Trekking from the Kasbah du Toubkal

Transcription

1 Trekking from the Kasbah du Toubkal The High Atlas, the greatest mountain range of North Africa, is perhaps the most beautiful and intriguing part of Morocco. It has retained a remoteness which until recent decades was virtually complete, and contains villages where the way of life has changed little for centuries. Outsiders to the mountains are constantly surprised when they encounter the friendliness and openness of the villagers, as they go about their everyday tasks. Hiking in the High Atlas is one of the best possible experiences in Morocco feasible exploration of stunning natural beauty, and of a rigidly individual world. Regardless of levels of fitness this area is accessible to all. There is a wide range of trekking possibilities, from a short ramble through the villages that surround the Kasbah, to more demanding multi-day treks. Mule support can be arranged for bags and people, which opens up more opportunities. The mule trails around the valleys are well contoured and kept in excellent condition. In what follows are a few examples of possible treks. Hajj Maurice is a qualified and long experienced Mountain Guide. He and the Kasbah staff are happy to discuss possibilities with you and arrange full accompanied trekking support. Trekking Information - All.rtf Page 1 of 13

2 Easy Targa Imoula, South East of the Kasbah - Visit the village of Targa Imoula, visible from the roof of the Kasbah, with shady orchards and walnut groves on route - Depart Kasbah and return via Imlil village - Duration 45 minutes walking time (you may wish to take tea in one of the villages) Mzig, West of the Kasbah Moderate - Walk through the village of Mzig, hidden away around to the West. The views of Imlil and the terraces are beautiful from here - Depart Kasbah and return via Imlil village - Duration 45 mins to one hour walking time Tizi n Tamert, South East of the Kasbah - Walk up to the col (pass) of Tizi n Tamert (2200m) visible from the Kasbah. Pass through the village of Tamatert and picnic at the col. From here one can view the two valleys, down into the Imane Valley and back down to the Ait Mizane valley. Stunning. - Duration 4hrs walking time Sidi Chamharouch, North of the Kasbah - Trek up to the cool waters by the Sanctuary of Sidi Chamharouch, taking the route towards Toubkal. Follow the course of the Reraya river, passing the village of Aremdt and crossing over and up to the other side of the Ait Mizane valley. Picnic on arrival or on route - Duration 4hrs return walking time Trekking Information - All.rtf Page 2 of 13

3 Full Day Camel Excursion (Day only) 08.00hrs - Depart from Marrakech or the Kasbah du Toubkal early morning. Approx 1 hour drive to nearby village (Amzmiz or Tahanout) Spend a full day trekking with Camels. Lunch provided hrs to 17.00hrs - Return to Marrakech or Kasbah du Toubkal Price: Euros 135 per person. (Based on minimum 2 persons) Children over and above first 2 pax: With own camel: Euros 75 per child Sharing camel: Euros 25 per child Single Supplement : Euros 50 Full Day and 1 night Camel Excursion Depart from Marrakech or the Kasbah du Toubkal. Approx 1 hour drive. Spend a full day trekking with Camels. Lunch provided. Spend the night in a nearby village in Berber village if possible or tent. Evening meal and Breakfast provided. After Breakfast - Return to Marrakech or Kasbah du Toubkal Price: Euros 160 per person. (Based on minimum 2 persons) Children over and above first 2 pax: With own camel: Euros 85 per child Sharing camel: Euros 35 per child Single Supplement : Euros 60 Trekking Information - All.rtf Page 3 of 13

