High Atlas Trek

13 days (Marrakesh)

Destinations visited: Morocco, Marrakesh

Grading:

Moderate level

Grading Definitions

Discovery & Cruising

These are our least demanding trips. These journeys of discovery and cruises involve little or no extended activity and are suitable for people with a basic level of fitness and good health. The itinerary may take place in remote areas (with basic facilities) and may involve long travel days on various types of transport. Sightseeing may be conducted on foot and all participants should be capable of carrying their own luggage from vehicle to hotel rooms. These adventures do not go above 2500m and rarely involve camping.
Suggested preparation: Once or twice a week, we recommend you walk on undulating terrain for an hour, for at least 2 -3 months prior to departure.

Adventure Touring

Suggested preparation: Two or three times a week, we recommend you walk on undulating terrain for an hour or more, for at least 3 months prior to departure.

Introductory

These trips involve trekking or walking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking for up to five or six hours a day at a slow but steady pace and should never be misinterpreted to mean they are easy trips. These trips do not spend time at altitudes above 4000m and are usually a week in duration. You will need a reasonable level of fitness and good health.
Suggested preparation: 30 minutes of aerobic type exercise, (either cycling or jogging) three times a week for three months leading up to your trek. For trekking, hill walking with a daypack in variable weather conditions is also recommended. For a cycling adventure, road cycling twice a week for three months prior to departure is recommended.

Introductory to Moderate

These trips involve a combination of what is described in our INTRODUCTORY and MODERATE levels. The emphasis is on introductory activity with several moderate stages

Moderate

These adventures involve trekking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking for up to 6 or 7 hours a day at a steady pace. These trips may spend successive days at altitudes not generally exceeding 5,500m and are usually between 10 and 15 days in duration. You will need a good level of fitness and be in good health.
Suggested preparation: 45 minutes of aerobic type exercise, three to five times a week for the three months leading up to your trek. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions or road cycling is also recommended depending upon the activity you plan to undertake.

Moderate to Challenging

These adventures involve trekking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking for up to 6 or 7 hours a day at a steady pace. These trips may spend successive days at altitudes not generally exceeding 5,500m and are usually between 10 and 15 days in duration. You will need a good level of fitness and be in good health. Suggested preparation: 45 minutes of aerobic type exercise, three to five times a week for the three months leading up to your trek. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions or road cycling is also recommended depending upon the activity you plan to undertake.

Challenging

These adventures involve trekking, cycling or rafting in remote areas in variable weather conditions for up to 8 to 10 hours a day (possibly more subject to weather conditions and altitude). This may include spending successive days at altitudes not generally exceeding 6000m. These trips may often be over three weeks in duration. You will need an excellent level of fitness, be prepared to carry a daypack weighing up to 8kgs (and in some cases a full pack) and be completely comfortable in adverse weather conditions.
Suggested preparation: One hour of aerobic type exercise, four to five times a week for three to six months prior to departure. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions or on/off road cycling is also recommended.

Entry Mtn/Exploratory Treks

These adventures are classed as expeditions. They involve either extreme trekking and or basic mountaineering. Expect remote and poorly defined trails in variable weather conditions for up to 12 hours a day (possibly more subject to weather conditions and altitude). This may include a number of demanding high pass crossings and evacuation may be difficult from remote areas. Suitable for first time mountaineers wishing to take the step from trekking into the realm of mountaineering. Prior experience trekking at altitude is preferable but not essential and you should be comfortable in adverse weather conditions. Prior technical mountaineering experience is not necessary. Terrain will involve low angle snow slopes. Ropes may be used during treks for glacier travel and steeper sections of ice and snow. When mountaineering, basic mountaineering instruction is given by our mountaineering guides.
Suggested preparation: For grade 8-10 mountaineering expeditions you will need to be very fit and healthy. A minimum of 1 hour of aerobic exercise per session, four to five times a week is essential. Running and cycling in hilly areas is particularly beneficial as are multi day walks on the weekends. This is the ideal time to try out your boots and other gear to make sure you are prepared and ready for your expedition. If you are considering Intermediate or advanced level trips, you will need to discuss your preparation leading up to the trip with our expert staff.

