5 Day Adventure Across The High Atlas
Discover the spectacular High Atlas Mountains on this five-day trekking holiday from Marrakech, exploring some of Morocco’s most beautiful mountain scenery. The route takes you through a diverse landscape of lush green valleys, rugged mountain terrain and traditional Berber villages, while scenic mountain passes provide stunning views across the High Atlas. Combining rewarding walking with authentic cultural experiences, this is an ideal introduction to trekking in Morocco.
The trek is fully supported by an experienced Berber team, including a mountain guide, cook, muleteers and mules to carry your luggage and equipment.
Nights are spent in traditional village gîtes (Berber homes), offering the chance to experience genuine local hospitality and mountain life.
This trek operates 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 Morocco mountain treks can also 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 crew. 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 with 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), where we’ll spend the night in a bivouac or village gîte.
Day 02
Tizziane – tizi n'taghrhourte – D'knt
After breakfast, we leave Tiziane and continue our trek up the beautiful Assif n’Aït Oussaden Valley. The trail winds through fragrant walnut groves before climbing steadily towards Tizi n’Taghrhourte (1,995m). From the pass, the route follows a rare, almost level section of trail, leading us to Assaka Spring. After around two and a half hours of relatively easy walking, we stop here for a picnic lunch and a chance to enjoy the peaceful silence of the High Atlas.
In the afternoon, we continue along the edge of the forest, following the trail towards the remote Berber village of D’knt (1,870m), also known as Agouns n’Assoul. Here, we settle into our accommodation for the evening, with dinner and overnight in a traditional village gîte or bivouac.
Day 03
D'knt – tizi n'tagdalte – tizi oussem
After breakfast, we set off on a rewarding three-hour morning hike, climbing through fragrant walnut groves and fields of corn and barley. Along the way, we pass local sheep and goat herders and may encounter villagers going about their daily lives, including women and children carrying firewood and bundles of dried herbs.
The trail then climbs to the Tizi n’Tagdalte Pass before descending through stands of juniper to a small spring hidden among the forest. This peaceful spot provides the perfect place to stop for our picnic lunch and enjoy the tranquillity of the High Atlas.
Refreshed, we continue along winding mountain trails across the upper slopes for around three hours, eventually reaching a small river at the head of the Assif n’Aït Oussaden Valley. From here, we enter the mountain village of Tizi Oussem (1,850m) before continuing uphill to the summer settlement of Tamsoult, where we spend the night in our camp or a traditional village gîte.
Day 04
Tizi oussem - Tizi M'zzik - Imlil
After breakfast, we set off for the impressive waterfall at Azib Tamsoult, following the trail through the surrounding mountain landscape before retracing our steps and continuing towards the Tizi n’Mzik Pass (2,500m). From the pass, the trail descends steadily into the main Toubkal Valley, with spectacular views opening up as we make our way towards the mountain village of Imlil (1,900m).
On arrival in Imlil, we stop for lunch before settling into our accommodation for the evening at our Dar Adrar Guesthouse or similar.
Day 05
Imlil – Tizi n Tamatert – Ikkiss – Agersioual - Marrakech
Today’s 6–7-hour circular trek takes us through traditional Berber villages and across two scenic mountain passes, with spectacular views towards Jebel Oukaïmeden (3,268m). The route offers a wonderful variety of High Atlas landscapes, from fertile valleys and terraced villages to rugged mountain slopes and dramatic peaks.
We leave Imlil (1,740m) heading east along the Tamatert Valley before climbing north towards Tizi n’Tamatert (2,279m). From the pass, we descend through the Berber village of Tinerhourhine into the beautiful Imnane Valley. The trail follows winding mule tracks through almond, walnut and apple groves, passing traditional terraced hamlets before reaching the villages of Ikkis and Amssakrou.
Here, we normally stop for a picnic lunch, enjoying superb views of Jebel Oukaïmeden and the surrounding mountain passes, including Tizi n’Ou Arg (2,258m) and Tizi n’Tiratene (2,268m).
After lunch, we continue westwards towards Tizi n’Agersioual Pass (1,767m), following mule trails past dramatic mountain escarpments before descending into the Assif n’Aït Mizane Valley. From Aguersiouâl, we turn south and follow the valley back towards the impressive peaks of Jebel Toubkal, Aguelzim and Aksouâl, passing the villages of Taddart and Aït Souka before returning to Imlil.
In the afternoon, we transfer from Imlil back to Marrakech.
Please note: This itinerary is a guide only and may be adapted according to local conditions.
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 : 500€
2 -3 people : 360€ / person
4 - 7 people : 320€ / person
8 - 12 people: 295€ / 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 Berber villages (gites)
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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 during the trek is in simple, traditional Berber gîtes in the mountain villages of Tiziane, D’knt and Tizi Oussem, offering an authentic experience of life in the High Atlas.
If you prefer to camp, camping can also be arranged between June and October, allowing you to spend the nights surrounded by the spectacular Atlas Mountains.
NB: If you would, we can arrange accommodation 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.