Toubkal & Berber Villages

After breakfast it is time to set off on an interesting three hour hike up along the Assif n'Ouissedene Valley, passing through almond groves and several Berber villages. Continuing through Id Aissa on to the hamlet of Tissi Oussem (1800m) and up to the Aazib Tamsoult (2250m) where your guide will prepare your field picnic. From here we recommend you hike a little further (approx. 1 hour) to the Tamsoult Cascade (2204m) before returning to the Aazib Tamsoult and then climbing a short switchback path up to the Aazib Tizikert (this saves you some of the altitude gain on day 3). It is at this tranquil, elevated spot that you'll stop for dinner and overnight camping above the Assif n'Ouarzane Valley.

• Trekking Time: 7 hours
• Overnight camp at Aazib Tizikert
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

After breakfast, head off to the east on a moderately difficult hike up winding mule tracks to the Tizi Aguelzim (3104m) with a picnic taken en route. Then a further three hours south-east to the Toubkal Refuge which marks the spring snowline at 3207m. This is your final stop for today where your support team will prepare your dinner and your choice of accommodation - either in the natural camping site below the refuge or, alternatively, taking cover in the refuge for the night.

• Trekking Time: 7 hours
• Overnight at Toubkal Refuge (3200m); or camping nearby.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

A very early breakfast today as you and your guide set out to attain, after a three hour, non-technical but steep climb, the highest peak in the Maghreb (4167m). The panorama from here is simply stunning. This remarkable climb and view is what you have come so far for. Whenever you are ready, your guide will lead you on the Ikkhibi Sud or South Cirque for a straightforward two to three hour descent back to the area near the Refuge for a picnic (this descent can be steep in places and the route is covered with many loose stones so we would recommend walking pole(s) for this section for anyone with aching joints or who is not 100% sure-footed).

Day 4 of this hike can be very long - you may wish to consider splitting it into two days by camping a little distance below the refuge for an extra night followed by the remainder of the descent to Imlil on day 5.

After your picnic set off towards the north along steeply descending, zig-zagging trails of the higher slopes of the Valley of the Assif n'Isouhouanem n'Ouagounss towards the Berber village of Sidi Chamharouch (3106m). Before entering the village your guide will draw your attention to a special tree, sacred to the local Berbers, on which they hang strips of coloured cloth and pile up stones around the trunk. A brief stop here to relax at the stream, particularly welcome on a hot day. Then descend from high above the valley of the Assif Ait Mizane, down zig-zagging trails around granite and basalt grey rocks for about 8km to the village of Aroumd (1840m), commanding one of the more fertile valleys of the High Atlas mountains with terraced, irrigated plots and fields of maize, onions and fruit trees on all sides. As it is a very long day we will usually arrange a second picnic here prior to continuing on along the floor of the valley, then up a well-defined mule track zig-zagging above the river for some 4km to arrive, at around 5pm, after a long day's activity, back at the Berber village of Imlil. On arrival a welcome glass, or two, of mint tea will be offered in the home of our senior guide, along with a shower and opportunity to change, prior to your return to Marrakech and arrival around 7pm.

• Trekking Time: 10 hours
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

Day 1 - arrival into Marrakech; private transfer to your accommodation.

• stay at one of our recommended riads - 2 nights BB

Day 2 - private guided city tour (am); balance of day for independent sightseeing.

Days 3 to 7 - on trek as per itinerary above (5 day version).

• stay at Douar Samra in Tamatert - 1 night HB.

Day 8 - private transfer to Marrakech Airport