Morocco : Atlas Mountains

The Atlas Mountains have three separate mountain ranges running east to west along the backbone of Morocco. In the north the Middle Atlas rise to an altitude of 3340 metres, this area has endless rolling hills and thick forests, could easily be mistaken for areas of southern Europe. Here you can walk through thick cedar forests, see Barbary apes, impressive waterfalls and climb Joubal Bou Iblane as well as other peaks. Running along the central part of the country are the High Atlas Mountains, the highest mountain range in Morocco, peaks reaching 4167 metres. This range is home to some of the most beautiful valleys and mountain passes as well as the Dades and Todra gorges. Make some time to meet some of the incredibly friendly local Berber villagers and bear in mind that these areas do not see many foreigners. If you really want to explore, the Anti Atlas (the most southern range before the Sahara desert) is the place for you. This area is dry by comparison of the other mountainous ranges, and is sparsely populated, to trek here expect to carry your own supplies and take detailed maps as guides and local knowledge are difficult to come by.

Treks can be organised on request for an overnight visit or over a week of walking depending on your party size and chosen route. Local experts guide all organised treks into the mountains, mules carry all the equipment and evening accommodation is comfortable with hearty local meals.

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Quick links:
Kasbah du Toubkal	La Roseraie
Les Cascades	Kasbah Asma
Palais Salam	Ouarzazate
Kasbah El Moro	Tomboctou

Kasbah du Toubkal
At 1800 metres above sea level, Kasbah du Toubkal looks out over three major valleys carved out of majestic rocky mountains rising to over 4000 metres. This is the home of eleven villages of the Ait Mizane tribe of the High Atlas Mountains. The Kasbah is perched on a great rock outcrop above the main village of Imlil with panoramic views of the mountains, valleys and waterfalls. Here you are made to feel that you are staying in someone's home rather than a hotel. There is electricity, plenty of hot water, beautiful bathrooms and even a traditional Hammam (steam bath). There are communal rooms for eating and meeting.

The bedrooms inside, all furnished in Moroccan style, are clustered around a tiled inner courtyard which is open to the sky. Stairs lead to the large flat roof where many visitors choose to sleep under the stars and which offers spectacular views.

The ascent of the neighbouring Jbel Toubkal (4167 metres), North Africa's highest mountain, is achievable during the summer months without specialist climbing skills. Most people who are reasonably fit and determined can achieve this goal and the views are magnificent - on a clear day you can see the Sahara. Numerous activities are available, ranging from gentle rambles through the villages around the Kasbah to extended treks of one or more days. The longer treks will be supported by local guides and mules to carry your luggage, staying in the houses of the local inhabitants and/or mountain huts.

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Kasbah du Toubkal	Atlas Mountains	kasbah

bedroom	dining room	hammam

Garden House sitting room	Garden House room	Garden House balcony

terrace	berbers	berber villages

La Roseraie
La Roseraie is a stunning property tucked away in the foothills of the High Atlas Mountains at an altitude of 3000 feet next to the village of Ouirgane and only an hour's drive from Marrakech. It is set in 50 acres of beautiful rose gardens, park and farmland.

There are 40 cottage-style en-suite rooms and suites, all with patios leading into the gardens and some with an open wood-burning fireplace. There are two swimming pools (1 indoor and 1 outdoor) and two tennis courts. Meals are served on the shaded terrace or the indoor restaurant. There is a cosy lounge with a roaring fire for the chilly winter evenings. La Roseraie is a perfect haven for relaxation and for artists, birdwatchers, gardeners and ramblers alike.

The well established riding centre at La Roseraie has superb Arab horses which guests can ride by the hour or by the day or trek with a local guide into the surrounding countryside.

La Roseraie offers its guests the use of an heated indoor pool, jacuzzi, hammam, sauna and fitness equipment together with staff specialising in facial and body treatments in Shiatsu.

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foothills of the Atlas Mountains	rose garden	swimming pool

Les Cascades
This small rustic hotel spills over three layers gently descending down a cliff face in the western High Atlas Mountains. Whichever route you take to get here you will be amazed by the stunning scenery, winding mountain roads will take you through dramatic cliffs, waterfalls and villages that seem stuck in time. Les Cascades is very close to the souks of Immozzer, the honey market and the waterfalls (don't expect more than a trickle in the summer months). There are 27 en-suite rooms and all with fantastic views down the valley. The staff are all extremely helpful and they all speak English, French and German.

You can trek from here from 500 metres to 1700 metres on foot or with a donkey with a highly recommended guide called Aneflous Mbarek who works at the hotel. Walking excursions into the surrounding area for two or three days can be arranged, where you will stay in simple Berber houses, or gites. The hotel itself offers a swimming pool, sun drowned terrace and tennis courts, as well as stunning gardens.

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High Atlas Mountains	bedroom	surrounding area

High Atlas Mountains

Kasbah Asma
This traditional Moroccan style Kasbah is situated just off the road to Midelt, nestled between the Middle and High Atlas Mountains. It has been built amongst a thick shading palmery and has amazing panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.

