Visit The Unspoilt Beauty Of The Ousertek Valley
Spend six days trekking through the spectacular Atlas Mountains of Morocco, exploring the unspoilt beauty of the Ousertek Valley and experiencing traditional Berber mountain life. The best way to discover this beautiful region is on foot, following trails through walnut groves, terraced fields and thundering waterfalls, with opportunities to stop for picnics and enjoy the scenery around traditional Berber villages.
Gain a fascinating insight into local culture as you stay in Moroccan-style Berber homes in the villages of Gliz and Tachdirt. Along the way, you’ll see women working in the fields, ancient almond and walnut groves and centuries-old terraced farmland irrigated by mountain streams.
Prepare for a challenging climb towards the highest peak in the Maghreb, where you’ll be rewarded with spectacular panoramic views across the Atlas Mountains. Combining dramatic mountain scenery, traditional villages and authentic cultural experiences, this exhilarating Morocco trekking holiday offers the chance to discover a side of the country that many visitors never see.
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 Morocco tours and experiences, including trips to the Sahara Desert, the 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 - Imsker - Gliz
We’ll pick you up from Marrakech and drive around 54km to Imi Oughlad, where you’ll meet your Berber trekking team, including your muleteers and cook. Once the mules have been loaded with your luggage and equipment, we’ll set off towards the Imenane Valley, gradually climbing to Tizi n’Lbour before descending to the village of Imeskar, where we’ll stop for lunch.
After lunch, continue across the small valley beneath towering walnut trees before beginning an easy ascent towards the village of Tinghar. With no technical difficulties, the trail gradually climbs higher towards Tidili before continuing to the small Berber village of Gliz, where we’ll spend the night.
Approx. 5–6 hours walking.
Day 02
Gliz - Oukaimeden - Tizi n Addi - Tachdirth
After breakfast, we set off on a short climb through juniper forest towards Tizi n’Oukaimeden, where we’ll enjoy magnificent views across the Ousertek Valley and towards the distant peaks of the Toubkal Massif.
Continuing across the high mountain slopes, we pass beneath Jbel Oukaimeden (3,700m), before stopping for lunch near Oukaimeden Ski Station, the highest ski resort in North Africa. After lunch, we cross the Eddi Pass and enter the beautiful High Atlas Valley of Tachdirt.
The trail offers splendid views across the surrounding mountains and valley before an easy descent brings us to the traditional Berber village of Tachdirt, where we’ll spend the night.
Approx. 6 hours walking.
Day 03
Tachdirth – ikkis – tizi n’aguersiwal – aguersiwal – Matat
After breakfast, we set off down the Assif Imnane Valley, passing through several traditional Berber hamlets before beginning the climb towards Tizi n’Agersioual (2,000m).
Once across the pass, we follow winding mule trails downhill towards the village of Aguersioual, where we’ll stop for lunch. After lunch, we continue up the beautiful Matat Valley, following the trail for a further hour before reaching the traditional Berber village of Matat, where we’ll spend the night.
Approx. 5 hours walking.
Day 04
Matat - Tizi Oudite - Azib n Tamsoult
From Matat, we set off on a six-hour trek out of the Matat Valley and into the spectacular Azzaden Valley. The trail climbs towards Tizi Oudite (2,250m), offering beautiful views across the surrounding High Atlas landscape.
We then continue through the traditional Berber villages of Aït Aissa and Tizi Oussem before heading deeper into the valley towards Azib n’Tamsoult. Here, we’ll spend the night at the Azib n’Tamsoult Mountain Refuge, situated at approximately 2,300m.
Approx. 6 hours walking.
Day 05
Azib n Tamsoult - Tizi Agelzim - Toubkal Refuge
Today involves a fairly strenuous climb out of the Azzaden Valley, passing the impressive Ighouliden Waterfalls before continuing towards the Toubkal Refuge. The trail climbs steadily to the Aguelzim Mountain Pass (3,560m), with spectacular views opening up across the High Atlas Mountains as we gain altitude.
We’ll stop for lunch along the way, enjoying panoramic views across the surrounding Atlas Mountain range. From the pass, continue towards the Toubkal Refuge (Niltner Hut), situated at around 3,200m. Here, you’ll likely share a dormitory with other trekkers preparing for an early-morning ascent of Jebel Toubkal.
Approx. 6 hours walking.
Day 06
Toubkal refuge - Toubkal Summit - Toubkal Refuge - Imlil - Marrakech
We set off early for the challenging ascent to the summit of Jebel Toubkal (4,167m), the highest peak in North Africa. Weather permitting, you’ll be rewarded with spectacular panoramic views across the High Atlas Mountains and towards the Sahara Desert.
After enjoying the summit, we begin the long descent, retracing our route past the Toubkal Refuge and following the well-worn trail back towards Imlil. This is a demanding day, with around 900m of ascent followed by almost 2,500m of descent to Imlil.
On arrival in Imlil, our vehicle will be waiting to transfer you back to Marrakech, where you’ll normally arrive at around 5.00pm. Approx. 8–9 hours trekking.
Note: This itinerary is a guideline and may be changed to suit 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 : 660€
2 -3 people : 430€/ person
4 - 7 people : 395€ / person
8 - 12 people: 350€ / person
What Is Included?
-
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.
What Is Not Included
-
Travel insurance.
-
Soft/alcoholic drinks
-
Tips and personal expanses
Accommodation & Shelters
Accommodation during the trek will be in traditional Berber gîtes and mountain huts. Camping is also available as an option during the summer months.
NB: If you require accommodation in the Atlas Mountains before or after your 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
-
Good walking boots and socks / good trainers for valley treks
-
Personnel First aid Kit
-
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
-
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
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.