Trekking

Trekking or trekking or adventure hike is a hike characterized by its long duration and by crossing wild or difficult to access areas, such as a hike of several days in the mountains punctuated by bivouacs.

Trekking in Morocco, Toubkal Ascent

Mount Toubkal Adventures Mount Toubkal: The Toubkal massif is made up of rocks of various kinds. We find in particular on the summits of andesite and rhyolite, dark rocks of volcanic origin. Glaciers have left characteristic marks of their passage in the form of trough valleys. During the Würm glaciation, the current valley of Assif n’Ait Mizane (the valley of the Toubkal refuge) was occupied by the longest glacier in the Atlas. It was 5 km long. The word Toubkal would be a deformation of French origin of the same Berber name Tugg Akal /toug-akal/ which means “she who looks up at the earth” Where is Mount Toubkal? One of the most beautiful mountains of the High Atlas Mountains chain, which passes in the countries of the Maghreb, as Mount Toubkal or Mount Toubkal is the highest mountain peak in the Atlas Mountains chain, which has a height of 4165 meters and is 60 km south of Marrakesh.  It has two types of slopes, The first is the high slopes to which most people tend to practice climbing, which are covered with snow in the winter season, so people practice skiing, and the second is the low or lower slopes, which individuals go to for recreation and enjoying the scenery, you will need two full days to reach the top of a mountain Toubkal and the landing thereof. On the first day, you will leave from the village of Imlil in the morning and walk for about five hours to the shelter, where you will spend the night. Then on the second day you will go to the summit in a period of four to five hours, then head down to the shelter, then return to Imlil, the best period to climb Mount Toubkal is late April to October and great care must be taken when climbing the mountain. Mount Toubkal featured treks: Toubkal Ascent 2 Days: Day 01: Transfer by Minibus to the High Atlas/Imlil village 1800m/Refuge Toubkal (3200m). At 8am our taxi or minibus driver (minibus for more than 4 participants) will pick you up at your hotel or fix the starting point in advance, example Jammaa El fena place near Café FRANCE, drive towards Toubkal, 1h 30 by car from Marrakech to reach the village of Imlil starting point of your hike, in the village you will meet our local team, guide and muleteer, start of trek to the refuge of Toubkal? crossing of Village Armed then we continue along the assif Ait Mizan to reach the marabout of Sidi Chamharouch, place of lunch, in the afternoon a climb of 400 m to reach the refuge of Toubkal, night at the bivouac or refuge (refuge in winter, bivouac in summer). Elevation M: 1450 m Elevation D: 30 m Walking time: 6 hours Accommodation: in a tent or refuge. Day 02: Toubkal Refuge – Ascent of Mt Toubkal – Armed 