The Tassa Ouirgane Park to the Tin Mal Mosque
Duration: 2 Days / 1 Night
ref. - ITCTtoRAK09m
LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: GRADE ONE TO TWO - BETWEEN EASY AND MODERATE. BOOTS RECOMMENDED. YOU NEED TO BE REASONABLY CONFIDENT OF YOUR FITNESS, PREFERABLY HAVING HAD SOME PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE OF TREKKING.

DAY 1 : OUIRGANE CENTRE - TASSA OUIRGANE - IMIGDAL - TARGA - TISGUI.

We set off at 08:30 today with our Moroccan Mountain Guide towards the south through the Oued N’Fis Valley of the Jbel Tighardine (2040m) and the Adrar Takherkhourte (2309m) passing by the terraced Berber villages of Tagadir n’Bour and Emesguïne amongst others, until we reach the mouth of the Assif Imigdal Valley. Here we shall stop for our field picnic by a spring after some 2 hours hiking, with wonderful views of the sometimes stark mountains and lush valleys full of fields of corn and flowers.

Once refreshed, we set off from here towards the south-east for some 6 hours, following the winding river’s course along the valley formed by the Adrar Takherkhourte and the Jbel Tafengha (2163m), up and down small rises dotted with red juniper, passing by isolated Berber hamlets and the villages of Azzemour, Tawil, Targa and Igherm until we reach the trailhead village to the Adrar Iwzag-Ner (3490m) . Here we shall set up camp and dine for the night by a spring just outside the village. You’ll doubtless see the Berber people riding their donkeys or mules from village to village, or get to see those delightful Berber women gathering wood, herbs and fodder for their livestock.

DAY 2: TISGUI – TIZI AMESLANE – AMSGHOUNI VALLEY – ALLA n’MZEGHNI – IJOUKAK – TIN MAL – OUIRGANE CENTRE.

After our Berber breakfast, we break camp and set off now towards the west on a 7 hour hike along mule trails through the village of Ameslane, on to and up at a steady pace through the Tizi n’Ameslane (2095m), with views of the distant Adrar Oukaïmeden and Jbel Toubkal (at 4167m, the highest peak in the Maghreb); here we stop for our field picnic before setting off, known downhill through fields of corn and stands of olive, peach and almond trees into the Amsghouni Valley until we reach a cluster of small villages around Idsiat. From here we strike out towards the west, now along well-trodden trails until we reach the village of Alla n’Mzeghn i at the side of the Oued N’Fis. Now it’s towards the south alongside the winding Oued down to the small town of Ijoukak at the crossroads of the Agoundis and Nfis Valleys.

From here, due to time available, we shall take a taxi down to the Mosque at Tin-Mal. The small, remote stronghold settlement of Tin-Mal high up on the opposite bank of the river Nfis, gives all the appearance of a Lhasa-in-Muslim miniature, set as it is amidst brown slopes, green shrubbery and seasonally snow-capped mountains. We are here to visit the fortress of high walls and strong towers, the sole survivor of the once holy 12 th 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. Having tipped the watchman some 10 dirhams apiece for his “permission” to enter, we now rejoin our vehicle to take us all the back up alongside the Oued Nfis to our hotel in Ouirgane centre.

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.

Our price includes:

Experienced licensed bi-lingual mountain guide throughout.Private round trip transportation from Ijoukak via Tin Mal Mosque to Ouirgane. Tents, undermats; cook and equipment; meals and accommodation as detailed.

Our prices do not include:

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

It is recommended that you bring:

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

	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 Ouirgane), please contact us to arrange accommodation in Ouirgane or Marrakech hotels / riads as well as flights from your preferred airport if required.

Tel: + 44 (0) 1989 730 552 (UK)