Trek the Atlas

Ideal for outlining the Moroccan mountains: alpine relief, stone villages and terrace fields fixed on the side of narrow valleys, traditional way of life.
With Toubkal as an objective, culminating point in North Africa at 13,474 feet, glimmering all of the way from Marrakech.
Then on to discover Essaouira, the white and blue city on the Atlantic coast.

• Day 1/  Arrival in Marrakech
• Day 2/  Setti Fatma – Timichchi, Gite-Homestead
• Day 3/  Tizi Ouhattar – Oukaïmeden (10,171 feet), Gite-Homestead
• Day 4/  Tizi n'Addi - Aït Souka (Gite-Homestead)
• Day 5/  Toubkal refuge (10,531 feet)
• Day 6/  Toubkal (13,474 feet), Aït Souka, Gite-Homestead
• Day 7/  To Essaouira
• Day 8/  Essaouira (option Water therapy treatment)
• Day 9/  Essaouira - Marrakech
• Day 10/  Marrakech, visit
• Day 11/ Depart from Marrakech.

The highlight of this trek in altitude: climbing the J'bel Toubkal (13,474 feet) and from the summit, the sightseeing reward onto the Moroccan Atlas mountain chain, to the North, the Marrakech plain and to the South, the Saharan desert blurred by the haze of the heat.
But the original route of this excursion also proposes to us, the discovery of terrace cultivation in the Moroccan Atlas high valleys and the hospitality of the Berber people is no legend. The Berbers attach their heart and soul to their ground which makes the Atlas a very "alive" mountain. 100 miles west of Marrakech, the Essaouira rock peninsula shelters a beautiful beach. But this multi faceted small city also offers strolls in the dunes or forests with superb vegetation. In the well known, Sofitel Mogador, you will be able to enjoy one day of spa and relaxation... And in the evening after an excellent traditional meal, we will stroll around the harbor and in the animated streets of the Medina (old city). 

Day 1/ Arrival Marrakech
Arrival in Marrakech. Settle in a charming Riyadh (the Slitine Riyadh, or similar) in the middle of the Medina (old city). According to your flight's arrival time, possibility to get an early start enjoying the Medina (old city).

Day 2/ Marrakech - Setti Fatma - Timichchi
We reach the village of Setti Fatma, after a short transfer by minibus through the green valley of Ourika.
After having entrusted your luggage to a muleteer, and having enjoyed lunch, we begin our trek with a small stage discovering the ingeniousness of the Berber mountain dwellers: their irrigation canals, terrace cultivation, mills... and villages perched on the sides of the valley... all designed not to lose even a single yard of fertile ground.
Night in Timichchi Gite-Homestead.
3. 30 H walk - Ascent = 1,800 feet.

Day 3/ Timichchi - Tizi Ouhattar - Oukaïmeden
Leaving the culture behind us, we approach the high Moroccan mountain fields by way of the Tizi Ouhattar pass (10,312 feet); the "azibs" (high country sheep barns) testimony to the activity in the pastures and you will enjoy answering to "Salam Aleikum", the Shepherd's salutation.
At the end of the day, when the sun is lower on the horizon, the shaving light highlights Neolithic rock engravings at the site.; It is here where you will discover them.
Night at Oukaïmeden hut.
6 H walk - Ascent = 4,300 feet

Day 4/ Oukaïmeden - Tizi n'Addi - Tizi Tamatert - Aït Souka
What an impression to be at the end of the world.... And, all at the same time, to see villages that well inhabited in such remote areas, the tiny fields are well cultivated... between Tizi Addi and Tizi Tamatert, the Imenane valley continues to follow its peaceful course far from tourist agitation, as in the beginning of time.
Night in Gite-Homestead at Aït Souka.
Ait Souka Gite-Homestead: run by Ahmed Aït Hammou, one of our Mountain World Travel guides; Ahmed as his family as well, are charming and of excellent company. Large very clean collective rooms inside and outside. Generous, varied and excellent meals. "Top-of-the-range" lodging, with a superb view.
6 H walk - Ascent = 1,540 feet - Descent = 4,100 feet.

Day 5/ Aït Souka - Toubkal Hut
The ascent to the hut begins while following the canals which irrigate the terrace cultivation fields.
After the lunch-pause in the Sidi Chamarouch small village in its marabout (typical tent), the mountain becomes more arid and one can hear the sheep and goat that are kept by the young shepherds.
Night in Toubkal hut (refuge Neltner -10,531 feet).
5. 30 H walk - Ascent = 3,900 feet.

