Atlas Mountains Camel Ride Day Trip: A Deep Review

Thinking of ditching the city sounds so tempting, and taking a camel ride up in the Atlas Mountains? It’s something that calls to so many people visiting Morocco. A great idea to add to any experience of Marrakesh and the surrounding areas is getting up into those stunning mountain ranges. After my adventure, let me share just a little bit about the ride itself, what you might see, and, well, maybe what you’d rather avoid!

Booking the Adventure: Things You Might Consider

When it comes to figuring this whole trip out, well there are a ton of outfits throwing their hats in the ring, and that makes things, in a way, tough. A little searching online really unveils pages and pages of different vendors. See, I wanted to shop local if I could, so that got me asking my riad owner for a recommendation. Lots of people told me that you could maybe shave a few bucks off booking when you are already on the ground. One important takeaway: definitely look around and try not to make a snap call. I went with a company, let’s just call them “Mountains & Camels”, that was pretty much in the middle cost-wise, had lots of great comments, and looked like, potentially, they cared about treating their animals okay. It is good to check what others are saying about animal welfare. What’s commonly said is so vital, and keeping animals healthy is very important!

What’s usually included in a package?

• Transport: You are getting picked up and dropped off straight from your accommodation in Marrakech.
• Camel Ride: Almost always around an hour’s amble on a camel.
• Lunch: A traditional lunch in a local Berber family’s home.
• Tea Break: Mint tea somewhere pretty scenic.

The Ride Up: From Marrakech Into the Mountains

Early start, well that sounds right. A minivan shows up – sometimes a little beat up, basically totally air-conditioned (thank goodness!). Expect around one hour and a half to maybe two hours’ travel time, at least it was for my trip. Very quickly, the flat, almost completely sprawling red smudge that is Marrakech kinda melts away. You will then have to get into, well twisty, narrow roadways as you begin climbing up into the foothills. What’s interesting too is the way things slowly start changing – there are things like the buildings turning from that distinctive ochre to a rocky brown; very small villages suddenly appear almost completely clinging to the hillsides.

Meeting the Camels (and Getting On!)

I got to the “camel spot,” that you could say, which was just a bit beyond a settlement and quite open. They were already waiting – about five camels sitting patiently on the dirt. A guy helped us climb aboard, too it’s almost more complicated than it seems to look! Camels are kind of awkward, arguably so, right? Then they get up rear legs first, basically followed by the front, meaning you suddenly get tipped forwards, and then just a little back. And that’s that! So you’re off! Expect it to feel slow-moving, yet sort of bouncy at the same time. Like a swaying ship thing, in a way? Very interesting! A note, so try to make conversation with your cameleer – lots are Berber guys from the villages near there, very cool.

Scenery and Sips: Photo Opportunities Galore

After your trek is complete, lots of tour packages will have you stop at something really scenic for that mandatory “mint tea moment.” Let’s be frank, these points are very planned, and, like, they kind of usher you into this or that place. No matter, as the scenes were actually incredible. In my case, so we parked near this wide canyon, and this fella led us to a terrace overlooking it. Okay, pretty stunning if you like your landscapes to just really sweep and go on forever. That super sugary tea, you see it poured from up high in a crafted gesture. All while this really picturesque backdrop unfolds. This is good for snapping those memories of yourself looking cool in an exotic place; this way your folks will be well and truly jealous!

Lunchtime: Home Cooking in a Berber Village

Probably something really lovely about these tours, very arguably, is you could say the promise of a genuine cultural experience; actually many include lunch within a Berber family dwelling. After that tea stop, my minivan sort of lurched up yet another series of switchbacks before landing at the edge of this quite small community. We were taken to this humble dwelling with a very welcoming family. We sat on couches around this table, a very traditional style. What’s typical is you are going to get tagine – either with meat, maybe vegetables – bread, olives, and fruit. You find the time to engage a bit with our hosts. Like I could practice my not-that-good French, very and their, potentially better, English. That bit felt really real; like you were getting something authentic.

The Ride Back: Reflections and Goodbyes

Then, after eating well, you head on out and board your transport back down the twisting roads to Marrakech. With all that considered, something calming and reflective about looking at those highlands slip past you as you start heading downwards. I began, in some respects, processing what I saw, maybe tasted. The reddish landscape, or something really distinctive against the pale sky, offers, I guess, kind of food for thinking. As you make your way back into Marrakech, all its city noises slowly overwhelm you, the mountains slowly transform into a memory. That, for all it sounds right, can maybe sit alongside those images you have snapped. Anyway, that whole experience, I will definitely treasure, so even with the few tourists traps and bumps. It’s almost definitely one to add to any itinerary!

Is the ‘Fly Like an Eagle’ Camel Ride Worth Doing?

Alright, is it worth doing, very actually? Let’s be honest: If you hate playing the tourist – steer clear. If you are looking for a total getaway into perfect peace in nature… not totally it. The payoff is very much getting glimpses of scenic wonder coupled with a snippet into authentic Berber culture. The camels may well be the hook, definitely so, yet potentially it’s those views, a little look into other people’s homes that just could leave something with you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should you bring on your trip?

Just a little bit, to be frank, could make it even easier! That’s it, a small backpack is quite great for essentials such as sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and that camera to take awesome snaps.

Are camel rides actually comfortable?

Camels? Comfy? It tends to be what you might find…they are sort of okay. Prepare to sort of wobble some; arguably it is not really your plush sofa. Little hint, very it seems, wear things you’re okay with getting a bit dusty, I think?

What’s the best time to head to Atlas Mountains?

Seasons could totally swing things; arguably, the most favorable periods tend to be spring (that’s March to May) and autumn, September to November, or thereabouts. It is basically just a tad cooler for hitting those trails and for those fantastic snaps without melting down because the climate turns against you.