Berber Villages & Green Valleys & Jebel Toubkal Ascent Trek
Just 3 hours flight from the UK, The High Atlas Mountains near Marrakech offer some of the finest trekking in the world. This a stunning five day trek in the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco. We trek through a variety of landscapes from lush valleys to barren rock. The route takes us through colourful Berber villages, over nice mountain passes slowly ascending to our highest point at 4,167m at the top of Mount Toubkal, North Africa's highest mountain..
The trek will be supported by a berber team ; Mountain guide, cook and muleteers & mules for luggages.
The nights will be spend in the gites ( berber homes) & mountain huts on the last 2 days.
The trek will be supported by a berber team ; Mountain guide, cook and muleteers & mules for luggages.
The nights will be spend in the gites ( berber homes) & mountain huts on the last 2 days.
Itinerary
1. day : Marrakech –imi oughlad –tizi n’tachte –Tiziane :
Early morning departure from marrakech for a pleasante drive south winding our way up through the moulay brahim gorge and upper valleys to arrive at the higher foothills of the western high atlas mountains and our trailhead of imi oughlad (1450m) with the jbel toubkal , at 4167m the highest peak in north africa , aglzim 3650m and aksoual 38847m ,looming before us . here we alight from our vehicle and meet up with berber muleteer crew . We set off up in north-westerly direction for a 2hour acclimatisation hike up switchback mule tracks , passing by cornfields woods pine and juniper to the tiz n’tachete (2000m),where we shall stop to look back down on the imlil and ait oussaden valleys before carrying on for another half hour to imi n’ifri and our field picnic .thence a slow hike for about 2 and half hours south-west down along a dirt track to assif n’ ait oussaden and the red clay terraced village of tiziane ( 1750 m )for our accommodation in our bivouac / gite
2. day :Tizziane – tizi n’taghrhourte – D’knt :
after breakfast we now set off on our hike up along the assif n’ait oussaden valley , passing through the wallnuts groves , up to tizi n’taghrhourte (1995m )and through to a rare almost flat strecth to arrive at assaka spring, where we will stop for our field picnic amidst and awesome silence after some 2 and half hours relatively easy walking .our afternoon’s hike takes us down along the edges of the forest untill we reach the berber village of D’knt (1870m) or agouns n Assoul where we will have our dinner and spent the in a bivouac / gite..
3. day : D’knt – Tizi n’tagdalte – Azib n Tamsoult:
we set off for our morning’s 3 hours hike up through groves of walnut trees, fields of corn and barley to greet the many sheep and goatherders – and women and children bent over with 20kg loads of faggots and dried herbs. We traverse the tizi n’tagdalte to the descent amongst the juniper trees till we come to a small spring set amongst the trees , where we will stop for our picnic .once refreshed , we are off down winding tracks of upper slopes for some 3hours to come to a small river at the beginning of the valley of assif n’ait oussaden . from here we enter the village of tizi oussem (1850m) then up to the summer village Of Tamsoult for our camp / hut
4. day : ÂAZIB TAMSOULT -TIZI AGUELZIM - TOUBKAL REFUGE :
After breakfast, we now set out eastwards on a moderately difficult hike up winding mule tracks to the Tizi Aguelzim (3550m) , thence a further 3 hours south-east to the Toubkal Refuge which marks the spring snowline at 3207m, where we shall have our dinner, in bivouac around the Refuge.
5. day : TOUBKAL REFUGE - SUMMIT JBEL TOUBKAL- SIDI CHAMHAROUCH - Imlil - Marrakech :
A very early breakfast to set out around 6am., to attain, after a three hour steep climb, the highest peak in the Maghreb (4167m). The panorama from here is simply stunning. 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. After lunch 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 Shrine of Sidi Chamharouch. Set beside a waterfall, There is a pilgrimage 'marabout' shrine here, probably the remnant of a pre-Islamic culture, but forbidden to non-Muslims. another 2 hours downhill will allow to get to the village of Imlil from where most of the treks start prior to take the taxi back to Marrakech.
Note : Itinerary is just a guideline and subject to change to suit local condition.
