How to Get to the Atlas Mountains from Marrakech

If you're planning what to see and do in Marrakech, the Atlas Mountain s are a must-see destination. It's a kilometre-long mountain range that stretches across northwest Africa, starting in Tunisia and running through Algeria to Morocco.

Marrakech is located right on the edge of the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, so there are several different entry points from the city. You'll find several means of transport from the centre of Marrakech: guided tours, bus, rental car and taxi. Here's how to get to this majestic work of nature.

A fairly practical way to get to the Atlas Mountains from Marrakesh in a day is via an organised tour. This usually includes transport and an expert guide, who will tell you the history of the place. You won't have to worry about anything but enjoying the experience.

There are several excursions that will allow you to discover the destinations that make up part of this imposing mountain range, which stretches south of Marrakech.

Excursion to the Atlas Mountains from Marrakech with a view of the Agafay Desert

This adventure to the Atlas Mountain s is very popular. You will travel carefree in a comfortable van, enjoying an amazing scenic route. In addition, you will be accompanied by a driver-guide, who will tell you the history of the place.

You will depart from the centre of Marrakech to the Imlil Valley, in the heart of the Atlas Mountains. The route is about 63 kilometres long, which corresponds to about 2 hours of walking. This valley is the starting point for the main trekking routes to Jbel Toubkal.

Once in Imlil, you will take a camel ride, visit a Berber village and admire the breathtaking panorama of the mountain range, with peaks reaching up to 4,167 metres. In addition, this excursion to the Atlas Mountains and Agafay Desert from Marrakech also takes in the dunes and palm trees of the desert region.

• Price: around €27 per person.
• Travel time: about two hours from Marrakech to the Imlil Valley in the Atlas Mountains.
• Advantages: With this experience you not only get to see the Atlas Mountains, but also enjoy a trip to the Agafay Desert from Marrakech.
• Disadvantages: The experience does not include hiking activities in the mountains.

Excursion to Ouarzazate from Marrakech

Another way to go to the Atlas Mountains is via an excursion to Ouarzazate from Marrakech. You'll visit a town in the section of the mountain range known as the High Atlas. You will enter a unique natural scene, led by the beautiful snow-capped mountains.

You will travel by car for about 3 hours and 30 minutes, travelling along the impressive Tizi n'Tichkauna road pass, which connects Marrakech with Ouarzazate and offers a privileged panoramic view of the mountain range. This is a route of approximately 200 kilometres, which you will safely follow in the company of an experienced driver-guide.

In this city at the foot of the Atlas Mountains, you will discover some Berber kasbahs such as the fortress of Ait Ben Haddou. Also, thanks to the guide, you will identify the iconic places used in film productions such as Jesus of Nazareth (1977), The Mummy (1999), The Prince of Persia (2010), etc.

• Price: the cost of the tour starts at €35 per person.
• Journey time: the trip from Marrakech to Ouarzazate in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains usually takes between 3 and 4 hours.
• Advantages: As this is an organised tour, you will be accompanied by an expert guide, who will tell you the history of the area and help you explore as much of the site as possible.
• Disadvantages: Food and drink are generally not included in the experience, so you will need to bring supplies.

Atlas Mountains tour from Marrakech with Mt Toubkal trekking

The 2-day excursion to Mount Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa, is another way to visit the Atlas Mountains from Marrakech. You will enjoy a comfortable transfer by van to this important mountain range. You will also be accompanied by an experienced guide, who will take you on a trekking adventure through a dreamlike natural setting.

The trip starts in the centre of Marrakech, from where you will drive about 60 kilometres to the village of Imlil. This is located in the heart of the Atlas Mountain s and, apart from its particular charm, is the starting point for climbing Mount Toubkal.

During the trek you will see the Sidi Chamharouch Sanctuary, considered a sacred destination in these mountains, where people used to go in the past to cure rheumatism and infertility. You will also enjoy the beautiful scenery as you ascend the Toubkal peak, located at over 4,000 metres in the Atlas Mountains .

On this 2-day trekking tour of Mount Toubkal from Marrakech you will see a stunning natural contrast. You will leave the desert region behind and gradually enter the snowy terrain of this imposing peak.

• Price: this excursion can cost approximately €116 per person.
• Journey time: The journey by van from the centre of Marrakech to the Atlas Mountains (Imlil village) takes around 2 hours.
• Advantages: There are a couple of refuges along the way, where you can recharge your batteries.
• Disadvantages: If you are not in good physical condition, the trekking route could be a bit demanding.

If during your 2-day stay in Marrakech or longer you plan to visit the Atlas Mountains at your own pace, then renting a car is a great idea. You can drive up to this important mountain range and stop to explore any of the villages that lead into the mountains.

In Marrakech you will find a large number of car rental companies in the city centre, at the international airport and in the surrounding areas: Hertz Marrakech, Avis Marrakech, Europcar Marrakech, among others. All you have to do is contact one of them via the website or at their offices and select the car that best suits your needs and budget.

You can take the road south of Marrakech, which is where the Atlas Mountains stretch out. This route can vary from about 30 kilometres to over 200 kilometres, depending on where you want to go within these imposing mountains.

For example, you can go to the Kik Plateau village, which is the main entrance to the High Atlas Mountains; the Ourika Valley from Marrakech with beautiful waterfalls and lush vegetation. You can also visit the Toubkal National Park or the Eastern High Atlas National Park, which are famous for their hiking trails, among others.

