For a few days, you will be in the heart of the Atlas mountains and in the Ounila valley located on its southern slope. There you will discover the way of life of the valley Berber people, you will admire the buildings made in glowing mud brick which melt into the backdrop of the countryside and the gardens and oasis which meander around the valley. And of course, you will feel like having a bit of comfort… so you will sleep each night at a local’s place or in a lodge.
- Spend the night in a lodge or at a local's place
- Experience the Ounila valley and its gardens
- You can fit this tour during your stay in Marrakesh
- Daily departures
- Booking possible 3 days before departure
Day 1
HOME / MARRAKESH
Day 2
MARRAKESH / AIT BENHADDOU / TIZI N’BARDA – 5h car journey and 1h30 walking
Day 3
TIZI N’BARDA / ASSAKA – 4h walking
Day 4
ASSAKA / TIGHOUZA – 6h walking
Day 5
TIGHOUZA / MARRAKESH – 2h walking and 3h30 car journey
Jour 6
MARRAKESH / HOME
OR you can book this excursion without spending the night in Marrakesh
Day 1
MARRAKESH / AIT BENHADDOU / TIZI N’BARDA – 5h car journey and 1h30 walking
Day 2
TIZI N’BARDA / ASSAKA – 4h walking
Day 3
ASSAKA / TIGHOUZA – 6h walking
Day 4
TIGHOUZA / MARRAKESH – 2h walking and 3h30 car journey
Day 1 : HOME / MARRAKESH
Flight from home destination to Marrakesh (at your expense) where you will be met at the airport. Transfer to the hotel. Depending on the time of arrival, free time in Marrakesh. OR meet directly at the hotel for those already in Marrakesh. Dinnertime and spend the night at the hotel.
Day 2 : MARRAKESH / AIT BENHADDOU / TIZI N’BARDA – 5h car journey and 1h30 walking
First thing in the morning, the minibus will come to pick us up and drive us to the High Atlas mountain area towards Ouarzazate and the South. En route, we will pass by the famous mountain pass of Tizi N'Tichka which acts as a separation point between the North and South of Morocco. A few kilometres before Ouarzazate, we will take the route which leads to Ait Benhaddou, a mud brick village which has been classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. We will spend some time visiting this village which typifies the region. After this, we will continue the journey on the route which meanders around the valley in order to arrive to the village of Tizi N'Barda. There you will settle into a lodge and you will have time dedicated to discovering the village. Dinner will be served at the lodge.
Day 3 : TIZI N’BARDA / ASSAKA – 4h walking
We will begin the tour in the valley gardens. Following this, the valley will transform little by little into gorges bordering the Oued and the crops. It's in this area of the valley where the inhabitants of the region found refuge during times of trouble. It's for this reason they decided to build troglodyte caves which we will also visit. We will spend the night in a lodge.
Day 4 : ASSAKA / TIGHOUZA – 6h walking
We will continue walking through the valley : Yet more red villages, crops and lush almond trees... the countryside is always changing and your mind will be filled with incredible images which you will take back with you home. After having arrived at the bottom of the valley, we will discover a lodge in which we will spend the last night in the Atlas mountains. It sits facing the valley where the view of the crops is unspoilt.
Day 5 : TIGHOUZA / MARRAKESH
After breakfast, we will set off with mules in order to get back to our vehicle which will take us back to Marrakesh. We will follow the trail until Telouet where we will take the time to visit the Kasbah of Chef Glaoui, famous for opposing the regime and unifying Berber tribes. After this, we will return to Marrakesh via the Tichka mountain pass and spend the night in a hotel.
Day 6 : MARRAKESH / HOME
Breakfast and transfer to the hotel. Return flight home. OR end of excursion.
OR there is a possibility to undertake the tour without spending the nights in Marrakesh.
Day 2 : MARRAKESH / AIT BENHADDOU / TIZI N’BARDA – 5h car journey and 1h30 walking
First thing in the morning, the minibus will come to pick us up and drive us to the High Atlas mountain area towards Ouarzazate and the South. En route, we will pass by the famous mountain pass of Tizi N'Tichka which acts as a separation point between the North and South of Morocco. A few kilometres before Ouarzazate, we will take the route which leads to Ait Benhaddou, a mud brick village which has been classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. We will spend some time visiting this village which typifies the region. After this, we will continue the journey on the route which meanders around the valley in order to arrive to the village of Tizi N'Barda. There you will settle into a lodge and you will have time dedicated to discovering the village. Dinner will be served at the lodge.
Day 3 : TIZI N’BARDA / ASSAKA – 4h walking
We will begin the tour in the valley gardens. Following this, the valley will transform little by little into gorges bordering the Oued and the crops. It's in this area of the valley where the inhabitants of the region found refuge during times of trouble. It's for this reason they decided to build troglodyte caves which we will also visit. We will spend the night in a lodge.
Day 4 : ASSAKA / TIGHOUZA – 6h walking
We will continue walking through the valley : Yet more red villages, crops and lush almond trees... the countryside is always changing and your mind will be filled with incredible images which you will take back with you home. After having arrived at the bottom of the valley, we will discover a lodge in which we will spend the last night in the Atlas mountains. It sits facing the valley where the view of the crops is unspoilt.
Day 5 : TIGHOUZA / MARRAKESH
After breakfast, we will set off with mules in order to get back to our vehicle which will take us back to Marrakesh. We will follow the trail until Telouet where we will take the time to visit the Kasbah of Chef Glaoui, famous for opposing the regime and unifying Berber tribes. After this, we will return to Marrakesh via the Tichka mountain pass where our adventure ends.
> For reasons due to weather, logistics, administration and/or other circumstances, or due to a modification in flight times, some steps of this tour can be changed or replaced. This tour can also be carried in the reverse. Point Voyages reserves the right to make changes without jeopardising the quality of the tour.
The Ounila Valley is located on the southern slope of the High Atlas, the temperatures during the winter months are mild during the day despite the altitude.
We offer this circuit all year round except for the months of July, August and September which is the hottest time of the year, which makes walking difficult. Between November and April, the night temperatures are cool with possible frosts so foresee warm clothes.
Prices :
This circuit is a land package WITHOUT flights. Flights are your responsibility.
Furthermore, this tour is offered in 6 days with 2 nights in a hotel in Marrakesh. But it is possible not to take the 2 nights in Marrakesh. In this case, subtract -€70 / per person.
Flight info :
This circuit is a land package WITHOUT flights. Flights are your responsibility. However, we can also book your flight upon request.
Transfers :
Transfers airport / hotel both ways are included. Please send your flight itinerary before departure.
Difficulty level :
Easy level of walking, on average 5 hours a day.
Accommodation :
2 nights in a hotel, in a double or triple room, 3 nights in a traditional lodge (dormitories with communal toilets and showers) or a night at a local's place
OR there is the possibility to to not spend two nights in Marrakesh. In this case, subtract €70 per person.
Please communicate the name of your hotel to us when booking.
Supervision :
During the days when hiking, you will be supervised by professional mountain guide.
Passport :
Ensure that your passport has at least three months of validity for European citizens.
Visa :
No visa is necessary for citizens coming from the E.U. Please check before booking.
Vaccinations :
No vaccinations are mandatory in Morocco.
- Flights from your home destination to Marrakesh (can be booked through us)
- Dinners on day 1 and 4 in Marrakesh
- Breakfasts on day 1 and 5
- Entrance fees for the monuments mentioned
- Sleeping bags