Atlas Mountains Tour: Honest Review, Waterfalls & Camel Ride
Thinking about an escape from the intensity of Marrakech? Very much thinking you could be interested in an adventure that gets you up close with Morocco’s gorgeous landscapes and authentic Berber culture? Well, a day trip to the Atlas Mountains, taking in the Three Valleys, complete with a waterfall hike and camel ride, just might be exactly what you are after. This review shares my take on this well known tour, so you can get an idea if it lives up to its hype.
What’s the Atlas Mountains and Three Valleys Tour About?
So, the Atlas Mountains and Three Valleys tour is pretty much a classic day excursion from Marrakech. Basically, it promises a deep view into Morocco’s countryside, away from the busy city. This adventure often packs in various experiences, like visiting local Berber villages, seeing lovely waterfalls, and yes, a camel ride. Seems it all gives you a flavor of traditional Moroccan life and stunning natural beauty, all in one trip.
But you, it aims to showcase a few key regions of the High Atlas Mountains. The Ourika Valley is often a starting point, well known for its streams and green scenery. Then there’s the Asni Valley, which has a completely wonderful view of Mount Toubkal, North Africa’s highest peak. And, you also go to the Berber Village, it tends to provide a great peek into the daily routines and traditions of the local people. Tours tend to highlight the unique personality and charm of each valley.
The chance to see waterfalls tends to be a high point for some. The tour normally includes a guided hike to one of the waterfalls in the Ourika Valley. Basically, the camel ride element is added fun. Though, is that generally a shorter experience, and it gives you a chance to soak in the landscape from a different view. It’s something that looks incredible in pictures. But be prepared for the reality: you may share the experience with loads of tourists looking for something awesome.
Booking the Tour: Things You Need to Know
There’s an ocean of tour operators putting up the Atlas Mountains and Three Valleys adventure, so you can be sure you shop around a bit to come across the deal and vibe that suits you best. What I did was browse many websites, and read a great amount of reviews. That helped me get a better handle on what to anticipate from different companies. The costs seem to be different depending on the level of service, group size, and what the package includes. Like your budget matters so keep this in mind when booking!
Mostly, it’s very vital to examine the inclusions cautiously. Something to remember when seeing a trip, be sure to check that the price include transportation from and to your lodging in Marrakech, that just might be convenient. Food is another factor, and that certain packages do include lunch, that just might be a customary Berber meal. Find out just what the extra costs will be (like tips for guides and drivers). Know precisely what is integrated, so that there won’t be any wonderment at the conclusion.
It’s also rather well known to double-check the cancellation policy ahead of you booking. Can you see that something turns up meaning you ought to change your plans? Being aware that the operator’s flexibility really may save you a great deal of anxiety. Last but not least, ask some things about the group size. Smaller groups normally means much more personalized attention so, it will come to a better over all experience.
My Day in the Atlas Mountains: The Nitty-Gritty
The day started, I do mean early, with a pickup directly from my riad in Marrakech. Anyway, it was absolutely super nice to avoid having to find a gathering spot early am. From there, it was about a 1.5 to 2-hour drive to the mountains. Seems that the drive by itself had a chance to view the scenery transforming as we went from city landscapes into rolling hills and fields.
Our primary stop was, too it’s almost like a Berber village. Seemingly we met with locals, saw their way of life and observed how argan oil is extracted, you. I can’t say the Argan oil demo isn’t totally touristy, yet actually, it can be rather amazing to see the procedure, and support local women that make the oil. You see, I valued hearing straight from the source in terms of how the inhabitants accommodate and reside in sync to the landscape.
The hike to the waterfalls was really one of the big doings during my time in the Atlas Mountains. You will want to wear some suitable sneakers considering that the pathway may be rough and in some spots rather steep. Anyway the vistas as you scale make all the physical activity worth it. Plus, the sight and noise that you’ll get from the falls tends to be rejuvenating. And actually it’s the amazing picture op.
Of course, no visit is ever complete in the Atlas Mountains unless there’s a camel ride, yeah? In a way my experience of riding camels in the High Atlas was great although concise. In this moment when swaying on these creatures through terrain let me observe the spot from another view and gave another level in general day.
Food, Culture, and Local Interactions
Food can be such an important element when thinking about traveling so I had to mention food and what I think. Typically lunch is often presented Berber-style, frequently at any local family’s household or restaurant around the mountains, you. Which is perfect opportunity for some real immersion that also means benefiting from local economy.
I have always valued when travel includes chances of cultural change plus, for this, there are not many options superior than interacting to neighborhood. It’s something that can simply include conversation over green tea and gaining some idea with respect traditions. Keep your interactions mindful/ respectful so it gets better chance to make for equally valuable day. Please keep in mind picture taking plus admiration in neighborhood heritage.
But bear in mind, with interactions can and probably should show certain etiquette practices. Requesting for permissions when ever thinking if doing photography relating natives could be great habit because which it values your reverence due its custom. Listen as you show attentiveness for them whether or when your interpreter speaks to share specifics concerning lifestyle.
Is the Atlas Mountains Tour Worth It? The Honest Take
Therefore, I do think the Atlas Mountains and Three Valleys tour from Marrakech is worth thinking about if you’re after a break coming from town and so as to get something on traditional Moroccan existence alongside lovely surroundings. In case though is to control your anticipations, it is like your perfect if you’re able accept the experiences can vary in standard especially when on common type adventures. Like your enjoyment comes to being able find splendor although things get far less compared totally smooth. I had to note certain areas where trip was great/ areas where this adventure actually left for improvement therefore let us review this.
One can learn what has appeal from adventures happens because its convenience: transport typically through door in riad; very helpful given navigation city can be very much of what may become one stress element to you! But as group adventure with itinerary comes at predictable stops this might just be lacking those desiring individual expeditions/ anything not following fixed path therefore not one ‘do-it-your-own way’ type.
However the mountain landscape is extremely eye-catching plus interacting with local community can have remarkable results, which happens with these tours! Simply anticipate certain tourist targeted stuff included when things designed be truly reliable could instead now sometimes appear put regarding in your ways therefore always consider this so disappointment does not present if planning things ahead; but for total trip, really should do with gaining exposure outside metropolitan areas when here during Moroccan stint that really provides an extremely wonderful addition.
In conclusion, taking that Atlas Mountains and 3 Valleys excursion by camel directly out Marrakech gave chance view in the Moroccan outside/ traditions plus that absolutely had many peak- plus bottom part activities which comes and common tour, yet like understanding such parts then embracing everything will probably deliver an encounter in general that you value tremendously so make absolutely without doubt give it serious concern.