Highest Peaks of Atlas Mountains

Arrive in Marrakech. A complimentary private transfer from airport to your hotel is included.

Early morning departure from Marrakech for a pleasant drive south winding our way up through the Moulay Brahim gorge and upper valleys to arrive at the higher foothills of the Western High Atlas mountains and the trailhead of Imi Oughlad (1,450m) with the Jbel Toubkal, at 4167m the highest peak in North Africa, Aglzim 3,650m and Aksoual 3,847m looming before us. Here you meet up with your Berber muleteer crew. We set off up in north-westerly direction for a two hour acclimatisation hike up on mule tracks, passing by cornfields, woods, pine and juniper to the Tiz n’Tachte (2,000m), where we shall stop to look back down on the Imlil and Ait Oussaden valleys before carrying on for another half hour to Imi n’Ifri and our field picnic. Then a slow hike for about 2.5h south-west down along a dirt track to Assif n’ Aait Oussaden and the red clay terraced village of Tiziane (1,750m) for accommodation in our bivouac/gite.

Walking time: 5-6h

After breakfast, we set off on our hike up along the Assif n’Ait Oussaden valley, passing through walnut groves, up to Tizi n’Taghrhourte (1,995m) and ton an almost flat stretch to arrive at Assaka spring, where we will stop for our field picnic after some 2.5h of relatively easy walking. Our afternoon’s hike takes us down along the forest edges until we reach the Berber village of D’knt (1,870m) or Agouns n’Assoul, where we will have our dinner and spend the night in a bivouac/gite.

Walking time: 5-6h

We set off for our morning’s three hour hike up through groves of walnut trees, fields of corn and barley to meet many sheep and goat herders. We traverse the Tizi n’Tagdalte for the descent amongst the juniper trees till we come to a small spring amongst the trees, where we will stop for our picnic. Once refreshed, we are off down the winding tracks for some three hours to come to a small river at the beginning of the valley of Assif n’Ait Oussaden. From here, we enter the village of Tizi Oussem (1,850m) then up to the summer village of Tamsoult.

Walking time: 6-7h

After breakfast, we now set out eastwards on a moderately demanding hike up the winding mule tracks to the Tizi Aguelzim (3,550m), then a further three hours south-east to the Toubkal Refuge, which marks the snowline at 3,20m, where we shall have our dinner, in the Refuge itself or a bivouac near the Refuge.

Walking time: 6h

Climb the second highest peak in Morocco with stunning views on the Atlas and Sirwa valley at 3,200m. Then walk back to the Refuge or camp for the overnight.

Walking time: 7h

Early in the morning, you will make your attempt on the summit of Jebel Toubkal, the highest peak in Northern Africa. The route takes you up the south cirque, crossing the stream above the refuge and then heading across one of the numerous scree fields, where you will have to negotiate a seemingly endless carpet of boulders and rocks. The walking is relatively straightforward, but the scree and the altitude will make it difficult, however, the views along the way make the walk more than worthwhile.

Cresting the ridgeline, you will reach the plateau, from where it is a short walk to the summit, and the vistas are quite breathtaking. From the peak, there are unrestricted views in every direction, from the Marrakesh Plain to the High Atlas in the north and as far south as the Anti-Atlas and the Sahara.

Retracing your steps you then return down the mountain and head back towards Imlil, before your transfer back to Marrakech.

Walking time: 9-10h

Vibrant Marrakech is a fascinating city, home to numerous mosques, palaces and gardens. The medina is a densely packed, walled medieval city dating to the Berber Empire, with mazelike alleys where thriving souks (marketplaces) sell traditional textiles, pottery and jewellery. A symbol of the city, and visible for miles, is the Moorish minaret of the 12th-century Koutoubia Mosque. If you prefer, you can also book an optional camel ride in the villages near Marrakech.

Departure (complimentary airport transfer included) or extra nights in Marrakech.