welcome to the atlas mountains and to trekking in...
TRANSCRIPT
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Welcome to the Atlas Mountains and to Trekking in
Morocco
We have some of the safest, most experienced hands that Marrakech has to offer. We will safely guide you and your group
through the beautiful terrain of the High Atlas. We, and the Berber people of the Moroccan High Atlas, have trekking in our
blood.
We offer some amazing opportunities for you to go trekking in Morocco. With us you can climb the first and second highest
peaks in North Africa. You can even ski down them in winter. During the rest of the year, we can arrange and organise you a
bespoke trip or you could take advantage of one of our pre-packaged routes.
Ascent of Mount Toubkal
Itineraries:
2 Days Ascent of Mount Toubkal
Start from Imlil and trek to Toubkal Refuge via Aremd & the Mizane Valley Leaving the city
behind we drive south today, towards the craggy peaks and plunging valleys of the Toubkal Massif.
Crossing the Haouz Plain we pass through the tiny town of Asni, from where our road begins to
climb towards the foothills of the Massif. Below us the valley of the Oued Rhirhaia stretches out into
the distance and small villages cling to the sides of the steep hills as we meander our way towards
the village of lmlil. Here we leave our vehicle and, in the company of our mountain guide, begin our
trek, heading along the Mizane Valley, first towards the village of Aremd and then onto the shrine of
Sidi Chamarouch. Built on a moraine spur overlooking the valley floor, Aremd is the largest village
in the valley and provides an interesting mix of traditional terraced farming, gites and streets that
seem to be permanently gridlocked by goats and cattle. For generations the local Berber villagers
have worked these lands, producing corn, potatoes and walnuts from the harsh landscape. Continuing
east and crossing the flood plain our route takes us along mule tracks and up into the high rocky cliffs
above the valley. Crossing the river we eventually come to the pastoral shrine of Sidi Chamarouch,
which attracts tourists and pilgrims alike (although only Muslims are allowed to cross the stone
bridge to visit the marabout shrine itself). The village sits besides a small waterfall, a jumbled
cluster of houses that seem to melt together into an anarchic mass. From here the trail continues to
climb steadily, snaking and zigzagging its way up to the snowline and the Toukbal Refuge (3206m),
our stop for the night. Approx 4-5hrs walking.
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Trek to summit of Jebel Toubkal(4165m); return to lmlil Early this morning we make our attempt
on the summit of Jebel Toukbal, the highest peak in Northern Africa. Our route takes us up the
south cirque, crossing the stream above the refuge and then heading across one of the mountains
numerous scree fields, where we will have to negotiable a seemingly endless carpet of boulders and
rocks. The walking is relatively straightforward, but the scree and the altitude will make the going
quite difficult in parts, however, the views along the way make the journey more than worthwhile.
Cresting the ridgeline we find ourselves on the plateau, from where it is a short walk to the summit
and the vistas out across the surrounding landscape are quite breathtaking. From here there are
unrestricted views in every direction, from the Marrakesh Plain to the High Atlas in the north and as
far south as the Anti-Atlas and the Sahara. Pliny, the great Roman scholar, once described the High
Atlas Mountains as "the most fabulous mountains in all of Africa" and from our vantage point
high above the valley it is easy to understand why. Retracing our steps we then return
down the mountain and head back towards lmlil.
Included
• Mountain guide
• All meals during the trek
• Mules & porters
• Accommodation at the Mountain hut or camping.
• Kitchen & camping Materials
Not Included :
• Accident or personnel insurance
• Bottled of water • Personnel gear ( sleeping bags, walking boots, crampons , ...)
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Overnight stay in a Berber village- 2 Days
Day One: Aguersiwal – Matat – Tizzi Oussem
You will meet with your team in Aguersiwal at an altitude of 1650m and trek past Matat villages and the plateau, over the Oud ite pass and
eventually to the Azzaden Valley where you can stay in a local house in Tizzi Oussem.
