Our Tichka to Toubkal Traverse - Morocco Trekking trip takes you first though delightful western section of the Atlas mountains, a seldom visited area where you will ascend from the lush 'gardens' of the valleys up through one of the few niches in the mighty cliffs that encircle the ‘lost world’ of the Tichka Plateau, firmly ringed with crests, walls and ridges. Here the spring irrigated pastures are grazed by the Berber shepherds in the summer months, but will be buried under snow in the winter. We exit from the plateau following the N’FisRiver through tranquil oak and juniper forests to lower and warmer altitudes.

A short vehicle transfer along the Tizi n Test road takes us to the Berber village of Wirgane and a night in a hotel, before setting off on the second part of this Morocco trekking trip. We will be making our way towards Toubkal via ‘the back door’, following the Azzaden valley up to the delightful, quiet old Lepiney refuge nestled below the vertical south face of Tazarhart Mountain. Our approach to Toubkal gives us face on views of North Africa’s highest mountain and the route we take up the following day. After summiting Toubkal it is happily downhill for a final night in the High Atlas Mountains. The following day we return to Marrakech with time to explore the souks and try your hand at haggling before the return flight home (schedule dependant).

Why not extend your stay with extra time in Marrakech in a Riad or a hotel, or take trip to the coast at Essaouira. Please contact us for more information.

Exclusive private departures, min 2 people. Please call our office to book.

Dates & Prices

Itinerary

Day 1 Fly to Marrakech and make your way to the hotel. Your guide will meet you in the evening and brief you about the trip generally and the schedule for the next day.

Day 2 In the morning you will transfer by minibus to the delightful town of Taroudant, at the foot of the Western Atlas mountains, travelling along Morocco's newest motorway towards Agadir for part of the journey. We will arrive in Taroudant for lunch. In the afternoon you will be given a short guided tour of this delightful little town and the rest of the day will be free for your own exploration.

Day 3 After breakfast the journey continues up into the mountains to the north, along a recently reconstructed road to the village of Tazoudot ( or maybe further depending on the progress of the new road) passing the fields of wheat, olives and palms en route. This area seems like a small paradise with its banana plants, dates and walnut trees, beautiful purple bougainvillea, hollyhocks and geraniums. In the afternoon we walk on up the valley to the highest village (Awsaghmelt) next to which we will make camp. 3 to 4 hours walking.

Day 4 Above the village the path turns into a delightful side valley above which looms a high ridge in which there is a low 'nick' - the pass of Tizi n Targa.  Sweeping zigzags ensure that gaining height is relatively painless and we reach the pass after about 3 hours. This is one of the gateways to the hidden Tichka Plateau, an extensive area of undulating high pastures ringed but ridges and tumbling cliffs. After lunch we can enjoy relatively level walking across the plateau, passing many flocks which graze this region in the summer months to our camp. 6 to 8 hours walking.

Day 5 From the ‘azib’ it is a long and steady climb to climb the mountain of Amendach (3382m). Our route ascends a lovely green valley around the back of the mountain, cumulating with a steep clamber across boulders to reach the summit. After enjoying the panorama looking across the Souss valley to the Anti Atlas, we descend the south side of the mountain directly back to camp, where we can make the most of washing in the lovely steam nearby. 6 to 7 hours walking.

Day 6 We start our walk down to Imi-n Oskar by following the spectacular gorge of Nfis River, which drains from the Tichka Plateau down through forests, gorges and villages to eventually reach the Tizin’Test road which crosses the High Atlas Mountain range from Agadir to Marrakech. On the way we pass waterfalls and deep pools, complete with frogs and dragonflies and a profusion of wild-flowers and bird life. There will be ample time for bathing opportunities at our lovely secluded camp on terraces beside the river. 4 to 5 hours walking.

Day 7 This morning we will continue our trek along the valley, passing through small villages, from Imi-n Oskar to Souk Sebt, a village so named as it has a weekly market on the seventh day of the week; Souk meaning "market" Sebt being "Seven". Here we meet our vehicles and  say goodbye to our mules and muleteers who have helped us on the first part of this two part trek. A 2-hour drive up to the Tizi n Test then down  the north side of the Atlas takes us to Wirgane and the delights of a night of luxury in the 'Sanglier qui Fume' hotel. Tonight we can dine at a table, having had a good shower and a swim in the hotel pool! 5 hours walking.

Day 8 Following the Azzadene valley our route takes us into the Toubkal National park, passing through a special reserve to protect the Moufflon. We pass many villages that seem to have grown organically out of the red earth, up to the largest in the valley where we spend the night. 4 to 6 hours walking.

Day 9 A cracking day's walk today as we now ascend on up the valley through a juniper forest to the delightful summer village of AzibTamsoult. Above here the path now makes numerous switchbacks as it climbs up besides the spectacular Ihroulidene waterfalls, and then out into the open grassy bowl leading up the  Tazarhart plateau. Nestled below the vertiginous cliffs is the delightful but basic Lepiney refuge. Time permitting we can explore further up the valley in the afternoon. 4 to 6 hours walking.

Day 10 A recently constructed path contours around the hillside before zigzagging up to a shallow col on the shoulder of Aguelzim at 3550m. Here spectacular views across to tomorrow's goal greet us as we look across the upper Mizane valley straight at Mount Toubkal. We descend to the large, modern Toubkal refuge for the night. 4 to 6 hours walking.

Day 11 An early start is normal for the ascent of Mount Toubkal. The ascent is not technical, but does involve crossing some loose ground, much or which can be avoided by following the guide carefully. Three to four hours usually sees everyone on top from where you can rest awhile and take in the 360 degree panorama from the top of North Africa's highest mountain. We return to the refuge by the same route and then make our way down the valley on a well used trail to the village of Aremd for our last night in the mountains. 7 to 9 hours walking.

Day 12 After breakfast we make the short walk down to the roadhead at Imlil to join with our vehicles that will take us back to Marrakech in time for lunch. The afternoon is free for sightseeing and shopping.Flights with Easyjet back to Manchester depart this evening.

Day 13 Take a taxi to the airport to connect with your flight home.

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