Penguin Travel

 

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).

Download our trip-dossier as PDF

Departure dates:	Status
01 June 2010 - 01 October 2010 every day	---
03 July 2010	Open for booking
25 September 2010	Open for booking

Country region:   High Atlas mountains

Price without flight ticket:    560 EUR

Trip plan:   

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

Day 2
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
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. 6 to 7 hours walking. / +1255 // - 800m.
Hiking time: 6.30 hours

Day 4
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
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
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
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 (ascend 4-5h, descend 2-3h

Day 8
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
Transfer to the airport for departure

Accomodation and boarding:   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 (rest of the days). Gites are village houses converted specifically to accommodate guests in one or more simple rooms with communal facilities. 
 
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.

Included in the price:   Accommodation as mentioned above, 6 FB (trekking days) and 2 BB (Marakesh stay), all transportation including airport transfers, Berber English speaking mountain guide, mules for luggage transportation, private cook and muleteer team, camping equipment (excluding sleeping bag)

Excluded from the price:   flight tickets to/from Marakesh/ Casablanca airport; transfer from/to Casablanca airport, insurance, sleeping bag; water and other drinks (can be bought on spot at the villages), lunches and dinners in Marakesh, tips, any personal expenses

Practical information:   
Personal expenses: you will need about 100 – 150 euro for expenses like water and drinks, meals in Marakesh, tips and souvenirs,
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
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. During the Atlantic coast trek we walk near the beach going up and down on some rocky terrains and hidden coves.

 Recommended travel period of the year:    end of May - October

Nessesary equipment: sleeping bag, waterproof clothes, hiking boots, sunglasses and sun hat...   For the ful llist of reccommended equipment please see our trip dossier

Tour difficulty:   C  - D 

Moderate - Difficult
Good physical condition and moderate trekking experience is required. The maximum altitude attained on this trek is not great and we spend only one night at just above 3000 metres / 10,000 feet. This means that altitude acclimatisation is not usually a problem. However this trek does involve some days with a good deal of ascent and descent and one or two of the days are quite long, although broken with leisurely lunches in the shade.

Group Size:   min. 2 pax

Reservation System Code: MT. TOUBKAL

Gallery

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•