Hot air balloon flight
A flight at dawn over the plateau with the Atlas Mountains in the distance, followed by breakfast on the ground.
About Agafay
Agafay at a glance.
The Agafay desert is a high plateau of stony plains and low hills southwest of Marrakech. Unlike the dunes of the Sahara, its landscape is made of rocky ground, dry river beds and ravines, with the peaks of the High Atlas visible on the horizon. It lies about 40 kilometres from the city and can be reached in under an hour.
The area is popular for short stays: camel rides, quad and buggy tours, hot air balloon flights, walks at sunset and dinner in desert camps, some of which offer comfortable tented accommodation. The sky is very clear and there is little light pollution, so evenings are well suited to stargazing.
Lake Lalla Takerkoust, a reservoir at the foot of the Atlas, is a pleasant stop on the way. Our team arranges the transfers, the camps and the activities, and can combine Agafay with a stay in Marrakech or a longer journey south.
- Best time
- October to April, with mild days and clear skies
- Climate
- Hot and dry in summer, cold at night in winter
- Getting there
- About 40 minutes to an hour by road from Marrakech
- Nearby
- Marrakech, Lake Lalla Takerkoust, the Atlas foothills
Less than an hour from the walls and palm trees of Marrakech, the landscape opens into empty stone plains.
What to see
Main places in and around Agafay.
The stone plateau
A wide plateau of rocky ground and low hills, at its best at sunrise and sunset when the light is low.
Lake Lalla Takerkoust
A reservoir on the N'Fis river at the foot of the Atlas, with views of the mountains and paths along the shore.
Desert camps
Tented camps built in the stony landscape, offering dinner, music and overnight stays under the stars.
High Atlas views
On clear days, especially in winter and spring, the snow-capped peaks of the High Atlas can be seen to the south.
Foothill villages
Small villages of earthen houses where visitors can see everyday life and, with a guide, visit a local home.
Camel rides at sunset
Short rides across the plateau, led by local handlers and timed for the last hour of daylight.
Experiences
Experiences we can arrange.
These are examples. Each programme is adapted to the group, the season and the budget.
Dinner in a desert camp
A private dinner served in a tent or on a terrace, with a fire after dark.
Evening music at the camp
Traditional musicians in the camp lounge after dinner, with mint tea and a fire outside.
Quad or buggy tour
A guided tour on marked tracks across the plateau, with safety equipment and a local guide.