DAY 1

Travel from Marrakech by road to Tizi n’ Tichka and then walk onwards to Afra

Today we drive into the Atlas Mountains as far as the magnificent Tizi ‘n Tichka (2260m), the highest road pass in Morocco, where we will meet the mules and the muleteers. There follows a short walk of about two hours to the village of Afra (2000m) where we spend the night in tents. 2 hours driving; 2 hours walking, approximately.

DAY 2

Walk from Afra to Azgour

Today we cross the spine of the Atlas Mountains through a colourful, rocky landscape while walking from Afra to the village of Azgour (1800m). We spend the night in tents. 6 hours walking, approximately.

DAY 3

Walk from Azgour to the Yagour Plateau

Today we walk from Azgour to the lofty pastures of the Yagour Plateau (2600m). Astonishingly, in this remote location, you will find the summer houses of shepherds, occupied in August but deserted at other times of the year. It would be possible to extend your stay here by an extra day should you wish to explore the plateau to hunt out its celebrated prehistoric rock carvings. We spend the night in tents. 6 hours walking, approximately.

DAY 4

Walk from the Yagour Plateau to Ourika Valley

Today we walk across the Yagour Plateau, also well-known for its rich variety of wild flowers, and then head down to the green Ourika Valley (1500m), passing traditional villages on the way. We spend the night in tents. 6 hours walking, approximately.

DAY 5

Walk from Ourika Valley to Assaka Amenzal

Today we have a long but beautiful walk from Ourika Valley through the mountains to Assaka Amenzal (2200m). We spend the night in tents. 8 hours walking, approximately.

DAY 6

Walk from Assaka Amenzal to Assif Tifni

Today we walk from Assaka Amenzal, descending via Oumchichki Pass into the peaceful valley of Assif Tifni (2600m). This lovely stream is lined with small clusters of azibs, scattered along its length. We spend the night in tents on the stream banks. 7 hours walking, approximately.

DAY 7

Walk from Assif Tifni to Amsouzert

Today we walk from the Assif Tifni Valley to the large village of Amsouzert (1740m) via Tizi n’Ouraï (3109m). From the pass, you will enjoy spectacular views in all directions, including a splendid sighting of Jebel Toubkal (4167m) and of Ifni Dome (3876m). We spend the night in a traditional, local gite in Amsouzert. 6 hours walking, approximately.

DAY 8

A free day in Amsouzert

Today we enjoy a well-earned free day in Amsouzert. You will have the opportunity to walk around the village, perhaps taking time to relax in a small local café overlooking the river, and have the chance to see at close hand how Berber people lead their lives in the Atlas Mountains. We spend a second night in the local gite.

DAY 9

Walk from Amsouzert to Lac d’Ifni (Lake Ifni)

Today our trail leads through a succession of small villages, which we have time to explore, as we make our way gently up valley towards Lac d’Ifni (2312m), the only lake in the Toubkal Massif and the largest lake in the entire High Atlas. It is a memorable sight; encircled by steep-sided rocky mountains, its deep, blue-green waters invite you to take a swim and wash away the mountain dust from your limbs. Expect to arrive by lunchtime and to spend the afternoon relaxing before camping for the night close by the water’s edge. 4 hours walking, approximately.

DAY 10

Walk from Lac d’Ifni to Refuge les Mouflons

Today we walk from Lac d’Ifni to Refuge les Mouflons (3207m). By now you will have fully acclimatised, be fully into your walking stride and be ready to tackle the hardest two days of the trek. First, we make our way along a steep path that leads up a seemingly endless scree slope. At length we reach the pass of Tizi n’Ouanoums (3664m), a narrow ledge leading between two rocky faces. From here it is a long zigzag descent to Refuge les Mouflons, where we spend the night or sleep in tents, dependant on the season. 6 hours walking, approximately.

DAY 11

Optional ascent of Jebel Toubkal and return to Toubkal Refuge

Today we have the option of ascending Jebel Toubkal (4167m). We should leave before dawn, following a well-established route to the summit. If conditions are good, this should take no more than 3 hours. What is more, the views along the way are quite spectacular and when we reach the summit we will be rewarded with breath-taking, unrestricted views in every direction, as far as to the Haouz Plain in the north and to the Anti-Atlas Mountains and the fringes of the Sahara Desert in the south. We would then walk back down to the Refuge and spend the night or sleep in tents. 5 hours walking, approximately.

DAY 12

Walk down from Refuge les Mouflons to Imlil and transfer back to your riad in Marrakech

Today we walk from the Refuge and follow the valley down to Imlil (1740m), passing first the venerated marabout of Sidi Chamharouch (2300m), which attracts large numbers of pilgrims from both near and far, and then the traditional village of Aremd (1960m). From Imlil, transfer back to your riad in Marrakech.