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ATLAS LAKES & DESERT

4x4 adventure tour across the Atlas Mountains to the Ouirgane Valley & N'fis River Valley, Lake Takerkhoust, Agafay Desert & Kik Plateau.

Farmer on Kik Plateau
Kik Plateau with Atlas Mountains

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

  • 4x4 off-road adventure

  • Explore Agafay Desert

  • See Lake Takerkhoust

  • Cross the Kik Plateau

  • See Lake Ouirgane

  • Follow the N'fis river

  • Atlas & Toubkal views

Agafay Desert from Kik Plateau
PRICES PER PERSON
PRICE INCLUDES

Private hire of 4x4 land cruiser with professional driver/guide. Tea break on Kik Plateau.

PRICE EXCLUDES

Tips, beverages & meals not specified, optional activities and items of a personal nature.

Price for children 5 to 11 years old is £5 (60 dh) per child (must be min. 2 adults accompanying). Children 12 and older pay adult price.

On this tour we travel by 4x4 land cruiser to explore the nearby lakes, Atlas mountains and Agafay Desert, returning to Dar Assarou (1,700m) in time for a late lunch. First we drive south to the fertile Ouirgane Valley and climb a twisting road above the Barrage Yacoub el Mansour for views of the reservoir and valley (1,071m). We then follow the N'fis river on its route from the barrage. We cross the river valley several times as we drive to the shores of Lalla Takerkhoust (662m), a man-made reservoir created by a hydro-electric dam across the N'fis river. Water levels vary depending on the time of year.

 

Next we enter the Agafay Desert from the east and traverse the Agafay following desert tracks. We may encounter camels as we make our way to the south and reach the shores of Lalla Takerkhoust. Looming above the reservoir is the Kik Plateau (1,300m). We climb a switch-back road with impressive views of the surrounding countryside down below. At the top we'll take a tea break and enjoy the panoramic views of the Agafay Desert. The Kik Plateau has an ideal climate for cultivating wheat and the settlements here are mainly farming communities. We travel off-road across the plateau to descend the east side with views of High Atlas peaks and Jebel Toubkal (4,167m). We reach the Berber town of Asni which is famous for its colourful Saturday open-air market and drive back to Imlil.

TYPICAL ITINERARY

0830   Depart Dar Assarou; drive through Mizzane Valley.

0910   Reach Ouirgane Valley; drive up into Atlas Mountains for lake views.

1000   Head into the dramatic N'fis river valley on 4x4 piste.

1045   Reach Lake Takerkhoust; continue to eastern Agafay Desert.

1130   Explore Agafay Desert, its canyons, hills and desert plains.

1300   Tea-stop on Kik Plateau with superb views of Agafay Desert.

1330   Continue across Kik Plateau; follow 4x4 piste across plateau.

1415   Descend Plateau to reach Asni Berber market town.

1445   Arrive Dar Assarou in time for lunch.

 

Timings indicated should be used as a rough guide and may vary depending on season and photo stops.

DEPARTS ON REQUEST

This 4x4 adventure tour operates daily throughout the year on a private departure basis.

DON'T FORGET

Take some warm clothing in winter months as it can be chilly on the plateau.

Atlas Mountains from Kik Plateau
Farmer on Kik Plateau
Ouirgane Reservoir & Barrage
Agafay Desert from Kik Plateau
Donkey carrying wheat on Kik Plateau
N'fis River Valley
Kik Plateau with Toubkal
Kik Plateau - Berber Village
Agafay Desert - Nkhila Camp
Agafay Desert - Nkhila Camp
Agafay Desert - Nkhila Camp
Agafay Desert - Nkhila Camp
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