1900m Departure early in the morning for the ascent of Mount Toubkal, the highest in North Africa, is done without difficulty, after 2 hours of climbing we will reach a pass at 3900m which covers the Siroua massif and the hamadas of southern Morocco, we continue successively towards the geodesic point 4167m. very wide 360 ° view on all directions: valleys, surrounding peaks, the Anti Atlas, the pre-Saharan mountains and the plain of Marrakech. Descent by the same path, continuation along the Assif Ait Mizane, lunch and visit of marabout Sidi Chamharouch, place of pilgrimage, to reach the village of Armed where we will find our car, return to Marrakech. Toubkal Climb 3 days Itinerary Day per Day: Day1: Marrakech – Imlil After arrival in Marrakech, you wil be transferred to the little village of Imlil. Here you will be able to explore the area and you will spend the night in a guesthouse. Day 2: Imlil – Toubkal Refuge Today we begin our trek. Heading along the Ait Mizane Valley, we first past the village of Aremd and then into the shrine of Sidi Chamarouch. We then continue east and by crossing the flood plains our route takes us along mule tracks and up into the high rocky cliffs above the valley. Crossing the river we eventually come to the pastoral shrine of Sidi Chamarouch, which attracts tourists and pilgrims. From here the trail continues to climb steadily, snaking and zigzagging its way up to the snowline and the Toukbal Refuge (3206m), our stop for the night.  Approx: 4 to 5hrs walking. Day 3: Toubkal Refuge – Summit – Refuge – Imlil – Marrakech Early in the morning we make our attempt on the summit of Jebel Toukbal, the highest peak in Northern Africa. Our route takes us up the south cirque, crossing the stream above the refuge. The walking is relatively straightforward, but the ice and the altitude will make the going quite difficult in parts. The views along the way make the journey more than worthwhile. When you reach the summit you will see that the vistas across the surrounding landscape are quite breathtaking. From here 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. We will retrace our steps when we return down the mountain and head back towards Imlil. Transfer back to Marrakech. Approx. 9hrs walking.   Toubkal National Park summer Trek 8 days From the Atlas to the heart of the medina of Marrakech, this Moroccan adventure offers us an astonishing combination of sporting challenge, magical encounters and spectacular landscapes. We will experience the hospitality of the Berber people in the High Atlas region where the highest peaks are located, including Toubkal at 4,167 m … From the top, the reward is fantastic: a panorama over the whole region. Day 1:Marrakech – Imlil (1750m) – Camp of Toubkal (3200m) Transfer to Imlil, from where we will start our trek. We will first cross magnificent gardens and apple and walnut orchards to arrive

