Printable destination guide

For more information and to book please visit www.mrandmrssmith.com or let us arrange your whole trip, by calling +44 (0)20 8987 4312 or from the USA dial 1 866 610 3867.


Boutique hotels in Atlas Mountains

Holidays in Atlas Mountains, Morocco

Atlas Mountains Overview

Morocco

Countryside
Untouched mountainside
Country life
Rural as can be

Marrakech gives a very European impression of Morocco. Head just few hours out of the city and you'll find a completely different atmosphere.

Modernity isn't a big thing in the mountains south of Marrakech, where Berber culture is strong, and tourism mainly confined to trekkers. Two specific draws are the snaking road south to Taroudannt; and Imlil, Asni and Aremd, the Berber villages en route to the highest peak, the Djebel Toubkal. But sights aren't what the High Atlas is about – it's the views. Almond blossom at Ouirgane; winter snow at Ouïkaimeden; wild nature and traditional villages all year round.

Absolutely Atlas Mountains

Do as Marrakeshi families do and pay a visit to the shrine of Moulay Brahim, where there's a festive bank-holiday atmosphere between June and September.

Local knowledge

Taxis
A 'grand taxi' will take up to six – explain first if you don't want to share with other parties. Establish a price for your trip before you set off.

Tipping culture
Sling porters and anyone who helps you out along the way maybe five or ten dirhams. Taxis tend to overcharge, so don’t feel you need to add extra.

Packing tips
A Polaroid camera, so you can give locals an instant family portrait.

Recommended reads
Lords of the Atlas by Gavin Maxwell.

Cuisine
Couscous and tajine are the staples. Sweet mint tea is ubiquitous.

Currency
Dirham (Dh).

Dialling codes
Code for Morocco: +212.

Do go/don't go
There's skiing of a kind in Oukaïmeden in winter, though good snow isn't guaranteed. Trekking is best in spring when the almond blossom is particularly lovely. The cooler temperatures in autumn make this a good time too. High summer is still a good time for the mountains, unless you're intending to climb Mount Toubkal.


Atlas Mountains Hotels

£ $

Our round-up of the hippest hideaways and romantic boutique hotels in Atlas Mountains


Kasbah du Toubkal

Atlas Mountains, Morocco

Style
Berber castle retreat

Setting
High in the High Atlas

High above sea level, the Kasbah du Toubkal looks out over three major valleys carved from majestic rocky mountains rising to over 4,000 metres.

Check availability

Kasbah Tamadot

Atlas Mountains, Morocco

Style
Sir Richard's splendid retreat

Setting
Tamed mountainside

A magical walled complex near Asni in the High Atlas, Kasbah Tamadot is all peaceful courtyards, intriguing staircases, landscaped gardens and breathtaking views.

Check availability



Getting there

Holidays in Atlas Mountains, Morocco

Planes, trains, automobiles, or maybe even helicopter – we tell you the best way to go.

Planes
Fly into Marrakech with BA, Air France or Royal Air Maroc. EasyJet starts daily flights from Gatwick in July.
Automobiles
This is 4x4 country, and you'll pay up to 1,000Dh a day for a Suzuki or a Mitsubishi, though you're probably better off hiring a mule for the day unless you're used to the dirt roads. The best way to get out to the High Atlas is in one of the big Merc 'grands taxis'.

Boutique hotels in Atlas Mountains

Holidays in Atlas Mountains, Morocco

Atlas Mountains Activities

Highlights the best Atlas Mountains has to offer, from art and culture to fun-packed activities; we've even found the most inspiring place to enjoy the views from.

Worth getting out of bed for

Atlas Mountains itinerary
More…

Viewpoint
Beautiful views are everywhere. In spring, the patchwork of colour on the hillsides is food for the soul.

Arts and culture
The Tin Mal mosque, beyond Ouirgane, dates from 1153, and is one of the only mosques a non-Muslim can enter (except on Fridays, when prayers still take place). It was restored in the Nineties, and is historically extremely interesting – but you'll have to read up before you get there, since there's not so much as a leaflet to be had inside.

Something for nothing
Fresh mountain air! The people up here live on so little, you won't be looking to get anything out of them...

Shopping
You can watch Berber barbers and donkey traders at work at the Saturday souk at Asni. The textiles you'll find for sale in the hills can be of good quality.

And...
Atlas Sahara Trek, 6 bis rue Houdhoud, Quartier Majorelle (+212 (0)524 31 39 01) is a reputable agency that has been running trips out to the High Atlas for many years.

Diary

August A four-day moussem in Setti Fatma is a reasonably accessible traditional fair, in a village famous for its seven waterfalls.


Boutique hotels in Atlas Mountains

Holidays in Atlas Mountains, Morocco

Atlas Mountains
Eating, drinking and dancing

We've tracked down the best cafés for people-watching, the bars with the coolest cocktails, the most accomplished restaurants and the liveliest local nightlife in Atlas Mountains.

Restaurants

(+212 (0)524 368211)

Kasbah Tamadot

You can lunch more than handsomely at this luxury mountain lair of Richard Branson's.

Near Asni

(+212 (0)524 439128)

La Roseraie

An excellent hotel restaurant.

Ouirgane

(+212 (0)544 485707)

Ouirgane Au Sanglier Qui Fume

If you feel like traditional French country cooking, this is the place to come.

Ouirgane



©2010 Mr & Mrs Smith