Description

Explore the Atlas Mountains of Morocco with a personal guide, through the Imlil and Azzaden Valley and Berben villages, along footpaths and mule tracks which mount through the lush, irrigated terraces, apple orchards and walnut groves to other villages, where you will have a glimpse into a way of life that has barely changed for centuries, and where traditional values and hospitality have been largely unaffected by the outside world.

Your registered guide, from the local Berber community, is there to support you throughout your stay, discussing routes that you may want to explore as well as being a font of knowledge of Berber life in these magnificent mountain environs. The treks are adapted to your individual or groups level and pace with several treks of varying lengths to choose from.

The mountains are home to the indigenous Berber people who have inhabited Morocco for at least 5000 years. The Berbers live in small clusters of earthen adobe houses which cling precipitously to mountainsides and are often only accessible by mule or foot.

The High Atlas Mountains, which dominate the skyline to the south of Marrakech, have always played an important role for the city, not least with regard to commerce. Whilst Marrakech is in itself a fascinating city, a whole new experience awaits those who venture south into the mountains.

With several peaks above 4000 metres, the Western High Atlas is part of a larger chain of mountains that spreads from the Atlantic Coast in the west to Tunisia in the east.

A picnic lunch en route will be provided on full day walks, otherwise lunch will be served at the lodge. After your daily hikes, you can relax in the hammam and sleep in luxury accommodation at our two venues – the Azzaden Trekking Lodge and the Kasbah du Toubkal.

Accommodation

Guests will stay on a full board basis in our luxury accommodation at the Kasbah du Toubkal in the trailhead village of Imlil, a place of outstanding natural beauty, peace and seclusion (just 40 miles from Marrakech, but seemingly a thousand miles from the hubbub of the city!), and also in our Trekking Lodge in the remote Azzaden Valley where peace and tranquility prevail.

Cuisine

All meals at the Kasbah are included and include a breakfast of delicious homemade juices, honey, yoghurts, pancakes, locally made breads, fresh fruit and cereals will be served before your hikes.

Lunch and all evening meals are traditionally North African dishes. Vegetarian meals are provided as standard (however, meat, fish or vegan meals are available on request).

Retreat schedule

Day 1
Private transfer from Marrakech Menara Airport or your accommodation in Marrakech to Imlil (approximately 90 minutes) where you will meet your personal mountain guide and have the opportunity to discuss your preferences for walks and treks. Depending on your arrival time, there will be the option of an introductory walk in the area.

Dinner and ensuite accommodation at the Kasbah du Toubkal will be provided.

Day 2
A day to relax and enjoy free time in the Imlil area, or a chance to explore the Imlil valley with your personal mountain guide. This can be separate morning and afternoon walks or one full day walk. Alternatively, you may wish to venture further afield to an outlying valley.

A picnic lunch will be provided if required or lunch will be served at the Kasbah du Toubkal. Dinner and ensuite accommodation at the Kasbah du Toubkal will be provided.

Day 3
A supported trek of 3-4 hours’ duration with guide, mule and muleteer to our remote trekking lodge in the Azzaden Valley, a beautiful setting barely touched by the modern way of life.

A picnic lunch en route with dinner and luxury accommodation at Azzaden Trekking Lodge is provided. You may wish to enjoy a relaxing hammam (steam bath) on arrival.

Day 4
After breakfast, a day to explore the stunning Azzaden Valley with your personal mountain guide. There are several treks of varying lengths to choose from.

You may choose a moderate walk amongst the villages of the Azzaden Valley or a taxing 7-hour circular route passing the Lepiney refuge hut and the Tizi n’Tzikert col at 2930 metres, or indeed anything in between. Other options of a similar length include the slightly easier and very beautiful 7-hour circular walk passing the cols Tizi n’Teouti at 2450 metres and Tizi n’Tougdalt at 2700 metres.

A picnic lunch en route will be provided on full day walks, otherwise lunch will be served at the lodge. Dinner and luxury accommodation at Azzaden Trekking Lodge.

Day 5
After breakfast, depart Azzaden Trekking Lodge and trek back to Imlil via a route of your choice with your personal mountain guide. A picnic lunch en route will be provided. Dinner and ensuite accommodation at the Kasbah du Toubkal will be provided.

Day 6
After breakfast, depart Imlil and return by private transfer to Marrakech Menara Airport or to your accommodation in Marrakech.

Retreat Price

2 nights Kasbah du Toubkal, 2 nights Azzaden Trekking Lodge and 1 night Kasbah du Toubkal
Price per person based on two sharing: €1036
Prices include a 5% levy to the Association des Bassins d’Imlil.

Single supplement: €720

Includes

• Ensuite accommodation in Standard room however our superior and deluxe rooms are available on request at extra cost.
• Private transfer from Marrakech to Imlil and return journey on day of departure.
• The services of a qualified guide and muleteer for the duration of your stay in the mountains.
• All food and soft drinks on a full board basis, commencing with lunch or evening meal on Day 1 and ending with breakfast on Day 6.
• The use of a private hammam when staying at all accommodation in the mountains.
• All taxes include a 5% levy to the Village Association (further details on request).
• All accommodation approximately 1800 metres above sea level.

Does not include

• Flights
• Alcohol (Please feel free to bring your own alcoholic drinks if you wish.)
• Tips
• Personal shopping,
• Travel and medical insurances

What past guests have said

By Steve

• What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

From the moment we were dropped off in the car at the bottom of the village and then had a mule carry out luggage up to the Kasbah, we felt immersed in the Berber culture.Lunches on the hikes with our guide were an unforgettable experience.

• What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

Staying at the Kasbah is not cheap but it does represent value for money, and everything you could want is included. A great introduction to Berber culture and hiking the high Atlas while still living in comfort and safety. We were there the middle of November and were lucky with the weather as it was still reasonably mild. We did experience the first snowfall on the high peaks which added a magical dimension to the views.

• Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?

The Kasbah seems to have a genuine ethos of looking after the environment and the local community. You can sense the staff feel part of a team and there is a pride in working for the Kasbah.

By James

• What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

Walking in the remote Azzaden valley through the local villages.

• Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?

Benefited local people, yes. Our guide was local and told us on more than one occasion that tourism in the area was a positive thing. The Kasbah is keen to reduce plastic waste by having drinking water available from a spring but plastic bottles are still required for the remote lodge.

• Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?

Excellent. The Berbers we met and who ran the Kasbah were all very friendly and welcoming. Our guide Abdul Aztat was constantly going out of his way to make sure we were ok and made our trip extra special.

Location and how to get there

We provide private transfers from Marrakech Menara Airport. From Imlil village the last 10-15 minutes is on foot or by mule.

Google map link

Booking

To book your place on this Atlas Mountain Hiking Retreat in Morocco, send your enquiry to the team who will get back to you within 24 hours.