Imlil to Setti Fadma Hike

A great short hike all year round.

Summary

Our most popular short trek; the route is a fabulous traverse of both the natural High Atlas scenery & the cultural environment of the Berbers.

START / FINISH - Marrakech

Activity code: ITCTTM02m

Difficulty: GRADE ONE to TWO - between easy and moderate. Boots recommended. you need to be reasonably confident of your fitness, preferably having had some previous experience of trekking.

Duration: 3 Days Trek ONLY / 6 Days Holiday version

This fully guided & supported hike is a great introduction to the lower levels of the High Atlas and, because of this, it is available almost year round. You will meet the Berber people throughout this hike which includes two nights in relatively remote villages. At the end of the hike (depending upon the weather) there is an opportunity to visit and possibly swim in the cascades near Setti Fadma. We highly recommend staying one night in Imlil prior to departure at the excellent Douar Samra - this not only provides you with some acclimatisation but primarily allows a much more relaxed start to your hike.

You may consider this hike in reverse if you would prefer to stay in Imlil at the end rather than at the beginning.

Full Holiday version also includes:

  • Round trip airport transfers in Marrakech.
  • 2 nights on B&B at a choice of riads in Marrakech
  • 1 night on Half Board at the Douar Samra in the hamlet of Tamatert (near Imlil)
  • Private guided city tour of Marrakech

Essential Information

PRICES - most of our holidays are bespoke so the ultimate cost of each trek is based upon:

  • The number of people in your group
  • Where you are starting from and to where you wish to travel at the end of the hike;
  • Whether you are including any accommodation (e.g. in Imlil or Marrakech)
  • Extras such as WC tent, etc.

All our "from" prices are for a private group of 4 persons; if you are a larger group then the price will be discounted but if there were just 2 persons the cost would be slightly higher. The prices are inclusive for land arrangements only (starting and finishing in Marrakech), please contact us to arrange accommodation in Marrakech or Imlil as well as flights from your preferred airport.

MEALS - examples of food & drink during trekking:

  • Breakfast - tea, coffee, milk, bread, butter, jam, cheese plus porridge in the winter and cereal in summer.
  • Picnic lunch - fresh Moroccan salad, cheese, slicing sausage, tinned tuna fish and sardines, bread, fruit, mint tea.
  • Dinner - Tajine (chicken or mutton with vegetables), spaghetti, cous cous (main courses rotate depending on duration of trek), bread, coffee, tea, cake, fruit.

It is recommended that you bring (depending upon season): good walking boots; sleeping bag (3 seasons); waterproofs and fleece/duvet jackets, hats, balaclavas or ear muffs; gloves; rambler or ski pole; personal toiletries; small First Aid kit, thermal underwear (Dec-May); day pack; filled water bottles; torch and batteries (LED head torches are excellent), penknife (remember not to pack in hand baggage for flight); towel, sunscreen, insect repellent, hygienic wipes, nibbles and/or dried fruit. Drinking chocolate if preferred to tea and coffee, camping mug (otherwise it is small Moroccan tea glasses for everything), energy sweets and toilet rolls could come in handy!

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Based upon 4 persons travelling.

Prices from £280 per person

What's included on your High Atlas Trek ?

  • English-speaking, licensed, experienced local guide
  • Full support team to carry your luggage and general equipment (by mule)
  • All accommodation (modern igloo tents / Berber houses / mountain refuge)
  • All meals during your trek
  • Private round trip transfers from Marrakech to Imlil & Setti Fadma to Marrakech
  • Full insurance and emergency back up.
  • All local taxes.

Itinerary

Departure from Marrakech early in the morning for a pleasing two hour drive over the Tizi n'Techt way up into the foothills of the High Atlas; arriving at the trailhead in the Berber village of Imlil (1740m). With streams and paths branching out all around it is time to set out with your guide for just under two hours hiking towards the east up to the Tizi n'Tamatert (2272m); then on through fields of wheat and orchards of walnut, apple and cherry trees until you reach the village of Tamatert (1810m).

