High Atlas Self Guided Trek (Morocco)
Experience High Atlas mountains and Berber people culture!
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! On this self guided trek you will have the chance to walk among a scenery and ambience that is quite different from the ones you have used to including the wild beaty of the High Atlas, the green terraced valleys and authentic Berber villages. As the treks are not long and difficult you will have a plenty of time to explore the villages, enjoy a glass of mint tea or just sit and enjoy the peaceful scenery. The walking takes you through Berber villages, like Imelil and Tamatert, with apple, peach & walnut trees bright with blossom in the spring and full of rural images of harvesting, threshing and irrigating unchanged for centuries at other times of the year.
Itinerary:
Day 1. Marakech
Arrival in Marrakech – Menara airport. Transfer to the city center for accommodation in a hotel.
Day 2 Setti fatma - Timichi
Today we start with a transfer from Marrakech to Ourika valley in Setti fatma. Here you meet the muletar – your companion and cook for the trek. You start walking on a dirt until you reach Anfli village. From here you follow a path through some other villages until you reach Timichi, where you stay overnight in gite. Hiking time: 4h
Day 3 Tizi N’Ouaattar (3250m) - Oukaimeden
Today you continue walking up the Ourika valley passing through walnut trees, small villages until you reach the top of Tizi N’Ouaattar pass at 3250m. From there you go all the way downhill to Oukaimeden. This is Morocco’s premier Ski resort in winter, but when you visit it there will be sheep and goats grazing on the ski runs. The resort mixes the traditional and the modern. We stay overnight in refuge. Hiking time: 6h
Day 4. Tizi-nou Addi (2960m) Tacheddirt
From Oukaimeden you start hiking uphill to Tizi-nou Addi pass (2960m). You follow the river to the top of the pass where you can have a rest to admire the view to Imenane valley. You go downhill on a steep path to the classic Berber village of Tacheddirt (2300m), where you stay at a guesthouse. Hiking time: 6h
Day 5. Imanene valley - Imsker
Today you will walk down the beautiful Imanene valley perched with numerous Berber villages and farmland terraces. You will have a pleasant lunch at the river near Arg village. From there you continue to Imsker village where you stay overnight in a guesthouse. Hiking time: 6 hours
Day 6. Tizi Ntacht (2100m) - Azzaden valley - Tizi oussem
We start early from Imsker and trek up to Tizi Ntacht at 2100m. this pass will lead us to another valley called Azzaden valley(colourfull valley). We pass through many mountain villages to get to Tizi oussem village where we stay in a guesthouse. Here you can relax in Hammam (traditional steam bath). Hiking time: 6-7 hours
Day 7. Tizi Mizzik (2668m) - Imlil valley - Aremd
Today we will climb Tizi Mzzik pass at 2668m and enter the beautiful Imlil valley. After lunch on the other side of the pass you continue going doen on a mule path through through vaste forest of juniper trees. You will reach a dirt road that will lead you to Aremd village where you stay overnight in a guesthouse. Hiking time: 5 hours
Day 8. Imlil - Marakech
Short hike will lead you down to Imlil. Transfer to Marakech. Free time for exploring the Medina and Jamal El Fna square and the numerous streets, parks and gardens of Marakech. Hiking time: 1 hour
Day 9. Departure
Transfer to the airport for departure.
Included in the price: ►Accommodation in double room in hotels/riads with private facilities (days 1,8), berber house and guesthouses in dormitory with shared facilities (rest of the days )► 6 days on full board (trekking days) and 2 days on BB (Marakesh stay)►all transportation including airport transfers►muleteer with mules for luggage transportation► private cook.
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:
♦ How the tour runs: You will meet your trekking “crew” in Imlil. The mule carries your lugage to the next accommodation while the Berber will make sure that you do not go too far away from the correct route. He usually walks ahead of you and will wait you at major junctions. The At the end of the trek day the Berber will wait for you and lead you to your accommodation.
♦ Tour connection: The nearest airport is Marrakech Menara. 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: April - November
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