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Overnight and multi-day treks

The High Atlas, the greatest mountain range of North Africa, is perhaps the most beautiful and intriguing part of Morocco. It has retained a remoteness which until recent decades was virtually complete, and contains villages where the way of life has changed little for centuries.

Outsiders to the mountains are constantly surprised when they encounter the friendliness and openness of the villagers, as they go about their everyday tasks. Hiking in the High Atlas is one of the best possible experiences in Morocco – feasible exploration of stunning natural beauty, and of a rigidly individual world.

Regardless of levels of fitness this area is accessible to all. There is a wide range of trekking possibilities, from a short ramble through the villages that surround the Kasbah, to more demanding multi-day treks. Mule support can be arranged for bags and people, which opens up more opportunities. The mule trails around the valleys are well contoured and kept in excellent condition.

Hajj Maurice—a qualified and long experienced mountain guide—is happy to discuss trekking possibilities with you and arrange full accompanied trekking support. Below are several examples of multi-day treks.

Quick links to trek details:

Azzaden Trekking Lodge
10 km from the Kasbah du Toubkal

This circular route from the Kasbah (coloured green on the map) is approximately 20.5 km in length with 1705 m of height gained and lost.

Journey out
  • 864 m of height is gained from the Kasbah to Tizi Mzik (Tizi-n-Mzig) over a distance of approximately 4 km
  • 1014 m of height is lost from Tizi Mzik to the Azzaden Trekking Lodge at Aït Aïssa over a distance of approximately 6 km
Return journey
  • 569 m of height is gained to Tizi Oudite col over a distance of approximately 2.5 km
  • 690 m of height is lost from the col to the Imlil road over a distance of approximately 4 km
  • 271 m of height is gained on the journey back to the Kasbah over a distance of approximately 4 km

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Refuge and Toubkal Peak
14km from the Kasbah du Toubkal

This route from the Kasbah (coloured blue on the map) follows the same track both out and back and is approximately 28 km in length with 2367 m of height gained and lost.

Journey out
  • 1306 m of height is gained to the Neltner refuge over a distance of approximately 10 km. There is a rest point at Sidi Chamarouch after 510 m of height has been gained over a distance of approximately 5 km
  • 1061 m of height is gained from the Neltner refuge to the summit over a distance of approximately 4 km
Return journey
  • Return by the same route

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Stairway to heaven
A challenging 1 day trek around wild and remote Adrar el Hajj (Adrar Adj)

This anticlockwise route from the Kasbah (coloured red on the map) is approximately 16.5 km in length with 1444 m of height gained and lost.

  • 864 m of height is gained from the Kasbah to Tizi Mzik over a distance of approximately 4 km
  • 314 m of height is lost to Azib Tamsoult over a distance of approximately 3.5 km
  • 580 m of height is gained to Tizi n’Tzikert (Tizi-n-Tizikert) over a distance of approximately 3 km
  • 1130 m of height is lost on the journey back to the Kasbah via Aremd over a distance of approximately 6 km

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Tacheddirt circuit
2-day trek on good paths and easy cols

This anticlockwise route from the Kasbah (coloured purple on the map) is approximately 22 km in length with 933 m of height gained and lost.

  • 529 m of height is gained from the Kasbah to the Tizi n’Tamatert col over a distance of approximately 4.5 km (dependent on how many shortcuts you take)
  • 179 m of height is lost to Tacheddirt on a good contour track over a distance of approximately 5 km
  • 293 m of height is lost gradually down to Ikkiss over a distance of approximately 5 km
  • 393 m of height is gained from Ikkiss to the Tizi n’Aguersioual col over a distance of approximately 2 km
  • 671 m of height is lost down to the Imlil road beyond Aguersioual over a distance of approximately 2 km
  • 271 m of height is gained on the way back up to the Kasbah over a distance of approximately 3.5 km

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Toubkal ascent
(April to October) including one night at base camp

A beautiful, unforgettable 5 hour trek to base camp (3106 m) via Sidi Chamarouch, picnic by the river on route. On arrival rest, eat and spend the night at the Neltner hut or camp (we bring our cook and many of the Kasbah’s comforts, set up by an advance party). Up early next morning, following a hearty breakfast, begin the ascent of the Summit (4167 m). Back down to base for lunch, before setting back to the Kasbah where the hammam will be fired up and ready for your return.

Toubkal, whilst not being a doddle and needs to be taken seriously (you will be well supported by the Kasbah team), is wonderful. It is achievable by the moderately fit or the enthusiastic/determined/able (barring altitude sickness).