Useful information

• Price: the average cost is between €30 and €50 per day (depending on the model of car).
• Journeytime: The journey time between Marrakech and the Atlas Mountains can vary between 2 and 4 hours or even more. This will depend on where you want to visit within this extensive section of the mountain range that runs through Morocco.
• Advantages: You will have complete flexibility to explore the different destinations in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains.
• Disadvantages: You will have to pay for your own fuel to complete the journey, which could add to the cost of the experience.

The bus service from Marrakech to the Atlas Mountains is the cheapest option of all but certainly the most time-consuming. You'll find several routes with stops at some locations within the mountain range that stretches to Morocco' s Atlantic coast and others with specific destinations.

In Marrakesh you'll find bus routes operated by Supratours, located on Mohammed V Avenue, and by CTM, on Hassan II Avenue. Both cover most of the villages in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains: Ourika, Imlil, Asni, Ouirgane, etc.

For example, if your destination is the Ourika Valley, you can get there in at least a couple of hours on the Supratours route. However, if you're heading to the Eastern High Atlas National Park, which is part of the mountain range, you'll need to get on a CTM bus to Midelt, which is the nearest town. The journey usually takes about 7 hours, but after that you'll need to take a taxi for a further 3 hours to the park.

Bus travel to the Atlas Mountains is a good alternative if you have time and want to learn your way around Marrakech and the surrounding area. It is definitely an experience you can incorporate into your itinerary along with other activities such as a gastronomic tour of Marrakech, a hot air balloon ride in Marrakech, etc.

Useful information

• Price: the price of the bus transfer can vary between 10 € and 15 € per person.
• Journey time: the bus journey time from Marrakech to the Atlas Mountains depends on where you want to go, so you could be on the bus for anywhere from 2 hours to 7 hours.
• Advantages: You'll save money and have a different experience touring Morocco's Atlantic coast by bus.
• Disadvantages: Depending on where you are going in the Atlas Mountains, you may need to supplement the bus route with a taxi transfer.

If you have little time in your itinerary, but you don't want to miss the Atlas Mountains from Marrakech, then the city's taxi service is the fastest transfer alternative. You'll travel straight to your chosen destination in the mountain range. It's also ideal if you don't want to drive yourself, follow the itinerary of a particular tour, or deal with the public buses.

In the city you'll find grand taxis, which are large cars used for transfers outside the city. Unlike the petit taxis, which operate inside Marrakech, they don't use a taximeter, so you'll have to haggle a little over the price.

Just connect with a taxi company such as Roby Taxi, among many others, and they'll meet you at the door of your hotel. You can also go to the busy Koutoubia Square and Jemaa el-Fnaa Square, where you will find dozens of taxis with immediate availability.

With this taxi service you can not only travel to the different destinations within the Atlas Mountain s. It is also a suitable means of transport for transfers between the airport and Marrakech or for getting around the city in time for the attractions and activities on your itinerary, such as a tour of the souks of Marrakech, etc.

Useful information

• Price: The cost of the transfer is about 50 € to 100 €, approximately. However, this may vary according to the distance of the destination within the mountains.
• Journeytime: from 2 hours. This will depend on the destination to be visited in the Atlas Mountains.
• Advantages: You will travel to the Atlas Mountains quickly, saving time on your itinerary. Also, if you're in Marrakech with children, it's ideal to make them as comfortable as possible.
• Disadvantages: The grand taxis used to get from Marrakech to the Atlas Mountains are not metered, so prices depend on the driver and your haggling skills.

If you are a two-wheeled adventure enthusiast, specifically on a motorbike, then this is another mode of transport you can use to get to the Atlas Mountains from Marrakech. You'll travel in a different way, have fun and get a unique perspective of the road.

You can rent a motorbike from any of the companies that provide this service, located in the city centre and around the airport. Some of them are Riderly, Rentalmotorbike.com, among others.

You will drive at your own pace south of Marrakech, along the entire Atlantic coast of Morocco, which is the section of the Atlas Mountains. You will be able to go into the mountain range and stop at the villages and places of your interest (Kik Plateau, Ourika Valley, Imlil, Ouarzazate, etc.).

After this adventure in the High Atlas Mountains by motorbike, you will return to the city to continue enjoying the best activities in Marrakech. Perhaps, take a walk in the Medina, enjoy a bath and massage in a traditional hammam spa in Marrakech, etc.

Useful information

• Price: the price of renting a motorbike in Marrakech starts at about 30 € per day. The cost may increase depending on the model selected.
• Journeytime: the journey from Marrakech to the Atlas Mountains by motorbike can vary from 2 to 6 hours or more. It all depends on how far into the mountains you go.
• Advantages: You'll experience an adventure different from that offered by conventional means of transport as you ride into the Atlas Mountains.
• Disadvantages: This mode of transport is not very convenient during the rainy season, i.e. from December in Marrakech until February.

If you have decided to go to the Atlas Mountains from Marrakech by tour, bus, taxi, car or rented motorbike, you should take into consideration some basic tips. You'll avoid inconvenience and enhance your experience.

• Book tours, cars and rental motorbikes inadvance. This is if you plan to travel in high season, i.e. from March in Marrakesh until May. Also, the months of September and October in Marrakech are very busy for tourists.
• If you plan to drive yourself, make sure you have a valid international driving licence. This applies to both cars and motorbikes.
• Drive with caution. Be aware that the roads in Marrakesh are narrow and some sections are not in very good condition.
• Check the tourist office website for a better understanding of the city when planning your visit to the Atlas Mountains.
• If you rent a motorbike, remember to follow the safety rules for motorbike riding in Marrakesh. Wear a helmet, gloves and be careful with speed.