with you. Bottled water can be purchased
throughout the trip. Please note recycling is not fully established in
Morocco so plastic bottles are an increasing waste problem.
We encourage you to bring water bottles and a means of purifying, filtering
or sterilising water (see packing section) in order to be able to drink cool
water from mountain streams. Bottles of water are available but we strongly
discourage buying these as it contributes to plastic waste.
Accommodation
On this trip, we stay in two premises: a hotel in a modern suburb of Marrakech and a family-run property in the Atlas village of Tighza.
Marrakech: Hotel Gomassine (nights 1, 2 and 7)
Our adventure begins and ends at Hotel Gomassine in the Guéliz neighbourhood of Marrakech. The hotel itself has a small pool with sun loungers, plus there are plenty of shops, cafes and restaurants nearby. If, upon arrival, you need to pick up anything for the days ahead, the Carre Eden mall is a five-minute walk away, where you'll find international shops and a Carrefour Gourmet supermarket.
Tighza: Riad Bouchahoud (nights 3-6)
This family-run property offers simple, traditional accommodation in spacious rooms. On warmer evenings, we can enjoy dinner on the large terrace overlooking the farms and villages of the Tighza valley; during winter, the spacious salon gives us plenty of space to relax and socialise.
Worth knowing
Due to the size of the Tijhza riad, we can only offer the single supplement in Marrakech.
Check out our Q&As
-
Are flights included in this tour?
International flights are not included with this tour.
-
Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes, our local guides are English speaking.
-
Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
The minimum age for this tour is 16 years old.
-
Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
If you would like to be paired with a tour member of the same gender, there is no additional charge. A single supplement can be requested if you would like your own room.
-
Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
We are happy to assist with pre and post tour accommodation. Please enquire for detailed information.
-
Who is Exodus Travels?
At Exodus Travels, we've been exploring the world for nearly 50 years. From Walking and Trekking, Cultural and Cycling, Responsible Wildlife, to Polar and our new Premium Adventures, we are proud to offer award-winning small group and self-guided tours to 100+ countries worldwide.
-
What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
-
How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
-
What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
-
Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
-
Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
Reviews from travellers on this tour
1 Select your preferred date
Sunday - Sunday
Oct 06, 2024 - Oct 13, 2024Sunday - Sunday
Nov 17, 2024 - Nov 24, 2024Sunday - Sunday
Dec 15, 2024 - Dec 22, 2024Sunday - Sunday
Feb 09, 2025 - Feb 16, 2025Sunday - Sunday
Mar 23, 2025 - Mar 30, 2025Sunday - Sunday
Apr 13, 2025 - Apr 20, 2025Sunday - Sunday
May 04, 2025 - May 11, 2025Sunday - Sunday
Sep 07, 2025 - Sep 14, 2025Sunday - Sunday
Sep 21, 2025 - Sep 28, 2025Sunday - Sunday
Oct 12, 2025 - Oct 19, 2025Sunday - Sunday
Nov 02, 2025 - Nov 09, 2025Book with Confidence
-
Free Date Changes
CTS demo white label allows you to make 20 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 0 days before the start of the tour.
-
Low Deposit
CTS demo white label requires a minimum deposit of 55% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 30 days before departure.
-
Terms and Conditions