Experience the thrill of adventure on a 4-day mini-traverse of the Western High Atlas with our East-West itinerary. You’ll be exploring stunning canyons carved in granitic rocks in the Ourika Valley Gorges and discovering the remote and picturesque village of Amenazal. Keep an eye out for colonies of monkeys feeding on walnut trees on lucky days.
Ascend to new heights as you venture to Adrar n Dern and meet the friendly local shepherds. Then, journey even higher to reach the Tizi n Likemt pass, where you can take in breathtaking views before descending into the lush green valley of Imnane. Finally, drive back to Marrakech, filled with unforgettable memories of your amazing journey.
After enjoying breakfast, we will depart from our accommodation and embark on a 1 ½ hour journey to the trailhead. Along the way, we will cross the empty plains as the impressive outline of the High Atlas Mountains gradually comes into view. We will also pass by Oukaimeden, Morocco’s largest ski area, before reaching the lush Ourika valley where we will make a stop at Setti Fatma, a popular trailhead for Moroccans and foreigners alike.
Continuing on for another kilometer, we will arrive at Agadir n-Ait Boulmane (1,498m/4,915ft) where we will pick up our mules for the trek. This beautiful Berber village is bustling with women carrying bundles of long grass for the cattle as they return from the fields. From here, we will begin our five-hour walk to our first camp at Assaka.
The valley from Agadir n-Ait Boulmane to Assaka is known as “the gorges” by the locals. It is geologically unique in the Atlas mountains and features an intricate maze of irrigation channels that make every possible square inch cultivable. The locals enjoy wandering along the valley bottom, socializing under the shade of the trees and the running water. For our trek, we will take the mule path which climbs up out of the gorges, providing us with our first views of the surrounding landscape.
After about 1 ¼ hours, the valley splits with the right-hand branch heading towards Timichchi and Oukaimeden. We will take the left branch and soon after, the mule track climbs high up on the left-hand side of the valley. After another hour or so, we will reach the Berber village of Tamatert (1,655m/5,430ft). The path winds up through increasing numbers of Juniper trees and reaches a pass on a rocky ridge with scenic viewpoints. From here, we will have a clear view of the short trek back down into the valley and tomorrow’s climb back up and over the Tizi (col) n’Amenzil. We will then make our way down to the campsite where the muleteers will welcome us with a refreshing glass of Berber mint tea. The entire trek will take about 5 hours of walking.
Note that after lunch, there is an additional possibility to explore the gorges by walking on the water all day until we reach the camp. In this case, it is recommended to wear good sandals or trainers.
Lastly, it’s worth noting that lucky days may offer the chance to see colonies of monkeys feeding on walnuts.
It sounds like a beautiful and challenging trek through the High Atlas mountains of Morocco. The journey begins with a drive from Marrakech to the trailhead at Setti Fatma, passing through the lush Ourika valley where local stores sell an array of fresh fruits. From there, the trek continues on to Agadir n-Ait Boulmane to pick up mules for carrying luggage, and then it’s a five-hour walk to the first campsite at Assaka, following the winding path along the gorges.
On day two, the trek ascends to Tizi Amenzal, climbing through juniper trees with stunning views of the surrounding landscape. After reaching the top, the village of Amenzal comes into view, along with a long green terraced valley beyond. The path then follows irrigation channels up the valley and stops for lunch at a small azib. The day’s trek ends at a camping site near the head of the valley, where travelers can relax and enjoy the evening.
After breakfast, the group begins their ascent up to Tizi n’Imchichki. The ascent involves zigzagging up the mountain, but it’s not as difficult as it may appear at first glance. The group will enjoy 15 minutes of relatively flat terrain before beginning their descent. The descent to the riverside at Azib Tifnoute is nearly 600 meters, or 1,969 feet, down a classic Moroccan descent that is dry and loose. Depending on one’s preference for scree, the descent can be done quickly or slowly.
After lunch by the river, the group will continue on their journey for approximately two hours up the valley of Tinzert. Along the way, they will pass through the summer villages of Azib n Likemet. Finally, they will arrive at their destination for the night, a campsite by the riverside. Overall, this leg of the journey is estimated to take around six hours of walking.
Early in the morning, after having breakfast, the group will cross the river and begin their walk through fields of barley and small cabanes for animals. After about an hour of walking on lush green slopes, the trail becomes steeper, and they will make a slow ascent to the pass at Tizi Likemt, which is at an altitude of 3,555m. The going will be quite tough, as there is a considerable amount of loose scree on the ground. However, the group will be rewarded with an amazing and fine view of the Toubkal massif from the top of the pass.
After taking in the stunning view, the group will begin their long downhill descent to the village of Tachdirth. This descent will take some time and will require some concentration as the ground is steep and rocky. Upon arrival in Tachdirth, lunch will be served, and the group will have some time to rest and relax.
After lunch, the group will say goodbye to their Berber team and prepare to drive back to Marrakech. It is important to note that the itinerary is just a guideline and is subject to change to suit local conditions.
