Remote mountain villages, vast valleys and plenty of adventure – this 4x4 ride into the High Atlas Mountains has it all. Just a short hop from Marrakech, you'll find yourself in a world of typical Berber villages and dramatic landscapes. Yasmine, one of our local guides, says, ‘My family's olive grove used to produce enough olives to support my extended family. With lower rainfall, the harvests became less reliable, and eventually we moved to Marrakech. Today, I work as a tour guide – I'm always so proud to show guests the secrets of the Berber villages I've been visiting all my life.'
Head out with a small group in air-conditioned 4x4s to journey into the High Atlas. We'll stop at scenic viewpoints for vistas over palm-lined valleys, craggy red rocks and scented rose gardens. Wind through rugged mountain panoramas, with a stop en route to see local pottery being made in the traditional way. If you like what you see, you can buy some souvenirs, too.
Next up, we'll visit a traditional Berber house to join the locals for a hot mint tea and a snack of freshly baked bread. You'll have free time after this to explore the village before hitting the road again for a scenic drive into the Asni valley, where we'll break for a lunch of local specialities. Yasmine says, ‘I love to see our guests enjoy the local olive oil. I always check to make sure it's served with our lunch.' Your 4x4 adventure concludes with a stop at the Tahanaout gorges on the way back to Marrakech.