Once through the village your guide will take a path which leads up though pine and juniper woods; stopping at the Tizi [pass] to admire the Imlil and Imenane Valleys below. The latter has many Berber villages tucked precariously onto the slopes stretching around you and Jbel Oukaimeden (3268m) on the near horizon. From here, carry on along the upper valley slopes for another hour or so to the villages of Ouaneskra and Amghedoul (2130m) set amidst terraced plots of land carved from the hard slopes. Here your guide will prepare your picnic on the plateau used, in summer, as a favoured camping site. The afternoon will be spent hiking for around three hours up through the valley along mule trails until you reach the pretty Berber village of Tacheddirt (2291m), set amongst terraced plots clawed from the surrounding craggy slopes. This is also the oldest village in the Toubkal Massif where you'll overnight in a Gite d'Etape (Berber House with hot shower). Whilst dinner is being prepared, there's ample opportunity to visit the village and meet the welcoming Berber villagers.

  • Trekking Time: 5 hours
  • Overnight at Berber Gite in Tacheddirt (2291m).
  • Meals: Lunch, Dinner.

After an early breakfast start out on today's 7 hour hike south-eastwards to the terraced village of Timichi (1860m), at the western head of the Ourika Valley. For 2.5 hours your route takes you slowly up to the Tizi n'Tacheddirt (3200m), which affords a stunning panoramic view of Jebel Aksoual (3842m) on one side and Bou Iguenouane (3882m) and Angour (3616m) on the other. Stretching out, way below, is the beginning of the beautiful, verdant Ourika Valley; from here traverse the pass and continue on down through the rocks for a further 2.5 hours until you reach the Berber village of Iaabassene (2030m). This is where your guide will prepare today's field picnic, next to a spring just outside the village. The afternoon's 2 hour hike heads further to the northeast down the valley to the old village of Timichi, set amongst ancient nut trees, where you'll have dinner and overnight in a Berber family's home.

  • Trekking Time: 7 hours
  • Overnight at Berber House in Timichi.
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

After breakfast set out for a five to six hour hike eastwards down along a valley full of cornfields and orange groves, passing through the villages of Isghouarne and Agadir n'Ait Boulmane to arrive at the end of the beautiful Ourika Valley proper and the renowned Berber village of Setti Fadma. Here, amongst the ancient nut trees and waterfalls just outside the village, your guide will stop to prepare your picnic, before hiking on for a further half an hour to rejoin your transport and your journey back to Marrakech.

  • Trekking Time: 5/6 hours
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

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

  • stay at one of our recommended riads - 1 night B&B

Day 2 - private guided city tour (am); private transfer (pm) to Imlil, short walk to Tamatert (luggage on mules).

  • Stay at Douar Samra - 1 night Half Board

Days 3 to Day 5 - on trek as per itinerary above.

  • stay at one of our recommended riads - 1 night BB.

Day 6 - private transfer to Marrakech Airport.

Reviews

Flexible Tailor-Made Holidays

  • We believe passionately that no two holidays should be the same.
  • With our flexible tailor-made holiday options you can travel at your own pace.
  • Rediscover a city, a resort or an island in a weekend or longer.
  • Take a small group tour or embark upon a more adventurous trip.

Trusted Service

  • ATOL cover for flight inclusive holidays.
  • One of us at Rediscover the World is very likely to have visited the hotels and travelled along the routes on your itinerary.
  • Dynamic, comprehensive travel app with all your documents, maps and much more.
  • Full financial protection for your holiday (TTA).

Why book trekking with us ?

  • Andy & Head Guide, Houcine, have many years of experience of treks in Morocco.
  • Routes are fully tried & trusted.
  • Timings are based on individual bookings, allowing for amendments & short cuts.
  • A wealth of experience - contact us to discuss your individual requirements.
  • NO hidden extras. NO groups. FULLY Insured.