The excursion to the Agafay Desert and High Atlas is our favourite – and most popular – day trip because it allows us to discover, in a very short time, how diverse the Moroccan landscape is. We take you through the desert, around a lake and to an agricultural farm and traditional Berber village at the foot of the Toubkal, then into the Atlas mountains, up to a magnificent plateau with an almost-lunar landscape.

Suggested itinerary

• – Depart from the Riad at 9am. Mohamed, our guide will meet you after breakfast.
• – Cross the Agafay Desert, a stony, arid terrain 30km outside Marrakech, which is reminiscent of the Saharan landscapes. You can ride on camel or quad bike (extra).
• – 11am – arrive at a farm near the Lalla Takerkoust Dam. Break for tea and a tour of the organic farm.
• – Drive around the beautiful lake and up to the Kik Plateau. En route you will discover rural Morocco: the peasants in the fields, and small villages hanging on the slopes of the mountains. Few tourists come here: the landscape is absolutely stunning, like the Alps in spring, and more lunar during the rest of the year.
• – Visit the Asni valley and the Berber village of Imlil at the foot of Mount Toubkal, the highest mountain in North Africa with a summit at 4167m. You can lunch in Imlil and take a walk – in the mountains before heading back to Marrakech.
• – Optional detour to the magical Anima Garden near the village of Ourika, just outside Marrakech.
• – Return to Riad l’Orangeraie by 6pm.

The excursion is done in reverse in the winter months, in order to enjoy the sunset in the desert. Lunch is therefore taken at the farm near the lake.