From Marrakech to the Atlas Mountains

Peace be upon you! Welcome to Morocco! We will meet directly at the hotel at 6:00 PM for an initial welcome meeting! After the meeting, we have the chance to join the tour leader for an excursion to Djemaa el-Fna, the square at the heart of the Medina. Huge crowds gather at night to watch singers, drummers, fortune tellers, and dancers while snacking on street food.

After breakfast, we will have a group meeting at 8:00 AM, where our leader will explain everything we need to know about trekking before we head to the mountains. Leaving Marrakech behind, we cross the plains towards the ancient market of Tahanaoute, with incredible views of the valleys below and the Atlas Mountains along the way. First, we arrive at the village of Imlil, which is situated at 1740 meters above sea level. From here, our first walk begins with a gentle trek along the hillside, offering a stunning view of the valley in front of us and (hopefully) a glimpse of the magnificent Mount Toubkal along the way. We will walk towards our mountain base in the village of Aroumd (2000 meters above sea level) where we will stay in a traditional village house with dormitory-style rooms called gites. The rooms are decorated in traditional Berber style with low sofas (which can be used as beds), tables, carpets, and cushions. In the afternoon, we'll stretch our legs with a gentle orientation walk around Aroumd.

This morning we begin our ascent to Mount Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa. From Armoud, the trail crosses the floodplain of the Ait Mizane valley, before climbing steeply in zigzags up the side of the mountain. Along the way, we encounter the pilgrimage site of Sidi Chamarouch, home to the tomb of the local marabout. Only Muslims are allowed to cross the bridge and approach the large white stone that serves as a sanctuary. We arrive at the Toubkal base camp at Neltner.

We begin our ascent on the magnificent Mount Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa. From Armoud, our trail crosses the alluvial plain of the Ait Mizane valley, before steeply zigzagging up the mountainside. Today, all our luggage is carried by mules, an integral part of Amazigh life, used for ploughing fields, carrying loads, turning threshers, and transporting people between villages. Along the way, we'll pass the pilgrimage site of Sidi Chamarouch, home to the tomb of the local marabout (Muslim holy man). Only Muslims can cross the bridge and approach the large white stone that serves as a sanctuary. Once we reach Sidi Chamarouch, we're likely to encounter snow (a winter delight) and we'll start walking in fresh snow as we steeply ascend through a series of switchbacks and cross the valley side above the river. If we're not experienced in using crampons, our leader will assist us with some simple tricks to make today's hike easier. Finally, we'll arrive at the Toubkal base camp at Neltner (3207 meters above sea level) and enjoy a hearty dinner. Let's make sure we get plenty of sleep before the big climbing day tomorrow.

Today, the leader of our group will choose the most suitable guided trek based on the day's conditions. If yesterday's trip to Mount Toubkal was not successful, today might really be the time to try again. If we are already happy conquerors of the great Mount Toubkal, our leader might opt for another guided trek to Tizi n' Ouagane and perhaps Ras Ouanoukrim, the third highest mountain in North Africa. After descending to base camp, we will refuel with a hearty lunch before returning to Aroumd, where our local host will be waiting to welcome us back with a dinner to celebrate our successes on the High Atlas mountains.

After breakfast, we take one last look at the valley and admire the high peaks we have conquered over the past two days. Then we return to Imlil and head back to Marrakech. After a quick check-in, we embark on a guided walking tour of the Medina, including the lively souks dedicated to various crafts such as pottery, woodworking, carpets, or spices. The rest of our time in the city is free for us to make our own discoveries. One thing we might try after days spent hiking in the high mountains is a traditional Moroccan bath. Our leader can advise us on where to find the best hammam. Perhaps we'll go to a traditional Moroccan restaurant and exchange our favorite travel stories with the members of our group tonight before we go our separate ways tomorrow.

Our tour discovering Morocco ends here. Depending on your departure time, you can still spend some time in Marrakech and continue exploring this beautiful city!