Hihlights: Summit the highest peak in North Africa, Mt Toubkal, and enjoy morning views over the Atlas Mountains and rural Morocco. Hike through the rugged mountains with spectacular scenery at every turn and a trusty pack of mules heading up your crew. Explore magical Marrakech and the colourful UNESCO Djemaa-el-Fna Sunsets, sunrises and star-gazing amongst the magnificent dunes at Chebbi Merzouga Experience the nights at the kasbah / camp in Desert Spend a night in the Oasis of Draa Explore the Sahara desert Camel riding Visit the UNESCO World hertiage site Ait Ben Haddou.
Hihlights:
Highlight of Morocco
Day 1: Welcome to Marrakech
You will be picked up by EMT representative at Marrakech airport. Then relax for transfer to
Marrakech city centre. Estimated travel time - 15-20 minutes.
Jamaa El Fna Square: Jamaa El Fna square is the centre of the medina in Marrakech, near the
Koutoubia Mosque. Here you will be able to find souks, orange juice stalls and storytellers. The
medina is the name for the old mediaeval centre of a Moroccan city, with warren-like streets, souks,
palaces and madrassa (schools). Lively at all times of the day, it really becomes exciting at night, with
food stalls, jugglers, musicians, and people vying for space to attract the crowds. The entrances to the
souks lead off the square and when you have explored the place, you can have a coffee and watch
the activity from a café terrace. Please be cautious that the square becomes quite packed at night,
and the mood changes, so keep an eye out for your personal belongings.
Overnight stay in riad Al Jazira or similar with breakfast.
Day 2: Marrakech – Matate – Tamsoult.
After an early breakfast, we drive out of the city and head into the High Atlas. Our first views will whet
our appetites for what is to come! We pass small towns and villages with plenty of fascinating scenes
of local life to enjoy. After the small town of Asni, we come to the start of our trek in Aguersioual (1659
m). Here we meet our team and their mules. Walking up through Matate village and then climbing the
Tizi Oudid pass at 2000m (picnic lunch) A beautiful view of the Azzaden valley with a great diversity of
landscapes and terraced crops Crossing the villages of Aïd Aissa and Tizi Oussem. Panoramic view of
the valley of Azzaden, then we cross a forest of juniper and holm oaks. We pass through summer
pastures and may see local farmers with their flocks of sheep. Following twisting mule tracks uphill into more mountainous terrain, we come to the spectacular Azib N'Tamsoulte 2250m (Azib = shepherds in
Berber). Night in comfortable Hut Tamsoult Refuge.
Drive approx. 1.5 hours; trek approx. 6 hour Meals: B/L/D. A: 600 m – D: 500 m.
Day 3: Tamsoult-Toubkal Refuge
Another day of rugged mountain views as we trek east on winding mule tracks. There are some steep
sections as we trek over rock and shale to the high Tizi Aguelzim (3550m). It’s a tiring morning, but we
take it steady and enjoy the panoramic view of the whole massif (summit of Toubkal 4,167 m,
Ouanekrim 4,080 m, Oukeimden 3,700 m ..)., and the knowledge that every step at this altitude is
helping us to acclimatize for our Toubkal summit tomorrow. Roughly halfway now, we follow tracks
that contour through the mountains and descend to the foot of Mount Toubkal, where we find our hutnight refuge Les mouflons (3200m).
Trek approx. 6-7 hours Meals: B/L/D. A: 1150 m – D: 350 m.
Day 4: Toubkal Summit
Mount Toubkal is the highest peak in North Africa, at 4167m. We set out early in the morning, using a
well-traveled path to the summit. Reaching the peak, where we take in vast views of the entire Atlas
range and the plains beyond Marrakech, shouldn't take longer than 2–3 hours if the weather is
favorable. After returning to the starting point, we quickly descend to the towns of Sidi Chamharouch
before continuing over a heavily forested track that follows the Mizane River to Aremd village (1900m)
overnight at a cozy guest house Dar Tagine.
Trek approx. 8-9 hours Meals: B/L/D. A: 970 m – D: 1930 m.
Day 5: Aremd – Imlil – Ait Benhadou – Draa valley
We begin a short descente to Imlil where we meet our Mini Bus , From there, we cross the High Atlas
Mountains via the famous Tiki-N-Tichka Pass (2260m) the highest road pass in Morocco , and take in the views of Berber villages perched across the valley , stop At Ait Benhadou largest Kasbah( famous
site for Hollywood movies) after visiting the Kasbah lunch then Our journey crosses into the city of
Ouarzazate , to the beautiful Draa valley one of the longest valleys of palm trees in Morocco. Time to
relax near the swimming pool in the beautiful oasis after our trek in the mountains.