Intermediate Mtn Expedition

Participants should be competent and self sufficient in the outdoors and have experience in multi day trekking at altitude. Prior experience on an entry level mountaineering expedition is highly recommended. The terrain will involve low to moderate angle snow slopes and traveling on crevassed glaciers. Experience using ice axe and crampons is preferred but not essential.
Suggested preparation: For grade 8-10 mountaineering expeditions you will need to be very fit and healthy. A minimum of 1 hour of aerobic exercise per session, four to five times a week is essential. Running and cycling in hilly areas is particularly beneficial as are multi day walks on the weekends. This is the ideal time to try out your boots and other gear to make sure you are prepared and ready for your expedition. If you are considering Intermediate or advanced level trips, you will need to discuss your preparation leading up to the trip with our expert staff.

Advanced Mtn Expedition

These are our most challenging expeditions. Clients must have prior mountaineering experience. Most are participatory expeditions & involve load carrying, setting up of camps, cooking and campcraft. Altitude is generally greater than 6500m. Some of these expeditions also involve “technical” climbing and are for experienced alpine climbers / mountaineers only. Technical expeditions involve steep climbing at high altitude (including rock climbing). Participation on one of these expeditions is subject to acceptance by one of our high altitude mountaineering guides.
Suggested preparation: For grade 8-10 mountaineering expeditions you will need to be very fit and healthy. A minimum of 1 hour of aerobic exercise per session, four to five times a week is essential. Running and cycling in hilly areas is particularly beneficial as are multi day walks on the weekends. This is the ideal time to try out your boots and other gear to make sure you are prepared and ready for your expedition. If you are considering Intermediate or advanced level trips, you will need to discuss your preparation leading up to the trip with our expert staff.

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Trek the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco plus explore Marrakesh and Essaouira

There are few places in the world that offer a mix of pure 'exotica' with the sophistication and style of European cafe life like Morocco. This exciting journey begins in the oasis city of Marrakesh. We follow trails through Berber villages to alpine pastures set beneath the impressive backdrop of the High Atlas. An ascent of Jebal Toubkal is also on offer as well as time to explore the delightful seaside town of Essaouira. Accompanied by an expert bilingual guide with an unrelenting passion and knowledge of his country, the experience promises to be one of discovery, learning and fun.

Highlights

Gardens, mosques, palaces, and the souqs of Marrakesh
Crossing the impressive and remote Tizi n'Ougalzim (3700m)
Trek to the summit of Mount Toubkal
Peninsula town of Essaouira

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Marrakesh

An early arrival is recommended in Marrakesh to explore this wonderful city. During our planned sightseeing we visit gardens, mosques, palaces, and the souqs of the old Medina before reaching the humming centre of Marrakesh: the Djemaa el-Fna. The atmosphere of this square is overwhelming with its jumble of food stalls, snake charmers, fortune and storytellers and the wide variety of people that flock to its attractions. We return in the evening, when the square really comes alive. It is a must to taste the many wonderful dishes on offer at the stalls.

Day 2 In Marrakesh

Today we are led by our expert guide to discover the soul of Marrakesh. We visit gardens, mosques, palaces, and the souqs of the old Medina before reaching the humming centre of Marrakesh: the Djemaa el-Fna. The atmosphere of this square is overwhelming with its jumble of food stalls, snake charmers, fortune and storytellers and the wide variety of people that flock to its attractions. We return in the evening, when the square really comes alive. It is a must to taste the many wonderful dishes on offer at the stalls.

Day 3 In Marrakesh

Today is completely at leisure. The guide can provide plenty of suggestions as to how to best fill your day, or you may simply choose relaxation by the hotel pool. You will also be given your kit bag including your sleeping bag to pack your gear for the trek. During the evening we have arranged for dinner at a prestigious Riad: an ornately decorated house that displays craftsmanship indicative of the Moroccans' passion for detail, and where fine food, wine and skilled belly dancers enrich our last evening in Marrakesh.

Day 4 To Ouirgrane (drive 2 hours)& Trek to Tiziane(1600m, 5 hours)

Meeting up with our porters and their mules we begin our trek, walking through the National Park of Tassa. As we walk up the Azzadene Valley we pass small villages shaded by walnut and apple trees, plots of maize and stone walls with beautiful yellow pumpkin flowers creeping over. Overnight in a Berber house.

