High Atlas

Highlights

Berber villages and Toubkal, highest peak of Morocco
Hikes and trails, encounter with Berber culture and people

Enjoy overnights at beautiful mountain retreats

The High Atlas mountains offer a great opportunity for hikers to discover the dramatic peaks, the fertile valleys and the typical Berber villages. The rich colours of the mud built houses and the green terraces are mixed with the blue sky above the moutain ridges and offer an unforgettable image of the High Atlas. After the morning walks, you will enjoy a heartily prepared picnic lunch before heading back to your mountain retreat.

 

Day 1  Marrakech - Imlil

-/L/D

09:00 Your tour leader and driver will meet you at your hotel.

Drive from Marrakech to the magical High Atlas mountains. After crossing the plain of El Haouz, you get to Tahanaout where farmers and shepherds meet on the weekly market on Tuesdays. The road climbs through the Moulay Brahim gorge and leads to Asni, a place known for apple groves. Short is the drive along the Ait Mizane valley before you get to the hamlet of Imlil from where you can see the impressive Toubkal peak, the highest mountain in northern Africa. This is where you will be based for a close up impression of the High Atlas mountains and the berber people.

After an afternoon orientation walk, you will enjoy your first traditional berber cuisine. Driving: 64 km, approx. 2 hours.

Overnight: Dar Imli or Kasbah du Toubkal

 

Day 2  Imlil / Hike

B/L/D

After breakfast, you start the hike up along a mule path to Aremd, the highest village in the valley built on a glacial moraine. We cross an impressive river bed then the path follows steadily the valley up to Sidi Chamharouch, a holy site for pilgrims and a refreshment stop for Toubkal climbers. You might meet pilgrim’s procession going up to the shrine for benediction. After a deserved picnic lunch, you will trace your way back to Imlil. Approx. 4 hrs of hiking. A visit to the Hammam at the hotel is recommended for a great relaxation.

Overnight: Dar Imli or Kasbah du Toubkal

 

Day 3  Imlil - Ouirgane

B/L/D

Today we leave the high peaks behind and drive down to Tagadirt for another hike in the greener hills. A steady climb takes us to grazing land on the pass of Tizi n'Tinzerte at 1620 m of altitude. This is a great spot for a picnic lunch to enjoy beautiful views to the surrounding area. The walk down through juniper and oak tree forest takes you to a more aride landscape before ending on a lovely spot with olive and fruit trees. In Ouirgane you will be staying for the last night in a magnificent hotel with a swimming pool in the lower Azzaden valley surrounded by colourful gardens. Great place for spending a whole afternoon. Approx. 3 hrs of hiking.

Overnight: La Roséraie

 

Day 4  Ouirgane - Marrakech

B/-/-

In the middle of the morning you leave the mountains and drive back to the city of Marrakech where this High Atlas break will end. Driving: approx. 2 hours.

End of services

 

Private tour: Prices per Person

1 Pers.  EUR 1624.- / USD 2050.-

2 Pers.  EUR 1127.- / USD 1425.-

3 Pers.  EUR   961.- / USD 1215.-

4 Pers.  EUR   878.- / USD 1110.-

5 Pers.  EUR   829.- / USD 1045.-

6 Pers.  EUR   796.- / USD   995.-

7 Pers.  EUR   772.- / USD   975.-

sgl room  EUR 336.- / USD 425.-

Group tour: Prices per Person

24.02. - 27.02.13

25.02. - 28.02.13

26.02. - 01.03.13

04.03. - 07.03.13

05.03. - 08.03.13

4 - 7 Pers.  EUR 830.- / USD 1040.-

sgl room  EUR 336.- / USD 425.-

Including

- English or French speaking tour leader

- Private transport, A/C minibus

- 3 overnights as per itinerary, sharing double room (standard rooms)

- Meals: B breakfast / L lunch / D dinner

- Mineral water

- Cook and equipment for lunch during hikes

- Mulehandler and mule for hikes