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The 21 Best Day Trips from Marrakech

what to do in Marrakech Marrakech Day Trips The 21 Best Day Trips from Marrakech What are the best day trips from Marrakech?  Walking in the Atlas Mountains, admiring the dunes in a hot air balloon, marveling at the architecture and prehistoric ruins, or even strolling in the colorful and lively souks, the day trips from Marrakech are multiple and impressive. Best of all? For most of these tours, you can leave Marrakech in the morning and come back the same day! Read on, choose your favorite destination and have a wonderful experience! 1- Essaouira Let yourself be transported through the narrow and fortified streets of the Essaouria medina, with slight European influences (but the majority of which is North African in style). This trip to Essaouira also gives you the opportunity to discover the beautiful Moroccan coast. On this tour, you will see how the modern world blends harmoniously with ancient architecture and history. It is also important to note that Essaouira is considered a World Heritage Site! Essaouira Day Trip From Marrakech start from 45 Euro 2 – Ouzoud waterfalls Explore the bustling streets of Marrakech and immerse yourself in the depths of nature. At Ouzoud Falls, you can marvel at how the stunning waterfall, nestled between layers of flora, falls over a massive rock face. Close to the sparkling waterfalls you will find the Al Abid River, where you can cool off. Don’t forget to watch out for the monkeys swinging from tree to tree! Immersing yourself in nature against a backdrop of spectacular images of flora and fauna makes for an unparalleled day trip from Marrakech. Waterfalls Day Trip From Marrakech start from 45 Euro 3 – Palm grove Located just outside Marrakech, the Palmeraie is the easiest opportunity to leave the noisy and bustling city for a pleasant camel ride. The local guides are known to be welcoming, and they will do their best to provide an authentic perspective on Moroccan culture: a tea break is always included! Palm grove Day Trip From Marrakech start from 35 Euro 4 – Merzouga Desert Let yourself be enveloped by the calm and inexplicable beauty of the Merzouga desert. Whether it’s riding a camel through the smooth dunes of Erg Chebbi, watching the sun emerge from the depths of the sand, camping under the hundreds of stars of a Bedouin encampment or trekking the High Atlas Mountains , it’s safe to say that this magical, peaceful and thrilling three-day desert tour from Marrakech will leave a clear picture in your mind for years to come. Merzouga Desert Day Tours From Marrakech 5 – Agadir Fancy a luxurious but quiet getaway? The lines of palm trees, the white and sandy coasts and the beach bars of Agadir are calling to you. Agadir, although seaside and touristy, offers a range of activities. The day trip from Marrakech will introduce you to Agadir’s collection of great sites, such as the fish market, Agadir beach, the medina, and more. You may be able to choose your destinations depending on your visit! Agadir Day Tours From Marrakech 6 – Ouarzazate This day trip from Marrakech will introduce you to “African Hollywood”. Ouarzazate may be the largest city in Morocco, but its architecture and stunning beauty will distract you from the many tourists who stroll around the area. En route to Ouarzazate, you will stop at the UNESCO heritage site, Ait Benhaddou. And this site has attracted filmmakers for many years! Ouarzazate has a few interesting destinations including the Taourirt Kasbah, which gives you a glimpse into the lavish lifestyles of the past. Ouarzazate Day Tours From Marrakech 7 – Mount Toubkal Escape the desert, the cities and climb to the top of North Africa’s highest mountain, Mount Toubkal. The snow-capped peaks of the summit will bring you a different vision of Morocco. En route to the top of Jebel Toubkal, you will discover the village of Imil and hike near the sanctuary of Sidi Chamharouch. During this trek, you will discover incredible landscapes and cross varied terrain. Allow time, as the entire trip will take three days. Toubkal trekking Tours From Marrakech 8 – Casablanca Most of you may know Casablanca from the iconic 1945 film of the same name, but the city also offers a plethora of beautiful historical sites to visit. The day trip from Marrakech to the Atlantic coast will allow you to discover the main sites of the Moroccan city: eat seafood at the central market, admire the intricate design of the royal palace and patrol the Habous district, built in France. Toubkal trekking Tours From Marrakech 9 – Asni and Imlil Most of you may know Casablanca from the iconic 1945 film of the same name, but the city also offers a plethora of beautiful historical sites to visit. The day trip from Marrakech to the Atlantic coast will allow you to discover the main sites of the Moroccan city: eat seafood at the central market, admire the intricate design of the royal palace and patrol the Habous district, built in France. Asni and Imlil day Tours From Marrakech 10 – Atlas Mountains Escape to the ever-vast Atlas Mountains for a breath of fresh air and a glimpse into Moroccan culture. This eye-opening excursion will take you to Imlil where you can sip mint tea, dine with a Berber family, and learn a wealth of facts about the history of the region. Besides the cultural experience, the terraced fields, bordered by walnut and cherry trees, will undoubtedly provide you with many images that will amaze you for many years to come. Atlas Mountains day Tours From Marrakech 11 – Desert of Zagora Vous avez quelques jours de libre ? Si oui, le désert de Zagora vous attend ! Cette excursion de deux jours vous transportera de la ville colorée et animée de Marrakech au calme et sublime désert de Zagora, où vous monterez à dos de chameau pour assister au lever et au coucher du soleil. Et