The key is to keep the pace very slow but steady; if you are getting out of breath, (there is a bit less oxygen at this altitude) slow down even more, rather than stopping. To reach a major 4000-metre summit is an experience to be savoured.

See the Toubkal ascent page for more information.

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Tinerhourhine
2-day, 1-night trek

After trekking up to the Tizi n’Tamatert col, descend into the stunning Imenane valley and stay the night in one of the villages. The following day walk by the village of Tinerhourhine and around to the village of Aguersioual, follow river courses, cross seguias (traditional irrigation canals) and rivulets, past terraces and through walnut groves to return to the Kasbah. Total walking walking time over the 2 days about 7 hrs

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Ouanesekra
3-day, 2-night trek

Day 1

Depart Imlil towards Tacheddirt passing by Tamatert. Lunch on the col of Tizi n’Tamatert. After lunch continue to Ouanesekra-Tamguist. Arrive at Tinerhourhine for the night. 5 hours walking time.

Day 2

Depart Tinerhourhine along the valley passing by Ikkiss. Then Tizi n’Aguersioual. Lunch at Matate. Continue passing by Tizi n’Oudite towards Aït Aïssa to spend the night. 5 to 6 hours walking time.

Day 3

Depart Aït Aïssa towards Tizi Oussem passing by Tizi Mzik, the village of Mzik to arrive back at Imlil. 4 to 5 hours walking time.

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OukaÏmeden to Toubkal
4-day, 3-night trek

Day 1

Depart from Marrakech towards Oukaïmeden—the point of departure for this trek to meet our team at 2660 m. Then visit the prehistoric rock carvings of the High Atlas. In the afternoon depart towards Tacheddirt passing by Tizi Nadi 2920 m to arrive at the valley. Spending the night at the home of one of the inhabitants of Tacheddirt or camp in bivouac. 5 hours walking

Day 2

Depart from Tacheddirt towards Imlil or in Aremd. passing by Tizi n’Tamatert 2279 m. Lunch at the pass and then descend towards the Valley of Imlil. 5 hours walking.

Day 3

A beautiful, unforgettable 5 hour trek to base camp (3106 m) via Sidi Chamarouch, picnic by the river on route. On arrival rest, eat and spend the night at the Neltner hut or camp (we bring our cook and many of the Kasbah’s comforts, set up by an advance party).

Day 4

Up early next morning, following a hearty breakfast, begin the ascent of the Summit (4167 m). Back down to base for lunch, before setting back to the Kasbah where the hammam will be fired up and ready for your return.

Toubkal, whilst not being a doddle and needs to be taken seriously (you will be well supported by the Kasbah team), is wonderful. It is achievable by the moderately fit or the enthusiastic/determined/able (barring altitude sickness).

The key is to keep the pace very slow but steady; if you are getting out of breath, (there is a bit less oxygen at this altitude) slow down even more, rather than stopping. To reach a major 4000-metre summit is an experience to be savoured.

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Setti Fatma
4-day, 3-night trek

Day 1

Depart the Kasbah head towards the valley of Tacheddirt passing by Tizi n’Tamatert (2279 m) to arrive at the village of Ouanesekra in the valley of Tacheddirt where we spend the night in a Berber gîte or bivouac. 5 hours walking time.

Day 2

From Ouanesekra towards Oukaïmeden ski station passing by Tizi n’ou Addi (2920 m) and then on to Oukaïmeden spend the night in the refuge or bivouac. 5 to 6 hours walking time.

Day 3

Depart Oukaïmeden towards Timichi passing by the Tiferguine labourers then Tizi n’Ouhattar (3100 m). After the col we pass villages of Ourika Agounss, Timguist and Timichchi. We spend the night in a bivouac or Berber gîte. 6 to 7 hours walking time.

Day 4

Depart Timichchi towards Setti Fatma. All along the journey there are Berber villages in the valley for example Tiourdou, Anfli, Tadrart, Chiker. After lunch we continue via Agadir n’Aït Boulmane and on to the centre of Setti Fatma. Then return to Marrakech or visit the waterfall at Setti Fatma if there is time. 4 to 5 hours walking time.

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The Azzaden Valley
4-day, 3-night trek

Day 1

Depart Imlil towards Tacheddirt passing by the Tizi n’Tamatert pass (2279 m). This stage allows us to visit numerous villages of the Massif Nimnane to discover the agricultural traditions of the Mountain Berbers, the irrigated terraces reaching up high along the banks of the valley. The major canal lies between the brown of the mountains and the green of the cultivation. The villages are built above this so that they do not lose any fertile land. Night spent in bivouac or Berber gîte if possible. 4 to 5 hours walking time.