Day Two: Tizzi Oussem – Tizi Mzzik - Imlil
During the second day, you will visit the biggest waterfall in the Toubkal National Park, before trekking to the Ait Mizan va lley, via
Tizi Mzzik (2550m) which affords a wonderful view of the Atlas Mountains and Imlil.
Included
• Mountain guide
• All meals during the trek
• Mules & porters
• Accommodation at the Mountain hut or camping.
• Kitchen & camping Materials\
Not Included:
• personnel insurance
• Bottled of water
• Personnel gear ( sleeping bags, walking boots, crampons , ...)
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Three Valleys Trek- 3 Days
Day One: Imlil – Tizi n’Tamaterte – Tachddirt
The first day is 5-6 hours walking and will take you from Imlil (1740m), to Tizi n’ Tamterte (2300m), to Tachdirt.
There will be lunch on the pass after Tizi n’ Tamaterte before you head to the last village, Tachdirt or Tinghourine,
and spend the night in a guesthouse.
Day Two: Tinghourin/Tachddirt-Ikkis-Aguersiwal-Matat-Ait Aissa
The second day will bring you 6-7 hours of trekking and take you from Tinghourine/Tachdirt to Ikkis, Aguersiwal
(2100m) and to Matat to Ait Aissa. The route takes you by other picturesque villages and along the Oudit Pass
(2200m). In the evening in the Ait Aissa, there is a gite to stay in and a steam bath (hamam) if you would like to use it.
Day Three: Ait Aissa/Tizi Oussem-Imlil
The third day is 6hours will take us first to visit the beggest waterfalls in the Toubkal National park ,then join the path
that goes over Mzik pass 2500m with fantastic view over the Ait Mizan valley, lunch in Mzzik and trek dwon to imlil,
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Included
• Mountain guide
• All meals during the trek
• Mules & porters
• Accommodation at the Mountain hut or camping.
• Kitchen & camping Materials\
Not Included:
• personnel insurance
• Bottled of water
• Personnel gear ( sleeping bags, walking boots, crampons , ...)
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The Circle of Toubkal- 3 Days
Day One: Imlil - Tizi M'zzik - Lipeney
Day 1 will take around 6 hours to complete and will take you from Imlil to Lipeney refuge (300m) via Tizi M'zzik
(2450m) and the beautiful Azib n'Tamsoult and Ighouliden waterfalls.
Day Two: Lipeney - Aguelzim - Neltner
Day 2 will be approximately 5 hours and will comprise Lipiney refuge (3000m) to Neltner refuge (3207m). It will
include walking up the 82 step zig-zag path and via Aguelzim Pass (3560m) to get to Neltner Refuge where you will
stay the night.
Day Three: Neltner - Mount Toubkal - Imlil
Day 3 may take you up to 9 hours to trek and complete, but it will take you to the top of the highest peak in North
Africa, Mount Toubkal (4167m), with views of the High Atlas and the Sahara Desert, before coming full circle with
Imlil as your destination.
Included
• Mountain guide
• All meals during the trek
• Mules & porters
• Accommodation at the Mountain hut or camping.
• Kitchen & camping Materials\
Not Included:
• Accident or personnel insurance
• Bottled of water
• Personnel gear ( sleeping bags, walking boots, crampons , ...)
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Day One: Imlil - Tizi M'zzik - Lipeney
Day 1 will take around 6 hours to complete and will take you from Imlil to Lipeney refuge (300m) via Tizi M'zzik
(2450m) and the beautiful Azib n'Tamsoult and Ighouliden waterfalls.
Day Two: Lipeney - Aguelzim - Neltner
Day 2 will be approximately 5 hours and will comprise Lipiney refuge (3000m) to Neltner refuge (3207m). It will
include walking up the 82 step zig-zag path and via Aguelzim Pass (3560m) to get to Neltner Refuge where you will
stay the night.
Day Three: Neltner - Mount Toubkal - Imlil
Day 3 may take you up to 9 hours to trek and complete, but it will take you to the top of the highest peak in North
Africa, Mount Toubkal (4167m), with views of the High Atlas and the Sahara Desert, before coming full circle with
Imlil as your destination.
