High Atlas Valleys and Tinmal Mosque trek from Marrakech, Morocco - REDISCOVER THE WORLD


High Atlas Valleys & Tinmal Mosque

Duration: 4 Days / 3 Nights *- ref. ITCTTM17m* - NO SUMMIT CLIMB

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: GRADE TWO - BETWEEN EASY AND MODERATE, GOOD STURDY TRAINERS OR BOOTS ESSENTIAL. YOU NEED TO BE REASONABLY CONFIDENT OF YOUR FITNESS AND ENDURANCE LEVELS, PREFERABLY HAVING HAD PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE OF HILLSIDE HIKING OR RAMBLING AND OF VARIATIONS OF CLIMATE. FULL SUPPORT TEAM

Departure by car from Marrakech around 9 in the morning for exhilarating 2hour drive south up over the Moulay Brahim Gorges and Upper valleys - so hold on to your hats - to the Berber town of Imlil (1740m), known as Morocco's 'Little Chamonix', set in the upper level foothills of the High Atlas Toubkal Massif range, a main trailhead with streams and paths branching out in all directions. Here we shall leave our vehicle to take a welcome glass of mint tea in our gîte d'étape prior to setting out towards the west along winding mule trails to the village of M'Zik and on up to the Tizi M'Zik (2664m) for a welcome picnic in the woods, with the Imlil Valley and Adrars Algouli and El Hajj around us. Our afternoon is spent hiking down some little-trodden winding eastern trails between the Jbel Tasghimout and the Adrar Adj to arrive this evening at the Berber village of Tizi Oussem (1850m), with its ancient pisé homes tucked away in a delightful valley surrounded by stark mountains. Here we shall have dinner and overnight in a simple Berber family home.

DAY 2: TIZI OUSSEM - TIZI TAGHDALTE - N'AZZADENE VALLEY - TAZAGHART PLATEAU - AMMSLANE.

After breakfast we strike out towards the west along the contours of the Assif n'Azzadene Valley and on up to a winding, difficult path to the Tizi Taghdalte (2550m), to take in a truly glorious panorama of the surrounding ranges and the valleys of Takhint and Azzadene. From here we hike down for an hour along narrow mule trails until we reach the Assif Takhint in a beautiful plateau, where we shall stop to picnic amidst a jumble of rocks and boulders and flowing waters. Once refreshed, we strike out for 2 hours across the Tazaghart - or Amsslane - Plateau until we reach the Berber hamlet of Amsslane, where we shall set up camp and have our Berber meal for the night.

Today we set off on a hard hike up along sinuous tracks to the Tizi n'Iguidi (2640m). Once through the col, we'll enjoy a most enjoyable hike down through shade trees of walnut and almond, fig and holm oak, terraced irrigated fields and plots of potato, barley and corn to arrive at the quaint village of Ala Noumzorni where we'll take our picnic. This afternoon we continue our descent along the winding trail through gentle countryside of hills, small glades and groves of shade trees until we reach the village of Ijoukak at the crossroads of the Agoundis and Nfis Valleys, where we stop for our dinner and overnight accommodation in a small basic hotel.

DAY 4: IJOUKAK - KASBAH GOUNDAFI - OUED N'FIS - TIN-MAL - MARRAKECH.

Once breakfast has been tucked away we set out down what can best be compared to a country lane, passing the Berber villages of Souq Ijoukak, Tagountafte, Ikhfe N'Boul until we arrive at the tribal kasbah of the Sultan Caïd Goundafi. The inner part of the palace-fortress still retains traces of its original Hispano-Arabesque decoration. seems to have been built either in the late 17th century or late in the 19th century, depending on who is telling the tale, and this feudal warrior of the old tradition constantly waged war with the neighbouring Glaoui clan.

We shall have our picnic here before setting out on an easy walk down the contours of the high valley of the Assif Nfiss amidst stands of olive, walnut and almond trees until we come across a hauntingly beautiful hidden valley with its stream of clear, cool slow-moving water full of trout, lined with hillside hamlets, orchards and ancient terraced irrigated fields.