Duration: 6-7 hours
Meals included: Dinner
Accommodation: Dar Qamar or similar
Day 6: Drive from Draa Valley to Erg Chebbi Sahara desert
We begin with a short walk to discover some old Ksars in Tamnogalte village and walk inside the oasis
for about 1hour . then crossing the old caravan road on the edge of palm trees. We continue to the
village of Nkob, Tazarine, and enjoy lunch in Alnif. In the afternoon, we reach Erg Chebbi before
sunset. We cross the desert landscape with a 1-hour camel trek to reach our oasis in the desert. We
spend the night in the sand dunes of Erg Chebbi under the stars in a luxury desert camp.
Drive approx 5-6 hours
Camel Ride sunsets : 45minutes.
Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Golden camp or Similar
Day 7: Erg Chebbi – Merzouga – Todra Gorge – Dades valley
After a stunning sunrise, we return back on camels the enjoy the beauty of the dunes. Today’s tour we
pass through Arfoud, Ljerf, and Tinjdad visit the oasis museum of al khorbat (included) lunch before
continuing on the beautiful valley to reach Todgha Gorge, the highest Gorges in Morocco (300m), well famous for rock climbing. We take a short walk. We end our day in the spectacular Dades Valley,
lined by red and mauve rocks that mellower high above the road.
Drive approx 4-5 hours
Camel Ride sunrise: 45minutes.
Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Xaluca Bomalne Dades or Similar
Day 8: Dades valley – Rose Valley – Ouarzazate – Marrakech
We start our day walking along a river before descending into the Rose Valley. This area is incredibly
fragrant, especially during April and May when the roses are in bloom. After our visit, we follow the
road of a Thousand Kasbahs to the Skoura Oasis, lined by palm groves. We visit the Amridil Kasbah,
once an important Kasbah in Moroccan history. Onward to Ouarzazate where you have the option to
see a movie cinema studio before driving Marrakech. FAREWELL DINNER.
Drive approx 6-7 hours
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Riad Al Jazira or Similar.
Day 9 - Marrakech airport
All the good things have an end, time for your onward flight you will be transferred from
Marrakech city to the airport. Estimated time 15-20 minutes.
Optional activities:
Half-day city tour of Marrakech: Enjoy a riveting half day tour of the ancient streets of Marrakech, accompanied by a specialist guide. You will head from the bustling Medina, twisting your way through the kaleidoscopic souks, and arrive at breathtaking palaces and museums. The souks, under a bamboo roof to shade people from the summer sun, have a vast array of things to sell, all arranged in enticing colours, shapes, and styles. You will be whisked around the souks, peering into, and even haggling in different areas such as the spices, gold/silver, nuts, and fruit souks. There will be a chance to see the metal working and wood working areas, and perhaps a visit to the underground communal
bakeries where the bread for each local family is cooked. The tanneries are also a popular attraction, though you may wish to protect yourself with a mint sprig to offset the smell!
Continue to the Palais Bahia, which is arguably the most architecturally impressive palaces in the country. It was constructed in the late 19th Century, and its name means 'brilliance', and you will witness why: magnificent rooms open onto opulent courtyards, which edge onto a stunning 2acre landscaped garden. It was intended to capture the essence of Islamic and Moroccan styles, merging into one; you will likely come across similar structural themes throughout your trip.
Visit the Jardins Majorelle: Vivid gardens with pools and exotic plants, an oasis of colour, formerly owned by Yves Saint-Laurent and designed by Jacques Majorelle (a French painter). The juxtaposition of the "Majorelle blue" paint work with the yellows of the plant pots and the plants and flowers of all hues is worth a long visit.
Technical information :
Availability:
ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT / KIT HIRE
Good walking boots and socks / good trainers for valley treks
Personnel First aid Kit.
FOOD ON THE TREK
Meals prepared by the cook with local products. For small groups (2 or 3 people), meals are prepared by the muleteers – camel drivers and the guide. • morning : big breakfast, coffee, tea, chocolate, jam, butter, fresh bread, cereals, omelets,
• noon : cold and hot meal made of salad, pasta, cheese … seasonal fruit, tea;
• evening : soup, mail course (tajine, couscous, rice…), dessert, tea/infusion; • during the day : a complement of energetic food is given, dates, peanuts, pralines, biscuits; • When finishing a leg : snack with tea pancakes or biscuits.
PRICES
Group 1 person: On request
Group 2 - 3 people: 1350$/person
Group 4 - 5 people: 1250$ /person
Group 6 - 7 people: 1150$ /person
Group 8 - 9 people: 1050$ /person
Group 10 - 12 people: 900$ /person
Included services.
Excluded services
Tips for the guiding team
Meals not mentioned above
Activities and extras not mentioned above