Early morning departure from marrakech for a pleasante drive south winding our way up through the moulay brahim gorge and upper valleys to arrive at the higher foothills of the western high atlas mountains and our trailhead of imi oughlad (1450m) with the jbel toubkal , at 4167m the highest peak in north africa , aglzim 3650m and aksoual 38847m ,looming before us . here we alight from our vehicle and meet up with berber muleteer crew . We set off up in north-westerly direction for a 2hour acclimatisation hike up switchback mule tracks , passing by cornfields woods pine and juniper to the tiz n’tachete (2000m),where we shall stop to look back down on the imlil and ait oussaden valleys before carrying on for another half hour to imi n’ifri and our field picnic .thence a slow hike for about 2 and half hours south-west down along a dirt track to assif n’ ait oussaden and the red clay terraced village of tiziane ( 1750 m )for our accommodation in our bivouac / gite
2. day :Tizziane – tizi n’taghrhourte – D’knt :
after breakfast we now set off on our hike up along the assif n’ait oussaden valley , passing through the wallnuts groves , up to tizi n’taghrhourte (1995m )and through to a rare almost flat strecth to arrive at assaka spring, where we will stop for our field picnic amidst and awesome silence after some 2 and half hours relatively easy walking .our afternoon’s hike takes us down along the edges of the forest untill we reach the berber village of D’knt (1870m) or agouns n Assoul where we will have our dinner and spent the in a bivouac / gite..
3. day : D’knt – Tizi n’tagdalte – Azib n Tamsoult:
we set off for our morning’s 3 hours hike up through groves of walnut trees, fields of corn and barley to greet the many sheep and goatherders – and women and children bent over with 20kg loads of faggots and dried herbs. We traverse the tizi n’tagdalte to the descent amongst the juniper trees till we come to a small spring set amongst the trees , where we will stop for our picnic .once refreshed , we are off down winding tracks of upper slopes for some 3hours to come to a small river at the beginning of the valley of assif n’ait oussaden . from here we enter the village of tizi oussem (1850m) then up to the summer village Of Tamsoult for our camp / hut
4. day : ÂAZIB TAMSOULT -TIZI AGUELZIM - TOUBKAL REFUGE :
After breakfast, we now set out eastwards on a moderately difficult hike up winding mule tracks to the Tizi Aguelzim (3550m) , thence a further 3 hours south-east to the Toubkal Refuge which marks the spring snowline at 3207m, where we shall have our dinner, in bivouac around the Refuge.
5. day : TOUBKAL REFUGE - SUMMIT JBEL TOUBKAL- SIDI CHAMHAROUCH - Imlil - Marrakech :
A very early breakfast to set out around 6am., to attain, after a three hour steep climb, the highest peak in the Maghreb (4167m). The panorama from here is simply stunning. 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. After lunch 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 Shrine of Sidi Chamharouch. Set beside a waterfall, There is a pilgrimage 'marabout' shrine here, probably the remnant of a pre-Islamic culture, but forbidden to non-Muslims. another 2 hours downhill will allow to get to the village of Imlil from where most of the treks start prior to take the taxi back to Marrakech.
Note : Itinerary is just a guideline and subject to change to suit local condition.
Trek & Tour Informations
Trek & Tour Prices
Group |
Winter season -Nov to April |
summer season-May to October |
1 person |
530€/Person |
520€/Person |
2-3 people |
325€/Person |
310€/Person |
4-7 people |
305€/Person |
285€/Person |
8-12 people |
280€/Person |
265€ /Person |
pRICES INCLUDE & pRICES DOES NOT Include
Include :
Does not include :
- Expert, Berber, English-speaking mountain guides
- Mules and muleteers to carry your luggage
- Berber Cook
- All meals on the hike
- Accommodation in a Berber village (gite)
- Round-trip Transportation between the trek and your accommodation in Marrakech .
- Camping Materiels ( Tents & Mattress) for summer treks.
Does not include :
- Travel insurance.
- Soft/alcoholic drinks
- Tips and personal expanses
Availability & dates
This trek runs from May to October and can depart at any date of your preference.
We usually have several treks departing each week that you may join if you wish , please get in Touch!!
This trek is available to be booked independently (including transfers from Marrakech) or we can put together a full itinerary and quote to combine your trek with any of Marrakech, Essaouira, The Atlantic Coast and Sahara Desert
We usually have several treks departing each week that you may join if you wish , please get in Touch!!
This trek is available to be booked independently (including transfers from Marrakech) or we can put together a full itinerary and quote to combine your trek with any of Marrakech, Essaouira, The Atlantic Coast and Sahara Desert
Accommodation
The Accommodation will be in a simple berber Gites at Tiziane Village & D'kent and Tizi oussem
Camping is an option if prefered (june-Octo).