4 Remote Trekking Lodge 2 Day Trip Cost from Marrakech: 600 Euros for 2 people including: Private transport to and from Imlil on days 1 and 2 Two days of trekking with the services of a qualified mountain guide and muleteer throughout the trip (route info attached) Accommodation at our Toubkal Lodge on night 1 in a private room - Double/ Twin Deluxe ensuite - Bath with shower, wash basin, bidet and w.c. access to shared lounge and balcony All food and drink including: 2 picnic lunches, an evening meal and breakfast at the Toubkal Lodge (bring your own wine if you would like) All taxes including a 5% levy to the Village Association Remote Trekking Lodge 2 Day Trip Cost from Imlil: 480 Euros for 2 people Two days of trekking with the services of a qualified mountain guide and muleteer throughout the trip (route info attached) Accommodation at our Toubkal Lodge on night 1 in a private room - Double/ Twin Deluxe ensuite - Bath with shower, wash basin, bidet and w.c. access to shared lounge and balcony All food and drink including: 2 picnic lunches, an evening meal and breakfast at the Toubkal Lodge (bring your own wine if you would like) All taxes including a 5% levy to the Village Association (You arrange your own transport to and from Imlil) Trekking Information - All.rtf Page 4 of 13

5 1 Day (Good level of fitness required) Aguersiwal, South of the Kasbah - After trekking up to the Tizi n Tamatert col, descend into the stunning Imane valley. Walk by the village of Tinhourine and around to the village of Aguersiwal, follow river courses, cross seguias and rivulets, past terraces and through walnut groves. Picnic on route. - Duration 6 7 hrs walking time Azzaden, West of the Kasbah 2 days - Trek up to the col of Tizi n Mzig. Descend to the village of Tizi Oussem (possible to stay the night in a house here) and return via the village of Malat. Picnic on route. - Duration 6 7 hrs walking time Ascension of Mount Toubkal (one night at base) (April to October) A beautiful, unforgettable 5hr trek to base camp (3106m) via Sidi Chamarouch, picnic by the river on route. On arrival rest, eat and spend the night camping (we bring our cook and many of the Kasbah s comforts, set up by an advance party) Up early next morning, following a hearty breakfast, begin the ascension of the Summit (4167m ) Back down to base for lunch, before setting back to the Kasbah where the Hammam will be fired up and ready for your return. Toubkal whilst not being a doddle and needs to be taken seriously (you will well supported by the Kasbah team) is wonderful, it is achievable by the moderately fit or the enthusiastic/determined/able (barring altitude sickness - The key is to keep the pace very slow but steady; if you are getting out of breath, (there is a bit less Oxygen at this altitude) slow down even more, rather than stopping.) to reach a major 4,000 metre summit and experience the euphoria that goes with it. Trekking Information - All.rtf Page 5 of 13

6 Tinhourine or Ouaneskra Break the journey to Agersiwal with an evening meal and a night spent at Tinhourine or Ouaneskra. Stay in a Berber house. A night like this will stay with you forever. 2-3 days Depart Imlil towards Tachadirt passing by Tamatert. Lunch on the Hill of Tizi n Tamatert. After lunch continue to Ouanskra-Tamguist. Arrive at Tinghrine for the night. 5 hours walking. Depart Tinghrine towards the Vallée d Azzader passing by Ikiss. Then Tizi n ongressiural. Lunch at Matat. Continue passing by Tizi n Oudid towards Idissa to spend the night. 5-6 hours walking. Day3. Depart Idissa towards Tizi Oussem passing by Tizi Mzzik, le village of Mzzik to arrive back at Imlil. 4 to 5 hours walking Trekking Information - All.rtf Page 6 of 13

7 4 Days 3 Nights to include Mount Toubkal (April to October) Depart from Marrakech towards Ouikmeden the point of departure for this trek to meet our team at 2660 m. Then visit the prehistoric rock carvings of the High Atlas. In the afternoon depart towards Tachadirt passing by Tizi Nadi 2920m to arrive at the valley. Spending the night at the home of one of the inhabitants of Tachadirt or camp in bivouac. 5 hours walking Depart from Tachadirt towards Imlil or in Aremd. passing by Tizi n Tamatert 2279m. Lunch at the pass and then descend towards the Valley of Imlil. 5 hours walking. Day 3 & 4 Ascension of Mount Toubkal (one night at base) Trekking Information - All.rtf Page 7 of 13