Day 2

Descend the valley of Tacheddirt crossing some traditional Berber villages, arriving at midday at the village of Arg. Continuing after lunch to reach the village of Imsker (1600 m). Night spent in bivouac. 4 to 5 hours walking time.

Day 3

Depart village of Imsker towards the Azzaden Valley passing by the Imsker Pass (1900 m). Descend towards Imi Oughlad then climb back up the Tizi n’Techt Pass (2000 m). Lunch just after this pass in order to go back down towards the Azzaden Valley to reach the village of Aït Aïssa. Night spent in bivouac or gîte if possible. 4 to 5 hours walking time.

Day 4

Depart the village of Aït Aïssa towards the village of Tizi Oussem passing by the Tizi Mzik pass. Lunch at the village of Mzik, then continue towards Imlil. 5 hours walking time.

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The Azzaden Valley
5-day, 4-night trek

Day 1

Depart Imlil towards Tacheddirt passing by the Tizi n’Tamatert pass (2279 m). This stage allows us to visit numerous villages of the Massif Nimnane to discover the agricultural traditions of the Mountain Berbers, the irrigated terraces reaching up high along the banks of the valley. The major canal lies between the brown of the mountains and the green of the cultivation. The villages are built above this so that they do not lose any fertile land. Night spent in bivouac or Berber gîte if possible. 4 to 5 hours walking time.

Day 2

Descend the valley of Tacheddirt crossing some traditional Berber villages, arriving at midday at the village of Arg. Continuing after lunch to reach the village of Imsker (1600 m). Night spent in bivouac. 4 to 5 hours walking time.

Day 3

Depart village of Imsker towards the Azzaden Valley passing by the Imsker Pass (1900 m). Descend towards Imi Oughlad then climb back up the Tizi n’Techt Pass (2000 m). Lunch just after this pass in order to go back down to the village of Tiziane. Night spent in gîte. 4 to 5 Hours walking time.

Day 4

Depart the village of Tiziane towards the village of Tizi Oussem whilst passing by several villages of the Azzaden Valley. In the afternoon visit the Cascade of Aourwiz. Return to the village of Tizi Oussem. Night spent in bivouac, gîte or Azzaden Trekking Lodge. 2.5 hours walking time morning. 3 hours walking time afternoon

Day 5

Depart village of Tizi Oussem towards Imlil passing by the Tizi Mzik pass. Lunch at the village of Mzik, then continue towards Imlil. 5 Hours walking time.

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M’Goun Massif
6-day, 5-night trek

Day 1

Transfer from Imlil to Aït Bou Guemez (340 km) night in a Berber gîte or in Berber village house if possible (Agouti or Guerssif). 5 hours driving time.

Day 2

Depart Agouti towards the valley Aït Bouelli crossing the cluster of villages in this valley including Aguerssif and Iglouane. Night spent at the village of Ghougoult (Rougoult). 6 Hours walking time.

Day 3

Depart Ghougoult to go up the Tizi n’Ghougoult pass (2800 m). From the col there is a clear view of the valley of Tasgaïwalt then descending to the foot of the plateau of Tagzirt. Night spent near to the village of Amezri. 6 hours walking time.

Day 4

Descend whilst passing the villages of the Tasgaïwalt valley (Amezri, Imi n’Isk, Ichbbakene, Aït Ali n’Ito. Night spent in gîte. 5 to 6 hours walking time.

Day 5

Depart Aït Ali n’Ito heading towards the villages of Ifoulu and Toufghine. Night spent at Aït Tamlil. 6 hours walking.

Day 6

Leave Aït Tamlil head towards Demnate to stop at the village of Imi Nifri. 3 to 4 Hours walking time. From Imi Nifri Return Transfer to the Kasbah or Marrakech. 2 to 3 hours driving time.

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Camel excursion
2-day

Day 1

Depart from Marrakech or the Kasbah du Toubkal. Approximately 1 hour drive to nearby village (Amizmiz or Tahanoute). Spend a full day trekking with Camels. Lunch provided. Spend the night in a nearby Berber village or tent. Evening meal and Breakfast provided.

Day 2

After Breakfast - return to Marrakech or Kasbah du Toubkal
Price: € 160 per person. (Based on minimum 2 persons)
Children over and above first 2 passengers:
With own camel: € 85 per child
Sharing camel: € 35 per child
Single supplement: € 60 per person

Download “Overnight trekking...” in PDF format

Download Overnight trekking… in PDF format

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