High Atlas Adventure Day

Nice 'n' Easy experience from Marrakech

Summary

An excursion to the foothills of the Toubkal National Park with fantastic scenery, Berber villages, remote valleys & a short guided hike.

Activity code: RAKHAD01

Difficulty: GRADE ONE: walking mostly on paths at lower levels, sometimes rocky, seldom flat. Good trainers/walking shoes would do but take boots if you are used to them and they are worn in. Suitable for anyone who leads a reasonably active life. NB. walking at altitude always involves some effort.

Duration: 1 Day

The day begins with an exciting drive south through to one of Morocco’s most beautiful places, the Ourika Valley, which is teeming with lush vegetation, steep-sided gorges and Berber hamlets. Continue through hills of ever-changing colours to the Jbel Oukaïmeden range, where snow falls every winter. Now circle down to the Berber hamlet of Tahanaout, up and over the hairpin bends of the Moulay Brahim Gorges and through the village of Asni to the Berber trailhead town of Imlil (1740m). Here, enjoy a delicious traditional lunch (included) on the terrace of a gîte d’étape.

Afterwards, set off on a guided walk to the Berber village of Aremd (1843m); rest a while in this village built upon a large moraine spur, overlooking ancient irrigated terraced fields and surrounded by walnut and almond trees then return through spectacular scenery to rejoin your vehicle at Imlil for the return to Marrakech.

This excursion is available as part of any tailor made holiday with Rediscover the World.

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Gallery

Based upon 2 persons travelling.

Prices from £100 per person

What's included on this Day Trip ?

  • Pick up and drop off at your hotel/riad
  • Comfortable 4WD transport throughout
  • Traditional Berber lunch
  • A guided hike in the High Atlas
  • English-speaking, licensed mountain guide.

Itinerary

Marrakech - Ourika valley - Oukaimeden - Sidi Faris (piste road) - Tahanout - Asni - Imlil

[08.00 - 12.30].

Departure from Marrakech around 8am for an exciting drive south through to one of Morocco's longest and most beautiful valleys - the Ourika Valley - teeming with lush vegetation, palmeraies, steep-sided gorges, ancient terraced irrigated fields and Berber hamlets. Some 33km from Marrakech, this valley really starts at a small Berber village of Dar Caid Ouriki, with its ruined, caidal kasbah and mosque.

Onward drive up through hills of ever-changing colours, in the midst of olive groves, seeing the ochre-red villages set amongst terraced fields seeming to hang from the slopes. The majority of the villages you will see are pise, dug from the earth of the surrounding slopes. Taking a turn at Aghbalou the road takes you through the Jbel Oukaimeden range, where snow falls every winter, and venture on to Morocco's number one ski resort of Oukaimeden with its ski lift 3273 metres above sea level taking in the breathtaking fairytale valley below.

Travelling northward, with the magnificent peaks of the Western High Atlas always staring down, circle down to the Berber hamlet of Tahanaoute. Making a turn south, up and over the hairpin bends of the Moulay Brahim Gorges and Upper valleys, passing through the village of Asni which holds a popular Saturday souk, the ideal place try out your haggling skills.

Upon arrival at the Berber trailhead town of Imlil (1740m), set way up in the foothills of the Western High Atlas Mountains, leave the vehicle for a delicious lunch of tagine and couscous on the terrace of a gite d'etape looking over the banks of the Assif Ait Mizane.

Imlil - Aroumd - Imlil - Marrakech

[13.00 - 17.30].

Getting to know your Berber guide is always a fun part of our hikes and this is where yours will join the group with mules (optional) for the onward journey by foot. With the mighty Jbel Toubkal - at 4167m the highest peak in the Maghreb – and her sisters Aguelzim (3547m) and Aksoual (3847m) almost within touching distance, set off on your private guided walk for some 4km passing the hamlets of Taourirt, Targa and Imoula toward the Berber village of Aremd (1843m).

Rest a while in this rather singular village built seemingly house upon house on a large moraine spur, overlooking ancient irrigated terraced fields of barley, corn and vegetables surrounded by walnut and almond trees. Return through spectacular scenery to rejoin your vehicle at Imlil at around 4pm for the return to Marrakech, where you should arrive back at around 5.30 in the afternoon.

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