Penguin Travel

Climb the roof of North Afrika, experience Morocco!

The Moroccan Atlas is a range of exceptional beauty and cultural interest and will reveal to you the unison in which local Berber people and nature live here. Experience the extraordinary hospitality of the local Berber people, the rich texture of North African life and the exotic allure of Marrakech, and you will find out why a growing number of trekkers are choosing this great range, which the ancient Greeks thought to be the home of Atlas!. Though originally sheep herders the Berber tribes have remained mainly ungovernable, retaining their own culture, language, traditions and music. On this trip we make a circle trek around the highest part of Atlas – Toubkal masiff, explore numerous Berber villages and valleys, climb 3000m high mouintain passes, spend a night at the pristine Ifni lake and climb the top of North Africa – Toubkal peak (4167m).

Tour highlights:

♦ High Atlas mountains are a rocky range over 500 kilometres long creating a great diversity of climates and landscapes in Morocco.
♦ Mount Toubkal with its 4167 meter it is the highest peak in The Atlas mountains and North Africa
♦ Marakech meaning “The land of God” and known also as “The red city” is a charming and coclourful city with lots to explore. A must see is the historic Jamal Efna square - a Unesco World heritage site, where musicans, snake charmers and magicans gather to enchant people's minds and spirit.

Itinerary:   

Day 1 Marakech
Arrival in Marrakech – Menara airport. Transfer to the city center for accommodation in a hotel.

Day 2 Imlil - Tacheddirt
Today we start with a transfer to Imlil village(1,800m) important starting point for hiking in the Atlas mountains
In Imlil we meet our team and once all our baggage is loaded on the mules we start walking towards Tacheddirt village (the highest village in Morocco - 2300m). We pass by the small village Tamatert and soon the trail begins to rise as we climb up to the pass at Tizi n'Tamatert (2279m). Once on the top the vast Imenane valley with numerous scattered villages will reveal its beauty to you. We walk on the upper slopes of the valley and later descend to the pretty village of Ouaneskra and continue, for a further half-hour to Tacheddirt, where we stay in local lodge.
Hiking time: 5 hours

Day 3 Tizi Likemt (3555m)
After early breakfast we start our first hard day, when we go all the way up to one of the highest passes in Toubkal area Tizi Likemt (3555m) passing shepherds with their flocks of sheep and goats. After lunch on the top we trek down to the shelters of Likemnt where we set our camp.
Hiking time: 6.30 hours

Day 4 Ourain pass (3100m) - Amsouzert
We walk along the Ourain river until the Ourain Pass 3100m. From here we have a very nice view over the villages of Amsouzert and to the south face of Toubkal peak. After a rest we trek down to Amsouzert, where we stay overnight in local berber house.
Hiking time: 6-7 hours

Day 5. Lake ifni (2295m)
Today's hike is shorter and easier. We start south up the valley of the Assif Izli, through many Berber villages until we arrive at Lake Ifni (2295m) where we'll stop for our picnic in the midst of quiet waters and steep slopes of the looming mountains. Here we set up the camp. You can either stroll around the lakeshore or, according to the season, take a swim in the lake while our evening's meal is being prepared.
Hiking time: 4 hours

Day 6. Tizi n'Ounoums (2841m) - Toubkal refuge
We set out in north western direction towards the difficult pass Tizi n'Ounoums (2841m). Once we hike through the pass we stop for a picnic amongst awesome surroundings of the Toubkal Massif. From here we'll continue directly to the Toubkal (ex-Neltner) Refuge (3207m) where we can either bivouac on the surrounding slopes or overnight in the Refuge. Whilst tonight's dinner is being prepared, there'll be ample opportunity to stroll around the area and look at tomorrow's challenge - the summit of the highest peak in North Africa. Hiking time: 6-7 hours

Day 7. Toubkal peak ascend
Summit day! We start early in the morning and ascend Toubkal (4167m) by the North route. We admire great views of the Anti Atlas and the villages of Armed and Imlil. After some time on the peak we descend the same way to Neltner refuge and spend another night there. Hiking time: 7-8 hours

Day 8. Marakech
After late breakfast we trek down to Imlil passing by Shamharouch sanctuary and Armed village. Lunch will be served near Armed. From here we have 1 more hour trek down to Imlil. Transfer to Marrakech. Ecpected arrival at arouns 17 0’clock. Free time for exporing Marakech and Jamal El Fna square (Unesco World Heritage).
Hiking time: 4 hours

Day 9. Departure
Transfer to the airport for departure

Included in the price: ►double room in hotesl/riads with private facilities (days 1,8), berber house (gite) or refuges in dormitory with shared facilities (days 2,4,6,7), tent camps ( days 3,5)► 6 days on Full board (trekking days) and 2 BB (Marakech stay)►all ground transportation including airport transfers►Berber English speaking mountain guide►mules for luggage transportation►private cook and muleteer team►camping equipment (excluding sleeping bag)
 
Not included: ►flight tickets► travel insurance ►sleeping bag►water and other drinks (can be bought on spot at the villages)►lunches and dinners in Marakech►tips►any personal expenses

Other expenses: single room supplement (possible in Marakech only) - 40 euro

Good to know:   
♦ Tour connection: If landing in Casablanca it is better to use the train to Marakesh. For more information and timetables - http://www.oncf.ma/Index_en.aspx
♦ Personal expenses: you will need about 100 – 150 euro for expenses like water and soft drinks, meals in Marakesh, tips and souvenirs,
♦ Terrains and paths: In the mountains we follow off beaten rocky mule tracks, that sometimes are invisible and is advisable you follow your guide and respect their decisions. We use unmarked countryside and narrow trail lines that connect villages, pastures and valleys.
♦ Luggage transport: During the trekking your main luggage will be transported on mules. Maximum luggage weight per person – 20kg. All you have to carry during the day is a daypack, with daytime essentials such as waterbottle, camera, waterproof gear etc.

How to get there: Royal Air Maroc, Iberia airlines

We reccomend trip in the period:  end of May - October

Nessesary equipment: rucksacks (a bigger one, ranging 70-80 l, will be carried on a mule) and a daypack – (25-35 l); sleeping bag lightweight 1-3 season sleeping bag for the refuges and gites , waterproof clothes, hiking boots, sunglasses and sun hat. For the ful llist of reccommended equipment please see our trip dossier

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