Short & low level treks in High Atlas, Toubkal region of Morocco - REDISCOVER THE WORLD


Western Ourika Valley & Oukaimeden Plateau

REF. - ITCTRAK03m
(6 hours hike)

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: GRADE ONE - WALKING MOSTLY ON PATHS AT LOWER LEVELS, SOMETIMES ROCKY, SELDOM FLAT, FOR ABOUT 6 HOURS EACH DAY. GOOD TRAINERS WOULD DO, BUT TAKE BOOTS IF YOU ARE USED TO THEM. FOR ANYONE WHO LEADS A REASONABLY ACTIVE LIFE. HIKING ALWAYS INVOLVES SOME EFFORT.

MARRAKECH - OURIKA VALLEY - AGHBALOU CASCADES - SETTI FADMA - TOURICHTT - AIT BARQA - MARRAKECH.

Departure from Marrakech around 7.30 in the morning for an exciting 2½ hour drive south through to one of Morocco's longest and most beautiful, refreshing valleys - the Ourika Valley - teeming with lush vegetation, palmeraies, steep-sides gorges, ancient terraced irrigated fields and Berber hamlets. Some 33km from Marrakech, this valley really starts at a small Berber village of Dar Caïd Ouriki, with its kasbah and mosque. We reach the Berber village of Tiguemi n'Oumzilet and on through hills of ever-changing colours - from red to grey to blue - in the midst of olive groves up to a visit of the ochre-red village of Akhlij, thence on to the Berber hamlet of Asouqane and a stop at Aghbalou, set amongst terraced fields seeming to hang from the slopes, and its nearby Cascade. From here we carry on almost to the end of the remarkable valley until we reach the riverside Berber hamlet of Setti Fadma, famed for its nearby waterfalls and ancient walnut trees.

Here we leave our vehicle to start our 5-6 hour hike circle hike towards the west across the river setting out from Agadir n'Aït Boulmane (1509m) and then towards the north up along a narrow winding path towards the Berber hamlet of Chiqr (1900m), on through the col of the Tizi n'Ougadil n'Boulmane (2200m) with the Jbel Oukaïmeden range before us. From here we circle down to Imi n'Taddert and on up through the valley to the Berber village of Tourichtt where we shall stop for our picnic before the waterfall; an opportunity, perhaps to get refreshed. Our afternoon 2-hour hike is made by setting out down via small waterfalls to the Berber hamlet of Amlougghi, to arrive at the village of Aït Barqa where we shall cross the river to rejoin our vehicle at Hadd n'Azegaour for our return to Marrakech, where we should arrive at around 7.30 in the evening.

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 Marrakech - Imlil / Aguensiouâl - Marrakech. Picnic lunch.

Picnic lunch - fresh Moroccan salad, cheese, tinned tuna fish*, bread, fruit. * If vegetarian or vegan, please pre-advise.

Personal medical or accident insurance. Any expenditure of a personal nature. Bottled or gaseous water, nor anything not specifically mentioned in the itinerary.

Walking boots or stout shoes suitable for walking, rambler pole (optional), Hat, sunscreen, nibbles, hygienic wipes, filled water bottle(s).

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.