Summary
In berber dialect Toubkal means “the mountain of mountains”. It is the highest mountain both in Morocco and in North Africa. This hiking tour is accompanied by guides local to the mountain range. The cook will prepare scrumptious Moroccan meals to your palette for the duration of the tour. At the starting point there is always breakfast, lunch on the way and dinner at the destination of the day trip. Of course, the dishes are prepared in a traditional Moroccan way. The hike follows the pathways of mules and goats (no roads, no paved paths), across dense forests, wide green valleys and rampant mountain passes. We swim in pristine waters of the mountain lakes. We often make short trips to small villages and come into contact with berbers and nomads, who exemplify the natives of North Africa. Having arrived at the peak of the Toubkal, we will be rewarded with a breathtaking and inspiring view of the Atlas Mountains, the Sahara, the Anti-Atlas and the Saghro Mountains. We discover the thousands-year-old rock engravings, whose significance remains a mystery to this day. We spend the following few nights in traditional tents next to the berber villages. You will be pleasantly overwhelmed by the genuine hospitality of these people. The final day of the tour we spend in Marrakech. We discover the mysterious souks and stroll through the labyrinth of narrow streets of the old town. For a moment we dive into the time from the folk tales of the “One Thousand and One Nights”.
This trip is ideal for those who like to hike in small groups, prefer demanding trails and enjoy the rewarding sights of colossal nature in all its beauty.
• Diverse landscapes: endless mountain chains, dense forests, spectacular gorges, spacious green valleys, numerous mountain passes, clear lakes, picturesque villages in the typical architecture of clay and stone
• Cultural exchange with indigenous berber people and their customs and traditions
• Many overnight stays in Moroccan tents under the open sky
• Ascent of the 4167 meter high Toubkal peak
• Visit of thousand-year-old rock engravings
• Brief plunge into the secrets of Marrakech, the “Pearl of the South”
• English-speaking tour guide
• Familiar and cordial atmosphere in our team
• Delicious meals traditionally prepared by our cook
• Accompanying team of locals, berbers, with their mules
After your arrival in Marrakech we will be waiting for you outside the airport building. According to the new legislation, only passengers are allowed to enter the airport building, so we kindly ask you to exit the terminal and look for the sign of the agency at the exit. A member of our team will then welcome you and drive you to your hotel in the city centre. No activities are planned for this day, thus you can indulge in free leisure time. Relax or explore on your own the fabulous souks of Marrakech with their lively Moroccan oriental merchants and numerous colourful stalls. Marrakech is a safe city with many banks and currency exchange stores if you would like to change money. Our staff will be happy to advise you at any time.
Distance 65km, approx. 1.5 hours Hike approx. 5 hours, 620m ascent, 250m descent In the morning, following a full breakfast, we leave Marrakech and travel to village of Imoughlad. There we are joined by our berber accompanying team with their mules which will take care of transporting your luggage during the tour. Already on the first hike we experience the diversity of the landscape: thick forests, clear rivers, high barren mountains on the horizon and old-fashioned houses embedded in their terraces. Our tour leads us through the red juniper forest until we gradually ascent to the 2000 meter high pass of Tracht, from which we enjoy an outstanding view over the neighbouring valley. After a short break we descend to the village of Titian, where we spend the night in traditional tents or in a hostel.
Hike approx. 6 hours, 700m ascent, 650m descent We begin our day in the enchanting morning air and hike through a gorge in the shade of walnut and juniper trees to the pass of Teouti at an altitude of 2450 meters, where we can take pleasure in another grand view. Then we descend to the southernmost river of Morocco, Assaka, and reach a wide green valley. We lunch in the cooling shade of the treetops before leaving for the village of Tizguin Tikkent, where we spend the night in traditional tents or in a hostel.
Hike approx. 6 hours, 950m ascent, 450m descent Today we start with the ascent to the pass of Tougdalt at an altitude of 2700 meters through the most exquisite and wildest landscapes around Toubkal. After a break with a magnificent panoramic view over the mountains, forests and valleys, the first descent takes us to our lunch location on the small riverbank in Tizi Oussem via the hidden goat paths. After walking through the valley along the river Azaden, we descent 300 meters into the middle of a dense forest of juniper trees and continue until we reach the village Tamsoult. We spend the night in traditional tents.
Hike approx. 5 hours, 200m ascent, 750m descent After an energizing breakfast, we hike to the 2500 meter high Mezzik Pass, from which we can look up to the grandiose mountain ranges and landscapes of the High Atlas. Next follows an enduring descent to the villages of Mezzik and Imlil. The village of Imlil is also known as "Chamonix" of Morocco. We spend the night in traditional tents.
