6 DAY ATLAS TREK TO TOUBKAL AND SAHARA

MARRAKECH - IMLIL - REFUGE CAMP OF TOUBKAL

Drive from Marrakech city to Imlil village and atlas trek to Toubkal Refuge via Aremd ; the Mizane Valley,Leaving the city behind,then we drive towards the toubkal peak and plunging valleys of the Toubkal mountainMassif as well. Crossing the Haouz Hill, we pass through the tiny town of Asni, from where our road begins to climb atlas towards the plains of the Massif. Below us the valley of the river Rhirhaia stretches out into the distance and small villages cling to the sides of the steep plains ,as we meander our way towards the village of Imlil. Here we leave our vehicle , and our mountain guide, begin our trek, heading along the Mizane Valley, first towards the village of Aremd and then onto the shrine of Sidi Chamharouch. Built on a moraine spur overlooking the valley floor,Aremd is the largest village in the valley and provides an interesting mix of traditional terraced farming, gites and streets that seem to be permanently gridlocked by goats and cattle. For generations the local Berber villagers have worked these lands, producing corn, potatoes and walnuts from the harsh landscape. Continuing east and crossing the flood plain our route takes us along mule tracks and up into the high rocky cliffs above the valley. Crossing the river, we eventually come to the pastoral shrine of Sidi Chamarouch, which attracts tourists and pilgrims alike (although only Muslims are allowed to cross the stone bridge to visit the marabout shrine itself). The village sits besides a small waterfall, a jumbled cluster of houses that seem to melt together into an anarchic mass. From here the trail continues to climb steadily, snaking and zigzagging its way up to the snowline and the Toukbal Refuge (3206m), our stop for the night. Approx 5hrs walking.

REFUGE CAMP - TOUBKAL SUMMIT – IMLIL VILLAGE

Trek to summit of Jebel Toubkal (4167m) and return to Imlil Early this morning we make our attempt on the summit of Jebel Toukbal, the second highest peak in Northern Africa, crossing the stream above the refuge and then heading across one of the mountains numerous scree fields, where we will have to negotiable a seemingly endless carpet of boulders and rocks. The walking is relatively straightforward, but the scree and the altitude will make the going quite difficult in parts, however, the views along the way make the journey more than worthwhile. Cresting the ridgeline we find ourselves on the plateau, from where it is a short walk to the summit and the vistas out across the surrounding landscape are quite breathtaking. From here there are unrestricted views in every direction, from the Marrakech Plain to the High Atlas in the north and as far south as the Anti-Atlas and the Sahara. Pliny, the great Roman scholar, once described the High Atlas Mountains as "the most fabulous mountains in all of Africa" and from our vantage point high above the valley it is easy to understand why. Retracing our steps we then return down the mountain and head back towards Imlil .

IMLIL - ROSES VALLEY 

You will be picked up from your accommodation in Imlil at 8.00am and head out over the Atlas Mountains, driving over the stunning Tizi-n- Tichka mountain pass. You’ll pass through lots of Berber villages, and once you’re in the desert, you’ll see riverside oases and barren hillsides dotted with kasbahs (fortified dwellings that house families and their livestock). Along the way, you will have the option either to take a break and visit the Ouarzazate Film Studios or stop for a hike. Once you reach near Dades Gorges, you have the option of going for a hike, or relaxing at your hotel. Overnight in Roses valley.

ROSES VALLEY - TODGHA GORGES - MERZOUGA 

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer from the Roses Valley to Todgha Gorges - a massive fault dividing the High Atlas Mountains, rising up 300m in a narrow valley with palmeries and Berber villages. Here, you can go for a hike to explore the palmery, a green oasis full of large date palms. After lunch you’ll head further into the desert to the gateway town of Merzouga sahara to pick up supplies for your desert trip. You will then drive on to a kasbah to pick up your camel. At sunset, you’ll trek for an hour-and- a-half by camel to a Berber camp where you will enjoy a traditional Moroccan dinner, and sleep under the stars or in tents at a desert camp.

MERZOUGA - AIT BENHADDOU KASBAH

Wake to a desert sunrise and then return to the kasbah by camel. You will then have a chance to freshen up and enjoy a breakfast. Once you are refreshed, you willhead out of the desert for a drive to Ait Benhaddou. This is an ancient fortified city containing countless kasbahs and has been the atmospheric subject of numerous Hollywood movies (The Mummy, Gladiator, Alexander, Lawrence of Arabia...) You will have the chance to walk around the buildings and explore with your guide. You will overnight in a hotel close to Ait Benhaddou Kasbah.

AIT BENHADDOU KASBAH - MARRAKECH

Travel along the Ounilla Valley to the Telouet Kasbah, a crumbling kasbah that was once an important stop for traders. Explore the Kasbah.