Day 6/ Toubkal Hut - Summit of Toubkal (13,474 feet) - Aït Souka
The ascent to the top is complete without major difficulty. The path goes up a small deep valley which emerges at a pass. Then a broad peak leads us to the top. Here the view is seizing, we dominate most of the Atlas and the Haouz plains in the north and Ouarzazate...
The descent is carried out on the same pathway and, from the hut after our picnic, we arrive back at Ait Souka.
Night in Ait Souka Gite-Homestead.
8/9 H walk - Ascent = 3,450 feet - Descent = 7,450 feet.

Day 7/ Aït Souka - Essaouira
Short descent to Imlil (30 mn approximately). The minibus waits at the village to bring us back down to the plains. Road for Essaouira.
Settle in for two nights at the Sofitel Mogador, 5 star hotel. In the evening, after an excellent traditional meal in the old city, it feels good to stroll around the harbor and in the animated streets of the Medina.
30 minute walk - Descent = 500 feet.

Day 8/ Essaouira
Your choice, and as an option: traditional hammam, spa, bathe (hotel swimming pools, beaches...).The Sofitel Mogador hotel is the most famous one of the country for its water treatments, massage, and spas, etc.
For those who wish: discover the coast in the south of Essaouira with a guide. Alternation of beautiful wild beaches, rocky capes and small lost villages.
1 to 2 H walk.

Day 9/ Essaouira - Marrakech
Visit the splendid town of Essaouira, old Mogador (Amegdoul is the Berber name for this small island facing the harbor), which means "difficult place to reach", but when the Portuguese arrived, Amegdoul became Mogador): labyrinth of white and blue houses, fortress, Medina... This fishing harbor was created by the Portuguese then conquered by the French.
Road for Marrakech, where we arrive in the evening; possibility of visiting an argan oil (from the Argania Spinosa almond tree) co-operative. Settle in for two nights in the charming Riyadh (Riyadh Slitine or similar) in the Medina.

Day 10/ Marrakech
Guided tour of the principal monuments of the city (Majorelle gardens, Médersa, Saadiens tombs, Bahia palace).
In the evening, it we will have some time to enjoy the charms of the red city, and the famous square Djemaa el Fna, always enthralling

Day 11/ Back home
Transfer to the airport and flight home.

- The walking time schedules are given only as an estimate.
- For different reasons involving trip organization, daily schedules and planned altitude gains (ascent or descent) may be modified without any prior notice.

Back pack needed for the half day pack with basic essentials, protective clothing, camera, water, etc...

The guide
- an English, French, Arab and Berber speaking professional Moroccan Mountain World Travel guide. He will introduce you to the Berber world, because he is the best representative for his culture.
The local team
- a driver.

Private air conditioned mini bus for ground transportation inside the country.

All lodgings in the cities is charming.
Hotels: 4 or 5 stars
Riyadh (with swimming pool in general, heated in winter): the Riyadh's are old palaces, usually located inside the Medina, restored and arranged with good taste. Personalized, genuine welcome.
In villages, night's lodging in the homes of locals: simpler than hotels, but very welcoming and our only option in remote areas.
In general, the gites are composed of several rooms with mattresses, pillows, carpets, available to the group with toilet and shower. You often have the option of taking a "hamman" (steam room) in the village (variable rate, from 20 to 50 dirham).
Whenever it is compatible with our tour schedule, we will stay at the Gites-Homesteads. Most often, the Gites-Homesteads are run by the families of our guides. Our choosing to stay in the Gites-Homesteads has two advantages: it enables us to meet and interact with the locals and it promotes a soft touristic development in the village. Our stays bring in a little money to the families and help the families to live and maintain their lifestyle in the mountains.

The names of accommodations (hotels, lodges, etc...) when they are indicated, are only indicative.
Depending on availability, accommodations (hotels/Lodges, etc...) may be replaced by another equivalent type.
It is possible that accommodations may change without prior notice due to a number of factors.

• Downtown and during the transfers: restaurant (sometimes picnic during the transfers)
• During hikes: picnic
• Mineral water, and tea provided

Mint tea is served at all meals.
You can, in addition, taste the rosy boulaouane, the red cabernet and the muscatel, which are excellent local wines.
You will be able to indulge yourselves in: salads, tajine (a kind of beef, poultry or fish stew with tasty vegetables), couscous, pastilla (succulent cake of puff pastry filled with pigeon and lightly sweetened), skewers, soups (harira), sweet desserts. Moroccan cuisine is regarded as one of the best in the world! It should be noted that the Moroccans, Muslims, do not eat pork.

