9 independent reviews for Atlas Mountains trekking and Marrakech
Reviews for Atlas Mountains trekking and Marrakech
Teresa King review 6 May 2025
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Marrakech: Riad Siwan was very good. Khalil, the Manager, was extremely helpful with advice / suggestions / restaurant bookings / etc. Our room was beautiful and very comfortable; the central courtyard garden was a cool and calm space away from the heat of the city and we really enjoyed eating breakfast on the roof terrace. We would highly recommend Riad Siwan. Our stay at the Kasbah was a really amazing experience. The location was, as advised, a 15-minute walk uphill from Imlil village and in the shadow of Mt Toubkal, which meant it was very much a quiet mountain retreat. The views were spectacular and, although the new pool was too cold (for us) in April, it is an excellent addition to the outdoor terrace. An additional, but very important highlight of the stay for us was the social interaction with our fellow guests each evening - all of whom were great company. The remote trekking lodge was well worth the two days we took to visit - an incredible location and a wonderful insight into Berber culture and lifestyle. Special mention goes to Mohammed, our trekking guide; Omar, the remote lodge manager and Yusef, the trekking chef/muleteer - they were really excellent.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
If your time allows, visit the remote lodge - it's a great experience. Use the Hammam at the Kasbah - really helpful after a long day's trekking. The Hamman at the remote lodge is no longer operational since the earthquake closed the feeder water well.The tipping guide was very helpful and accurate to what was expected locally (although there was absolutely no pressure to tip). We found that Euros are widely accepted, even by stall traders in Imlil and also at the Kasbah.Do some prep hiking before your trip - the steepness and altitude could make the hiking challenging if not.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
The manager at Riad Siwan talked to us about the work they, the Kasbah and other local organisations collaborate on to provide education for girls in the mountain villages and the opportunities this is opening up / it is seen as really good for the future of Morocco.All of the staff at the Kasbah, remote lodge, guide, muleteers, etc., are local people. They were very clear about how much the work benefits them, their families and the local community. Our trekking guide talked about improvements in rubbish disposal that are being built-in within the villages / children are learning about sustainability and the environment at school and this knowledge is filtering out to parents / the older generation. There is concern amongst the villages that snowfall is reducing each year and river levels are dropping - they are very aware that conservation is vitally important. The water filtration system at the Kasbah meant that we were able to drink tap water whilst there. We refilled our plastic bottles to take out with us each day and would have taken water bottles from home had we realised this was going to be possible.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
This was our first trip to Morocco and indeed to Africa and although we were unsure exactly what to expect we couldn't have felt more comfortable or welcomed by the Moroccans.It was a wonderful experience quite unlike anything we have done before. We will not hesitate to recommend this holiday to others.Mandy Beswick review 16 Jan 2025
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Beautiful views of the mountains and the silence and tranquillity of the environment. Our Riad in Marrakesh was a real oasis in this busy city.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
While not technically difficult, the walking required significant stamina and reasonable fitness. Good walking boots are essential. Bring lots of layers as there were big temperature differences.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Trekking in this region is a local industry and we felt definitely benefited the guides, cooks, muleteers and drivers. We had opportunities to support other locals by buying various products, without being pressurised.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
We had a fabulous time; we learned so much about the Moroccan culture. The contrast between Marrakesh and the Mountains was both pronounced and fascinating despite being only and hour and a half apart. Marrakesh is easily accessible from the UK, we will definitely return. We highly recommend a stay in the High Atlas Mountains.Randi Morrison review 8 Dec 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The scenery was beautiful; customer service was exceptional; the weather and temperatures were spectacular and ideal for hiking and walking; and the hiking was challenging even for seasoned hikers. Very well organized.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Be prepared for the intense sunshine.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
We benefited the local economy for sure.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Exceptional.Steven Langston review 20 May 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Arriving at the Kasbah, walking up behind the mule, then the so friendly greeting when we arrived followed by a delicious meal then two days of great walking in the Atlas mountains.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Take your time allow at least 3 days to enjoy the Kasbah and the surrounding area. Be prepared for the hurry scurry of Marrakesh and get your bearings in the Medina.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Hopefully in Imlil, not sure in Marrakech apart from employing local people.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
9/10Katharina Zittel review 24 Mar 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The staff at the Kasbah and people of Imlil made such an Impression on me. Their warmth and kindness,…, I was travelling alone as a woman and felt very safe.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Just enjoy it, let yourself be guided by the the impulses you get from the people at Kasbah, they are very flexibel and have the best ideas how to spend your time there.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
I had the feeling, yes, but would have loved to learn a bit more about how they really profit from it and how the funding of the Girls School in Asni really works.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
5 stars, I am so fascinated with the Berbers and their way of life. I enjoyed the hiking and my free time at the Kasbah very very much.Ailsa Churchill review 12 Dec 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The food and hospitality was exceptional. We stayed in Dar Imlil and The Trekking Lodge where we were very comfortable and well looked after. The views whilst trekking are of course equally memorable!2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
