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


THE MOROCCAN WESTERN HIGH ATLAS RANGES

A Hike in the High Atlas and Jbel Toubkal Summit

Duration: 5 Days / 4 Nights *- ref. ITCTKT05*

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: GRADE ONE to TWO - MODERATE TO SOMETIMES STRENUOUS (MOUNT TOUBKAL SUMMIT CLIMB) WALKING MOSTLY ALONG MULE OR GOAT TRACKS, SOMETIMES ROCKY, SELDOM FLAT, FOR BETWEEN 5 TO 7 HOURS EACH DAY. GOOD HIKING BOOTS SHOULD BE USED. YOU NEED TO BE REASONABLY CONFIDENT OF YOUR FITNESS, PREFERABLY HAVING HAD SOME EXPERIENCE OF TREKKING AND CHANGES OF ALTITUDE. FOR ANYONE WHO LEADS A REASONABLY ACTIVE LIFE. HIKING ALWAYS INVOLVES SOME EFFORT.

The months from December through to mid-April could preclude the Toubkal summit climb to those not used to crampons and/or ice axes. Morning fog and heavy snowfalls may also prevent ascent to the Toubkal summit. We shall advise you of adverse climatic conditions and of an alternate peak climb prior to your setting out from the Kasbah Toubkal .

At around 8 in the morning we set out from our hotel in the higher foothills of the Western High Atlas mountains on our southwards hike along the valley passing by the Berber village of Tagadirt n’Aït Ali and on to our trailhead of Imi Ourghlad(1430m) in this delightful Assif n’Aït Mizane Valley. From here we set out with our Berber muleteer crew, always a fun part of any of our treks, in a south-westerly direction for a 2hour acclimatisation hike up switchback mule tracks to the Tizi n’Tacht (2000m), where we shall stop for a picnic and admire the surrounding valleys and peaks. Thence a slow hike for about 3 hours southwest down along mule tracks down the Assif n’Ouissedene Valley to the red clay village of Tiziane (1700m) for our dinner and gîte d’étapefor the night.

DAY 2: TIZZIANE - N’OUISSEDENE VALLEY - TIZI N’OUSSEM - ÂAZIB TAMSOULT – TIZI N’TIZIKERT.

After breakfast we now set off on an interesting 3hour hike up along the Assif n’Ouissedene Valley, passing through almond groves and the village of Id Aïssa, on through several Berber hamlets, up through the Tizi n’Oussem, on to the hamlet of Tissi Oussem (1800m) and the Âazib Tamsoult (2250m), where we’ll stop for our picnic. From here we hike for a further 2 hours to the Tamsoult Cascade (2204m), also known as the Irhoulidene Cascade, thence for another hour or so towards the north-east between the Adrar Adj (3129m) and the Jbel Aguelzim (3547m) to our overnight bivouac site on the Tizi n’Tizikert (2100m) for our welcome dinner in really impressive surroundingsabove the Assif n’Ouarzane Valley.

DAY 3: TIZI N’TIZIKERT – JBEL BOU GANOUSSEM - TIZI AGUELZIM - TOUBKAL REFUGE.

After breakfast, we now set out towards the south on a moderately difficult hike up winding mule tracks to the Tizi Aguelzim (3104m) with our field picnic taken en route near the summit of the Jbel Bou Ganoussane, thence a further 3 hours south-east to the Toubkal (ex Neltner) Refuge which marks the spring snowline at 3207m, where we shall have our dinner, and overnight accommodation in the Toubkal Refuge.

DAY 4: TOUBKAL REFUGE - SUMMIT JBEL TOUBKAL - SIDI CHAMHAROUCH - AROUMD – IMLIL.

A very early breakfast to set out around 6am., to the lure of a spectacular sunrise, snow clouds streaming in the wind from the summit, causing the occasional rainbow and attain, after a three hour steep climb, the highest peak in the Maghreb (4167m). The panorama from here is simply stunning. This remarkable climb and view is what you have come so far for. The first recorded climb of this peak, in 1923, was made by the French mountaineers V. Berger, M. Doubleau and the Marquis de Segonzae; many serious trekkers since then have made the highly rewardable effort. Whenever you are ready, we shall take the Ikkhibi Sud or South Cirque for a straightforward – with your guide - 2 to 3 hour descent back to the Refuge for a picnic.

Should there be intrepid hikers who prefer to “do” this peak in winter, morning fog and snow levels might preclude reaching the summit, unless you are used to crampons and ice axes. In this event, we shall advise you, prior to setting out from the Kasbah, of an alternative peak climb nearby. We shall now set off for a further 3 hours towards the north along steeply descending, zigzagging trails of the higher slopes of the Valley of the Assifn’Isouhouanem n’Ouagounss towards the Berber village of Sidi Chamharouch (3106m). Set beside a waterfall, with its homes surprisingly built one into the other, it is yet another sight to be enjoyed. There is a pilgrimage ‘marabout’ shrine here, probably the remnant of a pre-Islamic culture, but forbidden to non-Muslims and, on leaving the village, we shall notice a tree, sacred to the local Berbers, where they hang strips of coloured cloth and pile up stones as we descend high above the valley of the Assif Mizane, down zigzagging trails around granite and basalt grey rocks for about 8km.to the remarkable village of Aroumd (Aremd) (1840m), built on a spur of rock commanding one of the more fertile valleys of the High Atlas mountains with terraced, irrigated plots and fields of maize, onions and fruit trees on all sides.

Here we shall stop for our field picnic prior to continuing on along the floor of the valley, thence up a well-defined mule track zigzagging above the river for some 4km. to arrive, finally, in the late afternoon at around 5., after a long day’s activity, at the Berber village of Imlil (1740m), with its paths and streams branching off in all directions, to enjoy a glass of mint tea – or three before dinner and overnight accommodation at the gîte d’étape of our senior guide.

DAY 5: IMLIL – TIZI N’AGUERSSIOUÂL – IKISS - AMSSAKROU – AGUERSSIOUAL – KASBAH TAMADOT.

After a good night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast, today we set out on the final 7 hour easy leg of our trek in the High Atlas Mountains. We make towards the east, passing through the Tizi n’Tamatert (2279m) and the village of the same name, then north-east to the village of Ikiss nestling in the Imenane Valley , where we shall stop for our field picnic by the riverside. We now swing north-west up the valley to Amssakrou to turn to the east through the Tizi n’Aguerssiouâl (2000m) and a gentle stroll down to the village of Aguerssiouâl in the Mizane Valley where we meet up with our transport to take us back to the Kasbah.

Please ensure, at time of reservation, you also advise us of your choice between bivouac site or Berber family home accommodation.

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. Private transportation to from Aguerssiouâl to the Kasbah Tamadot. 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 (boots which take crampons Nov-Apr 15); sleeping bag (3-4 seasons); windcheaters or duvet jackets (seasonal), slickers, hats, ski hats, balaclavas or ear muffs; gloves; rambler pole; personal toiletries and towels; small First Aid kit, thermal underwear (Dec-May); headlamp or torch with batteries; day pack; filled water bottle; hygienic wipes/spray, sunscreen, nibbles and/or dried fruit. Drinking chocolate if preferred to tea and coffee, camping mug (otherwise it is small Moroccan tea glasses for everything), 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 Asni), please contact us to arrange accommodation in Marrakech hotels or riads as well as flights from your preferred airport if required.