Included
• Mountain guide
• All meals during the trek
• Mules & porters
• Accommodation at the Mountain hut or camping.
• Kitchen & camping Materials\
Not Included:
• Accident or personnel insurance
• Bottled of water
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Berber Villages & Mt Toubkal Ascent- 4 Days
Day One: Imi Oughlad – Tizian
The first day is around 5 to Imi Oughlad (1340m) where you will meet your guide, your cook and your mule. The trek takes you past a vast forest of pine, juniper and oak trees, while you make your way to Tinzert, which will give you a stunning view of the
Ouirgan Valley, before you finish the night in a local gite (a French term for a locally owned house).
Day Two: Tizian - Tizi Oussem – Tamsoult
6 hours of trekking on the second day will yield a view of the beautiful Azzaden Valley with colourful villages and hills,
the Azzaden River circled by homes, an amazing vista that includes the Tazaghart Plateau and a huge section of the Atlas
Mountain chain. Your evening will finish at 2700m in Tamsouit Lodge or in tents, dependent on the conditions.
Day Three: Tamsoult – Ighouliden - Tizi Aguelzim – Toubkal
Day 3 will bring you past the biggest waterfall in the Toubkal region, a visually stunning start to the day, before you embar k upon 7-8 hours of trekking, up a steep incline to reach the Aguelzim Pass at 3600m. The pass has a breathtaking view over the Atlas
Mountain villages and plain of Elhaouz. Your night will be spent in a refuge or tents at 3208m.
Day Four: Toubkal – Imlil
After an early breakfast you will be trekking up to the highest peak in North Africa – an enormous 4167m at its peak - the
roof of North Africa, Mount Toubkal. You will have an incredible view over the Saharan Desert plain, the Berber villages
and valleys before you head down for lunch and back to Imlil or to Marrakech. The final day will take you about 8 hours in
total.
Included
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• Mountain guide
• All meals during the trek
• Mules & porters
• Accommodation at the Mountain hut or camping.
• Kitchen & camping Materials\
Not Included:
• personnel insurance
• Bottled of water • Personnel gear ( sleeping bags, walking boots, crampons , ...)
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2 Days Zagora – Camel Ride
Day 1: First we cross the spectacular Tizi n’Tichka Pass of the High Atlas mountains. You will pass through
many Berber villages, and once in the desert, riverside oasis and barren hillsides are clustered with
Kasbahs. After lunch we drive further to Zagora, with beautiful views of the Draa Valley. We will arive
there around 4 and after a short break you will ride camels into the dunes, where you will spend the night
in berber tents. After seeing a beautiful sunset you will enjoy a fantastic dinner.
Day 2: After viewing the most beautiful sunrise and having breakfast at the camp site you will ride the camels
back to the auberge. Drive back to Marrakech, again via Tichka pass.
What is included:
• Accommodation: 1 night in Berber tent
• All Meals: breakfast and dinner included
• Transport: minibus or 4x4, Camel ride
What is not included:
• International Flights
• Sleeping bags
• Travel insurance
• Lunch
• Tips
• Entrance Fees
• Drinks and items of a personal nature
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3Days Erg Chebbi -Merzouga
Day 1: First we cross the spectacular Tizi n’Tichka Pass of the High Atlas mountains. You will pass through
many Berber villages, and once in the desert, riverside oasis and barren hillsides are clustered with
Kasbahs. After lunch we drive further to Valley of the Roses, with beautiful views of the Dades valley,
valley of a thousand kasbahs. Overnight in Dades.
Day 2: After breakfast we drive to Todra Gorge and after a short stop there we drive on to "Auberge du Sud"
at the dunes of Erg Chebbi. We will arive there around 4 and after a short break you will ride camels
into the dunes, where you will spend the night in berber tents. After seeing a beautiful sunset you will
enjoy a fantastic dinner.
Day 3: After viewing the most beautiful sunrise and having breakfast at the camp site you will ride the camels
back to the auberge. From there it will be a long day driving back to Marrakech, again via Tichka pass.
