Trek in Brief
GRADE 4 TOUGHEST: See trek grading for further information
3 x Riad in Marrakesh, 4 x local guest house, 2 x mountain refuge
9 x half board (B&B + 3 course evening meal) whilst on the tour
Mule luggage transfer included
Available in Marrakesh & Imlil
5th - 13th October / 10 spaces
View Dates & Prices
As someone who feels most at home in the hills & mountains the greater ranges in other continents of the world have always held a certain mystique. I first visited Morocco with my family back in 2014, on a sight-seeing road trip to get a flavour of the vibrant and cultural land. We passed through the Atlas Mountains on our way to the Sahara Desert, we travelled from Marrakesh from the warm arid plains through this imposing barrier of impressive rock, stunning geological formations, sun burnt slopes with pockets of lush terrain. I knew I had to return, on foot, with my hiking gear!
Therefore, after my initial visit in 2014, I decided to plan a group trek with a group of lovely ladies in autumn 2018. We were not disappointed, after a couple of customary nights in Marrakesh, we headed for the mountains to trek through this impressive landscape of colour and culture.
Treks are graded 1-4 (1 being relatively easy and 4 being toughest)
ATLAS MOUNTAINS is a GRADE 4 Trek: TOUGHEST
suggested intinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Marrakesh
Pick up at the Marrakesh airport by members of our team and transferred to our hotel. Early evening welcome, trek briefing and meet the group. After the trek briefing we will have the opportunity to eat together at a local restaurant and meet our local guides.
Accommodation Riad, private room, breakfast & dinner
Day 2: Free day to explore Marrakesh
Free day to explore Marrakesh, the city is crowded and chaotic yet utterly charming. Colourful souks, stunning architecture, intimate gardens and bustling marketplaces, Marrakesh is unforgettable. Spend your day exploring the quiet courtyards and snaking alleyways of the historic Medina, walking through the serene Jardin Majorelle or taking in the beauty of the city’s mosques. A city tour will be arranged so you can make the most of your time in this vibrant city.
Accommodation Riad, private room, breakfast & dinner
Day 3: Marrakesh – Oukaimeden – Tizi n Addi – Tachdirth
Early morning transfer to the starting point of our trek. Once at Oukaimeden (2600m) we start the trek with a short climb to cross Addi pass (2899m), with a magnificent view of Oustik valley and distant peaks of the Toubkal mountain range. We will have lunch on the trail prepared by our own local chef shortly after the highest ski station in North Africa. After lunch, we join the beautiful Tachddir valley in the High Atlas, with a splendid far reaching views, before finishing the day with an easy descent to Tachdirth (2300m) and our rest stop for the night.
Daily stats: Jeep drive: 90 mins
Trek duration: 6 hours
Ascent: +300m
Descent: -541m
Accommodation Guest house, twin room, breakfast, lunch, dinner (BLD)
Day 4: Tachdirth – Ikkis – Tizi n’aguersiwal – Aguersiwal – Matat
After breakfast, an easy trail takes us down through the Assif Imnane valley, passing through several Berber hamlets. Our first ascent takes us up to the Tizi n’Ageursiwal (2000m), once through the pass, we go down a winding mule tracks leading to the village of Aguersiwal (1650m) where we will have lunch prepared again by our local chef. An easy finish for the days as we wind our way up the valley of Matat (1852m) to our accommodation for the night.
Daily stats: Trek duration: 5 hours
Ascent: +400m
Descent: -650m
Accommodation Guest house, private room, BLD
Day 5: Matat – Tizi Oudite – Azib n Tamsoult
We start the day from Matat on a 6-hour trek that takes us into the Azzadene Valley. Along the way you will pass Tizi Oudite at 2,250m, the Ait Aissa Village, Tizi Oussm village and finally reaching the Azib n'Tamsoult mountain refuge at 2250m.
Daily stats: Trek duration: 6 hours
Ascent: +600m
Descent: -1200m
Accommodation Refuge, dormitory, BLD
Day 6: Azib n Tamsoult – Tizi Agelzim – Toubkal Refuge
A steep climb to start the day through Ighouliden waterfalls out of the Azzadene Valley to the Toubkal Refuge over the Aguelzim Mountain pass at 3,560m. Lunch will be taken with spectacular views over the Atlas Mountain Range. Overnight in the Toubkal Refuge (3207m). An early night is required in preparation for the summit of Toubkal early the next morning.
Daily stats: Trek duration: 6 hours
Ascent: +1310m
Descent: -353m
Accommodation Refuge, dormitory BLD
Day 7: Toubkal refuge – Toubkal Summit – Toubkal Refuge
Today, depending on weather conditions, we make an very early start for the optional attempt for the summit of North Africa’s highest peak, Jebel Toubkal (4167m). This is a fairly strenuous, though non- technical 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 will return by the same path to our base near the Toubkal refuge.
Daily stats: Trek duration: 5 hours
Ascent: +960m
Descent: -960m
Accommodation Refuge, dormitory BLD
Day 8: Toubkal refuge - Ouanoukrim Summit - Imlil
We have built in an additional day to allow us the best opportunity weather-wise to summit Toubkal and Ouanoukrim. We can be flexible on which day we do both neighbouring peaks. During the afternoon we will make the long descent to Imlil.
Daily stats: Trek duration: 5 hours
Ascent: 882m (optional)
Descent: -1407m
Accommodation Riad, private room, BLD
Day 9: Imlil – Marrakech
A morning spend exploring Imlil which is described as the Chamonix of the Altlas Mountains. early afternoon minibus transport back to Marrakesh. Upon arrival, we have some more free time to explore the city’s colourful souks and perhaps take a stroll around its celebrated Djemma El Fna Square.
Daily stats: Jeep drive: 90 mins
Accommodation Riad, private room, BD
Day 10: Departure
Breakfast in the Riad, airport transfer to the airport.
