4 Days & 3 Nights In The Berber Villages, Mountain Passes & Green Valleys
Spend four days exploring the high peaks of the Atlas Mountains on foot. Hiking through cool juniper and pine forests is a wonderful way to escape the everyday and enjoy the peaceful beauty of the mountains. Cross deep gorges, follow rushing mountain streams and walk through groves of cherry and walnut trees as your guide leads you along scenic mountain trails.
The valleys are home to tiny hamlets and traditional Berber villages, where farming and herding remain an important part of everyday life. Visit local homes and meet the people to learn more about their traditions, customs and way of life.
See traditional terraced fields of corn and barley and gain an insight into daily life in the Atlas Mountains.
This trek runs all year round and can depart on any date of your choice.
We usually have several treks departing each week that you can join if you wish, so please get in touch!
All of our mountain treks can be combined with other tours and experiences, including trips to the Sahara Desert, Morocco’s Imperial Cities or the Atlantic Coast.
Pick Up & Drop Off
You will be picked up from your accommodation in Marrakech city, many riads don't have access via car so the driver will park nearby and come to get you.
You will be dropped off at the nearest point to your riad/hotel. Our driver can call your riad to meet you if needed.
Route Details
Day 01
Marrakech –Imi oughlad –Tizi n'tachte –Tiziane
Early morning departure from Marrakech for a pleasant drive south, winding our way through the Moulay Brahim Gorge and upper valleys before arriving at the higher foothills of the Western High Atlas Mountains and our trailhead at Imi Oughlad (1,450m). Ahead of us, Jebel Toubkal (4,167m), the highest peak in North Africa, along with Aglzim (3,650m) and Aksoual (3,847m), rise above the surrounding mountains.
Here, we leave our vehicle and meet our Berber muleteer team. We set off in a north-westerly direction for a two-hour acclimatisation hike along winding mule tracks, passing cornfields and forests of pine and juniper before reaching Tizi n’Tachete (2,000m). From here, we can look back over the Imlil and Aït Oussaden Valleys before continuing for another half hour to Imi n’Ifri, where we stop for a field picnic.
We then continue on a gentle two-and-a-half-hour descent south-west along a dirt track, following the Assif n’Aït Oussaden to the red-clay terraced village of Tiziane (1,750m). Overnight accommodation will be in our bivouac or a village gîte.
Day 02
tizziane – tizi n'taghrhourte – D'knt
After breakfast, we set off on our hike up the Assif n’Aït Oussaden Valley, passing through walnut groves as we climb towards Tizi n’Taghrhourte (1,995m). We then continue along a rare, almost flat stretch of trail to reach the Assaka Spring, where we stop for a field picnic in the peaceful surroundings after around two and a half hours of relatively easy walking.
In the afternoon, our hike continues down along the edge of the forest until we reach the Berber village of D’knt (1,870m) or Agouns n’Assoul, where we’ll have dinner and spend the night in a bivouac or village gîte.
Day 03
D'knt – tizi n'tagdalte – tizi oussem
After breakfast, walk down through the Sermt Valley, passing several traditional Berber villages, including Tachgdilte and Ayadal. This is a remote and isolated area, with villages clinging to the mountainsides and cultivated terraces carved into the slopes. Enjoy scenic views over the surrounding gorges before arriving at Jomaa Aït Abbas. Approx. 6 hours walking.
Transfer back to Marrakech via Azilal and the spectacular Ouzoud Waterfalls.
Note: This itinerary is a guideline and may be changed to suit local conditions.
Day 04
Azib Tamsoult - Tizi M'zzik - Imlil
Trek to the small waterfall at Azib Tamsoulte before retracing your steps and crossing the Tizi n’Mzik Pass (2,500m). From the pass, descend to join the main Toubkal Valley at Imlil (1,900m), where we’ll stop for lunch before driving back to Marrakech.
Equipment
Please ensure you have packed all safety essentials. See the Equipment List here if you're unsure of what to bring. Our guides will conduct a final gear check in Imlil before we commence the ascent to the higher altitudes of the Toubkal massif.
Tour Rates
Flexible Pricing
1 person : 520€
2 -3 people : 320€/ person
4 - 7 people : 280€/ person
8 - 12 people: 240€ / person
What Is Included?
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Expert, Berber, English-speaking mountain guides
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Mules and muleteers to carry your luggage
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Berber Cook
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All meals on the hike
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Accommodation in a Berber villages (gite)
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Round-trip Transportation between the trek and your accommodation in Marrakech .
What Is Not Included
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Travel insurance.
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Soft/alcoholic drinks
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Tips and personal expanses
Accommodation & Shelters
Accommodation will be in simple Berber gîtes in the villages of Tiziane, D’knt and Tizi Oussem. Camping is also an option if preferred, from June to October.
NB: If you require accommodation in the Atlas Mountains before or after the trek, we can arrange a stay at our Dar Adrar Guesthouse in Imlil or our Ouirgane Ecolodge in Ouirgane.
Clothing & Essential Equipment
Essential Equipment
Can Be Hired From Us
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Good walking boots and socks / good trainers for valley treks
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Personnel First aid Kit
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3 to 4 season sleeping bag ( winter) or light Sleeping bag ( Summer)
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Lightweight waterproof over-trousers / rain-pants
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Water bottle or camel back (recommended)
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Soft-sided bag (50-80 litres)
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Lightweight daypack
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Sunglasses
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Sunscreen
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Torch and batteries
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Towel & all personal toiletries
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Crampons : 5 €/ Day/pair
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Ice Axe : 3 €/day
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Walking boots : 5 €/day
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Sleeping bags : 2.5 €/day
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Rain Jackets : 3 €/day
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Walking Poles : 3 €/day/pair
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Back packs : 3€/day
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Stoves : 2€/day
What Is Appropriate Attire In Morocco?
Morocco is a conservative and religious country, which means you always need to be mindful of your clothing choices. This is especially true in the country’s more rural areas, which include the Sahara Desert and its surrounding villages. As a general rule of thumb, you should always attempt to cover body parts considered “private”. For women, this means covering the arms (or at least the shoulders) and the knees up. For men, it requires covering up the shoulders and above the knee.
High Energy Meals
Meals on the trek are cooked by the Berber muleteers. The food is fresh and healthy. Example meals:
Breakfast: Jam, bread, cookies, fruit, juice, butter, coffee, milkLunch: salad, tomatoes, carrots, lentils, beans, rice or pasta, fish (sardines, tuna), seasonal fruit
Dinner: Soup, classic Morooccan tajine, couscous, olives, nuts, fruit
Can my dietary requirements be catered to?
Absolutely. Just let us know about your catering preferences when you confirm your booking to ensure any dietary requirements are met. Please remind as well your guide and cook on first day of the trek.
Start Your Journey
Ready to explore the Atlas Mountains? Reach out to us for detailed trek inquiries, tailor-made itineraries, or any questions about our Berber-led adventure tours.
Email: aztat.trek@gmail.com
Phone: +212 668-760165
Location: Imlil, Morocco
Personal baggage, cooking equipment and food are carried by the mules, leaving you to carry only a rucksack with whatever you need close at hand for the day. NB: Left luggage or unnecessary luggage can be left safely in our storage in Imlil till you come back from the trek.