Visiting Marrakech? Escape on an excursion through the Agafay Desert and the Atlas Mountains to Imlil. We tried this day trip by minibus from Marrakech and have unforgettable memories of it—from desert landscapes to an argan oil cooperative, a Berber village, a lush valley, and a waterfall at the end of a short hike—all accompanied by wonderful guides.
In this article, check out our photos and all our helpful tips illustrated with images to help you make the most of your trip to the Agafay Desert and the Atlas Mountains.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Why Take the Tour Through the Agafay Desert and the Atlas Mountains to Imlil?
Is the tour worth it? Our take:
Yes, this excursion is definitely worth the trip. In one day, we explored the Agafay Desert and went on a camel ride. We then spent some time at an argan oil cooperative before heading to the Imlil Valley and its Berber village, and we wrapped up our trip with a hike to a waterfall. Lunch on a rooftop terrace with a panoramic view was one of the best meals of our trip.
Our guides were exceptional and taught us a lot about the region throughout the day. It’s one of the best activities in Marrakech. >> Book your tour of the Agafay Desert and the Atlas Mountains now!
WHERE TO STAY IN Marrakech
Our favorites: neighborhoods and hotels
In the Medina
Riad Kbour & Chou – See prices, photos and availability
In the Kasbah, an ancient fortified quarter
Riad Jonan & Spa – See prices, photos and availability
Luxury Hotel
Royal Mansour Hotel – See prices, photos and availability
Our favorite moments
Our favorite part was still the camel ride in the Agafay Desert, where the animals seemed to be particularly well cared for by their owners. We also really enjoyed the Imlil Valley, with its old adobe houses and its waterfall at the end of a short hike. Lunch, with its panoramic view and extraordinary vegetable tagine, was the perfect way to end our day. It was one of our favorite day trips from Marrakech!
OUR TIPS FOR RENTING A CAR IN MOROCCO
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Not too wide
- A good engine
- For more choice, book early.
Access and transport
What mode of transportation?
The tour is conducted by minibus for a small group of up to 12 participants. The vehicle is air-conditioned, equipped with seat belts and spacious seats, making the trip comfortable despite the length of the drive. We appreciated this small-group format, which is more enjoyable than a large bus.
Starting Point
The pickup location depends on where you’re staying. If you’re staying in a riad located in the medina, the minibus cannot pick you up right at your doorstep, as the narrow streets are not accessible by vehicle. A meeting point will then be arranged nearby, most often at Jemaa el Fna Square or Place des Ferblantiers. If your hotel is outside the medina, you’ll be picked up right in front of the hotel. In any case, the organizer will contact you the day before via WhatsApp, using the phone number you provided when you made your reservation, to confirm the exact time and location.
A LITTLE MORE PATIENCE
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Duration and Difficulty
The tour is scheduled to last 9 hours. It includes walking on rugged terrain, both uphill and downhill, particularly in Imlil and during the hike to the waterfall. Be sure to bring comfortable shoes, sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, water, and clothing appropriate for the day’s weather.
This tour is not suitable for people with limited mobility due to the rugged terrain along the route. Please also note that the order of the stops may be changed on the day of the tour to prevent multiple groups from gathering at the same location at the same time. The tour is fairly touristy.
Practical Tips: Duration, Steps, Eating…
What’s on the itinerary
The tour guide speaks English, Arabic, and French. Included are pickup and drop-off at your hotel, the guide, a traditional lunch, mint tea, coffee, and water, as well as snacks. A camel or horseback ride is included if the option is selected at the time of booking. Special dietary restrictions are accommodated whenever possible. We thought it was great value for the money!
During our trip, the main highlights unfolded in the following order: the Agafay Desert and a camel ride, a visit to an argan oil cooperative with a snack, the drive through the Atlas Mountains to the Imlil Valley, the village of Imlil and the hike to the waterfall, followed by lunch at a restaurant with a panoramic view before returning to Marrakech. >> Book your excursion to the Agafay Desert and the Atlas Mountains now!
