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


High Atlas Valley of Amizmiz

ref. - ITCTRAK04m
(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.

Departure from Marrakech around 7.30 in the morning for an exciting 2½ hour drive south through to the old Berber village of Amnass, where we'll take a short stop to look at this quaint place and of the ancient large home of the Pasha El M'qedem. From here we continue towards the south-east and the dammed river of Lalla Takerkousste - a river in which only devout Moslems are allowed to bathe and said to cure all sorts of aches and pains! The berber people of the Western High Atlas have never adopted a totally orthodox version of Islam and their language - Tachelhaït - bears no resemblance whatsoever to the Arabic language. We carry on towards the south-west to our trailhead at the Berber village of Amizmiz (900m), one of the larger villages in this region of the independent Imaziguen Berber peoples and certainly one of the more interesting market villages in the southern High Atlas range.

From here we shall start our hike up through groves of olive and almond trees until we reach the Tizi Ghouranne Red Forest of magnificent juniper trees and the Auberge at some 1500m. From here we shall strike out along pistes up through the forest and then along a winding mule track until we reach the secluded Berber village of Tizga n'Blaïd (2005m), surrounded by fields of corn and potato and welcoming children who play seemingly unaware of the surrounding beauty, yet always delighted to see the few "tourists" who make it this far. We should also see their mothers and sisters carrying up to 50lb. loads of dried herbs and faggots on their bent backs, whilst the fathers and sons are out tending to the sheep and goats. Around here at midday we shall stop for our picnic. Once refreshed, we shall continue our hike towards the south on to the Berber hamlet of El Hadd n'Azegaour, sitting at the end of a beautiful valley with mountains all around us - Jbel Timerghit (2033m), Jbel Allaghine (1883m), Jbel Anziq (2623m) and Jbel Tameqsaouât (3344m), where we shall rejoin our vehicle around 5 p.m. to arrive at Marrakech on or around 7 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.