Jebel Sahro Trek

Great winter walking tour in Morocco!

Into the Jebel Sahro
From Marrakech we drive to Ouarzazate and on to the tiny hamlet of Ait Youl, the starting point of our trek. Walking through valleys studded with almond groves, the Jebel Sahro gradually reveals its beauty. We traverse ridges and passes, catching glimpses of other-worldly landscapes - the rock formation of the T?te de Chameau (Camel's Head) and the twin spires of Bab n'Ali. Finally reaching the central massif, we explore the fissures and clefts of the Tassigdelt Tamajgalt plateau, with its chimney-like rock pinnacles. At sunset, the mesas of Tizi n'Taggourt create a stunningly supernatural atmosphere.

Nomads & Kasbahs
Though there is little habitation here, our route takes us through several small villages, often surmounted by a simple minaret or a ruined kasbah. High Atlas nomads, as well as those of the Jebel Sahro, use this route; it is common to see them on the move with their black felt tents, or spot their caves and shelters. Since few outsiders come here, the Berber people are keen to make our acquaintance, and a shared drink of sweet mint tea is often offered as a friendly welcome.

Ancient Marrakech
We'll spend our finalnights in this magical old city, the meeting place for mountain Berbers and desert people from the south. We'll enjoy the maze of alleyways in the souks and the celebrated Djemma-el-Fna square. The scene at dusk is straight out of the Arabian Nights: a mele? of story-tellers, snake-charmers, musicians, jugglers, peddlers and kebab stalls.

Transport: Chartered bus/On foot during 10-day Jebel Sahro Trek.

What to Expect: Moderate mountain walking (5-8hrs a day) at altitudes of around 2000m. Most of the trek is along well-defined paths. The scenery and cultural experience more than compensate for simple living conditions.

0844 499 0901

Itinerary / Highlights

Trip Highlights
Marrakech - Morocco’s most colourful city.
Tizi N'Tichka - Drive over High Atlas.
Ait Youl - Stay with Berber family.
Ait Atta - Nomadic tribe.
Jebel Sahro - Stunning scenery.
The Berber People.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Join tour Marrakech
Arrive Marrakech and check-in at hotel.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)

Day 2: Drive to El Kelaa; walk to Ait Youl
Today we drive over the High Atlas pass of Tizi n’ Tichka (2260m) via Ouarzate to El Kelaa. We start our trek and set off on foot to the village of Ait Youl situated on the edge of a barren plain. Our luggage will be loaded into a local taxi for transportation to the village house. (Approx 1 hr walk)

Overnight Village House (H) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Trekking in the Jebel Sahro region
Our trekking route is flexible in order that we can adapt to local conditions. Details of the kind of circuit you might take are given below.

Our first day's objective is to cross the rocky region between the Dades River and the mountains. During today’s walk we shall see little sign of habitation other than a few scattered houses. We continue to Afoughal. (Total walking approx 5 hrs)

Overnight Basic Camping (C) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Trekking in the Jebel Sahro region
Today we journey south across the Amalou n’Ouchchene valley to Tagmoute. We can spend tonight in a village house. (5hrs). There is a chance of an optional walk this afternoon. (Total walking approx 1.5 hrs)

Overnight Village House (H) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Trekking in the Jebel Sahro region
Our next days’ walking becomes more varied when we reach the mountains. We should see good views of the Tine Ouaiyour. As we walk towards the Central Jebel Sahro, new features reveal themselves to us. Features like unusual flat-topped mesas and dramatic plateaux. An old kasbah, date palms and some irrigated meadows are some of the human influences here. We reach our nightstop at Tamou. (Total walking approx 4-5 hrs)

Overnight Basic Camping (C) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Trekking in the Jebel Sahro region
Continuing to the village of Ighazioun n' Imlas we pass through the hamlet of Akerkour and into a more arid area. The scenery becomes more typical of the Jebel Sahro with flat-topped mesas and buttes separated by broad scrub plains. We will see a huge, impressive pinnicle in the distance. It is called Bab n’ Ali, or the gates or Ali, with the mountains of Tadaout n' Tablah close by. We make our camp and base ourselves on the edge of the village for 2 nights.(Total walking approx 5-6 hrs)

Overnight Basic Camping (C) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Trekking in the Jebel Sahro region
This morning there is an opportunity to take an optional day walk up to Bab n’ Ali (Total walking approx 7-8 hrs). The rest of the day is free for relaxation.

Overnight Basic Camping (C) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Trekking in the Jebel Sahro region
Walking initially along a sandy wadi we enter a gorge. We will see rock pinnacles, organpipe rock formations and strangely contorted outcrops that have been carved by natural forces. The Tete de Chameau (Camels Head) is just one of many weird shapes which appear. Later the extraordinary spires of Tassigdelt Tamajgalt appear. Reaching the impressive Taggourt plateau we are treated to splendid panoramas. We make camp at the village of Riche. (Total walking approx 7-8 hrs)

Overnight Basic Camping (C) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9: Trekking in the Jebel Sahro region
A fascinating day's walk offering superb views of the whole range on ascent to Abid Plateau (1800m) and a scenic descent down a gorge. Our camp tonight is at Ighissi, inside a ruined kasbah. (Total walking approx 5-6 hrs)

Overnight Basic Camping (C) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10: Trekking in the Jebel Sahro region
Heading north we head for Tizi- N’Tmighcht (2180m) the highest point of the trip. From this point south, we can see the dust from the Sahara and to the north we can see the High Atlas Mountains. After lunch at Irihoui we descend a steep sided valley passing scattered berber settlements. We make our camp near a small oasis. (Total walking approx 7-8 hrs)

Overnight Basic Camping (C) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11: Trekking in the Jebel Sahro region
This morning we descend the Bouizergane Valley until its intersection with the Dades Valley. Here we begin to encounter larger settlements and the spectacle of the High Atlas Mountains opens out as we return to Ait Youl. From here we transfer back to Ouzarzarte. (Total walking approx 4 hrs)

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 12: Drive to Marrakech
We make an early start this morning for out return to Marrakech. On our arrival there should be time to explore something of this atmospheric city and a visit to the celebrated Djemma-el-Fna Square is a spectacle not to be missed where all sorts of entertainers perform! Here are story-tellers, letter-writers, musicians, jugglers and water-sellers straight out of the ‘Arabian Nights’.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

Day 13: Tour ends Marrakech
Included meals: Breakfast

Other Details

Accommodation Details

3nts hotels, 2nts village house, 7nts camping - a combination of basic local accommodation and wild camping in the mountains.

Departure Dates, Options & Prices

Sun 13 Nov - Fri 25 Nov 2011 -860 GBP
Sun 18 Dec - Fri 30 Dec 2011 -920 GBP
Sun 11 Mar - Fri 23 Mar 2012 -920 GBP
Sun 01 Apr - Fri 13 Apr 2012 -920 GBP

0844 499 0901