8 Oukaïmeden to Toubkal 4 day, 3 night trek Day 1 Depart from Marrakech towards Oukaïmeden the point of departure for this trek to meet our team at 2660m. Then visit the prehistoric rock carvings of the High Atlas. In the afternoon depart towards Tacheddirt passing by Tizi Nadi 2920m to arrive at the valley. Spending the night at the home of one of the inhabitants of Tacheddirt or camp in bivouac. 5 hours walking Day 2 Depart from Tacheddirt towards Imlil or in Aremd. passing by Tizi n Tamatert 2279m. Lunch at the pass and then descend towards the Valley of Imlil. 5 hours walking. * if the clients leave Tachdirte on day 2 they don t have to go back to Tachdirte on Day 3, it should be a connected programme for Berber village & Toubkal ascent Day 3: A beautiful, unforgettable 5 hour trek to base camp (3106m) via Sidi Chamarouch, picnic by the river on route. On arrival rest, eat and spend the night at the Neltner hut or camp (we bring our cook and many of the Kasbah s comforts, set up by an advance party). Day 4: Up early next morning, following a hearty breakfast, begin the ascent of the Summit (4167m). Back down to base for lunch, before setting back to the Kasbah where the hammam will be fired up and ready for your return. Toubkal, whilst not being a doddle and needs to be taken seriously (you will be well supported by the Kasbah team), is wonderful. It is achievable by the moderately fit or the enthusiastic/determined/able (barring altitude sickness). The key is to keep the pace very slow but steady; if you are getting out of breath, (there is a bit less oxygen at this altitude) slow down even more, rather than stopping. To reach a major 4,000 metre summit is an experience to be savored. Trekking Information - All.rtf Page 8 of 13

9 3 Days 2 Nights from Kasbah to Setti Fatma (can be done in reverse) Depart the Kasbah head towards the valley of Tachadirt passing by Tizi n Tamatarte 2279m to arrive at the village of Oinskera in the valley of Tachdirte which we spend the night in Berber gite or bivouac. 5 hours walking. Depart Ouanskra towards Timichi passing by the Tizi n'tachdirte 3400m, walking through Ibbassen & Agounes village, Tamgist, arrival to Timichi. We spend the night in a bivouac or berber gite. 6 to 7 hours walking. Day 3 Depart Timichi towards Setti Fatma all along the journey there are Berber villages of the valley for example Tiourdiou, Anfles, Tadrat, Chiker. After lunch to Agadire Nboulman and the centre of Setti Fatma. Then return to Marrakech or visit the waterfall Setti Fatma if there is time. 4 to 5 hours walking.. Trekking Information - All.rtf Page 9 of 13

10 4 Days 3 Nights from Kasbah to Setti Fatma (can be done in reverse) Depart the Kasbah head towards the valley of Tachadirt passing by Tizi n Tamatarte 2279m to arrive at the village of Oinskera in the valley of Tachdirte which we spend the night in Berber gite or bivouac. 5 hours walking. From Oinskera towards Ouikmaden ski station passing by Tizi n adis 2920m then after ouikmaden spend the night in the refuge or bivouac. 5 to 6 hours walking. Day 3. Depart Ouikmaden towards Timichi passing by the Tifrguin labourers then Tizi n Oater 3100m after the col Atar we cross several villages of Ourika Agounes, Tamgist, Timichi. We spend the night in a bivouac or berber gite. 6 to 7 hours walking. Day 4 Depart Timichi towards Setti Fatma all along the journey there are Berber villages of the valley for example Tiourdiou, Anfles, Tadrat, Chiker. After lunch to Agadire Nboulman and the centre of Setti Fatma. Then return to Marrakech or visit the waterfall Setti Fatma if there is time. 4 to 5 hours walking. Trekking Information - All.rtf Page 10 of 13

