5-DAYS ATLAS & SAHARA TREK

5 days Atlas Mountains And Sahara

The ideal itinerary that we can provide to our visitors combines two of Morocco's top attractions. Tour of the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara. The highest mountain in Morocco and North Africa, Mount Toubkal, awaits us as we commence our trek into the Atlas Mountains. Secondly, there is a camel ride in Merzouga's Erg Chebbi Dunes. The ascent of Mount Toubkal is part of the first adventure. The next  is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to ride a camel and spend the night in a Berber camp among the Saharan sand dunes. Your chance to learn about and experience real-life Berber culture, traditions, and legacy will be greatly enhanced by this itinerary.

Trip Highlights: 

* Jebel Toubkal – Ascend to the summit of the highest peak in North Africa.
* Discover Berber villages and Experience the friendliness and hospitality of the Berber people.
* Visit the  Ait Benhaddou Kasbah, UNESCO World Heritage site.
* Explore the exotic Dades gorges, Toudgha gorges and the Roses Valley.
* Camel trek and overnight in Nomadic tente between the dunes of Erg chebbi, largest dunes in Morocco.
 

Holiday Itinerary

• Highlights of the trip include:
• Climbing Jebel Toubkal, North Africa's tallest peak, to its summit.
• Explore Berber settlements and get a sense of the Berbers' kindness and hospitality.
• Discover the fascinating Dades, Toudgha, and Roses Valley gorges.
• Camel trip and stay in a nomadic tent between Morocco's largest dunes, Erg Chebbi

We are aware that not everyone can reach Toubkal's top (consider recognised altitude sickness). We are delighted to provide an alternative programme for visitors who still want to hike in the Atlas Mountains: Two days of hiking to the Tizi Mzik pass,Tizi Oudid (2000m), Tizi Oussem (1850m), Id Issa village (1800m), Mattat, and finishing in Imlil to join up for the program to the Sahara
These two day excursions will help you understand the High Atlas Mountains' splendour  

* Day 1 : Marrakech   -    Imlil(1750m)    -   Neltner Refuge(3207m)

After being picked up from your hotel in Marrakech, you will be driven to Imlil, a Berber settlement 65 km south of Marrakech, where our trek will begin. Here, we will meet the native Berber muleteers who will help us move our belongings including  food and luggage. Enjoy a cup of fragrant mint tea before we begin our hike across the Mizane Valley. We pass the village of Aroumd, which is the highest in the Ait Mizane valley part of Toubkal National Park and is located about 40 minutes from Imlil (1900m). We continue our hike and ascend to Sidi Chamharouch's marabou shrine (2350 m), which draws both pilgrims and tourists. What originally served as the saint's home is now marked by a white rock. Only Muslims may access the adjoining modest mosque, which is accessible by means of a narrow bridge. We stop here for lunch, and while you're here, you can browse the many little shops selling snacks and trinkets. We trek higher after lunch to get to our base camp, which is below the summit of Mount Toubkal (3207m)  

1 hrs 30 min drive    /    5 hrs walk     /    

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner    

Overnight in the Refuge or camping

* Day 2 :    Refuge (3207m)     -     Toubkal summit (4167m)     -   Aroumd (1900)      -      Imlil (1750m)  

The highest peak in North Africa, Jebel Toubkal (4167m), is accomplished after a demanding early-morning ascent that ascends quickly above the refuge while zigzagging across scree and stones. After pausing to take in the stunning vistas of the surrounding area and terrain, which range from the Marrakech Plain to the High Atlas in the north and the Anti Atlas and the Sahara in the south.  A summit photo serves as proof of our accomplishments. After returning to our refuge for lunch, we undertake the same descent towards Imlil through the Sidi Chamharouch shrine and the village of Aroumd.

9 hrs walk                 

 Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner              

Overnight:  Gite (guesthouse)

Alternative Holiday Itinerary 

Day 1: Marrakech – Imlil – Tizi Mzik Pass – Tamsoulte Waterfalls – Tizi Oussem

The hike to the Tizi Mzik pass (2684m), which is a demanding climb at times across scree, begins when you arrive in Imlil (65 km from Marrakech). There, you'll meet the guide and multeer (your four-legged carrier of luggage and  picnic lunch), and after enjoying a refreshing mint tea, you'll set out on your trek. The Imlil valley and the Toubkal Summit will be visible to you in stunning detail.  Continue on to Tamsoulte to view the 100-meter-high waterfalls that are the highest in the Atlas Mountains. Bring your swimsuit in case you feel like taking a refreshing swim. By the waterfalls, there is a transhumance settlement that, during the summer, is occupied by shepherds. The Jbel Oukaimeden range is included in this breathtaking mountain landscape. We trek through juniper and pine forests as we descend the Azzaden valley to our village guest house in Tizi Oussem, where it's possible that we'll be able to utilise a hammam (a Moroccan sauna).

