Summary

Atlas Mountain Expedition to Toubkal Massif – 6 Days/5 Nights

Prices From	USD$ $384.00
1st Departure	01.09.2009
Provider	isango!
Destination	Marrakech
Duration	6 Days / 5 nights
Challenge	Difficult
Avg Rating	Not Rated

Spend 6 days hiking in the Atlas Mountains. This exhilarating tour takes you off the beaten track to show you the Morocco which most tourists never get to see.

The expedition starts at lmlil, which is home to the Berber tribe of Africa. You will pass through the hamlets of Taourirt, Targa and lmoula, up and down stark slopes with views of the peaks of the Toubkal Massif.

Walk along trails which overlook irrigated terraced fields of barley, corn and vegetables. Visit on to the Sidi Chamharouch village, a place of pilgrimage for devout Muslims, to see a pre-Islamic religious relic.

This extensive Atlas Mountains expedition takes you through scenic valleys, Berber villages, peculiar basalt rock formations, fruit orchards and pine woods. Observe the way of life of the Berber ethnic groups and enjoy their warm hospitality of the native Berbers in some of the most beautiful Berber Villages.

Itinerary

Itinerary

Day 1

You will be picked up from your hotel in Marrakech at 0900h (9am). Travel in a private car, accompanied by an English-speaking guide up the Moulay Brahim Gorges and the Upper Valleys to the Berber town of lmlil (1740m). Here we shall leave our vehicle to take a welcome glass of mint tea in our gîte déetape prior to setting out on foot towards the south to the Berber village of Aroumd (Aremd) (1843m). The route passes the hamlets of Taourirt, Targa, and lmoula, up and down the stark slopes to see the jagged Western High Atlas peaks of the Toubkal Massif before us - Jbels Aguelzim (3547m), Aksouâl (3847m) and the Adrar Adj (3122m).

 

We shall stop at Aroumd to visit this rather singular village in the Assif Aït Mizane Valley, built seemingly house upon house, overlooking ancient irrigated terraced fields of barley, corn and vegetables and surrounded by almond and walnut trees. From here carry on for another 8 km to the equally-quaint village of Sidi Chamharouch, a Berber village set beside a waterfall. This village is a place of pilgrimage for devout Muslims and it is where there we’ll find a marabout - said to be a relic of a pre-Islamic religious cult.

 

We take a break for a field picnic, within full view of Jbel Toubkal, at 4167m the highest peak in the Maghreb. Once refreshed we set off back down the other side of the valley back to lmlil and our dinner and overnight in our Berber Gite d’étape.

 

Day 2

After an early breakfast, we set out for a 6 hour trek up via long, winding switchback mule tracks westwards to the Tizi M’Zik (2664m). Our short stop here lets us respect the awesome panorama of the lmlil Valley and of the ever-present High Atlas mountains in the Toubkal Massif. We descend southwards to the âazib Tamsoult (2145m) where we shall take our field picnic by a spring. Refreshed, we turn now east-wards up alongside the towering Jbel Aguelzim (3547m) through the col of Tizi n’Tizikert (2360m) in the Adrar Adj (3129m) to stroll steadily down to our overnight accommodation in our Gîte d’étape and dinner.

 

Day 3

After breakfast, we set off on a trail which will lead us east through the Tizi n’Tamatert (2272m). Through the fields of wheat and orchards of walnut, apple and cherry trees, we reach the village of Tamatert (1810m). We then stop at the Tizi to admire the lmlil and lmenane Valleys. We carry on along the upper valley slopes for another hour or so to the villages of Ouaneskra and then Amghedoul (2130m) set amidst terraced plots of land carved from the hard slopes where we shall stop for our field picnic.

 

Our afternoon will be spent hiking along mule trails until we reach the pretty - and the oldest - Berber village in the Toubkal Massif - Tacheddirt (2291m). The village is set amongst terraced plots clawed from the surrounding craggy slopes. Another short walk to the neighbouring village of Ouaneskra and it is here we’ll overnight in a Gîte d’étape. Whilst dinner is being prepared, there’s ample opportunity to visit the village.

 

Day 4

After breakfast we set out for a walk along the green and vegetated valley up along mule tracks worn into the rough and craggy mountain slopes to arrive at the Tizi n’Tacheddirt (3616m). Here we shall picnic in a setting which gives us spectacular views of the surrounding peaks and valleys. We start our descent through green terraced irrigated plots for a further three hours until we reach the Berber village of Tacheddirt. From here we set out northwards to Tizi n’Eddi (2928m) and then follow the ridge down the Oukaïmeden trail, the Jbel Angour ridge (3616m) off to our east, arriving, some three easy hours later at our refuge for the night on Tizi n’Ouaättar Oukaïmeden (3000m).

 

Day 5

After breakfast we set out for a 2 hour hike up along a winding piste until we reach an âazib, from where we shall take a narrow, zigzagging path up to the Tizi n’Ouaättar (3250m). Our route will pass by some strange basalt rock formations on the way to the western branch of the Ourika Valley. Here we shall picnic near the hamlet of Timoummar (2200m). This afternoon we take a more difficult hike down a circuitous path, passing through the villages of Anemiter and Timguisst, surrounded by vegetable plots and groves of plum and nut trees. After some 4 hours of moderate-level hiking, we reach the terraced Berber village of Timichchi and accommodation in a Berber family’s home (or tent during spring and summer months).

 

Day 6

After breakfast set out for a 4 to 5 hour hike through the valley’s cornfields and orange groves. Passing over many streams which flow down from the upper slopes, we will arrive at the villages of lsghouarne and Agadir n’Aït Boulmane in the western Ourika Valley. Our first stop in the valley is the Berber village of Setti Fadma, with its ancient nut trees and waterfalls. We shall stop for our field picnic just outside of the village, before hiking on for a further half an hour to rejoin our vehicle to take us back to Marrakech.

Inclusions:
Cook Breakfast Picnic lunch Dinner Tents & undermats Experienced Licensed bi-lingual mountain guide Private round trip transportation from & to Marrakech
Exclusions
Bottled or gaseous water Gratuities to guide/muleteer Any expenditure of personal nature Medical or accident insurance outside of the vehicle

Gear List

Bring walking boots, sleeping bag, windsheeter or duvet jacket (seasonal), slicker (seasonal), ski cap or balaclava (seasonal), hat, gloves (seasonal), small First Aid kit, personal toiletries and towel, hygienic ‘Wipes’, bottled water or water purification drops (usually iodine), insect repellent, LED head lamp or torch with batteries.

Travel Information

Activity Location Marrakech Marrakech, Morocco

Cancellation Policy Less than 7 days prior to time of departure – 100 % cancellation charge. Between 8 – 15 days prior to time of departure – 50% cancellation charge Between 16 – 30 days prior to time of departure – 15% cancellation charge Greater than 30 days prior to time departure – No cancellation charge