TREKKING HIGH ATLAS MOUNTAINS FROM IMLIL
The excursion to the Toubkal National Park & Trekking High Atlas Mountains often starts in Marrakech. It is of the ocher city that the village of Imlil is the most easily accessible. You can even go to Imlil other access points such as the Ifni Lake region or the Ourika Valley but it is more difficult to access.
The Berber village of Imlil is the starting point for a lot of hiking and trekking to the Mountain of Toubkal, is one of the most beautiful Moroccan Berber villages located in the center of the Atlas Mountains. It is a small village nestled at the foot of Toubkal 1740 meters, it is worth the trip alone to discover.
Indeed, we can consider visiting Imlil to hike in the Atlas Mountains, make a responsible trip and an exceptional solidarity hike, enjoy the charm of tourism in the Berber regions and discover a typical traditional lifestyle.
OUR TREKKING DAY TRIPS IN JBEL TOUBKAL
Day 1 : Marrakech – Refuge of Toubkal
Go to your hotel early in the morning with the guide. Transfer to Imlil, starting point for Toubkal. The luggage is loaded on the mules, and go for the climb to the refuge. Aremd, a small village of Sidi Chamarouch, and by large curves the trail climbs towards the refuge. Lunch picnic en route, prepared by the local team.
Overnight at the Toubkal hut (Neltner hut, 3210 m).
5:30 walk – M = 1,200 m.
Day 2 : Summit of Toubkal (4167 m) – Back to Marrakech
The ascent of the summit, on a good trail and good tracks, presents no difficulty, except altitude. The trail goes up a small valley and leads to the wide ridge that leads to the summit. From here you dominate a large part of the Atlas, the plains of Haouz to the north, the Ifni lake to the south, and an endless horizon towards Ouarzazate and the desert.
The descent is made by the same route and, from the refuge, after lunch, return to Imlil. The driver is waiting in the village to return to Marrakech and drop you at your accommodation late afternoon.
9 hours of walking – M = 1,050 m – D = 2,270 m.
Day 1 : Marrakech – Imlil – Ait Souka: Berber Villages, Traditions & Mountains
The road to Imlil through Asni. Installation for two nights in a cottage in the village of Ait Souka. Ahmed, the owner, will be happy to welcome us with tea and cakes on the terrace. Lunch at the cottage, then go for a short hike in the afternoon, towards Aremd, to the Toubkal. Discovery of the agricultural traditions of the mountaineers of the Atlas: the gardens, the fields, the irrigation, the herds, the work of the ground, the villages.
In return, traditional hammam.
2 to 3 hours of walking. M = D: 200 to 300 m.
Day 2 : Tizi Mzik (2490 m)
After having your Berber breakfast on the terrace, facing the Atlas Mountains, it is time to go for the hike of the day. A good clear path leads to a pass, the Tizi Mzik, at 2500 meters with an unobstructed view of the Imlil valley, the Oukaïmedem and the Tizi Oussem valley. The picnic mule carried the necessary lunch, prepared by the mule driver and the guide.
The quiet return to the cottage in the afternoon. Of course, on arrival, the welcome and comfort tea on the terrace of the cottage, facing the mountains.
4 to 5 hours of walking. M = D: 850 m.
Day 3 : Sidi Chamarouch – Imlil – Marrakech
Hike to visit the small village of Sidi Chamarouch, who is also a famous marabout throughout the region and beyond. You will have the opportunity to meet the walkers who go to the refuge of Toubkal, or who come back. Lunch at the cottage in the early afternoon, before returning to Marrakech.
3 to 4 hours of walking. M = D: 350 m.
Day 1 : Marrakech – Tassa Ouirgane (1170 m) – Id Aissa (1650m)
The vehicle with the guide will pick you up at your accommodation. Short transfer to Tassa Ouirgane where we meet the muleteers who will be with us during this hike. The cook prepares the first lunch then departure of the hike. Villages of Id Aissa Tizziane everywhere terraced crops fruit trees walnut trees apple trees.
Night in a cottage in Id Aissa in the middle of the fields.
Walking time: 4 hours.
M: 480 m.
Transfer: 1h30 to 2h.
Day 2 : Id Aissa – Tizi n’Zik (2490 m) – Imlil – Ait Souka (1800 m)
Through terraced crops, junipers, walnut trees, rammed earth houses, water mills near the river, a good path leads to Tizi n’Zik (2490 m).
At the pass, magnificent view over the valley of Azaden, the slopes of Toubkal, Oukaïmedem. The descent on Imlil, then Ait Souka, a little above Imlil.
Night in a cottage in Aït Souka, at Ahmed, guide Aventure Berbère.
The possibility of traditional hammam at the cottage (indicative: 50 Dhs).
Walking time: 4 hours to 5 hours.
M: 850 m. D: 760 m.
Day 3 : Aït Souka – Tizi n’Tamatert (2300 m) – Ouaneskra (2190 m)
Climb to Tamatert Pass through an Aleppo pine forest; superb view of the two valleys of Imenane and Ait Mizane. Descent to the village of Tinghrine; back to Tamguiste and Ouaneskra. This stage is a life-size discovery of the know-how of the Berber peasants; the irrigated terraces rise very high on the flanks of the valley. The upper channel “Targa” marks the border between the brown of the mountain and the green of the cultures.
Overnight lodging in Ouaneskra.
Walking time: 4 hours to 5 hours.
M: 800 m. D: 400 m.
Day 4 : Ouaneskra – Tizi n’Eddi (2928 m) – Oukaimedem (2600 m) – Oussertek (2300 m)
The village of Tamguist, then a good trail in laces leads gradually to Tizi N’ddi; superb panoramic view of the villages, the passes crossed the previous days, the great peaks, the valley which goes up to Toubkal. Quiet descent to Oukaimedem, the ski resort of the High Atlas. Discovery of Neolithic rock engravings, then descent by a path lined with thuriferous junipers to the Oussertek valley.
Overnight stay in Oussertek.
Walking time: 4 hours to 5 hours.
M: 790 m. D: 600 m
Day 5 : Oussertek – Imeskar – Tizi n’El Bour (1500 m) – Imi Oughlad
Discovery of several villages well characteristic of this mountain region: Glize, Assaka, Tinghar, Imeskar. Lunch at the edge of the river under the walnut trees, and continuation to cross the neck of the Tizi n’El Bour, beautiful panorama on the various valleys, villages and the great peaks at 4000 of the High Atlas.
Night in a cottage in Imi Oughlad.
Walking time: 4 hours to 5 hours.
M: 80 m. D: 880 m
Day 6 : Imi Oughlad – Marrakech
Berber breakfast, then transfer to Marrakech, where you arrive at your accommodation late morning.
Transfer: 1h30