Day 5 Trek to Tizgui (1800m, approx 6 hours)

Leaving Tiziane via Tizi N'Touati (2100m) we ascend for 3 hours to reach the Tassaka Plateau passing holm oaks and junipers. Tonight we camp near Tizgui at Azib Assoul.

Day 6 To Tizi Oussem (1850m approx 5-6 hours)

We ascend steeply from Tizgui towards the Tizi N'Tagoudalte pass at 2700m where we will be rewarded with fine views. Our gradual descent to Tizi Oussem, passes through alpine areas overgrown with beautiful wildflowers: campanulas, red poppies, iris, walls of violets, various herbs and small succulents. Overnight at the village in a Berber house where you may have the option to enjoy a private hammam, local bath to wash away three days trekking.

Day 7 Tazagharte refuge (3000m, approx 5 hours)

Leaving Tizi Oussem, the last village in this valley, we continue to climb up the Azzadene Valley catching glimpses of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains. Taking lunch at Cascade d'Irhoulidene, we continue to wind our way up the mountain until we reach our accommodation for the night in a mountain refuge.

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Day 8 Trek to Refuge Nelter (3200m approx 4- hours)

Today we cross the impressive and remote Tizi n'Ougalzim (3700m), a steep and rocky pass that zigzags its way steadily up, rewarding us at the top with magnificent views. There is an optional climb of Mount Bignousseen (4005m). Upon reaching the top we see the next challenge awaiting us: Mount Toubkal. We descend to our campsite below and enjoy the waterfalls and pools that the river offers us.

Day 9 Summit of Mount Toubkal (4167m, approx 7 hours)

We have an early start for our attempt on Toubkal, North Africa’s highest peak. The summit of Toubkal is neither technical nor very demanding, and once at the summit, the views are spectacular. We may start off in the dark to avoid the midday sun and to summit in time for sunrise. If you prefer, you have the option of a rest day relaxing by cool freshwater pools.

Day 10 To Imlil (approx 5 hours); drive to Essaouira

Today we walk down the valley passing through the deeply religious village of Sidi Chamarouch. This area is also rich in wildflowers and in spring we'll find the magnificent Peony Rose. We will also pass herds of goats traversing precarious mountain trails. We take lunch outside the village where we farewell our trekking crew and their mules before driving to Essaouira.

Day 11 In Essaouira

For a change of pace we spend the day in the peaceful Peninsula town of Essaouira. With its Greek-like whitewashed walls and its mixture of Portuguese, French and Berber fortifications, it has a completely different flavour to our previous destinations. Protected by the trade winds, Essaouira is a handicraft centre, particularly for artisans working with sandal, cedar and lemon wood. We will undertake a half day tour of the city to discover all its highlights with the afternoon free to take a relaxing walk along the Atlantic coastline or browse the souqs. Fishing is also one of the main industries of the town and the fresh catch is a specialty of the restaurants and the cheap harbour side fish markets are a must for lunch.

Day 12 Drive to Casablanca (approx 6 hours)

Leaving Essaouira we will travel north toward Casablanca, stopping at coastal villages where we may sample some of the local dishes and stop for a swim. On arrival in Casablanca, the rest of the day is at leisure.

Day 13 Trip concludes in Casablanca

Our trip concludes after breakfast.

Additional Information

Inclusions

12 breakfasts, 9 lunches and 8 dinners
comfortable hotel accommodation in Marrakesh and Essaouira
all transport by private vehicle
kit bag including sleeping bag and 7cm foam sleeping mat
two-person tents
dining tent and toilet tent during camping section
mineral water during trek
mules to carry all personal and group equipment
group leader, mule handlers, camp hands and kitchen staff
all park entrance fees and trekking permits
emergency medical kit

Summary

13 day trip
7 day trek
6 nights hotels
4 nights camping
2 nights gites

Group Size Min

Group Size Max

Accommodation Summary

Equipment Required

Specialist gear required include walking boots and day pack (a comprehensive gear list is provided in the pre-departure information provided on booking).

What You Carry

In your daypack you will need to carry extra warm clothing (depending on the altitude, location and weather), a rainjacket, water bottle, film and camera gear, valuables and personal items such as sunscreen, lip-eze etc. Porters and mules carry all group gear and your trek pack.

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