The Kasbah Asma has been tastefully decorated and furnished in a traditional Moroccan style. There are 20 guest en-suite rooms an excellent restaurant and a striking red and blue saloon, swimming pool and a flower flooded terrace. In the summer you can chose to sleep in tents or on the roof of the terrace under the Arabian night sky.

Taroudannt
This small town is nestled between the western High Atlas Mountains and the relatively unexplored Anti Atlas Mountains. Almost the whole town is encased in the high ochre city walls, the French military did not settle here and so the town has hardly changed in hundreds of years and there is no European 'new town', found in so many other towns. Taroudannt makes an excellent base from which to explore both sets of mountains, the Sous-Massa National Park and the many old Kasbahs in the region. Within the city walls, the town is friendly and easy to navigate, there is a small souk and a number of good local restaurants, outside the town the small tanneries are worth visiting.

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city walls

Palais Salam
This is undoubtedly one of the best hotels in Southern Morocco, stepping into the Palais Salam is like entering a mini Medina. There are two sections to the hotel, the old part which is built overlooking two courtyards is four star while the new wing has been built to the standard of a five star. One side of the hotel is the old city wall and it was once the home to the Pasha of Taroudannt, there are lush gardens with stunning flowers and an active bird life through out the hotel, with small fountains in the courtyards. The hotel is very well equipped with two swimming pools, a hammam and fitness centre. All the rooms are en-suite with televisions and telephones and there are several suites and apartments.

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Palais Salam	garden	flowers

courtyard	room

Ouarzazate
The town of Ouarzazate was built up by the French in the 1920's, the town itself has very little to offer although there are some small bizarres and good restaurants. It is a very popular base for film crews, utilising the surrounding stunning scenery and the accommodating Moroccan lifestyle. The location of Ouarzazate is its attraction, it acts as a crossroads between the High Atlas Mountains and the desert and has quick accessibility to valleys, canyons, mountain passes and desert areas with scattered palmeries.

Berbere Palace
The Berbere Palace is the only five star hotel in Ouarzazate itself and many say the only one in southern Morocco, priding themselves on many repeat clients and indeed many film stars. Although it is built in the style of a Kasbah and has retained many Moroccan features it is a large hotel in the centre of town. There are 240 rooms and a number of suites all have en-suite bathrooms, air conditioning and safe boxes. The hotel has a large swimming pool in a large courtyard with a poolside bar for snacks. The food here is excellent both in presentation and quality, the breakfasts are large and serving everything imaginable, altogether there are two bars and three restaurants (one Moroccan, one International and one Italian), food can be served at any time of day.

The hotel offers a number of facilities including on site volleyball, tennis, Health club, jacuzzi, sauna and hammam. They will also organise rounds of golf at the nearby course.

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room	swimming pool

Kasbah El Moro
Kasbah El Moro was renovated eight years ago by a Spanish man, who more recently has changed it into a hotel. The Kasbah is built with reinforced mud and has a unique and authentic desert feel to it. Kasbah El Moro is on the outskirts of Skoura, a small town to the east of Ouarzazate surrounded by desert scenery and dense palm groves, looking out towards the High Atlas Mountains you will see the remains of Kasbah Amerhidil which is featured on the 50 Dirham note.

Kasbah El Moro is the perfect choice if you want to stay in a small friendly hotel in this area yet avoid the larger hotels of Ouarzazate (only 35 kilometres away). It is ideal if you wish to spend a few days exploring the Todra Gorge, Dades and Draa Valley and the Atlas Mountains, the hotel will also organise trips to stay with the local Berber people.
There are 16 rooms, 13 of which are en-suite, each one has its own theme and stunning views of the surrounding Moroccan countryside. The staff are professional, helpful and not in the slightest bit pushy and several of them speak good English. There is a restaurant and a roof terrace with breathtaking views of the High Atlas Mountains. A swimming pool has been built recently and there is one restaurant.

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Kasbah El Moro	Kasbah Amerhidil	room

Tomboctou
Hotel Tomboctou is situated in Tinerhir (about an hour from Ouarzazate), a short distance from the Todra Gorge at the base of the High Atlas Mountains. This hotel will ensure a truly authentic stay, it is set in an old Kasbah and with only 14 rooms you can ensure a personal service. We were very impressed with the staff during our stay here and found their local knowledge and willingness to help, invaluable. All of the en-suite rooms are decorated in a traditional fashion and with ceiling fans and named after an area of Morocco as supposed to numbers.

There is a private swimming pool surrounded by a sun terrace and an excellent traditional restaurant with a local reputation for being one of the best in the area. The reception will help and organise any day trips for you; trip to the Gorges, the Saharan dunes, trekking in the Atlas Mountains, 4x4 driving in the gorges and bicycle trips.

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room	swimming pool	restaurant