The High Atlas Traverse
A superb trek through the High Atlas culminating in an ascent of Mount Toubkal, the highest mountain in North Africa.

Situated in the northwest corner of Africa, Morocco is a land of great contrasts, from the white-washed houses on the fertile Mediterranean coast to the arid brown mountains of the interior. The highest peaks of the Atlas are located in the Toubkal Region and our trek will explore the best of this area and make a complete traverse of the region.

The Atlas mountains stretch southwards from the Mediterranean in a great arc spanning nearly a thousand miles. Centuries ago, the famous Roman geographer Pliny described the High Atlas as ‘the most fabulous mountains in the whole of Africa’. For us they are a trekkers paradise offering an incredible variety of scenery and a superb network of trails.

We begin in the ancient city of Marrakech where we are able to explore the exotic souks in the old Arab quarter and visit the famous Medina. The snow capped summits of the High Atlas provide a magnificent back-drop to the ochre coloured buildings of the city. Our trek commences in the small and pleasant village of Imlil, a traditional starting point for treks and climbs in the High Atlas. We hike up into the mountains to Aremd where we stay in a local village house and can enjoy traditional Berber hospitality, including the special mint tea for which the region is famous. Our route crosses the watershed of the Atlas range visiting the scenery of both the northern slopes and the sub-Saharan villages to the south.

We trek with friendly local Berber guides, spending a week travelling through fertile valleys and across high ridges, traversing the central spine of the Atlas to the cobalt-blue waters of Lake Ifni. Jbel Toubkal (4167m) is the highest summit in North Africa and our trek culminates in an optional ascent of this stunning mountain from the Neltner Refuge. From this summit we have outstanding views of the High Atlas stretching south across to the Sahara desert.

Season
April - October

Grade
Strenuous

Duration
10 days

DAY 1 Fly London to Marrakech
Fly from the UK to Marrakech. Transfer to Hotel Foucould

DAY 2 Drive & trek to Aremd
The morning will be free in Marrakech. After lunch we have a two hour drive across the Haouz plain to Imlil (1740m) in the beautiful Mizane Valley. This is one of the most verdant valley’s in the High Atlas and the region’s fertile valleys support a thriving agricultural community. From Imlil we begin our trek with a 40 minute walk through delightful groves of Walnut trees to the Berber village of Aremd (1950m). Our local guides are from this village and we will stay in a traditional Berber home which, in the trekking season, functions as a guest house.

DAY 3 Across Tizi-n-Tamatert to Ouaneskra
Leaving Aremd we trek up towards the Tizi-n'Tametert pass from where we can look down into the deep gorge of the Imanane valley. After descending from the pass we reach our camp above Ouaneskra.

DAY 4 Trek to Azib Likempt
We follow a zig zagging path which climbs up long screes to the Tizi-n-Likempt pass (3554m). We descend to a spring where we stop for lunch before continuing down to a remote camp near to Azib Likempt, a collection of houses used by the Berbers as a summer grazing area.

DAY 5 Trek to Amsouzart
We ascend 400 metres to cross a small pass before descending from a landscape of barren crags to the fertile green valley of Amsouzart.

DAY 6 Trek to Lac D'Ifni
After breakfast we leave the lush pastures of Amsouzart behind us and ascend to the glacial moraines of Lac D’Ifni. This mysterious lake is the only one in the High Atlas and has been created by terminal moraines damming the outflow from an old glacier, long since gone. This is a short day and allows for exploration around the lake, and for the intrepid, a cold swim.

DAY 7 Trek to the Neltner Refuge
From the camp at Lac D’Ifni we follow a path across the Assif-a- Moursaine valley and then start the climb up a steep sided valley to the Tizi-n'Ouanoums pass (3664m) from where there are fine views across to Jebel Sirowa and the Sahara beyond. We cross the pass and descend into the upper reaches of the Mizane Valley and our camp at the foot of Toubkal on the west side of the mountain. We stay at the Neltner Refuge or camp nearby, depending on how busy the refuge is.

DAY 8 Summit Toubkal - return to Aremd
The climb to the summit of Toubkal takes around four hours from the Neltner Refuge. Nowhere on the climb are there any technical difficulties, but it is a long and tiring ascent up long scree slopes. The initial part of the climb is done in the very early hours of the morning when it will still be dark, but by the time we reach the Tizi-n-Toubkal col at 3941m the sun will have risen and we will be rewarded with sensational views across the entire Atlas chain. From the col the route ascends a ridge line towards the summit at 4167m from where we have views in all directions. To the north we can look down over 7000 feet to the village of Aremd, whilst to the south we can gaze over the line of rocky peaks stretching out across to the Sahara. After a long rest and numerous summit photographs we begin our descent back to the refuge, which we should reach in time for a late breakfast. We then pack up our camp and trek down to Aremd and our village accommodation.

DAY 9 Return to Marrakech
After a leisurely breakfast we make the short walk down to Imlil where our vehicles will be waiting. Here we say goodbye to our team of muleteers and return to our hotel in Marrakech.

DAY 10 Fly to London
We have an early morning flight back home to the UK