THE MOROCCAN WESTERN HIGH ATLAS RANGES
Mount Toubkal, Valleys & Berber Villages
Duration: 4 days / 3 nights (or 5 days / 4 nights) - ref. ITCTTM04m (ITCTTM06m)
LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: GRADE TWO - Between moderate and strenuous. Good boots essential. We recommend that you be confident of your fitness and endurance levels; preferably having had previous experience of trekking at altitude and in variations of climate. Full support team.
NB: The months from December through to mid-April could possibly preclude the Toubkal summit climb due to sudden, heavy snowfalls. We shall advise you of adverse climatic conditions and alternate nearby peak climb - Jbel Aguelzim (3547m) prior to your setting out from Marrakech.
You may wish to consider splitting day 4 into two days walking by camping a little distance below the refuge for this night followed by the remainder of the descent to Imlil on day 5.

NB: This trek is based upon including private transfers from Marrakech; please contact us to arrange accommodation - we are experts for small hotels and riads across Morocco.

DAY 1: MARRAKECH - IMI OURHLAD -TIZI N'TACHT - TIZZIANE.

An early morning departure (8am) from Marrakech for a pleasant drive south, way up through the Tizi n'Techt to arrive at the higher foothills of the Western High Atlas mountains at our trailhead of Imi Ourhlad. Here we alight from our vehicle and meet up with our Berber muleteer crew, always a fun part of any of our treks. Once your luggage is loaded up we set off up in a northwesterly direction for a two hour acclimatisation hike up switchback mule tracks to the Tizi n'Tacht (2000m), where we shall stop for our picnic and admire the surrounding valleys and peaks. After a relaxing break at the summit we will then set off for a slow hike of about three hours southwest down along mule tracks to the red clay village of Tizziane (1700m) for our dinner and camping spot for the night.

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

After breakfast we will set off on an interesting three hour hike up along the Assif n'Ouissedene Valley, passing through almond groves and several Berber villages, through Id Aissa on to the hamlet of Tissi Oussem (1800m) and the Âazib Tamsoult (2250m), where we'll stop for our picnic. From here we recommend you hike a little further (approx. 1 hour) to the Tamsoult Cascade (2204m) before returning down to the Âazib Tamsoult and then climbing a short(ish) switchback path up to the Âazib Tizikert to save some of the altitude gain on day 3. It is at this tranquil, elevated spot that we stop for dinner and overnight camping above the Assif n'Ouarzane Valley.

DAY 3: ÂAZIB TIZIKERT - TIZI AGUELZIM - TOUBKAL REFUGE.

After breakfast, we now set out eastwards on a moderately difficult hike up winding mule tracks to the Tizi Aguelzim (3104m) with our picnic taken en route, thence a further 3 hours south-east to the Toubkal Refuge which marks the spring snowline at 3207m This is our final stop for today where we shall have our dinner, either in the natural bivouac sites below the Refuge or, alternatively, take cover there for the night.

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

A very early breakfast today as we set out around 6am to attain, after a three hour, non-technical but 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 at least, 2 to 3 hour descent back to the area near the Refuge for our picnic.

Day 4 of this hike can be very long - you may wish to consider splitting it into two days walking by camping a little distance below the refuge for this night followed by the remainder of the descent to Imlil on day 5.

We shall now set off towards the north along steeply descending, zigzagging trails of the higher slopes of the Valley of the Assif n'Isouhouanem n'Ouagounss towards the Berber village of Sidi Chamharouch (3106m). Before entering the village your guide will draw your attention to a special tree, sacred to the local Berbers, on which they hang strips of coloured cloth and pile up stones around the trunk. After a brief stop here to relax, particularly welcome on a hot day, we descend high above the valley of the Assif Aït Mizane, down zigzagging trails around granite and basalt grey rocks for about 8km to the village of Aroumd (Aremd) (1840m), 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. As it is a very long day we will usually arrange a second picnic here prior to continuing on along the floor of the valley, thence up a well-defined mule track zig-zagging above the river for some 4km to arrive, at around 5 in the evening, after a long day's activity, back at the Berber village of Imlil and a welcome glass, or two, of mint tea in the home of our senior guide prior to your return to Marrakech and arrival around 7pm.

TREK - ITCTTM06m

If you are continuing on the 5 day version of this trek then accommodation on day 4 can be taken at the Berber Gite of our head guide in Imlil or you may wish to consider the Douar Samra just above Imlil in the hamlet of Tamatert.

Days 1 to 4 - as above

DAY 5: IMLIL - TIZI N'TAMATERT - AGUERSIOUÄL VALLEY - TACHEDDIRT - IMLIL - MARRAKECH.

After a leisurely breakfast, we shall set out towards the east on a moderate level hike up to the Tizi n' Tamatert (2280m) and on down winding tracks to the Tacheddirt Valley and thence to the Assif Aguersiouâl Valley, where we'll take our picnic. Thence, a slow, easy hike up to the village of Tacheddirt (2400m), to circle back alongside the Jbel Oukaïmeden Range to arrive back at Imlil and our late afternoon transfer back to Marrakech.

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 wish to include any additional accommodation (e.g. in Imlil or Marrakech)

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

OUR PRICES INCLUDE:

Experienced bi-lingual, licensed mountain guide throughout; accommodation in the Toubkal Refuge or camping with igloo tents and undermats provided at the locations specified above; all meals during your trek (breakfast all days except first, all lunches and dinner all days except last); support team (mules and muleteers) throughout and 24hr emergency back up; private round trip transportation Marrakech-Imi Ourghlad and Imlil-Marrakech.

Please ensure, at time of reservation, you advise us of your choice between camping and the Refuge.

* Should you not wish to bring a sleeping bag all this way, we can provide extra blankets for the fairly cold overnight in the Toubkal Refuge. Please advise at time of reservation.

OUR PRICES DO NOT INCLUDE:

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

IT IS RECOMMENDED YOU BRING (dependent upon the season):

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); 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 to tea and coffee, camping mug (otherwise it is small Moroccan tea glasses for everything), energy sweets and toilet rolls could come in handy!

	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.

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

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