11 5 Days 4 Nights to the Azaden Valley Depart Imlil towards Tachadirt passing by the Tizi n Tamatert pass (2297m) This stage allows us to visit numerous villages of the Massif Nimnane to discover the agricultural traditions of the Mountain Berbers, the irrigated terraces reaching up high along the banks of the valley. The major canal lies between the brown of the mountains and the green of the cultivation. The villages are built above this so that they do not lose any fertile land. Night spent in bivouac or Berber Gite if possible. 4 to 5 Hours walking. Descend the valley of Tachadirt crossing some traditional Berber villages, arriving at midday at the village of Argue. Continuing after lunch to reach the village of Imsker (1600m). Night spent in bivouac. 4 to 5 Hours walking. Day 3. Depart village of Imsker towards the Azaden Valley passing by the Imsker Pass (1900m). Descend towards Imiouglad then climb back up the Tizi n Tachte Pass (2672m). Lunch just after this pass in order to go back down to the village of Tizian. Night spent in gite. 4 to 5 Hours walking. Day 4. Depart the village of Tizian towards the village of Tizioussem whilst passing by several villages of the Azaden Valley. In the afternoon visit the Cascade of Aourwiz. Return to the village of Tizioussem. Night spent in bivouac or gite. 2.5 hours walking AM 3 hours walking PM Day 5. Depart village of Tizioussem towards Imlil passing by the Tizi Mzek pass. Lunch at the village of Mzek, then continue towards Imlil. 5 Hours walking. Trekking Information - All.rtf Page 11 of 13

12 4 Days 3 Nights to the Azaden Valley Depart Imlil towards Tachadirt passing by the Tizi n Tamatert pass (2297m) This stage allows us to visit numerous villages of the Massif Nimnane to discover the agricultural traditions of the Mountain Berbers, the irrigated terraces reaching up high along the banks of the valley. The major canal lies between the brown of the mountains and the green of the cultivation. The villages are built above this so that they do not lose any fertile land. Night spent in bivouac or berber Gite if possible. 4 to 5 Hours walking. Descend the valley of Tachadirt crossing some traditional Berber villages, arriving at midday at the village of Argue. Continuing after lunch to reach the village of Imsker (1600m). Night spent in bivouac. 4 to 5 Hours walking. Day 3. Depart village of Imsker towards the Azaden Valley passing by the Imsker Pass (1900m). Descend towards Imiouglad then climb back up the Tizi n Tachte Pass (2672m). Lunch just after this Pass in order to go back down towards the Azaden Valley to reach the village of Idaissa. Night spent in bivouac or gite if possible. 4 to 5 Hours walking. Day 4. Depart the village of Idaissa towards the village of Tizioussem passing by the Tizi Mzek pass. Lunch at the village of Mzek, then continue towards Imlil. 5 hours walking. Trekking Information - All.rtf Page 12 of 13

13 6 Days 5 Nights from Kasbah to Mont Mgoun Massif Transfer from Imlil to AIt Bougmmaz (340kmNight) in Berber Gite or in Berber village house if possible (Agouti or Guerssif). 5 Hours driving. Depart Agouti towards the valley Ait Bouelli crossing the cluster of villages in this valley (Aguerssif, Iglouane. Night spent at the village of Rouglet. 6 Hours walking. Day 3. Depart Rouglet to go up the Tizi n Rouglet pass (2800m) From the col there is a clear view of the valley of Tassawt then descending to the foot of the plateau of Tarkddit. Night spent near to the village of Amzri. 7 Hours walking. Day 4 Descend whilst passing the villages of the Tassawt valley (Amzri, Imi Nikiss, Ichbbaken, Ait Ali Nitto. Night spent in gite. 5 to 6 Hours walking. Day 5 Depart Ait Ali Nitto heading towards the villages of Megdaz, Ifoulou, toufghine. Night spent at Ait Tamllilt. 6 Hours walking. Day 6 Leave Ait Tamllilt head towards Demnat to stop at the village of Imi Nifri. 3 to 4 Hours walking. From Imi Nifri Return Transfer to the Kasbah or Marrakech. 2 to 3 Hours driving. Trekking Information - All.rtf Page 13 of 13