High Atlas
The Atlas Mountains are a rocky range over 500 kilometres long creating a great diversity of climates and landscapes in Morocco. Several peaks rise over 4000 metres and most of them are readily accesible to walkers. Deep gorges and broad valleys divide the separate areas where for centuries the fascinating and traditionally ferocious Berber people have found refuge and fought back the many invaders who have tried to rule Morocco.
Though originally sheep herders the Berber tribes have remained mainly ungovernable, retaining their own culture, language, traditions and music.
Our guides come from one of the more remote valleys in the Atlas where an all-weather road and electricity arrived only a few years ago. They are, like all other Berbers, very hospitable and will guide you through these fascinating areas. The Jebel Toubkal area contains the very highest summits and both our scheduled trips culminate with an ascent of North Africa's highest summit. Our longer trek includes an ascent and a trek through the Mount Mgoun region, a much wilder and less frequently visited area.
Just south of the High Atlas several lower ranges separate the main range from the Sahara desert. The Jebel Sarhro is one such range; with its peaks rising up to 2500m it is too hot in the summer to visit but perfect for the winter months. The main High Atlas peaks are snow covered from early November till May. The Mgoun massif is particularly suitable for ski touring.
Toubkal Trek
Mount Toubkal Trek (4167m) can be climbed in two days (rather than the six needed for Kilimanjaro) – Day One is a five hour trek from Ilmil at 1800m, up gradually steepening, scree ridden terrain stopping to acclimatise at 3200m (above 3000m the effects of altitude are noticeable – heart beating faster, short of breath, legs like lead weights!) at the Neltner/Toubkal Refuge with hot showers (an unexpected luxury!).
Here, after a feast of pasta carbs we camped over night, getting up at 4.30am to begin the final ascent on Day Two.
Nowhere near as high as Mount Kilimanjaro, but just as energy sapping and very hot (35 degrees) and dusty, every step of the 4-hour ascent was an effort as the altitude starves you of the oxygen needed to make your limbs work.
We finally arrived at the summit at 9.30am with spectacular (if hazy) views across to the Sahara in the south and Marrakech to the north.
Villages Hikes
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 Mt Toubkal Auberge, 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. Hassan aitelkadi is a qualified and long experienced FRMSM Mountain Guide. He and the Mt Toubkal Auberge staff are happy to discuss possibilities with you and arrange full accompanied trekking support.
Winter Trekking
Toubkal in Winter After the morning to experience exotic Marrakech you head off into the mountains and get onto the trails. From Aremd you’ll climb to Neltner (3200m), the base camp for Toubkal, and undertake several walks to get used to the conditions and acclimatise. With three nights at Neltner there is plenty of time to practice with your ice axe and crampons
The Roof of North Africa
The main goal of the trip is to climb summit Jebel Toubkal - North Africa’s highest peak (4167m), but there is also time for the sister peak Ouanakrim (4088m). Winter is a more challenging time to climb in the mountains but the rewards are truly inspirational. The mountains are capped with snow and the air is crisp and clear making the views immeasurably more breathtaking.
Winter Trekking
This is an ideal trip for those who want a demanding week’s walking, stunning mountain scenery and the added challenge of the winter environment. The ascent of Toubkal is not technical but does require some scrambling and the use of crampons and ice axes. The amount of snow can of course vary greatly!
Departures from Oct - April
Desert Adventures
The South of Morocco with its kasbahs and direct access to the Sahara is growing in popularity.
To make the most of your visit to this fascinating region of Morocco, Atlaswalkers has put together a comprehensive programme of desert trips based out of each the main places to stay, Ouarzazate, Zagora and Erfoud as well as two and three day excursions from Marrakech for those of you on short breaks to the Imperial city.
In the grid below are links to further details of this exciting programme of activities and excursions - ranging from 4WD and quad bike safaris to extended camel safaris into the wilderness of the Deep South and simple overnight excursions to see the sunset at the fabulous Erg Chebbi (dunes) near Merzouga.
Atlantic Coastline
Hiking Essaouira, the ancient and mythical Mogador, which has become one of the most trendy coast spot, you will enjoy splendid hiking between dunes and ocean at the slow rhythm of a camel caravan. Sometimes walk near the sea along the immense beaches which merge with the dunes, and sometimes along vertiginous cliffs. Splendid sunsets.
Start the walk at the beautiful castle, once built by the Portuguese. Walk along the walls alongside sea. You will see a building on a small island, built as a prison. Sea on this part of the coast is windy therefore you get wet by the wildy waves of the sea as it hits the walls. Notice the towers at the end of the seawalls and go down to the streets of Essaouria to discover its medieval architecture.
There will be Turkish baths, synagogues shops selling spices and riads on hidden streets. You will notice the European character of this cute town as well. There is a little possibility that you see hustlers here. The atmosphere is more relaxed that the rest of Morocco. There are coffee houses around as well as European style patisseries.
For lunch go back to the harbour and sit a while watching seagulls following the boats and you can have fish at one of the places at the harbour. Once more you will notice that the shops here are much different than in Agadir and you will be treated more as a person than cash-machine and that is a good feeling while travelling.
We also have day hikes into the surrounding countryside from Ouarzazate and some pre-bookable sightseeing, particularly in and around Ouarzazate; clients staying at Skoura and Ait Ben Haddou can also take advantage of the majority of these trips.
Anti Atlas
Anti Atlas is the most exposed massif in west south, we reach it by the west of Agadir or by the north of Taroudant by the mountains of high atlas occidental. Anti Atlas means in Arabic the small Atlas , because the top is at 2500 m ( the highest point is Jebel Aklim),rich in their authenticity, you will discover their valleys, tresors, and specially their Berber people. We will traverse the old beautiful villages and the gorges, cretes, plateaux and summit in the field of almondier and arganiers, 2 wonderful trees in this region. The almond flowers in January, February and give fruit in July.
This trip takes you from Tafraoute near Agadir, through the stunning Anti Atlas Mountains and Ameln Valley, via different Berber villages and on to Tiznit, which is well known for the silver markets and walled town.
The drive from Tafraoute to Tiznit is one of the most spectacularly beautiful that you can make in Morocco. The amazing splendour of the Anti Atlas Mountains, the contrast between oasis greenery and barren mountain slopes and the bizarre lunar landscape around Tafraoute make this drive very worthwhile and memorable.
In the rugged Anti-Atlas country see the famous blue painted rocks by Belgian artist, Jean Verame.
The Ameln Valley (Valley of Almonds) offers some of the most spectacular nature scenes of Morocco, as well as some of the most beautiful villages. The Ameln Valley is known as the valley of 26 villages, all pink and red brick, nestling on the sides of the mountains.
See the unusual pink village of Aguerd-Oudad, which is built under a huge boulder eroded into an unusual formation, known as "The Hat of Napoleon".
Excursions
Excursion Tours in Morocco, Spend 4 days exploring the High Atlas Mountains. A hike amidst cool vegetation of juniper and pine trees is a perfect way to rejuvenate your mind and body.
Go across deep gorges, gushing river streams and groves of almond and walnut trees, as your guide takes you on a roller-coaster ride up and down the beautiful hills.
The valleys are home to tiny hamlets and villages of the ethnic Berbers, a herding and farming community.
Visit their homes and interact with them to know more about their traditions and customs. See their terraced fields of corn and barley and get a glimpse of their day to day living.
Please contact us for detailed itinerary & rates at:info@atlaswalkers.com