walking & adventure holidays

Conquer Toubkal on Berber byways

Summit Toubkal and savour Berber country away from the crowds of Imlil and the Mizane valley.

This superb week allows you to enjoy the pleasures of Morocco away from the madding crowds.

For sure the break starts in the pink city of Marrakech, for many a mythical place thanks to its “hippy trail” reputation in the 70s.

It remains a vibrant city with a strong European, mainly French of course, feel.  The Casbah remains hectic and other worldly, and a perfect immersion into Moroccan city culture.

The following day you are whisked into the glorious hills of the High Atlas, which rise like a wall from the Marrakech plain.  The route takes in the four main valleys that surround Jebel Toubkal at 4167m, and crosses over three high passes before dropping down at the end of day four to the plain surround the Neltner refuge.

The contrast between the valley bottoms with their lush green fields of wheat, and the high ridges is a vison that will stay with you for ever.

The walking can be quite demanding, and a reasonable level of fitness is recommended, however the time spent crossing the passes ensures a good amount of time to acclimatise before the summit day - and of course to take in the wonderful country and culture all around.

Arriving on the plain by the Neltner refuge is fun, as trekkers' tales can be exchanged whilst lounging in the late afternoon sun spotting Lammergeier vultures circling above.

The summit day is always an early start to enjoy the early morning sun at altitude.

The ascent is pure pleasure as it permits you to reach the highest point in North Africa without the need for any technical skills.

As you reach the well known triangular trig point at 4167m you are treated to the vast expanse of the Sahara to the South and the Marrakech plain to the North.

The return journey takes you south into the Ouarzane Valley and down to Imi Oughlad and a last river side lunch before a transfer back to Marrakech.

You'll stay in comfortable four star hotel accommodation in Marrakech on the first and last nights of your stay, and throughout the trek in tented accommodation in delightful situations.

You'll need to carry just your day sac with lunch and water, and waterproof, whilst all the equipment and meal preparation is organised by our team.

Testimonials

Thanks to Liz and Mel for including me at the last minute in this trip. I had a fun time for an extra day in Marrakech – including getting my feet henna’d.

The walking was superb, and we were well looked after by Abdel and his merry band of muletiers. Until you come here you don’t realise just how big Morocco is and all the potential there.

Lianne Jones – May 2006

Season

End May to endSeptember

Departures to date

2011 : May 14; Jun 25; Aug 27;
           Sep 10

Pricing

Inclusive as defined below - £720    

For non-standard periods and programmes, contact us to discuss the options. Read about our flexible way of working.

How to book...

Walking Grades

grade

What's included

Our tour will be led by a local guide throughout, as well as being accompanied by a fully qualified International Mountain Leader.

All meals and accommodation are included in the price. All local transfers.

Accommodation

The first and last night will be spent in a comfortable four star hotel. During the trek, we will be in tented accommodation. Our team of muleteers and cooks will look after all your needs, and you will only need to carry a day sac with water, lunch and protective clothing during the day.

Not Included
Flight to and from Marrakech, Drinks and tips for local guide, muleteer and cook ( at client's discretion).

How Does This Holiday Make a Difference?

This trip is organized using a Marrakech based partner which is actively involved in social programmes in the Atlas Mountains. This Association is Targa Imoula Development. Its aim is to develop the Imlil and Ait Mizane area, bringing life back to the countryside and offering new employment opportunities for local young people. Apprenticeships in practical skills such as carpentry, stone masonry, sewing and handicraft skills are created.
In addition more efficient usage of land and water management is encouraged, as well as increasing awareness of responsible tourism in the area.
Five per cent of the revenue of company is given to this project.
Guides, cooks and muletiers are locals, supported by a European Mountain Leader. Food sourced from local villages where possible, and monies spent in local stores.
Guests are welcome to visit the Association and chat to residents in the villages concerned.

Itinerary

• Day 1 Arrive Marrakech, pick up from airport and transfer to hotel, dinner in Marrakech restaurant.
• Day 2 Leave Marrakech 9 a.m. and drive up to the Tachdirte valley. We start the trek at the village of Tachdirte, and climb up over Tizi n Likemt, and then down via Azib Likemt to our first bivouac site near Ourai.
• Day 3 Climb up and over Tizi n Ourai and down to the village of Ait Igrane to lunch with Belaid. After lunch, we climb up the valley to Lac Ifni to our second bivouac by the lake, where we can bathe if we're brave enough.
• Day 4 From the lake, we climb steeply up via impressive gorges and over Tizi n Ouanoums, after which we descend down to our third bivouac at the foot of mount Toubkal.
• Day 5 Early morning start for the ascent to the summit of Toubkal, we should be back at camp by early afternoon after which we can rest for the remainder of the day - bivouac same spot.
• Day 6 We descend the Mizane valley for an hour and then leave it on the west side to climb gently over a little known path to descend into the adjacent valley of Ouarzane to bivouac at a delightful riverside plain just above Azib Tamsoult.
• Day 7 Descend down the valley through several Berber villages in the morning before a final gentle climb over Tiz n Techt and then down to Imi Oughlad. Pick up and transfer back to Marrakech hotel. Dinner in Marrakech restaurant.
• Day 8 Transfers back to Marrakech airport.

Suitable for

Your welfare & protection

As a small enterprise, it's very important to us that our guests are professionally looked after during their stay with us.
Your protection : our operational base is in France, and our company in France is registered as a tour operator (habilitation touristique) and holds business failure cover and public liability cover.
Your welfare : all our activities are led by fully qualified local Mountain Guides and International Mountain Leaders (Accompagnateurs), thus ensuring that you receive not only top professional care, but that you will also benefit from their in-depth local knowledge of the regions that we operate in.