Today we drive to the foothills of the Toubkal Massif. The next five days are free to take advantage of the numerous optional walks available to nearby villages, in the company of a local guide. The Toubkal Massif is an area surrounding the highest peaks of the High Atlas range. Even limiting yourself to the lower slopes opens up a world of discovery. Mule tracks follow the very contours of the mountains and the unique flora and fauna of the region is available to even the most reluctant walkers.

Most successful treks are tailor made with client requirements, age and numbers in consideration. Please have dates in mind and approximate number of people.

All our treks include an English speaking guide, mules and a cook, transport to and from Marrakech and all food whilst on the trek.

Walking Itinerary

Day 1: MARRAKECH – IMI OURGHLAD – TIZI N’TACHT – TISSI OUSSEM. Departure from Marrakech for south of the Western High Atlas mountains and our trailhead of Imi Ourghlad (1430m). Here we meet up with our muleteer crew. We set off for a 2 hour acclimatisation hike up switchback mule tracks, passing by cornfields woods of pine and juniper to the Tizi n’Tacht (2000m), before carrying on for another 1/2 an hour to Imi n’lfri. Thence a slow hike for about 3 hours south-west for our accommodation in a gîte to TISSI OUSSEM.

Day 2: TISSI OUSSEM – TIZI M’ZIK – AROUMD. We strike out up through pine and juniper trees to traverse the Tizi M’Zik and descend slowly to the foot of the col just before the hamlet of M’Zik (1806m). This afternoon, we set off down to the Berber trailhead village of towards M’Zik, where we may take our lunch and then a welcome hot shower in the gîte d’étape of our guide, Mohamed at the village of aroumd.

Day 3: AROUMD – NELTNER REFUGE (3100 metres). An early start for the long, slow ascent to the Neltner Refuge (3207m), the base camp for Jebel Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa. Leaving the green fields of Aroumd we follow the Mizane valley past the holy shrine of Sidi Chamharouch, a place of pilgrimage for many Moroccans. After a picnic lunch by the river we continue the climb to the Neltner Refuge. Overnight camping near Neltner Refuge. (7 hours walking). Overnight camp/Refuge.

Day 4: ASCENT JEBEL TOUBKAL (4167 metres), AROUMD. A very early breakfast to set out around 0500h, to the lure of a spectacular sunrise and attain, after a three hour steep climb, the highest peak in the Maghreb (4167m). We shall take 2 to 3 hour descent back to the Refuge for a picnic. Descending trails of the higher slopes of the Valley towards the Berber village of Sidi Chamharouch (3106m). Set beside a waterfall. We descend high above the valley down zigzagging trails for about 8km to the remarkable village of Aroumd (Aremd) overnight at the gîte d’étape.

Day 5: AROUMD – IMLIL – MARRAKECH. It is a short walk down to Aroumd and Imlil for the drive back to Marrakech (1.5 hours) you should arrive in time for your owen lunch with the remainder of the day to explore the city’s lively markets and bazaar, and its famous central square, the Djema al fna with its colourful array of musicians, jugglers and traders.