Peaks of the Atlas
This energetic trip combines superb mountain walking with the unforgettable experience of mixing with Berber communities and the evocative city of Marrakech.
You'll have ten days of challenging mountain walking in the majestic High Atlas range. There are a number of high peaks in the area and the plan is to trek to the summit of at least one - Mt. Toubkal, the highest in North Africa (4,167 metres). There are also opportunities to climb both Oukaimeden (3,262m) and Ouanakrim (4,088m). The planned route takes you in a circle across some high passes and through the most stunning scenery of the area. During the trek you camp or stay in simple gites sampling the traditional way of life of the local people.
Finally you return to the exotic city of Marrakech where you have time to explore this fascinating city, relax, do some haggling in the souk and get scrubbed clean in a traditional Hamman.
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Details |
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Price Includes |
(HK-5094-P) |
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Flights |
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Accomodation |
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13 Breakfast, 9 Lunches, 11 Dinners |
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Price Excludes |
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Local Payment £80
13 breakfasts, 9 lunches and 11 dinners are included. Vegetarians can be catered for on trek. You must pay for all other meals yourself (you can eat quite well for £10 per day). Average costs are given for guidance only, and may vary widely according to type of establishment. |
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Suitability / Level |
Demanding |
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Max Group Size |
16 |
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Itinerary
& Highlights |
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DAY 1 - JOIN TRIP MARRAKECH. After your flight you transfer to your first night's accommodation and check in. Hotel - 1 night
DAY 2 - MARRAKECH. After breakfast and an introductory briefing from your group leader you have some time to change money and purchase any last minute supplies. There is no opportunity to do this in the mountains.
As you will have time to explore the city on your return, you'll head straight to the mountains to allow yourselves the best chance of acclimatising to conditions at higher altitudes. Leaving the heat of the plains behind, you drive into the High Atlas Mountains to your base at the village of Aremd. Gite (multishare accommodation) - 2 nights (BD)
DAY 3 - ACCLIMATISATION WALK. Considerable experience in this area has taught us that to try to adhere to a rigid itinerary is not the best way of approaching the Atlas! Instead, we keep our itinerary very flexible, so that we can respond to the interests and abilities of your group, the local conditions and the movements of other trekking parties in the area. You use the village of Aremd as a base for your first hikes. Since you are now at an altitude of around 2,000 metres and have recently ascended from sea-level, your first explorations serve mainly to help you acclimatise. In order to do this you'll make a half-day's trek from the village, a moderate walk with a steady increase in altitude to about 2,500 metres. In the afternoon you return to base. (Approx. 4 hrs walking). (BLD)
DAYS 4/12 - ON TREK. The next nine days are spent exploring the High Atlas range: from valley to ridge, summer pastureto village, river to high peak. Due to a number of factors including weather conditions, the exact trek route may vary from one departure date to another; however our intention remains the same: to explore the more remote areas of the mountains. The following itinerary is one of several trek routes we may follow and is given as an example only:
DAY 4: Trek to the small settlement of Amsekrou, following a steep-sided river valley with a steady incline, to the dramatic pass of Tizi Tamatert. Descend to the valley floor for lunch by a river, before a leisurely afternoon walk to the village. (Approx. 6 hours walking). Camp (in 2-person tents) - 1 night (BLD)
DAY 5: A long, steep ascent along the side of a scree basin and over some spectacular hills brings you to the winter ski-resort of Oukaimeden. Spend the afternoon walking around the ridges and peaks of this area. (Approx. 5 hours walking). Camp - 1 night (BLD)
DAY 6: Your first peak awaits! As you make your way to the summit of Jebel Oukaimeden (3,262 metres) it is possible to view the route you will follow over the next few days. A steep descent brings you to some high meadows where you'll have lunch, before crossing the pass or "Tizi" near Addi and descending to the small village of Tachedirt. (Approx. 8 hours walking). Camp 1 night (BLD)
DAY 7: A hard day, heading south to the Tizi Likemt (3,555 m) - a steep ascent of about 4 hours before descending to the Azib Likemt (approx. 2,600m), an area of permanent pasture. (Approx. 6 hours walking). Camp 1 night (BLD)
DAY 8: Aside from one sharp 400 metres ascent to the col, this day involves a long, gentle descent from the high barren crags to the green, wooded valleys of Amsouzerte, at around 1,800 metres. (Approx. 7 hours walking). Gite 1 night (BLD)
DAY 9: A relatively short walk. You ascend westward from the lush valley into the spectacular moraine of the glacial Lac D'Ifni. Here, at around 2,300 metres, you'll spend the afternoon walking in the vicinity of this mysterious lake. (Approx. 4 hours walking). Camp 1 night (BLD)
DAY 10: A steep climb takes you into a narrow canyon in the lee of Mt. Toubkal. You emerge onto open, high ground on the western side of the mountain, and descend to the mountain refuge at Neltner. (Approx. 7 hours walking). Camp 1 night (BLD)
DAY 11: Today you ascend North Africa's highest peak, Mt. Toubkal (4,167 metres). This is a steep walk involving some scrambling, but the effort is rewarded by superb views of the entire range from the summit. On a clear day it is possible to make out the hazy outline of the Atlantic coast to the west, and the sands of the Sahara Desert to the east. After the ascent, you make your way back to Neltner for a second night. (Approx. 7 hours walking). Camp 1 night (BLD)
DAY 12: Today, for those still feeling energetic, you can ascend Jebel Ouanakrim (4,088 m), the region?s second highest peak. After an early lunch you make your way back to your base at Aremd. (Approx 8 hours walking, including the optional ascent of Ouanakrim). Gite 1 night (BD)
DAY 13 - DRIVE TO MARRAKECH. Reluctantly you leave the mountains behind, and head down to the plains for sightseeing and souvenir hunting in Marrakech. Hotel - 2 nights (B)
DAY 14 - MARRAKECH. This morning a local guide will take you on a walking tour of Marrakech. This helps you to find your bearings and gives you a good insight into what the city has to offer. You'll take in the Djemma el-Fna, Marrakech's justly famous main square and focal point of activity, with its myriad of food stalls, entertainers and traders of all descriptions. You'll also wander into the enormous maze-like souk to see what's on offer there. Textiles, pottery, carpets, wood-craft and jewellery are among the countless items on sale; souvenir-hunters will be spoilt for choice! The nearby 12th century Koutoubia Mosque is the largest in the city and you can walk around its walls. Its 70-metre minaret dominates the immediate surroundings and can be seen for miles around. Legend has it that since the mosque once overlooked the harem, only a blind muezzin was permitted to make the call to prayer. The rest of the day is left completely free for you to explore at your own pace. You could visit the Palais de la Bahia, built at the end of the 19th century for Si Ahmed ben Musa, the Grand Vizier of Soultan Moulay al Hassan. Only part of the palace is open, as the royal family still
makes use of a fair proportion of the building. The beautiful courtyards and splendid living quarters provide a picture of a grand bygone lifestyle. Another possibility is Dar Si Said, housing the Museum of Moroccan Arts. This former royal townhouse now contains beautiful art and craftwork from all corners of the country. If you prefer, you can simply wander the souk and search for bargains, or sit at one of the many cafes on the Djemma el-Fna, and watch Marrakech life go by. (B)
DAY 15 - FLY TO LONDON. Transfer to airport and fly to London.
(BLD = Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner). |
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Accommodation
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During the trek you camp or stay in simple gites sampling the traditional way of life of the local people. |
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Included