Hike approx. 6-7 hours, ascent 1250m Prepare for a truly adventurous day ahead as we climb uphill for 12km! We walk under the walnut trees past the village of Armed, which is situated at an altitude of 1900 meters. We continue up to the holy village of Sidi Chemharouch, where the tomb of the marabout (an Islamic saint) Sidi Chemharouch, who wrote the "Book of All Miracles", can be found. Take the opportunity to have a cup of local tea here and rest before the next hike. Following this pause, we hike up to the altitude of 3200 meters to our base camp at the Neltner cabin at Toubkal. This is the time to relax and get adapted to the thin air of the high mountains.
Hike approx. 10 hours, 1000m ascent, 1600m descent We start this morning well prepared for any weather, as we head to the summit of North Africa's highest mountain. We steadily ascent until we triumph over the 4167 meter high Toubkal, the highest point of Morocco. We have arrived. We're away from civilization. The air is thin and cold, but the joy of what we have accomplished and the unique boundless view over the deep gorges, the vast plateaus and the piercing snow-covered peaks warms our hearts. To the south we can look out at the limitless desert. The descent takes place on the same path back to our base camp, where a rich and substantial lunch awaits as another reward for today’s grand achievement. Now we trek towards the village of Armed or Imlil, where we rest overnight.
Hike approx. 6 hours, 500m ascent, 1300m descent We leave the village and hike to the pass of Ounamous at the altitude of 3700 meters. The landscape alters into a place of pebbles, gravel and rubble. Suddenly, in the middle of the bare mountains and the detritus, a turquoise lake, Ifni, appears in front of us. It is the largest and highest lake in Morocco and is located at an altitude of approx. 2300 meters. Here, near the lake, lies our camp. The afternoon is free and provides an excellent chance for bathing. Overnight stay is in tents.
Hike approx. 5-6 hours, 850m ascent, 300m descent We stroll through the green landscapes of the valley of Tifnoute. Many picturesque berber villages are on our way and the locals offer us tea and walnuts. Overnight stay is in tents.
Hike approx. 6-7 hours, 1300m ascent, 1600m descent We go on to enjoy the hikes through the beautiful mountains and wide pastures. Our mountain guides provide to a cosy feeling of home. Our destination is the pass of Taghalbout, situated at the altitude of 2900 meters. Crossing this pass we slowly reach our rest stop for the day - the valley of Tiznar, where our camp is located. We are now at the altitude of 2300 meters and as usual we spend the coming night in tents.
Hike approx. 6 hours, 1050m ascent, 1150m descent The way to the pass of Likkemt does not grant a single shadow spot, so the ascent is only possible early in the morning, therefore we leave shortly before sunrise. Having arrived at the top, we catch one last look at the snow-covered Toubkal and the enormous proud mountain ranges before starting the lengthy descent to our camp in Amagdoul at 2300m. Overnight stay is in tents.
Hike approx. 5-6 hours, 700m ascent, 900m descent We hike to the pass of Eddi. There we can enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of typical native villages of the region. We visit the original rock engravings near Oukaimden: drawings of animals such as elephants, gazelles, etc., which originated thousands of years ago and whose meaning has remained unknown until this day. Some of these engravings are well recognizable on the stones, while others are well hidden. We participate in a scavenger hunt. A gift awaits the one who finds the most engravings. Then we walk to the valley of Ousertek. Overnight stay is in tents.
Hike approx. 3-4 hours, 300m ascent, 400m descent Distance 70km, 1 hour We are now at the end of our trekking tour. The final stretch leads us through the juniper tree path to Imoughlad. We say goodbye to our accompanying team and travel back to Marrakesh, the "Pearl of the South". Overnight stay is in a hotel.
We explore the city on foot and visit the Bahia Palace, Saadian tombs and the exterior of the Koutoubia Mosque, the largest mosque in Southern Morocco and one of the city's landmark. Then we stroll through the countless alleys and colourful souks of Marrakech. The afternoon is at your leisure. Relax or explore on your own the fabulous souks with their lively oriental merchants and numerous colourful stalls. Our hotel is located near Djemaa el Fna Square where jugglers, snake charmers, storytellers, soothsayer, artists and musicians gather. There are numerous stalls where culinary specialities of the region are offered. Overnight stay is in hotel.
At the end of our adventure together, we will bring you to the airport and wish you a pleasant journey home.