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National Park of Toubkal

Hamish Brown The Mountains Look on Marrakesh Morocco has been an abiding passion of mine for more years than I care to remember. This walk took place in 1995, when I walked across the Atlas Mountains from end to end. It was around 900 miles and took 96 days – and it was absolute heaven! Usually people go walking to break from the routine, but after a trip lasting 3 months it’s the walking that becomes the routine! Reasons you need to know Toubkal is the best:  We started up in the north-east at a place called Taza, and finished on the Atlantic coast down at Tamri. Charles and I were both celebrating our 60th birthdays, but the most important man in the quartet was this man Ali. He’s good with animals, he cooks and he makes bread. He’s a Berber rather than an Arab, as are the other people living around the Atlas mountains. He speaks both those languages and English as well. And we needed someone else, so Ali chose Hussein, who only spoke Berber. We had two mules, which we called Taza and Tamri. Like any expedition, a lot of hard work goes on that you don’t see. Here’s a picture of me in my hotel room in Marrakesh on the evening before we started, with the provisions for the trip spread out on the bed, so I had to get them packed up before I could get some sleep. Once we were above 2000m, we hardly went below that height during the expedition. You can see how cold it was from the frost on the tent. The daily routine was that the mules were loaded in the morning after we had set off, they walked twice as fast and passed us, and the tent would be pitched ready by the time we reached the next camp site. We were walking through ever-changing landscapes, and climbing some of the mountains was a bonus. There are these incredible cedar forests, which is one of Morocco’s best-kept secrets. And there are these Barbary apes. The expedition started in March and finished in early July. In the first few weeks we had some appalling weather. The route was supposed to cross a high plateau cut into by some deep gorges, but at first the tracks were impassable with snow so we had to go down lower. This was good because it meant we visited new places. We were taken in by families, they were so hospitable, they made us meals and baked bread every day, but they wouldn’t take any payment. We had to get round this in some way, for example by giving something for the children. This is the only place with pitched roofs in the country, and there’s plenty of timber. They had a lot of snow while we were there – they dislike it as it lies on the roof and can leak through. At one point we were desperately going through the tall oleander bushes, ankle deep in water, trying to find a dry spot for the tent. You have to take the risk of spate seriously – a rush of water can come down a valley like an express train and could have swept us away, so we had to take care where to pitch a tent. After another diversion we eventually came out of the Middle Atlas onto a wide plain, which took us two days to cross to reach the High Atlas. We came to Imilchil, known as the “Lhasa of Morocco”, which is a town high up in the mountains with some of the old architecture. We were there for souk day, which is a weekly market, really it’s their supermarket [colourful photos of goods on sale]. Once two people shake hands on a deal, that’s it. There’s a lot of recycling goes on, with things made from scrap – old oil cans, coffee tins, tyres, all turned into something useful. The Central Atlas is a popular area with Jebel Azourki the highest mountain [9th highest in Morocco at 3677m]. It was still under snow and we were diverted, but saw other mountains. For example we saw the “Cathedral” – and decided to come back another time to climb it. There’s a big valley, the Zaoui Ahancal valley, with the town of Ahancal with fine old buildings and a remarkable gorge. We had a spare day here so it was a chance for Charles to try riding a mule – he said never again! This area is called the Chamonix of Morocco – it has the gorge and cliffs twice as high as Ben Nevis. The people count their wealth in sheep and goats. We tried to climb Azourki, but didn’t get up because of the snow, requiring ice axes, crampons etc.  It was the only failure of the 30 summits we took in on the trip. Then we reached this upland valley, called “la Vallee Heureuse” – it once had a lake here so the ground is very fertile and produces good crops. We spent three days there and from then on we were joined by small groups of friends who joined us for stints of a fortnight each.   No two door designs are the same. The mules needed servicing [someone working on the hooves of one of them]. No mules had been asked before to walk 96 days, so they couldn’t grow the horny bits fast enough. At the end, Ali and Hussein got the mules rather than payment. There’s a lot of bare strata in the mountains, unlike in Scotland, where everything is grown over. We went through a pass, the Tizi Tighfist, with wonderful prehistoric art from about 4000 BC, and you can clearly see that they show shields and hyenas. We were there for an important Islamic sheep festival and had to buy one.  We had mutton for a week! There’s a huge block of a mountain, Jebel Rhat, that you can just see from Marrakesh – it would take about a week to walk round it and we wanted to include it. We got marvellous food prepared for us,

