If you are planning a trip to Morocco, You are not alone. Last year, the Kingdom dethroned Egypt as the main tourist destination in North Africa. According UN tourism dataThe tourist numbers of Morocco have increased constantly, with a 20% jump from 2023 to 2024, when they visited 17.4 million tourists. Among all its cities, including Casablanca, Fez and Rabat, Marrakech classifies the The most popular Destination in Morocco for visitors.
Although Marrakech does not suffer the complete effects of over-tourism, some early signs persist, including higher crowds and prices. Fortunately, there is an easy escape from the available crowds if you want a quieter trip. Less than an hour by car from the bustling city, the mountains of Atlas offer nature, adventure and a unique culture, which makes them an ideal deviation destination to get out of the road beaten from Marrakech for a day or two.
The mountains house peaks that stand out to climb (on foot, bicycle or donkey), dramatic desert landscapes and dozens of villages where indigenous Berebers communities live. Whether it hires one of the innumerable tour companies that offer excursions to the mountains, rent a car or hook a bus to the area on their own, this is what you should do once it arrives.
What to see and do
The Mountains of the Atlas have three sections: the high Atlas (or only the Atlas), the middle Atlas and the anti-Atlas (or small atlas) mountains. The high mountains of Atlas are the most accessible from Marrakech, with the big closest town in Asni for approximately one hour by Marrakech car.
Hike
The high mountains of Atlas have more than 400 peaks, with several more than 13,000 feet. Even so, the range has a variety of paths with a variety of skill levels. Mount Tubkal, the highest mountain in North Africa at 13,665 feet, can walk with a guide. For a picturesque and challenging walk, try a path through the Mgoun National Park, a global Unesco geopark known for its picturesque rivers, deep throats and dramatic mountain landscapes.
Visit a Berber town
A reason to walk with a guide is that they will generally take him to a Berber village at the end of his walk (often a relative), which is an excellent way to experience local culture. In the mountains, it is common for Berber families to open their humble houses to hikers and travelers, making fresh mint tea and flat breads in their clay ovens.
Be a witness of the house to prepare Moroccan mint tea, made with fresh herbs that generally grow in their garden, continuously pouring the mixture between the pot and glasses to combine it completely before serving beer with delicate glasses. Meanwhile, his wife will flatten the bread dough and press it against the interior of his wooden oven to bake it. If you are lucky, your hosts can also serve cured olives of your trees and olive oil pressed in the communal stone mill of your people.
The mountains of Atlas were also the home of several Jewish communities at the end of the 19th and early 1900s. Most of the Jewish Berbers of the Atlas mountains left Morocco in the fifties and decades of the 60s, but some villages remain, although they are depopulated. One is Anraz, a photogenic ghost city of abandoned clay structures, which can visit with a local guide. There is a well -kept synagogue, still used for the vacations of the Jews in Casablanca, and a preserved cemetery.
Buy textiles made locally
Another prominent point is a visit to Foundation Center of the Eve Branson Tamgoussi Foundation In the town of Tansghart, where women learn to embroider and weave by hand to earn an independent life. Seeing the weavers in the loom is fascinating, and their beautiful handmade carpets, tablecloths and other items are also on sale.
Daily Bulletin
Reward your entrance tray with the TPG Diario Bulletin
Join more than 700,000 readers to receive news, in -depth guides and exclusive agreements of TPG experts
Where to stay
There are several local kasbahs to stay, but if you want to use points, the Virgin Limited Edition Kasbah Tamadot In Asni it is the most luxurious option in the Atlas mountains. Like many buildings in the region, it suffered some damage during the 2023 earthquake; After a seven -month closure, he reopened at the end of 2024, just in time for his twentieth anniversary in 2025. The renewal brought to the hotel from 28 to 42 rooms, adding a new restaurant and children’s club.
The original building, a Kasbah for the first time of a local governor and then an Italian businessman who restored it, dates back to 1920. Richard Branson, the founder of The Virgin Group, bought the farm in 2000 and turned it into a hotel in 2005.
Some of the largest accommodations are the independent riads of newly built, which have rooms decorated with local textiles, carpentry and ceramics. They also come with private pools or hydromassage bathtubs.
When he reopened, the hotel also added a new restaurant under a massive canvas tent. The essays serve Moroccan and Western food, some nights that offer a traditional Moroccan tasting menu accompanied by Live Moroccan music. There is also an outdoor patio restaurant overlooking the pool for lunch, where each meal begins with a variety of Berber flat breads.
Leave time to explore the hotel: Enjoy a Hammam treatment in the spa, play tennis on the clay courts, participate in a tagine kitchen class and enjoy a glass of newly prepared mint tea premises.
Book with points
The rates in the limited edition of Virgin Kasbah Tamadot begin from $ 577 per night. But you can also exchange Virgin red Points that begin at 140,000 points per night. After a minimum two night stay, the additional nights cost 70,000-85,000 virgin points. (This is one of the lowest exchange rates available for any limited property of Virgin). To reserve, communicate with Virgin Limited Edition at (877) 577-8777 or email enquiries@virginlimiteDion.com To confirm the availability and points rates.
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club is associated with each Main credit card rewards Program, and once you link your Flying Club account to your Virgin Red account, your points will be synchronized in the programs. (Note: Capital a mile transfer directly to Virgin Red.
Although that is not the best redemption rate, it can make your points a little more when taking advantage of Chase Ultimate ‘rewards’ 25% transfer bonus to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, which extends until June 15.
How to get there
The important airport closest to the Atlas mountains is the Marrakech Menara (RAK) airport, which is seeing an expansion of direct flights from the United States that can be reserved in points and miles.
Direct flights from United to Marrakech
Last year, United Airlines Seasonal direct flights launched Among the Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to RAK. That route resumes on October 25, 2025 and extends until March 28, 2026.
If you use United mileageplus Miles to book this EWR flight to RAK, the first leg tickets begin at 42,200 miles and executive class tickets from 180,000 miles (taxes and rates are minimal in around $ 5.60). United prices dynamically, so it is possible that you should use more miles on maximum dates, while even the lowest prices may be available for United credit card holders and members of the Premier Elite.
Delta direct flights to Marrakech
Delta Air Lines Launch your own direct seasonal service To Marrakech on October 25, 2025, from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). This service extends until the end of April 2026.
To reserve this ATL to Rak Flight using Skymiles DeltaWait that unidirectional economy tickets begin at 48,000 miles, and Delta One Bickets from 270,000 miles, with taxes and rates around $ 5.60. The Delta awards also have a dynamic price, so wait to use more miles on the maximum dates. Delta credit card holders can wait Refund discounts.
Related reading:
