Berber villages of Toubkal National Park

Tour Overview

The Berber villages of Toubkal and the altitude valleys of Jebel Toubkal have retained all their charm. We offer you a High Atlas hike to discover the altitude valleys and hilltop villages of Toubkal National Park, passing from one valley to another through altitude passes.

Although taking place at altitude, this High Atlas hike to discover the Berber villages of Toubkal National Park, does not present any difficulty, because we will take well-marked mule trails, used by the inhabitants of these villages at the end of the world, to walk between villages and terraced crops planted with hundred-year-old walnut trees.

Higher up, alpine landscapes await us, with above, the mineral universe of Mont Toubkal and its peaks around 4000m. A “high mountain” landscape punctuated by rivers and refreshing waterfalls in summer, very pleasant for your summer vacation.

This High Atlas hike in the Toubkal National Park, to discover Berber villages is oriented on the discovery of Berber culture, taking the time to live daily life with the families who will welcome you for our nights.

The Berber villages of Toubkal National Park are inhabited by a welcoming population who has preserved its identity and its pastoral traditions. At the bend of a path they will surely invite you to share a glass of tea and a bread cake accompanied by a few nuts.

Come and hike in a timeless High Atlas, discovering the Berber villages of Toubkal clinging to the slopes of the Jebel, and which give an eternal smile to the Toubkal mineral universe. A very natural Morocco hike, in a High Atlas near Marrakech, to share with friends. With accommodation in a guesthouse.

Itinerary:

DAY 1 – MARRAKECH

Pick up from the airport and transfer to your riad.

DAY 2 – THE AZZADENE VALLEY & THE VILLAGE OF TIZI OUSSEM

Heading to the High Atlas and the first foothills of the Atlas and the village of Imi Oughlad where the team of muleteers awaits us. After that we will start up towards Azzaden valley passing Tizi Ntachet pass.

After lunch, we go along the valley where the villagers are busy around their cultures. The hike in the villages of the Azzadene valley is like walking in a giant garden: terraced crops, junipers, walnut trees, water mills near the valley, houses of red ocher earth. Arrive at the village of Tizi Oussem at an altitude of 1800m. Night at a guesthouse. Possibility of hammam.

(80kms / 1H30 drive) (5H walk) (Elevation: + 400 m) (Accommodation: guesthouse at the inhabitant)

DAY 3 – THE HIGH VALLEY OF AIT MIZANE & THE VILLAGE OF AREMD

After crossing the valley of Azzadene, we will leave towards that of Aït Mizane by crossing the pass of tizi M’Zik (2490 m) facing the peaks of Toubkal and the djebel Oukaïmedem. Striking contrast between these verdant valleys and the arid mountains which dominate them. Arrive at Ait Souka village and overnight stay with the local.

(5 hours walk. Elevation: + 570 m / – 680 m) (Accommodation: Guesthouse at the inhabitant)

DAY 4 – THE HIGH VALLEY OF IMENANE & THE VILLAGE OF TACHEDIRT

After your breakfast, departure for an easy climb of the Tamatert pass (2350m) along the road that leads to Tachedirte.

At the top, panoramic view of the Imenane valley that we are going to discover, and that of Aït Mizane that we have just left. A path leads us to the hamlet of Tachedirte, a village surrounded by terraced crops.

(4h30 walk) (Difference in level: + 525 m / – 50 m) (Accommodation at the inhabitant’s house)

DAY 5 – ALTITUDE VILLAGES OF TOUBKAL

We continue to cross the valley of Imenane, by a gentle descent on mule tracks and a track that is rarely used, passing through the typical villages of Ikiss, Amssakrou and Arg. Picnic by the river under the walnut trees, before continuing along the track to the village of Imsker.

(5 hours of walking. Elevation descent: -920 m) (Accommodation at the inhabitant’s house)

D6: THE HIGH PLATEAUX OF OUKAIMDEN

After breakfast, we take a path that crosses several villages, Timoughar, Tidli, then Agadir, the highest hill in the valley. After the picnic, we continue towards Tizi n’Oukaimeden (2665m) then the high plateaus of Oukaimden were the Berber tribes of the High Atlas nomadic in summer, according to the ancestral tradition of Agdal.

Agdal is a community practice of managing and allocating forest and pastoral environments for the Berber tribes of the High Atlas. We will also be able to see some rock engravings on sandstone slabs that testify to the human presence in these regions since the dawn of time. Dinner and overnight at the CAF or tent.

(5 hours walk. Elevation descent: -65m / Elevation +: 1285m) (camp or Night at the CAF)

D7: THE HIGH PLATEAUX OF OUKAIMDEN

Transfer to Marrakech and have free time to explore the city.

(80kms / 1h30 drive) (Hotel accommodation)

DAY 8 – MARRAKECH.

Depending on your flight, airport transfer.