FAMILY TREK IN MOROCCO

This is an excellent family adventure walking holiday for those with fit and active teenagers. Reaching the summit of Mt Toubkal (4167m), the highest peak in the Atlas Mountains, is a challenge but we recognise the fact that there are enthusiastic and energetic families who would like to tackle the summit together, and having offered this for years we know it's all perfectly achievable. After the scenic drive from Marrakech to Imlil, at the foot of Toubkal, we enjoy an acclimatisation day before making our summit attempt. It's not all about the mountain, though! Morocco is an exotic mix of colours, sights and sounds. There will be time to explore the squares and souks of magical Marrakech and to enjoy the warm welcome of the Berber people. As this is a family adventure holiday, the emphasis will be on making the most of the experience and, if the summit of Toubkal proves to be too difficult for the group, the itinerary can be amended to allow for further exploration.

Holiday Itinerary

Day 1:. Transfers from Marrakech Airport to your Hotel. 

Your holiday starts at the hotel in Marrakech. On arrival at Marrakech Airport you will be met by a Morocco Montravels representative who will assist with the short transfer to the group hotel. After settling in you may have the time to do a little exploration. There is lots to see and do in Marrakech, and quite easy to get around. You can head for the central square, Djemaa-el-Fna, beneath the imposing tower of the Koutoubia Mosque. The main labyrinth of souks is also found here if we fancy looking around and chatting to the local sellers. We can have dinner at the hotel or a nearby restaurant.
*ACCOMMODATION Hotel with swimming pool

Day 2: Transfer to Imlil in the Atlas Mountains and short walk to our accommodation

On our first morning in Morocco, we will have a leisurely breakfast before setting off on the 2 hour drive to the mountains, including a couple of sightseeing stops. We drive southwards out of the city, with the peaks of the Atlas ahead of us. At the bazaar town of Asni, we turn away from the main road and begin to climb into the foothills of the Atlas. Our route follows the picturesque Mizan Valley and we begin to see the clustered houses of the mud-brick villages of the Berbers. Imlil is effectively the end of the road from here we will stretch our legs with the half-hour walk along the jeep road to the hamlet of Ait Souka. The area around Imlil was used in 1997 as the backdrop for parts of the major Hollywood movie 'Kundun'. The old kasbah above the village was renovated and made to look like a Tibetan temple. We check in to an excellent gite at Ait Souka for the next 2 nights and can take tea on the roof terrace, with great views of a range of peaks including Toubkal itself. After lunch at the gite, we will take another short walk above the gite and have the chance to enjoy the views and the
peace of the mountains. Our walk leads through terraced fields and via a number of small Berber hamlets. We return to the gite (approx 2000m) for dinner and overnight.
• ACCOMMODATION Gite / Hostel
• MEALS B/L/D
• TIME 2 - 3 hrs walking

Day 3: A walk to acclimatise, through Berber villages and to the pass at Tizi n'Tamatert. Return to the gest house.

Today is a day for acclimatisation in and around the charming Imlil Valley. To help with this process, we’ll take a short day walk above the village. One option is to walk beside the Imenane stream through typical Berber villages and towards the low pass of the Tizi n'Tamatert and the village of the same name. The paths that we will encounter are rocky, but clearly defined and in the lower valleys wind their way through cultivated terraces and walnut trees. We have a picnic lunch on our walk and return to the gite in the afternoon, leaving us plenty of time to enjoy the views of the mountains and of our route tomorrow.
• ACCOMMODATION Gite / Hostel
• ASCENT 500m
• Descent 500m
• DISTANCE 8km
• MEALS B/L/D
• TIME 5 hrs walking

Day 4: Walk to the refuge at the foot of Mount Toubkal (3057m).