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Overnight: Village Guest House

Day 2: Tizi Oussem (1850m) – Id Issa village (1800m) – Tizi Oudid (2000m) – Mattat – Imlil 

We take in the colours of the sun as it rises over the valley and its charming Berber towns after breakfast. After leaving Tizi Oussem,we  head towards Id Issa village, cross Matat village, and trek through a forest of wild juniper before heading to the Tizi Oudid mountain pass (2000m). Enjoy a delicious lunch among the riverfront walnut groves. Afternoon trek to Imlil followed by an overnight stay at a gite or hotel

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Overnight: Gite or Hotel

* Day 3 :         Imlil (1750m)         -       Tizi n Tichka (2260m)        -    Dades Valley

After pick up from your lodging, you will travel via many Berber settlements as you traverse the breathtaking Tizi n'Tichka pass (2260 m) over the Atlas Mountains. Visit Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and, at your discretion, the Ouarzazat-based Atlas Film Studios. After that we continue through the Skoura Oasis Palm Grove to get to our accommodation in the Dades Gorges. The stunning palmeraie (palm grove) in Skoura, which is under Unesco protection, is known as the "Oasis of 1000 Palms." A clever, centuries-old network of canals, levers, and locks called a khettara (subterranean irrigation system) irrigates a 15-mile patchwork of plots beneath the cover of greenery. We will drive through the lovely Rose Valley, which the Assif M'Goun river has carved out as it winds its way down to the settlement of Kalaat M'Gouna, where more than 20 date varieties and more than 100 bird species flourishes. Alongside the river, a thrilling, winding 30-kilometre paved route offers spectacular views of the captivating red rock/green valley mix.
However, the valley's namesake is what gives the region life, both literally and commercially. Local ladies harvest roses in the valley in droves every April and May in order to send them to manufacturers in nearby Kalaat. From shampoo to hand cream, cure-alls, and nasal decongestants, they are all created here.
The Dadès Valley challenges the imagination even on paper with its nomad crossings, rose valleys, and two-tone kasbahs. The valley is filled with oasis and mudbrick palaces that give the area its fairy-tale moniker, the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs, which spans from the intimidating High Atlas to the north to the steep Jebel Saghro range to the south. On foot, through covert livestock routes between the Dadès and Todra Gorges and nomad paths across the Saghro, one can only catch a glimpse of some of the nicest sights. (Plan another Trek?)

6 hrs drive    

1 hr walk (Ait Ben Hadou and Dades Gorges)     

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner  

Overnight: Hotel

* Day 4 :     Dades Valley      -     Todgha Gorges      -     Merzouga 

Breakfast at the hotel, followed by a drive to the town of Tinghir, where we will have the opportunity to explore the Todgha Oasis and the well-known Todgha Gorges. This is one of Morocco's top tourist destinations and a heaven for climbers, bikers, hikers, and photographers. 'Expedition Impossible', an American television programme, and a 2012 Cadillac CTS commercial have both included the Gorge. The High Atlas Mountains are divided by the enormous Todgha George, which rises 300 metres in a deep canyon valley filled with palm groves and Berber communities. An optional walk can be taken to explore the palmery, a lush oasis full of enormous date palms.

Ask your guide to give you a taste of the date syrup that the locals use in place of jam or honey on their bread.

Then we carry on driving through other Berber towns and villages, including Erfoud (renowned for its fossils; optional visit to see the finished fossils and to see the cleaning and polishing process). We continue on our journey reaching  Merzouga. At  the Auberge, we mount our camels to ride across the Erg Chebbi sand dunes to get to our camp, where we have a typical Moroccan meal while listening to drumming in the heart of the Sahara.

5 hrs drive 

1 hrs walk (Gores and Dunes) 

1 hrs 30 min Camel Trek     

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinnner  / 

Overnight: Camp (Berber nomad tents)

* Day 5 : Merzouga    -    Tazzarin   -   Draa Valley   -   Marrakech

In the moments just before the sun rises, early risers can see the mesmerising first light between the dunes. We ride our camels back to the Merzouga Auberge. You have the opportunity to take a shower after a typical Moroccan breakfast at the Auberge.
We cross the Atlas Mountains, the Draa valley, the plateau of the Akassian desert, and the stony desert on our way back to Marrakech. You might be interested in stopping by the historic site of Ait Ouazik, which is located past Tazzerine. Here, you can see incredible petroglyphs that date back to more than 5000 BC and vividly show pictures of elephants, giraffes, buffalo, and antelope. Drop off at your Marrakech hotel!

1 1/2 hours of camel trekking

8-hour travel

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

NB: We highly recommend doing a 6-day tour and spending the final night in the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou if you wish to cut the distance of the final day.

Trek & Tour Informations

Prices.
* Group 1 - 2   peoples :  On request
* Group 3 - 4 peoples  : 399€ /person
* Group 5 - 16 peoples : 330€ /person
Included.
* English speaking guide.
* All meals during the trek are included except in Marrakech; Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
* Ground transfers by  4WD / minibuses : ( hotel - trek - hotel )
*  Muleteers and mules / Camels for luggages
* Accommoadtion in a Berber village (gites)
* Mess, cooking & toilet tents (camping option )
Not included.
* Travel insurance
* International Flights
* Sleeping bags
* Soft/alcoholic drinks
* Tips and personal expenses
* Entrance fees to historical sites.
Availability. * This trip runs from March to October. Departure of your choice. Accommodation
* Tents
* Local gites
* Refuges
Essential Equipment & Clothing:
* Good walking boots and socks / good trainers
* Personnel First aid Kit
* 3 to 4 season sleeping bag
* Day sack/backpack
* Head torch / headlamp
* Lightweight waterproof over-trousers / rain-pants
* Water bottle or camel back (recommended)
Group Size :
* Generally : 2 - 16
Payment: can be done in € / $ / £  or MAD