Discover Toubkal and its surroundings in the Moroccan Atlas during this 2-week hiking trip with Lucas, UIMLA certified mountain leader.
Atlas
15 Days
May - Oct
I propose this unique trek, with hiking and alpinism. During two weeks, we discover Atlas, Toubkal massif and its beautiful remote, wild valleys. A magical moment favoured by the extraordinary hospitality of the Berber people and the opportunity to make some easy ascents over 4000 m.
I gathered several areas that I discovered separately to offer you a really beautiful, committed and serious hike. I will take you to -I think- the best places of Atlas, in terms of landscape, scenery and discoveries.
A mule team allows us to travel light. We will spend 8 nights in tents, 4 in cottages and 2 in hotels. Our chef will prepare the meals during the hiking part of the trip.
Contact me if you’re interested in this great adventure. I’d be happy to take you to this beautiful area I know so well. Of course I could adapt the program according to your desires and the time you have.
Transfer from airport to hotel.
Welcome dinner and briefing about the circuit we will follow.
Overnight in a hotel
We leave from Marrakech early in the morning. Transfer to the Ourika valley. We meet our mule drivers team at Oukaimeden, and we start hiking. This first stage starts with the ascent through the sheepfolds to the Tizi n’Ouattar pass (3000 m). A beautiful descent takes us to Timichi.
Around 5 hs walking.
Overnight in cottage.
By the Oued of Timichi, we continue walking in the superb Lkissatiate gorges, with our feet in the water. The mule drivers follow the path, and we meet them at the camp in Assaka. We are in the deep Atlas. Here men can only be found in some sheepfolds, and in a village that we will see tomorrow.
Around 6 hs walking.
Overnight in tents.
By a small pass we reach the Amenzel village (2250 m). We go by the Azib Boukachoud sheepfold, then the oak and cade forest, until we reach the Tizi n’Oumchichka pass (2900 m), which is long and difficult. A shepherd and some goats here and there, that’s everything we will find! Then we descend to the Azib n’Taroutoulte camp.
Around 7:30 hs walking.
Overnight in tents.
By the Azibs Likemt, we start ascending to the next pass. A great ambiance in the heart of the high plateaus, where some semi-nomadic families spend the summer with their herds. We follow the Tinzart river until the sheepfold at the foot of the Tizi n’Ourai pass.
Around 6 hs walking.
Overnight in tents.
Option: Djebel n’Dern ascent. We go up the ridges and follow them until the summit. A beautiful itinerary since it’s wild and remote, and the views are amazing.
Around 8-9 hs walking (in total).
A small ascent and we reach the next pass, Tizi n’Ourai (3110 m)! A long and steep descent awaits, then we get to the Tizgui valley. Superb villages, well cared for fields, multicoloured dresses, old walnut tress, a variety of beautiful colours in the middle of the arid landscape of the mountains. In Amsouzerte, we find a small village, where it’s possible to buy supplies at the small shop.
Around 4 hs walking.
Overnight in cottage.
By small hidden villages between walnut trees we continue with a light ascent. Then we descend until the magnificent Ifni lake. We are at the foot of the impressive Toubkal walls, in the heart of the massif. Afternoon off.
Around 4 hs walking.
Overnight in tent.
Option: Camp Ouanoums Gorges. It’s only possible with groups of less than 10 people. After lunch by the Ifni lake, we go up to the camp at the entrance of the Ouanoums gorges (2500 m). Around 1:30 hs extra walking.
A long and steep climb along the narrow valley, a difficult progression, but with a spectacular high mountain ambiance! We follow the mule path until the Tizin’Ouanoums pass (3600 m). Then a short descent takes us to the camp near the refuge.
Around 6-7 hs walking.
Overnight in tent.
Option: Ascent of Djebel Ouanoukrim (4089 m). Below the pass, towards the south, we can go up to this summit. It’s a bit more engaged in some places, but there are no true difficulties. It would be a pity to miss this aesthetic progression. Around 3-4 hs extra walking.
We ascend by a small rocky path. In a mineral environment, we reach Morocco’s and North Africa’s culminant point: the summit of Toubkal, at 4167 m.
It’s a fantastic peak and its access is easy. We dominate the Anti Atlas, the Siroua massif, many summits over 4000 m, as well as the valleys and plains of El Haouz towards Marrakech. We descend and return to the camp.
Around 5 hs walking.
Overnight in tent.