We arrive finally at the small, remote stronghold settlement of Tin-Mal high up on the opposite bank of the river, giving all the appearance of a Lhasa-in-Muslim miniature, set amidst brown slopes, green shrubbery and snow-capped mountains. We are here to visit the fortress of high walls and strong towers, the sole survivor of the once holy 12th century city built by the founder of the Almohad dynasty, Mehdi Ibn Toumarte, and the only mosque in Morocco - other than the new mosque of Hassan II in Casablanca - into which a non-Muslim may enter - except on Fridays.

We may enter through a small, sturdy door in the corner of the main tower. Now roofless, deep shadows thrown by the surviving bas relief pisé columns and carefully restored arcades and horseshoe arches contrast with the large sunbaked wall. Intact amongst the ruins we witness the fine examples of ancient Almohad decor. But was there ever a minaret? There are three towers, which are unusual in that they are built above the actual prayer hall, yet minarets are always free-standing. Is the final restored work going to respect the original aura of austere puritanism of that once theocratic Almohad Islam? Cedar from Azrou is now used for the ceilings; a special lime has been imported from Spain; no cement or concrete is being used and the several cupolas have been restored in some areas with richly decorated stalactite plaster work.

In the actual village there is a ruined kasbah, a Medersa and an old water tank which produces a regular supply of the French gastronomic delight - edible frogs. And you might buy a litre of Tin-Mal olive oil from the olive press and mill down towards the river. At around 4 in the afternoon, we say goodbye to our mountain guide and rejoin our vehicle to take us back on the long drive over peaks and plains to the Imperial City of Marrakech.

* Pre and post night hotel accommodation in Marrakech, together with Airport reception and private round trip airport transfers can be reserved for you, should you so require.

Cost for this tour:

- please call or email for a full quote - all our holidays are tailor-made and the cost of each trek is based upon the following:

* the number of people in your group (some hikes available for single travellers, one person FREE for groups of 10 or more);

* where you are starting from and to where you wish to travel at the end the hike;

* whether you are including any additional accommodation (e.g. in Imlil or Marrakech)

* extras such as WC tent or refuge accommodation, etc.

Experienced, licensed, bi-lingual mountain guide throughout. Round trip transportation to trailheads from and to Marrakech. Tents and undermats, cook; meals and accommodation as detailed; pack animals and muleteers.

Personal medical or accident insurance. Any expenditure of a personal nature. Bottled or gaseous water (bottled water is available to buy in most villages), nor anything not specifically mentioned in the itinerary, such as laundry, drinks, telephone calls and such like.

Stout walking boots; sleeping bag (3 seasons); waterproofs and fleece/duvet jackets, hats, balaclavas or ear muffs; gloves; rambler or ski pole; personal toiletries; small First Aid kit, thermal underwear (Dec-May); day pack; filled water bottle(s) and purifying tablets/drops (iodine usually); torch and batteries (LED head torches are excellent), penknife (remember not to pack in hand baggage for flight); towel, sunscreen, insect repellent, hygienic 'wipes', nibbles and/or dried fruit. Drinking chocolate if preferred, camping mug, energy sweets and toilet rolls could come in handy!

** If staying in a Berber House or gite d'etap you may wish to bring some biros or other suitable gifts for the children of the house.


	Meals are normally:

	Breakfast - tea, coffee, milk, bread, butter, jam, cheese plus porridge in the winter and cereal in summer. Picnic lunch - fresh Moroccan salad, cheese, slicing sausage, tinned tuna fish and sardines*, bread, fruit, mint tea.

	Dinner - Tajine (chicken or mutton* with vegetables), spaghetti, cous cous (main courses rotate depending on duration of trek), bread, coffee, tea, cake, fruit. * Those vegetarians or vegans amongst us need to pre-advise at time of reservation.

NB: all our prices are for land arrangements only (starting and finishing in Marrakech), please contact us to arrange accommodation in Marrakech hotels or riads as well as flights from your preferred airport if required.