Although we are an experienced adventure travel company doing our best to respect the itinerary schedule as presented on this detailed itinerary, there is always the possibility that we may need to modify it for different reasons beyond our control.
Please read the Registration Conditions: Terms and Booking conditions - Limitations of Liability.

• International flights in/out Morocco
• All services mentioned in Services +/extensions/options
• Personal medical & Travel Insurance
• All items not expressively mentioned in "What's included"

• Drinks (except mineral water - tea)
• Personal expenses.
• Tips for guide and local team
• All items not expressively mentioned in "What's included"

As airfare is NOT included in our adventures, please check if your trip is "a guaranteed departure" before confirming your own airline travel arrangements. You can check your trip status at the Mountain World Travel website or contact the Mountain World Travel office at 1-970-544-WALK (1-970-544-9255) or at 1 888-MWT-TREK (698-8735).

Our preferred airlines to fly to Marrakech:

• Royal Air Maroc operates daily flights to Marrakech from New York through Casablanca
• Skyteam (Delta, Northwest, Continental, Air France - KLM), operates daily flights from anywhere in the States to Marrakech, through Paris or Amsterdam

Formalities for US, Canada, Australia, NZ passport travelers: a passport valid 6 months after the supposed return day of your journey; no visa needed for a stay up to 90 days.
For US citizens, please check with US Government Travel Entry Exit Requirements
For other nationalities, please contact the Moroccan embassy of your country.

Health and First Aid (it does regroup Health and Individual Medical Requirements)
Vaccines: No vaccine is obligatory. We advise you, however, to be up to date with the traditional vaccinations: diphtheria, tetanus, polio, typhoid fever. Vaccination against hepatitis A recommended.
For more information visit the website of the  US Department of Health.

Dentist and doctor
Physical Examination prior to your departure is recommended.

Acclimatization and preventive treatment against altitude sickness
For all the trips with summits, we conceive our routes by respecting the best possible "stages of altitude acclimatization", however the make-up of the country can require an abrupt climb. A hyper baric chamber is provided during committed treks in very high altitude, for emergency treatment of AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness). And so, it is preferable to consider, with your doctor, a preventive treatment against altitude sickness and to check your capacity to evolve in altitude (specific tests may be considered).
For more information visit the website of the  US Department of Health - Altitude Illness.

LEVEL 4
3 months prior:  Hike 10 to 12 miles every weekend or on two consecutive days OR if you are regularly committed, on an annual basis, to another sports activity that develops stamina (jogging, cycling or swimming) for a cumulative duration of 2 to 3 hours per week (without excessive shortness of breath or exceptional fatigue), you should be up to speed.  

 

Basic equipment
- A warm fleece hat
- A cap or a hat to protect from the sun
- Sun glasses (minimum index 3 or 4 for high mountain)
- Thermal top and bottom, short and long) underwear (fast drying).
- Fleece turtle neck top
- A warm fleece jacket (light weight/well insulated).
- A waterproof/breathable shell jacket (Gore-Tex).
- A pair of gloves
- A rain poncho
- Hiking shorts
- Lightweight hiking long pants
- A Camelback or a water bottle.

Shoes and technical material
- Hiking socks
- Waterproof ankle hiking boots and a sole offering good traction.
- Head lamp
- A pair of telescopic walking poles

Luggage
- A back pack equipped with broad straps, with an adjustable anatomical back reinforcement, and a capacity of 7 to 9 gallons, for your daily belongings
- A soft travel bag, which can hold between 18 to 23 gallons that will be transported by the porter team or by vehicle during the day.

Miscellaneous
- A change of clothes.
- A pair of replacement shoe laces
- A dop-kit and a bath towel.
- Toilet paper.
- A pocket knife (not in carry on luggage).
- Some plastic bags to protect your belongings.
- Duct tape
- A bathing suit.
- A small pocket anti-theft protection device, to always keep on yourself, along with your identity papers, money, certificate of insurance.

Some advice
During your flight your back pack should contain fragile and useful items that you might need while on the plane (camera, memory cards, jacket, books, magazines, medication, dop-kit etc).