Leaving Ait Souka, the trail crosses the river and climbs easily at first through the valley above the village of Aroumd, following the east side of the stream and passing through a number of terraced fields and groves of walnut trees. At the point where the trail begins to climb more abruptly towards the basecamp for Mount Toubkal, we reach the Muslim pilgrimage site of Sidi Chamharouch, which is tucked under the steep mountainside, where a stream emerges from a rocky gorge. A huge whitepainted boulder marks the spot where, legend has it, Saint Chamharouch lies entombed. Here there are a couple of wayside stalls and we will stop for a cool drink, before continuing, through increasingly impressive mountain scenery to our overnight stop at the refuge (3207m).
• ACCOMMODATION Mountain Hut / Refuge
• ASCENT 1660m
• DISTANCE 12km
• MEALS BLD
• DESCENT 340m
• TIME 6 - 7 hrs walking

Day 5: Summit day of Mount Toubkal (4167m)

. A long day for those who choose to make an ascent of Jebel Toubkal (4167m) North Africa’s highest peak. After an early breakfast, we set off on the steep ascent. Our route zig-zags eastwards, directly above the hut across scree and boulders, before passing between two rocky guardian peaks to reach a high corrie which may even hold patches of old snow. We continue upwards across more scree, with the views becoming more expansive as we reach the ridge-line which drops off steeply to the east. After around 4 hours, we arrive at the metal tripod that marks Toubkal’s summit. There are breathtaking views of the peaks of the High Atlas away to the north-east and of the Anti Atlas and the Sahara to the south. After our 2-hour descent back to the refuge, we have a late lunch and then a chance to take it easy and rest our tired legs. For any group members not wishing to make the Toubkal ascent, there are options for easy walks and also plenty of opportunity to make Moroccan biscuits with the cook, learn local games, drink mint tea and basking in these magnificent mountain landscapes.
• ACCOMMODATION Mountain Hut / Refuge
• ASCENT 1490m
• DISTANCE 7km
• MEALS B/L/D
• DESCENT 1490m
• TIME 6 - 7 hrs walking

Day 6: Return trek to Ait Souka (2000m) down the valley passing again through Sidi Chamharouch.

After a leisurely breakfast, enjoying our high mountain surroundings, we make an easy descent to the lower valleys, passing once again through Sidi Chamharouch and going by way of the prosperous village of Aroumd. Lunch at the gite and then the afternoon is free to take it easy or to do some exploring in and around the nearby village of Imlil.
• ACCOMMODATION Gite / Hostel
• ASCENT 340m
• DISTANCE 12km
• MEALS B/L/D
• DESCENT 1660m
• TIME 4 - 5 hrs walking

Day 7: Return to Imlil, transfer to Marrakech. Afternoon free for sightseeing including Djemaa el-Fna.

Today we make the short walk down to Imlil, where we meet our transport for the drive back to Marrakech. Arriving before lunchtime we check in to the group hotel and have the rest of the day free for sightseeing. In the early evening we will certainly want to check out the remarkable central square of the Djemaa el-Fna. At around 4 pm each evening this large open square becomes the focus of activities for local people and tourists alike. Troupes of Berber acrobats and musicians, together with snake-charmers, water sellers and story tellers begin their evening performances which become more and more animated as the sun sets. We can take a snack from one of the dozens of amazing food stalls which spring up as if by magic in the centre of the square, illuminated by hurricane lamps and offering all manner of mouthwatering delicacies.
• ACCOMMODATION Hotel with swimming pool
• MEALS B

Day 8: Departure day.

Marrakech Airport transfers provided. Your holiday ends after breakfast. Airport transfers are provided on this day.
• MEALS B
Trek & Tour Informations
Prices:
? Group 1 person On request
? Group 2 - 3 peoples 699 €/person
? Group 4 - 16 peoples 685 €/person
Included.
• English speaking tour leader.
• B,L,D (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner )
• All Ground transfers during the tour are including by 4WD / minibuses
• Accommodations comfortable Hotels or Riads and camps
• City guides
• Airport transfers
• Not included.
• Travel insurance
• International Flights
• Sleeping bags
• Soft/alcoholic drinks
• Tips and personal expanses
• Entrance fees to the historical sites.
*Accommodation:
• 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
*Group Size :
• Generally : 2 - 16
Payment: can be done in € / $ / £ or MAD