Schedules and rates
The tour starts at €26 per person, including lunch. It lasts about 9 hours, but this is just an estimate: travel time varies depending on traffic and the locations of the other passengers’ hotels, since the minibus often has to make several stops to pick up passengers before leaving the city. Be sure to bring some cash for tips if you’d like to give them. The mountain guide is paid solely through tips, and it’s nice to give the driver a tip as well.
With children
The excursion is still feasible with children, provided they can already walk well, as the day includes several stretches of rough terrain. It may also seem long for younger children, given the travel time, the camel ride, and the hike. However, it is not suitable for infants: there are no car seats provided in the minibus, and neither strollers nor prams are allowed on board.
Agafay Desert and a camel ride
The road to the Agafay Desert passes through an area with relatively sparse vegetation, dotted here and there with eucalyptus trees, before running alongside the Lalla Takerkoust Dam. It isn’t really a sandy desert, but rather a landscape of small pebbles and arid dunes, in shades of ochre and beige that are nonetheless very beautiful to look at. We arrived at a sort of farm where camels were waiting for visitors. We were given traditional clothing—djellabas and scarves—to wear for the camel ride, which were provided on-site.
The camels seemed to be very well cared for, and their owners were affectionate toward them. We even saw a baby camel with its mother—a touching moment. The ride lasts about half an hour and remains a typical activity in the region, even though it’s touristy.
Argan Oil Cooperative
Along the way, we’ll stop at a cooperative where women make and sell argan oil, spices, and natural cosmetics produced locally. We were able to watch the women work with their traditional tools, and they explained the production process to us step by step. The stop felt a bit touristy to us, but it was still a nice experience.
Everything was homemade, especially the traditional breads, which were delicious. We sampled amlou—a mixture of honey, toasted almond paste, and argan oil—served with these small breads and mint tea, while sitting on a terrace with a superb view of the Agafay Desert. We actually had a late lunch that day, but having already eaten at the cooperative allowed us to wait without any trouble until lunchtime.
Atlas Road and Imlil Valley
The road first takes on ochre hues before giving way to greener landscapes and denser vegetation. We gradually climbed into the Atlas Mountains, and we were even lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a snow-capped peak in the distance. The view of the mountains is magnificent throughout this stretch of the journey.
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The village of Imlil and a hike to the waterfall
Imlil is a mountain village that serves as a starting point for many hikes in the region, particularly toward Mount Toubkal. As for us, we hiked to a waterfall, passing through a small, fairly typical traditional village. It’s a bit touristy, but you can still get a sense of authentic local life there, with old adobe houses lining the path.
The hike takes about half an hour and is easy, suitable for most hikers. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes, though, as the trail alternates between rocky sections and narrow dirt paths in some places. The guide is very helpful in the trickier spots.
Lunch at a restaurant with a panoramic view
Lunch is included in the tour and is served at a restaurant with a panoramic view of the valley. It was simply the best tagine we had during our entire trip. The dish was truly delicious, made with locally grown vegetables and spiced just right. After lunch, the day wraps up with the return trip to Marrakech.
It’s time to book!
Compare everything: companies, prices, schedules and availability.
Frequently asked questions
Is the hike to the waterfall difficult?
No, the hike takes about half an hour and is easy, even though the trail includes rocks and dirt paths in some places.
Is this a family-friendly excursion with children?
Yes, provided the children are already good walkers, as the day’s itinerary includes several stretches of rough terrain. However, the excursion is not suitable for infants, as there are no car seats in the minibus, and neither strollers nor baby carriages are allowed on board.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO Morocco
- Best of
Must-See Places in Morocco
Most Beautiful Riads
Most Beautiful Cities
Most Beautiful Medinas
Morocco’s Most Beautiful Landscapes
Most Beautiful Gardens
Best Museums
Morocco’s Most Beautiful Beaches
- Practical advice
When to go?
How to rent a car in Morocco
Driving tips
Where to Stay in Morocco
- The must-dos
Marrakech
Casablanca
Fez
Meknes
Chefchaouen
Essaouira
Rabat
Tangier
Tetouan
Agadir
The Sahara Desert
