Atlas Mountains Day Trip from Marrakech to Imlil
Our Atlas Mountains day trip from Marrakech drives you up the Asni valley to Imlil, about an hour and a half away, for a walk with a local guide to the Berber village of Aroumd. You stop for lunch facing the Toubkal massif before the drive back down to Marrakech.
- DURATION
- ROUTE
- TOUR TYPE
- PICKUP
- PRICE
Atlas Mountains day trip from Marrakech at a glance
- 1 day
- Marrakech · Tahanaout · Asni · Imlil · Aroumd · Marrakech
- Private tour
- Riad or hotel pickup
- Best time: April to October
Imlil village and the walk to Aroumd
Imlil is the last village on the road south of Marrakech before the High Atlas closes in. It sits at about 1,740 metres, an hour and a half from the city, and it is the starting point for walks in the Mizane valley and for the climb to Toubkal.
On this trip you drive up through Tahanaout and the Asni valley, then walk with a local guide from Imlil to Aroumd, a village of stone and earth houses above the valley. The pace is easy and the walk can be shortened or lengthened on the day. You are back in Marrakech by late afternoon.
Highlights
- The road into the High Atlas through the Asni valley
- A guided walk from Imlil to the village of Aroumd
- Views of the Toubkal massif, the highest mountains in North Africa
- Lunch in the mountains, in a village house or on a terrace
- The weekly market in Asni, if you travel on a Saturday
Read more: Imlil and Mount Toubkal.
How the day goes
From your pickup in Marrakech in the morning to the drop-off in the late afternoon.
Morning · Marrakech to Imlil
Pickup at your riad or hotel around 8:30. The road crosses the plain to Tahanaout and follows the valley up to Asni, where a market is held every Saturday. From Asni the road winds up to Imlil, about an hour and a half from Marrakech.
Late morning · Walk to Aroumd
Your local guide meets you in Imlil. The path climbs gently through walnut trees and terraced fields to Aroumd, about an hour each way at an easy pace. A mule can be arranged for anyone who prefers not to walk the whole way.
Afternoon · Lunch and back to Marrakech
Lunch is in a village house or on a terrace looking up the valley towards Toubkal. The drive back takes about an hour and a half, and you are dropped at your riad or hotel in the late afternoon.
What is included and not included
Included
- Private vehicle and driver for the day
- Pickup and drop-off at your riad or hotel in Marrakech
- Local guide for the walk in Imlil
- Fuel and parking
Not included
- Lunch and drinks
- Mule ride, if you want one
- Tips
- Travel insurance
Pickup, best time to go and what to bring
Pickup points
We pick you up at your riad or hotel in Marrakech at the time you choose. If your riad is in a lane cars cannot enter, the driver waits at the nearest square or gate and someone from the riad walks you there.
Best time to go
April to October suits walking. In winter the higher villages can have snow, and Toubkal becomes a winter climb from about December to March.
What to bring
Walking shoes with grip, a warm layer and a waterproof, a hat and sun cream, water, and some cash for lunch and tips.
Good to know
The weather in the mountains changes faster than in Marrakech, so carry a warm layer even on a hot day. Village paths are rocky and can be muddy after rain. Dress modestly in the villages, ask before taking photos of people, and carry small notes in dirhams for lunch, tea and tips. Mules can carry bags where cars cannot go, and your guide arranges them.
Price, deposit and cancellation
Prices are per person and depend on the size of your group. You book with a 20% deposit by card or PayPal and pay the balance on the first day of the tour.
If you cancel 30 days or more before the start, we refund the deposit in full; after that the deposit is kept. You can change the date once for free if you ask 14 days or more before. The details are in our Cancellation Policy.
Questions about the Atlas Mountains day trip from Marrakech
How far is Imlil from Marrakech?
About 65 km, roughly an hour and a half by car. The last part of the road climbs from Asni into the mountains.
Do I need to be fit for the walk to Aroumd?
Average fitness is enough. The path climbs steadily on mule tracks for about an hour, and the guide sets an easy pace and can shorten the walk.
How much walking is there?
About two hours in total, on village paths with some uphill sections. The guide sets the pace for your group, and the walk can be shorter.
Is it suitable for children and older travellers?
Yes. The walk can be replaced by a short stroll around Imlil, and a mule can carry anyone who gets tired.
What should I wear?
Comfortable walking shoes and layers. Imlil is cooler than Marrakech, and in winter there can be snow on the higher slopes.
Can we go on a Saturday for the Asni market?
Yes. Tell us when you enquire and we plan a stop at the market on the way up.
How do I book?
Send an enquiry with your date and group size and we reply with availability and a quote. When online booking is open for this tour, you can also reserve with a deposit by card or PayPal.
Book this tour
Send your dates and group size and we reply with a quote.
- Private tour, only your group
- Free enquiry, no obligation
- Private tour, only your group
- Free enquiry, no obligation
- Route and timing adjusted to you
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