We underestimated the number of staff who helped to provide the service and consequently had not taken sufficient local currency for tips.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, we felt it benefitted local people.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
It was well organised and all arrangements were made by the local staff in conjunction with our wishes. We cannot fault the hospitality and organisation. We wanted 4 days of trekking in the High Atlas and that's exactly what we got. Four interesting routes with a very knowledgeable guide.Peter Lodge review 24 Oct 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The trekking around Imlil and into Azzaden valley was excellent. The scenery was stunning, paths were well maintained and we were extremely well looked-after throughout our time in the Atlas2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
If spending a significant time in Marrakech I would check which tourist attractions are open - many were closed due the earthquake when we were there in October 20233. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Very much. In addition to supporting local people who worked in the tourist industry, a 5% levy on the total cost of the holiday went towards Education for All Morroco to support education for girls from rural communities in the High Atlas Mountains.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Great holiday. Loved the Atlas mountains and would definitely return with the same companyAndrew and Liz Fowler review 27 Jun 2022
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
We expected the mountain scenery to be as glorious as it was and the sights and sounds of the Medina also lived up to our expectations in Marrakech. The more unexpected memory we will take from it was the friendliness of the people. We obviously got to speak to our guides, drivers and the Riad and Kasbah staff - and our guide kindly took us to his home to meet his wife and children and arranged for us to visit another, more modest home - but the most memorable interactions were those accidental ones with local people, both in the mountains and Marrakech.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
First, just go! And go now - for all sorts of reasons! We wanted to see the 'real' Morocco not the westernised, tourist version/sights - we told of Marrakech guide that and he dutifully did so (and DO get a guide, both in the city and the mountains)! But we were struck by how quickly this country is modernising: the contrast between the Imlil Valley now, 25 years after the arrival of a road and electricity, and the Azzaden Valley (a road last year, electricity 2 or 3 years ago) only 3-4km away was striking in terms of both the volume of houses, cars and tourists. So, if, like us, you want a real experience, the second piece of advice is to be prepared to put yourself out and go find that experience. The walking isn't easy but, if you are fit and agile, as we were, nor was it very hard. The heat in June was not as oppressive as we feared (hard to understand why so many Europeans choose not to go in June - we had both the Riad in Marrakech and The Kasbah almost to ourselves! - although we understand August may be very different), even in Marrakech, but it was warm: the cooking was good if a little repetitive (this isn't a 5-Star, Hilton, Room Service Menu experience), the trekking lodge rooms are not huge (it is a Trekking Lodge!), our digestive tracts took a beating (Imodium is a must!), but what a time we had! Our third tip would be to give yourself to the people, be they the guides or the locals. Be respectful but don't be too hung up on the dress code! Trust them, speak to them (the guides speak English well but French is the best language for the locals), be inquisitive and smile - we learned so much about both the Islamic faith, dispelling even our quietly held and educated fears.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
It's a question that really relates to the mountains, not Marrakech. We'd like to think that by purposely interacting with them, we 'built bridges': in the Azzaden (where they see a tourist once a week, unlike once every 5 minutes in Imlil), if we stopped in a village faces would appear over roof tops and walls, chatter would begin, smiles exchanged and so on. But perhaps the honest answer is 'Not as much as perhaps we expected or would have liked'. Whilst in the Kasbah there is plenty of signs about there being 5% levy donated to the local community and literature about the work for the Education For All Charity, it wasn't forced upon us: we walked past co-operatives selling local artefacts but the guides were at great pains to point out we were not obliged to look, let alone buy. There were also plenty of signs about not littering (slightly surprisingly, none that we can recall about water conservation) but if you are sensible and responsible it should all come naturally. As parents - and one of us being an ex-teacher - we'd really like to have had the chance to visit a school (a possible optional extra?): maybe there is scope to offer the chance to make a one-off donation at the end of the stay, or see more of how the 5% levy is being spent (if the guest is interested)?4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
We're a newly retired couple, either side of 60, who have had our fill of relaxing by pools and on beaches - we're absolutely not back packing, hostel living teenagers, even if we want the next few trips to be more about both seeing the places we've never seen and, above all, 'doing', 'meeting' and 'experiencing'. So we had a great time!Eben Rosenthal review 5 Jan 2020
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
great trekking2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
bring a water bottle3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
The guides were local which was great, however, our guide did not really tell us what to expect, what options we had for hiking (going this way or that) and was not very knowledgable about local issues (!). Spent most of his time chatting with the various mule guides during the hike.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
FantasticRead the operator's response here:
Dear Eben
Thank you for your feed back which we really value and allows us to try and maintain our very high standards. I am glad that overall you thought your holiday with us was fantastic and you were generous to give us a 5* rating thank you. I am sorry your guide was not as good as he should have been and I will be looking into what happened here as it is certainly not what is normally the case as can be seen from the feedback we get. I apologise that your guide fell short of the standard we usually provide.
Thank you again for your feed back which is really appreciated. Wishing you well Mike McHugo and All the rest of team
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