The path takes us to Tizi n’Tadat (3800 m). From there, the views of the Toubkal and the Imli valley are beautiful. From the pass, we continue (optional) to the summit of Bouguinoussen (4002 m). We return to the pass, then descend to the Tazarart refuge (also called Lépiney) and the Ighouliden cascades. Maybe we can swim in the Assif Melloul.
Around 6:30 hs walking, with the summit around 8:30 hs.
Overnight in cottage.
We ascend to the Tamsoulte sheepfold at Tizi Mzeken (2489 m). By a magnificent oak and cade forest we reach the Imlil valley and its walnut trees. A short ascent takes us to the Aremd village, where we spend the night.
Around 5 hs walking.
Overnight in cottage.
We go up to the Tizi n’Tamatert pass (2279 m), in an Aleppo pine forest. There are beautiful views over the Tacheddirt valley. Then a short and steep descent takes us to the river. We continue along the beautiful valley through a pass dominating multiple crop terraces. Tonight we camp for the last time, at the Amssakrou village.
Around 6 hs walking.
Overnight in tent.
We cross the last pass of this beautiful hike, the Tizi n’Oukaimeden pass (2700 m), after a long and nice ascent. The views over the surrounding villages and the Asni valley are spectacular. A short descent and we reach Oukaimeden.
Around 4 hs walking.
After lunch, we continue by car towards Marrakech (around 2 hs).
Overnight at hotel.
Free day. You can visit the red city and discover the new thematic circuits, very interesting.
Farewell dinner at the Dar Marjana restaurant.
Overnight at hotel.
Transfer from the hotel to the airport and departure.
More info
Price per person for larger groups:
There are some exceptions to the meals included: From day 2 to day 12, all meals are included. On day 13, only breakfast and lunch are included. On day 14, only breakfast and dinner are included. On day 15, only breakfast is included.
Meeting point
5.0
(4)
Mountain Leader
I discovered the joy of the mountains at a very young age, and I knew that my place was there, in the Jura, the Alps, or elsewhere, but in a place where raised terrain allows to go high...
My experience in the Mountain Troops and the Gendarmerie, together with a regular practice of different mountain sports, allowed me to gain knowledge and know-how that enriched my mountain leader training.
In 2012 I got certified as State Mountain Leader (AEM), which allowed me to start fully living my passion for the mountain, and sharing it with you.
I propose to share very varied activities: walking ,hiking, trekking, snowshoeing. It allows me to enjoy precious moments in nature with you.
To complement my leader training, I discovered trail running 8 years ago, a more sportif and intense way to discover the mountain, always respecting the environment.
I can also offer you my expertise in Morocco, where I have been going often during these last years. My knowledge of the field and of the local correspondants allows me to propose magnificent journeys to you!
From the Jura to the Alps, not forgetting Pyrenees, Corsica and Morocco, my approach to the mountain has always been guided by the search of pleasure and the comprehension of the environment.
Languages
French | English
Certificates
UIMLA
5
We had a excellent time in the Jura mountains together with Lucas. Beautiful nature and an perfect guide! I can really recommend this!
Christel
5
Home again after three amazing days in the Jura mountains I just want to come back for more adventures! We were a group of five people so we got the pleasure of planning our own trip. Lucas had an idea to start with and then we made some modifications in order to fit our level of running. Lucas was the perfect guide and host and very eager to share with us his passion for the Jura Terrain and its flora and fauna. He is a very strong runner and great fun to hang out with. We had a lot to talk about and he was definitely one in the group! I can only give my very best recommendations!!!
Annika
5
I had a wonderful adventure with Lucas in the Jura mountains. I'm a trail running beginner and he made me dreaming for more! He had planed well and had back up plans if needed...He new his area well and took us to great places. We visited high spots with great views and different country sides that was beautiful. Evert day was different. I'm so happy to become acquainted with Lucas :)
Luis
5
We had a very good time during our snowshoe trip with Lucas! The Jura region is very beautiful and peaceful (perfect to explore with snowshoes) and Lucas was a great guide that helped us in everything we needed, shared all his knowledge and passion about the place, showing us a lot of spots (some hidden and less travelled) to enjoy great views and also teaching us a lot of interesting facts about nature, the history and the culture of the places we visited. On top of that he made us feel as if we were walking with a friend and not just a guide which made the experience even better. So, on short, we strongly recommend to everyone this activity, the region and Lucas as guide for a great few days in the nature away from all. Best regards, Luis Manso
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