The breathtaking area of the Atlas Mountains close to Marrakech offers some of the best trekking in the world. We’re for real! It offers stunning mountain scenery, snow-capped mountains topping over 4,000 m, traditional earth built Berber Villages and a great trekking infrastructure. No need to ask for more! Although many people want to climb Morocco’s highest peak - Mount Toubkal - the direct route from the main trailhead at Imlil doesn’t give a lot of exposure to the diversity of mountain scenery and Berber Villages that the Atlas Mountains can offer. In that regard these treks by far surpass the main Toubkal route. Most of the routes offered pass through the beautiful Azzaden Valley (at the head of which sits snow-capped Toubkal and its sister mountains) and offer an opportunity to walk through some splendid Berber Villages.
Tour Duration: 2/3 days
Starting time 8/10 AM
Walking grade:
Moderate
Itinerary
Day 1: Imlil – Tizi n’tamaterte – Wanskra Village
After breakfast we make our way towards the east winding mule tracks to the Tizi n’ Tamaterte (2,279m). Now we’ll enjoy the amazing panorama of the surrounding Atlas Mountain peaks and valleys on our way to our picnic spot on the Tizi n’Tamaterte, overlooking Jbel Oukaimeden and the beautiful encircled plateau. After lunch we set off following the path down to the Imnane Valley until our gite d’etape in Wanskra village. The journey will take about 5 to 6 hours of walk.
Day 2: Wanskra Village – Ikkis – Tizi n’aguersiwal – Aguersiwal – Imlil
After breakfast, we set off down the Assif Imnane Valley, passing through several Berber hamlets and then up to the Tizi n’Ageursiwal (2,000 m). Now we will go down more winding mule tracks leading to the village of Aguersiwal, which is going to be our beautiful lunch spot. After the lunch in this wonderful area, we set off in river bed of Imlil, allowing another hour to get up the valley to Imlil. This will take about 6 hours walking.
Day 1: Imlil(1740m)– Tizi Mzik (2684m)-Tamsoulte waterfalls (2300m) Tizi Oussem village (1850m)
You will meet your guide and muleteer in Imlil, and then start your trek by climbing Tizi Mzik pass (2684m), where you will be treated to a spectacular view of the Imlil valley and Toubkal Summit Continue your journey to Tamsoulte to visit the highest waterfalls in the Atlas Mountains (100m high). Then, make your way down the Azzaden valley through a juniper forest to reach Tizi Oussem village, where you will spend the night at a guest house. The day will consist of approximately 6 hours of walking.
Day 2: Tizi Oussem (1850m) – Id Aissa village (1800m) – Tizi Oudid (2000m) – Mattat - Agersioual - Imlil
After breakfast, enjoy the sunshine on this colorful valley & its marvelous typical Berber villages, leave Tizi Oussem & continue down to Id Aissa village, before heading up to Tizi Oudid mountain pass (2000m), cross matat village after a wild thurifer juniper forest, get lunch under walnut groves and relax near the river, befor walking back to Imlil. This will take about 6 hours walking.
Day 1: Imlil - Tizi Mzik - Id Aissa
Trek from Imlil valley to Id Aissa is a five hour walk. This beautiful journey takes you over Tizi M'zzik Mountain pass 2540m and down into the spectacular valley of Azzaden. After the day of trekking we will spend the night in the village of Id Aissa (gite).
Day 2: Id Aissa - Tiziane -Tassa Ouirgane - Ouirgane
A downhill walk leading through the nature reserve protecting the Barbary sheep. Our lunch will be served at a stop off en route to Tassa Ouirgane. After an hour and a half you will arrive in the centre of the city of Ouirgane. We will be travelling through fragrant olive groves and many traditional Berber villages, where you can admire the simple life of native inhabitants of this region.
Day 1: Imlil - Tizi n'Tamatert - Tinerhourhine
Depart Imlil after breakfast towards Tacheddirt up winding mule tracks to the Tizi n’ Tamaterte (2,279m). On our way we will enjoy the amazing panorama of the surrounding Atlas Mountain range peaks and valleys. Then we will head to our picnic spot overlooking Jbel Oukaimeden and the beautiful encircled plateau - such an amazing experience! After lunch we will continue our journey to Ouanesekra-Tamguist and arrive at Tinerhourhine for the night, this is about 5 hours' walk.
Day 2: Tinerhourhine - Tizi n'Aguersioual - Matate - Tizi n'Oudite - Ait Aissa
Depart Tinerhourhine along the valley passing by Ikkiss and several Berber hamlets and then up to Tizi n’Aguersioual. Lunch will be taken at Matate before going through Tizi n’Oudite towards Aït Aïssa to spend the night. This is about 5 to 6 hours' walk.
Day 3: Ait Aissa - Tizi Mzik - Imlil
Depart Aït Aïssa towards Tizi Oussem passing by Tizi Mzik, the village of Mzik to arrive back at Imlil (About 4 to 5 hours' walk).
Tour Details
Availability
This trek is available all year round. If you are travelling alone please contact us as there is often the opportunity to join a group.
Accommodation
Traditional Berber village houses.
Included meals
All meals are included during the trek
Tour staff
Local Guide Cook Muleteer/mules to carry your kit bags
Frequently Asked Questions
During this treks we will be staying in a traditional Berber village houses. Depend on location, some of the properties might have simple or some outdated furniture.
Meals will be largely Moroccan based but are likely to be infused with a little European influence.
Example:
- Breakfast: Bread with jam, butter, boiled eggs and processed cheese, with the option of olive oil, served with mint tea, coffee and milk. And also juice, fruit and yoghurt.
- Lunch: salad, tomatoes, carrots, lentils, beans, rice or pasta, kefta (meatball tagine). fish (sardines, tuna), seasonal fruit
- Dinner: Soup, classic Morooccan tajine, couscous, olives, nuts, seasonal fruit
To be able to enjoy these trekking adventures, you need to have a regular practice of walks. Long walks can be more helpful. During the adventure, it is expected that you will come across some inclined terrains to walk over but our guides will be there to assist you in crossing the steep climbs. Typically 4-6 hrs walking per day.