NB : If accommodation is required in the Atlas Mountains either before or after the trek, we can always book you at our Guesthouse Dar Adrar in Imlil or in our Eco-loge in Ouirgane
Camping is an option if prefered (june-Octo).
NB : If accommodation is required in the Atlas Mountains either before or after the trek, we can always book you at our Guesthouse Dar Adrar in Imlil or in our Eco-loge in Ouirgane
Accommodation Example During a Trek in the High atlas
Essential Equipment / Kit hire
- Good walking boots and socks / good trainers for valley treks
- Personnel First aid Kit
- Ice axes and crampons (winter)
- 3 to 4 season sleeping bag ( winter) or light Sleeping bag ( Summer)
- Lightweight waterproof over-trousers / rain-pants
- Water bottle or camel back (recommended)
- Soft-sided bag (50-80 litres)
- Lightweight daypack
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Torch and batteries
- Towel & all personal toiletries
Most of those equipment can be rented locally from our equipment shop in Imlil:
- Crampons : 5 €/ Day/pair
- Ice Axe : 3 €/day
- Walking boots : 5 €/day
- Sleeping bags : 2.5 €/day
- Rain Jackets : 3 €/day
- Walking Poles : 3 €/day/pair
- Back packs : 3€/day
- Stoves : 2€/day
Start Point ? Finish Point?
- You will be picked up from your accommodation in Marrakech city, many riads does not have access by car so the driver will park nearby and come to get you.
- You will be droped off at the nearest point to your riad/hotel , our driver can call your riad to meet you if needed.
How do you book & pay?
Find the trek you are interested in then contact us via E-mail to discuss your trek and check availability. Once the details of your trek (duration, route and number of people) have been agreed, we will make a provisional booking, giving the dates and cost.
To confirm your booking we ask you to pay a 20% deposit. This can be in Euros, pounds sterling or US dollars online via bank account. The balance is paid in Morocco by cash – again in Euros, sterling or dollars – at the beginning of the trek.
NB: if you can't carry cash, you can always pay again the balance online by bank few days before departure.
To confirm your booking we ask you to pay a 20% deposit. This can be in Euros, pounds sterling or US dollars online via bank account. The balance is paid in Morocco by cash – again in Euros, sterling or dollars – at the beginning of the trek.
NB: if you can't carry cash, you can always pay again the balance online by bank few days before departure.
What is appropriate to wear in Morocco’s smaller villages and in the Sahara Desert?
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.
food on the trek
Meals on the trek are cooked by the Berber muleteers. The food is fresh and healthy. Example meals:
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.
- Breakfast: Jam, bread, cookies, fruit, juice, butter, coffee, milk
- Lunch: salad, tomatoes, carrots, lentils, beans, rice or pasta, fish (sardines, tuna), seasonal fruit
- Dinner: Soup, classic Morooccan tajine, couscous, olives, nuts, fruit
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.
What's about the luggage during the trek ?
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.
NB : Left luggage or unnecessary luggage can be left safely in our storage in Imlil till you come back from the trek.
Extend your stay in Morocco’s Sahara Desert, Atlantic Coast or cities
All of our Mountain treks ca be combined with some other tours either to the sahara desert, Imperial cities or to the Atlantic coast, below are some options :
Lastest Reviews
/
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
Every little thing was taken care of. My partner and I are very impressed with the amazing guides who got the balance between explanation and privacy right and their kind hearts. We will never forget this trip. I sincerely booking via this company. I was a bit worried paying the deposit via PayPal because I thought: what if it’s not as good as every review on trip advisor says it is? But honestly, don’t doubt. Most amazing company and guides.
Experience of a lifetime. Hiking and tour of southern Morocco
Mrs
/ Nora
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
/
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
Aztat Treks made our trekking a great experience! Two friends from the Netherlands, accompanied by a friendly guide and skillful chef (and not to forget a strong mule) discovered the beauty of the Atlas Mountains during a 7 day-trekking. Overall we are happy with the arrangements by Aztat Treks.The company is flexible, reliable, customer-oriented and everything else that is needed to make your stay in Morocco a big success!
Perfect 2 Day Tour of the High Atlas
Mr
/ Boudewijn
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 0
- 1