What is included:
• Fully Escorted: fully escorted by local driver/guide
• Accommodation: 1 night in simple hotel, 1 night in Berber tent
• All Meals: breakfast and dinner included
• Transport: minibus or 4x4, Camel ride
What is not included:
• International Flights
• Sleeping bags
• Travel insurance
• Lunch
• Tips
• Entrance Fees
Drinks and items of a personal nature
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Day Excursion to Imlil
Your driver will pick you up from where you are staying and take you to meet the guide who will show you around
the amazing Berber villages. During your time there, you may have some traditional mint tea, or Berber bread and
soup. The half day walk is about a 1 or 2 hour walk/mule ride at the end of which, you will be served traditional
Berber lunch in a traditional Berber house – or perhaps outside under the walnut trees.
The full day trek will have you start from Imlil and head out to the Imnan valley. The walk is circular and during it,
you can have lunch near the river before heading back to Imlil. Your transport will then get you back to Marrakech at
4 or 5 o’clock. The walk is 6 to 7 hours in total.
When you are picked up from Marrakech, at 9.00 am, the driver can stop for you to take photographs on your way to
Imlil. Your journey will take you via Tahnaout and Moulay and if it is Tuesday or Saturday, you can visit the
markets in Tahnaout or Asni. You will also see the awesome Atlas Mountain Range as you travel the countryside.
What is Included :
• Transport
• Lunch
• Guide
• Mule if needed
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Not Included .
• Water
Day Excursion to Ourika
The village of Ourika is 67km by road from the city of Marrakech. You will be picked up by your driver in the
morning and returned to your lodgings in the evening. Your journey to the village will be as picturesque as Ourika
itself.
During your time there, your guide will take you to a pottery, the beautiful Ghamt Mosque and include a walk up to
the 7 waterfalls of Setti Fadma.
Along the way, your guides will talk you through the area, including pointing out which plants in the area are
medicinal. Your lunch will be served in a small, authentic Berber restaurant.
What is Included :
• Transport
• Lunch
• Guide
• Mule if needed
Not Included .
• Water
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Day Excursion to Ouirgan
To get to Ouirgan, you and your guides will head out from the south of Marrakech. If it is a Tuesday or a Saturday,
then you can visit the souk (market) at Tahnaout or Asni. Your guides will be more than happy to take you and show
you around.
Once you get to Ouirgan Village, you will travel around the vast ancient forest of Ouirgan, passing many other
Berber villages and abodes. Some of the trees in the forests of North Africa can grow up to 55 meters in height. You
may find examples of the Atlas Cedar, the Algerian Oak or the Black European Pine.
There are also many different types of local fauna and, if you are lucky you may get to see some of the rarer creatures
that live in this region. For example, you may come across creatures such as the endangered Barbary Macacque,
Barbary Stag (extinct until it was reintroduced in the 90’s), the Atlas Mountain Badger, Cuvier’s Gazelle or the
Northern Bald Ibis.
The walk has plenty of lovely views along the way, Youkoub Elmansour.
What is Included :
• Transport
• Lunch
• Guide
• Mule if needed
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Not Included .
• Water
Day Camel Trek
Marrakech - Tahnaout - Outral - Marrakech
Your transport will bring you from Marrakech to Tahnaout, across about 30km, where you will meet your registered
local guide and the camels. The trek is 4 hours 30 minutes on the camel; two and a half hours before lunch and an
hour and a half afterward. Your food will be cooked and served to you by an expert cook.
Your final destination will be Outral, a beautiful Berber village, but along the way you will visit other Berber living
spaces, such as when you stop for lunch in a typical Berber house in the village of Wirizin. At the end of your trek,
your transport will take you back to Marrakech.
Note. It is possible to spend the night in the village. It is also possible to do the camel trek and then drive to Imlil and
spend the night there and then do a day of exploring the Berber villages, before coming back to Marrakech in the
afternoon.
What is Included :
• Transport
• Lunch
• Guide
• Camel
Not Included .