High Atlas Trek
During some ten days of fairly rugged walking, we discover the wilderness of Morocco's mountains, stay with the hardy and hospitable Berber people and attempt an ascent of Mount Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa. Mules carry our food, equipment and personal gear.
OLD MARRAKESH
We'll spend our first day in this magical old city - a meeting place for mountain Berbers and desert people from the south. Crammed with story-tellers, musicians, jugglers and water-sellers, its celebrated main square - the Djemma-el-Fna - is a scene straight out of the Arabian Nights.
10-DAY HIGH ATLAS TREK
Then we drive into the Atlas Mountains, making for the small hamlet of Imlil. From here we walk along a mule track to the Berber village of Aremd (1950m), where we overnight. Acclimatising gradually as we walk from village to village, we take time to admire the dramatic and rugged Atlas peaks and mingle with the colourful and traditional Berber people. You'll find yourself moving slower than usual at this altitude, but relishing the high mountain scenery more than ever.
ASCENT OF MOUNT TOUBKAL
Leaving the fertile Mizane Valley below, we begin the most challenging part of our trek. We reach Sidi Chamharouch, the shrine of a local holy man, and continue up into the unforgiving High Atlas - reaching our base near Neltner (3125m) to make an optional attempt on the summit of Jebel Toubkal (4165m), North Africa's highest peak. Finally we return to our trek starting-point and descend once more to Marrakech for a last look at this fascinating city.
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Details |
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Price Includes |
(HK-3472-P) |
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Flights from London |
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Accomodation |
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14 breakfasts |
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11 lunches |
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11 dinners included |
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Price Excludes |
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The Local Payment for this tour is 1000 MAD. |
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Suitability / Level |
Moderate |
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Theme |
Small Group Travel
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Itinerary
& Highlights |
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Among the many highlights featured on this trek, we particularly mention:
THE BERBER PEOPLE
Origins unknown, but scattered throughout the mountains and deserts of North Africa. Converted
to Islam in the 8th century, Arabic is their second language. They are mainly farmers
whose social organisation is mostly local and uncompromisingly tribal.
ASCENT OF MT. TOUBKAL North Africa’s highest peak.
MARRAKECH Morocco’s most colourful city.
DAY 1. SUNDAY. JOIN TOUR MARRAKECH
Arrive Marrakech and check-in at hotel.
DAYS 2 TO 12. IN MARRAKECH AND TREKKING IN THE HIGH ATLAS MOUNTAINS
Like many North African towns, Marrakech has two distinct parts, the Gueliz (or the modern French-built city) and the Medina (the Old City). It has always been a meeting place for the mountain Berbers and the desert people of the south. The celebrated Djemme-el-Fna is a spectacle not to be missed where scenes from “Arabian Night” seem to be acted out everyday with its story-tellers, snake-charmers, letterwriters, water-sellers and jugglers!
After a free morning we head south into the High Atlas mountains toward the tiny hamlet of Imlil. From here we walk along a mule track to the Berber village of Aremd (1950m) where we overnight in a local village house. (Total walking approx. 1 hr).
From Aremd we begin our exploration of the High Atlas range with a series of treks, possibly spending each night at a different place. The exact route will vary depending on local conditions and on the group’s ability. We usually explore the area to the north of Aremd, which reaches some of the lesser known villages in the area.
Details of the kind of circuit you might take are given below – this itinerary is given as an example only.
DAY 3.
A rewarding first day’s trek to Ouanskera over Tizi n’Tamertert into the Imenane Valley (Total walking approx. 4 hrs).
DAY 4.
A demanding day, starting with a steep ascent and then descending to the remote Iabessene village, via Tachedirt and Tizi n’Tachedirt (Total walking approx. 6-7 hrs).
DAY 5.
Walk to the alpine valleys of Oukaimeden, via Tizi Mzlee, Agounss and Tizi n’Ouatter (Total walking approx. 7 hrs).
DAY 6.
Free day in Oukaimeden with optional walk up to summit of Jebel Oukaimeden (3262m, approx 4 hours round trip) for the stunning panoramic views. There is also the opportunity to walk to a ridge behind the refuge to watch the sunset (Total walking approx. 2.5 hrs).
DAY 7.
Another demanding day starting with a beautiful walk down to Amskere though juniper forests. We will stop for a picnic lunch by the river before heading up to the Tizi- Aguersioual and then down to the village gite. (Total walking approx. 7-9 hrs).
DAY 8.
We head for Tizi-Oussem after crossing the pass at Tizi-Oudite and have a relaxing afternoon. There is the possibility of a short optional walk up the valley or even a visit to the village hammam.
DAY 9.
Today we trek to Aremd via Tizi Mzik and the rest of the afternoon free to relax in Aremd.
DAY 10.
Trek along a pilgrimage track to Toubkal refuge up the Mizane Valley and via Sidi Chamarouch (Total walking approx. 4-5 hrs).
DAY 11.
Today, depending on weather conditions, we make an early start for the optional attempt for the summit of North Africa’s highest peak, Jebel Toubkal (4165m). This is a fairly strenuous, though nontechnical ascent, involving some scrambling over steep scree slopes. The views from the high ridge are superb. Once we have gained the summit of Jebel Toubkal we return by the same path to our base near the Toubkal refuge.
DAY 12.
In the morning we return to Aremd (approx. 4hrs) leaving the afternoon free to relax or spend some final moments enjoying High Atlas village life.
DAY 13. WALK TO IMLIL; DRIVE TO MARRAKECH
In the morning we walk back to Imlil and drive down to Marrakech via Asni. The afternoon is free for personal exploration.
DAY 14. IN MARRAKECH
A full day to enjoy the marvels of this city. There is the opportunity to take a guided walking tour (optional), visit the famous souks and admire fascinating sights such as the Koutoubia mosque and tower, Saadian tombs, Ben Youssef medersa and the Dar Si Said Palace (now the museum of Moroccan Art).
DAY 15. SUNDAY. TOUR ENDS MARRAKECH |
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Accommodation
& Centre Details |
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3 Nights Hotel
9 Nights Village houses/gites/mountain refuge
2 Nights fixed Camp |
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Holidays
Extras |
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Included
