Hiking Morocco's High Atlas Mountains

Fly into Marrakech Menara Airport where you will be met and transferred to a traditional Moroccan house called a 'riad' nearby the Medina & Old Town. To allow for members of the group to arrive at different times during the day, we leave today free for you to rest, acclimatise and explore a little for yourself. We can give you ideas of where to go and where to eat, depending on your arrival times.

After breakfast this morning you will set out for a half day guided tour of old Marrakech; one of the most vibrant cities in the world. Don't forget your camera as the sites and colours are crying out to be photographed! Enjoy a walking tour to appreciate the souks, interweaving network of streets and intricate architecture. Enjoy a lovely dinner at the Riad - your first dinner all together and final dinner in the city. The hills are calling...

This morning we escape the buzz of the capital and head into the Western High Atlas Mountains and our base for the next week: the beautiful, dramatically located Kasbah du Toubkal. Only 40kms (90mins) from the city, the traditional village of Imlil seems to be literally a world away from the sensory assault of Marrakech. The mountains here are home to the indigenous Berber people who have inhabited Morocco for at least 5000 years. They live in small clusters of earthen houses which cling precipitously to mountainsides and are often only accessible by mule or on foot. An award-winning, striking lodge in Berber style, nestled in the mountains at 1800m altitude, with breathtaking 360º views, the Kasbah is a real highlight of this adventure, and central to your Moroccan experience, offering something very different to similar itineraries with other companies. It gives us a place to relax, to be inspired and awed by the scenery around us, as well as a wonderful insight into Berber culture. Access to the Kasbah is on foot or by mule only.To 'find our feet' and acclimatise, we enjoy a guided circular walk from the Kasbah today in the Imlil valley; an introduction to the terrain, the geography and the views of the High Atlas Mountains. The area around Imlil village is known for its lush irrigated terraces, apple orchards and walnut groves. We explore some of the areas of reforestation that has taken place since the great flood of 1994. We will walk for around 5 hours, enjoying a delicious picnic lunch, and passing through the village of Aremdt, before returning to the Kasbah to relax, admiring the scenery and enjoying another delicious meal of local dishes. Max altitude reached will be 2100m.

Walking from the lodge this morning we enjoy a route that takes us a little higher today. Depending on the snowline, we will ascend up to 2,200 and the col of Tizi 'n' Tamert, visible from the Kasbah. We walk through the village of Tamatert from where we can view both the stunning Imane and Air Mizane valleys. We descend the col into the Imane Valley, to Tinhourine village. Our return to the Kasbah is via the col at 2000m and the village of Aguersiwal, following river courses and across seguias on picturesque and exciting trails.

Our route today varies depending on the season: Winter departures and those not choosing Jebel Toubkal summit trek in summer:During the winter months we enjoy a valley and lower altitude hike (up to 2200 - 2500m altitude) to the beautiful Azzeden Valley, which modern life has only lightly touched. From the Kasbah at 1800m, we set off on a mule track via long switchbacks, westwards and over T'zi Mzig pass (2450m). The region we are walking into is more traditional and less used to tourism than the Imlil valley, so we need to be mindful with our clothing to respect the traditions and culture of this valley. We start our descent from the col through the forest of juniper trees to the village of Tizi Oussem, and on down the Ait Azzeden valley to the Id Aissa where we find the Trekking Lodge. It has twin and triple room facilities, some ensuite and some not. Enjoy the relaxing option of a Hammam (steam bath) on arrival before settling to dinner with a mind blowing view. We spend 2 nights at the lodge so we use mules to help us carry any luggage, and to enable you to walk with just a day pack. Summer departures - Jebel Toubkal summit trek:When the high snow has completely disappeared there is the option of choosing to attempt to summit Jebel Toubkal, which at 4167m is the highest peak in the High Atlas Mountains. Our 3 day trek is designed so as to take our time to ascend gradually and take all measures to avoid the affects of altitude.Heading out from the Kasbah we accompany the full group to Tizi-n-Mzig for lunch (2450m) before splitting to take the route to the basic Lepiney hut where we stay in rustic dormitory style accommodation with shared bathroom facilities, at 3450m. Our group will have its own room at the hut and we bring our own food and a cook, so an excellent meal is assured! We continue on to Base Camp at Neltner tomorrow. Mules will support the group and carry luggage today. See additional packing list for those doing the trek.

Winter departures, and those not choosing Jebel Toubkal summit trek in summer: Having settled in to the Trekking Lodge, and enjoying the more remote feel of the lovely Azzeden Valley, we spend today exploring our new 'back door step' in more detail with a lovely circular route. We can walk with just a light day pack, returning to the Trekkers Lodge tonight. The 4 or 5 hour walking route will be chosen to accommodate the groups aspirations as well as the weather conditions, but will not disappoint! Options include heading to the Tamsoult Waterfall (2400m), also known as the Irhouliden Cascade, where we can enjoy another delicious picnic lunch, or heading to the opposite side of the valley to Tizi iZggar for some mint tea with a Berber family. We also have the option to visit to a women's association that is growing fruit trees for the High Atlas Foundation, to enhance the economic well being of farms in rural Morocco.Summer departures - Jebel Toubkal summit trek:We enjoy another beautiful day of walking, passing the col of Ougelzim (3650m) and descending to Toubkal base camp in Neltner (3207m) with its two mountain huts. We will stay in the Mouflon, a large mountain hut with reasonable facilities where we are usually able to secure a private room for our group.

Winter departures, and those not choosing Jebel Toubkal summit trek in summer: We return to Kasbah du Toubkal via one of many stunning trails, winding through the Azzeden Valley which is dotted with remote villages. The route will be chosen to accommodate the group's aspirations as well as the weather conditions, but will not disappoint! Enjoy another delicious picnic lunch en route but leave space for a fabulous dinner tonight!Summer departures - Jebel Toubkal summit trek:Leaving base camp early in the morning you climb a steep scree slope to the east, entering a hanging valley before another steep slope brings you to the col of Tizi'n'Toubkal (3940m). The hardest bit is already over and you enjoy ascending easy slopes to the narrow summit crest of this magnificent peak. Stand tall, knowing that you are on the highest point in the range, the country, and in fact in the whole of North Africa!Please note, this summit climb is non-technical but moderately difficult with some scree slopes and a risk of altitude sickness - see Health section for more information. Suitable trekking clothing is required, including sturdy, worn-in boots and windproof clothing. Trekking poles are recommended.The climb will take 2.6 - 3 hours, ascending 960m. We return to base camp for a picnic lunch before the 3-4 hour trek back down to join the rest of the group in the welcoming and familiar comforts of the Kasbah de Toubkal for a well-earned shower & hammam!

Depending on the season, your aspirations, and whether you climbed Mt Toubkal yesterday, you have plenty of options today to choose from, one of which is to relax and enjoy the Kasbah, or enjoy a gentle half day walk in the valley. For our winter departures, or in the summer, for those not doing the Toubkal trek, you may wish to walk to the religious shrine of Sidi Chamharouch (4 - 5hrs walking). Trek up to the cool waters by the sanctuary of Sidi Chamharouch, taking the route towards Mount Toubkal. Following the Reraya river, you pass the village of Aremdt and cross over and up to the other side of the Ait Mizane valley, enjoying a scenic picnic en route.

We provide a transfer back to Marrakech in time for your flight homeward.