Rising From the Sea
The Top Treks:
We are going to discuss the top three treks in Morocco’s High Atlas Mountains. These special Morocco tours have been chosen for a number of reasons. Part of the choice came down to finding the best based on the different amounts of times travelers might have. The other part was due to the wonders one can experience while on the tours. It is not just about reaching the highest peak in Morocco. It is about the beauty and magnificence of the land around you as you trek.
Morocco’s Ourika Valley:
The Ourika Valley is the first option on our list. The Ourika Valley provides a minimal trip into the beautiful valley of the High Atlas Mountains. As you journey into the valley you will be able to look up at Jbel Toubkal, which is over 4,000 meters above sea level. To reach the Ourika Valley you will have to drive from Marrakech. The drive is one and a half hours one way, or three hours total for the day.
The Ourika Valley is a day trip out of the city for three hours of walking. The trip begins with a traditional breakfast at a Moroccan home before you move on to Setti Fatma. From Setti Fatma you will begin your trek to the lunch spot. The hike is one hour to the waterfalls. As you stand at the waterfalls you will be able to look out over the valley.
Once lunch has been completed you will be taken back to L’ Khemis before going on to the Berber villages of Timalizin and Tawrirte. At this stop you will be walking around the salt mine. The salt mine is very important to the economy in this area. The last village you will visit is Akhlij before driving on to Marrakech. As a short trek it is one filled with culture, beautiful land, and many sites.
Morocco’s Overnight Treks:
The next trek of the High Atlas Mountains on our list is a three day trip from Imi Ourlad to Imlil, perfect for Morocco family holidays. The trek has four to five hours of hiking daily, with a drive time of three hours total. The trip begins in Marrakech with a drive to Imi Ourlad which is 1600 meters above sea level. You will visit Imsker guest house before traveling to Ait Aisa at 1400 meters. This is a very old and traditional village.
Imsker to Imnan Valley is on the agenda for the second day with a trek to Arg, Amssakrou, Ikiss and Tinghrin at 2000 meters. You will spend the night with a local family to immerse yourself in the culture of the Berbers. On the last day you will hike up to Tinghrin Tizi Ntamatret at 2279 meters to Ait Soukka and on to Imlil at 1750 meters. From there you will take transport back to Marrakech.
Morocco's Bluest Sky
Up & Down the Morocco Mountain Trek:
Our last and best trek is Morocco’s Mount Toubkal Trek. It is a six day, five night trekking tour of Morocco’s majestic mountain. You will trek for four to five hours a day, with a three hour drive total from Marrakech and back. This particular tour is available only from May to November due to weather constraints.
The trip begins in Imi Ourhlad with a stop in Tizi Ntacht before moving on to Imi Nifri. Your first night is spent at Tizi Oussem guest house. The second day brings you to Azib Tamsoult before a night at Lepiney Refuge which is 3100 meters above sea level. You will hike to Tizi Aguelzim on day three before spending the night at Mount Toubkal Refuge at 3208 meters.
The next day you will tackle Jbel Toubkal Summit at 4167 meters before hiking back to the refuge. On your way down you will stop at Sidi Chamharouch, Armed, and then to Imlil on the next day to go back to Marrakech.
by Sam Mitchell
[...] necessarily require a guide. It takes at least two days in good weather to make the climb. Treks up to Jebel Toubkal begin and end in Imlil village. There are mountain refuges and camping on the route to the top of [...]
August 30th, 2010 at 3:05 am