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Top 10 Treks in Morocco

The Amazing 10 Treks in Morocco Morocco is undoubtedly the most interesting trekking land in the Maghreb, the most varied also alternating high desert mountains, green valleys, dry canyons, oases, and dunes. In the hollow of the valleys, the Berber villages welcome hikers with their legendary hospitality. A great opportunity to discuss and discover Berber traditions still alive. After 8 trips to Morocco, here are my top 10 treks in Morocco. I have almost all done them. Toubkal Ascent The best known and also the most popular of all routes in Morocco, the Toubkal trek is nevertheless a great classic that I have not done. According to many friends who have climbed it on a 2, 6 or 12 day trek, it is splendid. Depending on the duration of the trek, we start from Imlil (2-day version), Ouakaimedem or Aguersioual (1-week version) but other options are possible and for the longest trek, there are even more variants Mgoun Ascent This is the first trek I have done in Morocco, it was in 2003 if I remember correctly. Before the days of I-Trekkings. And what a trek! Departing from the valley of Aït Bougmez, we reached the summit of M’Goun before moving onto the southern slope of the massif through the gorges of M’Goun and ending with the valley of Roses at El Kelaâ M’Gouna. 11 days of walking. My first experience was with a local agency as well and with Moroccan hospitality. A trek that somehow contributed to my desire to create Trekking holidays in Morocco. Alas, I no longer have the story. Some silver photos remain in an old photo album. Eastern High Atlas The best known and also the most popular of all routes in Morocco, the Toubkal trek is nevertheless a great classic that I have not done. According to many friends who have climbed it on a 2, 6 or 12 day trek, it is splendid. Depending on the duration of the trek, we start from Imlil (2-day version), Ouakaimedem or Aguersioual (1-week version) but other options are possible and for the longest trek, there are even more variants Aït Bougmez valley Softer, the Aït Bougmez valley, the “happy valley”, lends itself to pretty walks through fields and villages. It’s not really a trek or it has to be joined to a larger route like on my ascent of M’Goun or in the Eastern High Atlas.I even stayed there for a week on one of my trips to Morocco. Leaving from an ecolodge, I explored across and across the valley and even a little beyond: the Aït Boulli valley or the Izourar plateau. Great crossing of the High Atlas This is the trek that I would like to do. In the catalog of major French trekking agencies, the route begins in Iskattafen on the heights of Aït Bougmez.In 17 days of walking, heading towards Imlil. Along the way, ascent of M’Goun, Anghomar and Toubkal (at the end) and passage through the Tessaout valley. A major route. The Saghro mountains We take the southern route for the following 5 treks. Starting with Jebel Sargho, sometimes nicknamed the Moroccan Hoggar. It is a pre-Saharan massif that will appeal to minerality lovers: tabular plateaus, basalt columns and dry wadis make up the landscape.It is not uncommon depending on the season to meet Aït Atta nomads. Jebel Siroua Another massif in the Anti-Atlas, the Jebel Siroua trek is an itinerary that has excited me. Not many people are going to walk there, it is incomprehensible, especially since it is the only region of Morocco to cultivate saffron.The 5-day trek starts from the village of Tamazight and ends in Ifrane. The massif is inhabited in its northern and southern parts, where you cross beautiful villages in mud houses surrounded by almond trees. In the center, it is the silence of the mountain that accompanies hikers. A real favorite! The Anti-Atlas around Tafraoute The Tafraoute mountains are the 3rd massif which constitutes the Anti-Atlas. But unlike Siroua and Saghro, the Tafraoute sector is wetter because it is closer to the Atlantic Ocean. Depending on the recent rainfall, the landscapes are more or less green, which offers a striking contrast between the green of the valleys and the pink of the rocks. Again, few hikers in this magnificent sector. Dunes and oasis of Draa Let’s finish these top 10 treks in Morocco with two desert routes. Departing from the Draa oasis, we discover the abundant life of this string of adobe villages and then step into the desert. The week ends in the heart of the dunes of Erg Houidi before reaching the Ksar de Bouno and the palm grove of Oulad Idriss. Camel trek in the Moroccan Sahara This time starting from Oulad Idriss, this itinerary in the Moroccan Sahara explores the western part of the dunes of the palm grove located between Wadi Draa and Jebel Bani. 6 days of walking on a very beautiful itinerary alternating ergs and regs, all the ways of the Moroccan desert in one trip. I highly recommend. Home to some of the most beautiful mountains in the world, Morocco lends itself to hiking all year round. In summer, you can climb Jebel Toubkal, the highest point in North Africa, while in winter, when the snow makes the High Atlas impassable, Jebel Sarhro remains accessible. The Rif chain is ideal for mid-season.

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