The High Atlas Mountains near Marrakech offer some of the finest trekking itineraries in the world.
During this stunning 5-days trek in the High Atlas, we will trek through a variety of landscapes from lush valleys to barren rock. The route takes us through colorful Berber villages and over nice mountain passes., and we will spend unforgettable in traditional Berber houses and gites.
Highlights of the Trek
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Discovery of the lost valleys in the High Atlas
Breathtaking mountain landscapes
Meeting with the local population and discovery of the Berber culture
A trekking adventure with a unique itinerary
Program of the Trek
Day 1 : Marrakech –Imi Oughlad – Tizi N’tachte – Tiziane
Early morning departure from Marrakech for a pleasant drive through the Moulay Brahim Gorges and upper valleys to arrive at the higher foothills of the western Atlas Mountains and our trail head of Imi Oughlad (1450 m). Here we will leave our vehicle and meet up with Berber muleteers, then the adventure will begin. We will take the north-westerly direction for a 2 hours hike up, passing by cornfields, woods pine and juniper to the Tiz N’tachete (2000 m), where we shall stop to look back down on the splendid Ait oussaden valley before carrying on for another half hour to Imi n’ifri where we will have a picnic lunch in the fields. After the lunch we will continue our hike for about 2 and half hours south-west down to Assif N’Ait Oussaden and the red clay terraced village of Tiziane (1750 m), dinner and overnight in bivouac or a Berber hostel.
Walking time : 5 to 6 hous
Day 2 : Tizziane – Tizi N’Taghrhourte – D’knt
After breakfast we now set off on our hike up along the Assif N’Ait Oussaden valley and Tizi N’Taghrhourte (1995 m), to arrive at Assaka Spring, where we will stop for our field picnic lunch while enjoying the awesome silence of this wild nature. After about 2 hours relatively easy walking, our afternoon’s hike will take us down along the edges of the forest until we reach the Berber village of D’knt (1870m) or Agouns N’Assoul where we will have our dinner and spend the night in a bivouac or a local hostel.
Walking time : 3 to 4 hous
Day 3 : D’knt – Tizi N’Tagdalte – Tizi Oussem
We will start our morning with a hike up through groves of walnut trees, fields of corn and barley to greet the many sheep and goatherders – and women and children bent over with 20kg loads of faggots and dried herbs. We traverse the Tizi N’Tagdalte to the descent amongst the juniper trees till we come to a small spring set amongst the trees, where we will stop for our picnic lunch. Once refreshed, we are off down winding tracks of upper slopes for some 3 hours to come to a small river at the beginning of the valley of Assif N’Ait Oussaden. From here, we will enter the village of Tizi Oussem (1850 m) then up to the village of Tamsoult where we will spend our 3rd night in a bivouac camp or a Berber guest house.
Walking time : 6 to 7 hous
Day 4 : Tizi oussem – Tizi M’zzik – Imlil
Trek to a small waterfall at Tamsoulte and return to cross the Tizi ‘n Mzik pass (2500 m). We will join the main Toubkal valley at Imlil (1900 m), where we will have lunch and spend the night in a local guest house.
Walking time : 3 to 4 hours
Day 5 : Imlil – Tizi n Tamatert – Ikkiss – Agersioual – Marrakech
An amazing trek past Berber hamlets and two mountain passes with Jbel Oukaïmeden in sight. The route is circular, taking in as much scenery and natural beauty as possible. The walking tour for the last day will begin by heading east from Imlil, along the Tamatert Valley before turning north through the pass named Tizi n’Tamatert (2279 m) and down via the Berber village of Tinerhourhine into the Imenane valley. This valley is then followed to the north, along winding mule trails through almond, walnut and apple groves and terraced Berber hamlets to the villages of Amssakrou. Here, we will take a picnic lunch and appreciate the superb view of Jbel Oukaïmeden (3268 m), as well as the 2 passes of Tizi n’Ou Arg (2258 m) and Tizi n’Tiratene (2268 m). We will take the westerly direction to return back via the pass of Tizi N’Aguerssiouâl, then through the Assif N’Aït Mizane Valley and then back to Imlil.
Next the walk continues along mule trails and past escarpments through the Tizi N’Aguerssiouâl Pass (1767 m) and on to the village of Aguerssiouâl in the Assif n’ Aït Mizane Valley (2664 m), then south back up the valley towards the peaks of Jbel Toubkal, Aguelzim and Aksouâl to the villages of Taddart and Aït Souka where the walk heads east to Imlil prior driving back to Marrakech on the afternoon.
Walking time : 6 to 7 hours
What is included?
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Expert, Berber, English-speaking mountain guides
Mules and muleteers to carry your luggage
Berber Cook & Picnic Lunches
Half-board accommodation in Berber villages
Camping Gear (Tents & Mattress) for summer treks
What is excluded?
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Extras
Drinks
Tips and personal expanses