General
5 Days Combined Atlas Mountain trek and Sahara trip from Marrakech
5 Days Combined Atlas Mountain trek and Sahara trip , Atlas mountains & Erg chebbi ,Strongly recommended year round, this is a fantastic trek for those not climbing Toubkal. It offers in our opinion the best mountain scenery and Berber villages within the Imlil and Toubkal National Park area & best 3 days to Erg Cheebi and Ait ben Haddou kasbah
DAY 1 :Marrakech_Imlil/High Atlas Mountains– Tizi Mzik– Tamsoulte Waterfalls_Tizi Oussem Village
Our driver will take you to Imlil (1740m), a Berber village located about 65 km south from Marrakech, where our trek will start. Here we will meet the Berber muleteer crew. An experienced mountain guide will take you on a walk through the Berber villages via the shrine Sidi Chamharouch (2500m) to reach the mountain hut. Here we will stop for a picnic lunch. After enjoying the lunch and having a short break, we will continue towards the refuge (3200m). A hot shower will be available to wash off the dust from your body and freshen up for the next day. In the evening a traditional Moroccan meal will be prepared for dinner. During summer months there is an option to spend a night in the tent.
DAY2: Tizi Oussem – Id Issa Village – Tizi Oudid – Mattat-imlil
The next day starts with an early wake up to escape from the full power of the sun. Breakfast is served around 5:00 am. We will begin the ascent climb at 5:30AM. In the middle of our climb we will stop for a short break with some refreshments – water, oranges and nuts. After walking uphill for some 3-4 hours, we will be able to enjoy a picturesque view of all the High Atlas Mountains, valleys and Berber villages. When reaching the summit, we will have a break of 45 minutes to take pictures and enjoy the magnificent view.
Afterwards we will return back to the hut, where the lunch will be awaiting for us. To get back to Imlil we will follow the same route down the hill.
DAY 3 : imlil-daddes valley
Once you have taken breakfast you will begin your drive to the Sahara. You will firstly cross Tizi n’Tichka Pass of the High Atlas Mountains.
Passing through many Berber Villages along the way you will have a chance to view riverside oasis and barren hillsides that are clustered with Kasbahs, after lunch you will drive further to Valley of Roses, with beautiful views of the Dades valley and the valley of a thousand kasbahs, you will stay overnight in Dades
DAY 4 : Dades Valley – Todra gorge – Merzouga
Transfer from the Dades Valley to Todra Gorge – a massive fault dividing the High Atlas mountains, rising up 300 metres in a narrow valley with palmeries and Berber villages. Here, you can go for a hike to explore the palmery, a green oasis full of large date palms.
After lunch you’ll head further into the desert to the gateway town of Merzouga to pick up supplies for your desert trip.
You will then drive on to a kasbah to pick up your camel. At sunset, you’ll trek for an hour-and-a-half by camel to a Berber camp where you will enjoy a traditional Moroccan dinner, and sleep under the stars or in tents at a desert camp. (Total driving time 5hours ).
DAY 5 : Merzouga – Marrakech
Wake up in the morning to enjoy sunrise in Chebbi Dunes. After breakfast we will return to Marrakech via Ouarzazate, arrival around 8 pm.
Cancellation / Prepayment
Included :
- English speaking guide, and cook
- Muleteers and mules for luggages
- Full board on trek + mineral water, coffee and tea
- Accommodation in a berber villages (Gites)
- Ground transfers by minibuses / taxis: ( hotel – trek – hotel )
- Mess, cooking & toilet tents (camping option )
Pets
Not included :
- Travel insurance.
- Soft/alcoholic drinks
- Tips and personal expanses
Essential Equipment & Clothing
- Good walking boots and socks / good trainers
- Lightweight waterproof over-trousers / rain-pants
- Water bottle or camel back (recommended)
- Personnel First aid Kit
- Head torch / headlamp
- Ice axe and crampons (winter)
- Day sack/backpack
- 3 to 4 season sleeping bag