Walking in Morocco awakens your senses. Just imagine the scent of spices wafting out of villagers houses, the patch of colours from the ochre buildings, fruit orchards, lush, green valleys and snow-capped peaks. Join us as we discover this beautiful country, taking us from the hustle and bustle of Marrakech, to walking in the peaceful Atlas Mountains and experiencing Berber culture in the region’s villages and valleys.
What’s Extra
Welcome to Marrakech! Upon arrival, we will transfer to our hotel.
After check-in, we come together for our welcome drink, followed by dinner in the hotel.
Today we get a full introduction to this Garden City, visiting the dramatic Almohad Koutoubia Minaret and the lavishly-decorated Saadien Tombs – some dating from the mid-1550s. We also spend some time in the tranquil Menara Gardens and the Bahia Palace before walking through the labyrinth of narrow alleyways of the renowned cool, colourful and aromatic souks of Marrakech. The Dyers’ Souk is the last to be visited because you emerge into the famous Djemâa el Fna Square (which translates as ‘Assembly of the Dead’), where, until the 19th Century, the severed heads of criminals were traditionally displayed. We see stalls of goods, from fruit to intricate lanterns, snake charmers and water sellers, fortune tellers and public scribes, tumblers and nakkachat, and gnaoua musicians.
We have a free day to further explore the exciting city of Marrakech. Our Tour Leader will be able to make some suggestions for sightseeing or you may just prefer to take in the city at your own leisure.
In the evening, we meet up to enjoy the Chez Ali Fantasia experience which includes dinner and a folklore show.
After breakfast, we transfer to the Atlas Mountains and the village of Ouirgane where the landscapes are truly breathtaking.
The rest of our day is enjoyed at leisure before we get together in the evening for dinner at our hotel.
Today we trek from our hotel with our Moroccan Mountain Guide, heading towards the east through fields of corn and flowers. We follow the course of the river, up and down small hills dotted with red juniper, and pass by isolated Berber hamlets until we reach the village where the Berber people have been mining salt using their traditional method that has remained unchanged for centuries. You may observe them riding from one village to another, selling their salt from the back of their donkeys.
Next, we will reach the Azzaden Valley and cross to the other side, where we will walk via a piste that leads us through more fields and orchards of apple, peach, cherry, and apricot, and near the vast forest of Tikhfist. We will arrive at our field picnic spot in the village of lkhmiss, where we can take a break and refresh ourselves. After that, we continue our trek to appreciate a tremendous panoramic view of the entire valley and the Forestry Station, which protects the area’s horned mountain sheep. We then continue through the woods and enjoy a view of the Toubkal Massif National Park, with its distant range of High Atlas peaks, and go down the slopes to ford the river.
After breakfast, we meet our Mountain Guide in Ouirgane to begin the journey to the Berber village of Asni. From there, we drive up to Imlil Village and follow the Ait Mizan Valley. Upon arriving at the centre of Imlil Village, the walk starts up to Targa Imoula. Along the way, we enjoy the sights of walnut fields and apple orchards, as well as volcanic rocks. The highest village in the valley, Armed, will be the next stop, followed by a slow trek up to the national Park of Toubkal.
We begin our trek after an early breakfast from our hotel, accompanied by our Moroccan Mountain Guide, heading south along mule tracks beside a long salty stream. After about 90 minutes, we arrive at the village of Marigha Izdern (1205m), before continuing on to Imareghan Noufla (1224m), where we encounter ancient stone oil presses still operated in the traditional manner using donkeys or mules for grinding. With the Adrar Takherkhourte (2660m) to our right, we walk for another 45 minutes through fields of maize, seasonal wild flowers, olive tree groves, and occasional Berber hamlets, to reach the small village of Tinzert (meaning ‘nose’ in Amazigh, the Berber language), surrounded by mountains.
At Tinzert, we see a centuries-old salt mining industry, with cavernous wells used by local peasants to draw water into large salt flats for evaporation. We may also see women riding from hamlet to hamlet on their donkeys, selling salt or delivering it to the local entrepreneur. Salt has been a valuable currency through the ages, more precious to these people than gold.
Once past Tinzert, we stop for a field picnic near stands of olive, walnut, and almond trees. We then continue for 45 minutes to the top of Tizi ’n’ Tarabaza (1706m), which offers us a magnificent panoramic view of the Marigha and Ouirgan lac. We make our way back down to the villages of Minsolte and Marigha before returning to the hotel.
We say goodbye to the beautiful Atlas Mountains and transfer to the airport for our flight home.
We stay in comfortable hotels throughout as details below (or similar);
Four-star Hotel Opera Plaza – Marrakech
Three-star Ksar Shama – Ouirgane
Frequently Asked Questions
Marrakech Airport to our Marrakech hotel is approximately 15 – 20 minutes.
Ouirgane hotel to Marrakech Airport is approximately 1 hour 20 minutes.
Three guided walks are included in the programme. Your walking guide will advise you in resort of the daily programme. The walking programme is graded as Medium and you can expect to walk between 5km to 7km per day, with some ascents/descents and sometimes rough underfoot terrain and medium altitudes involved.
Below are the distances for each walk, however, please bear in mind these are approximate and subject to change due to local conditions. The walking guide can also tailor the walks to the needs of the group.
The Tassa Ouirgane National Park – 6-7Km
The Oued N’Fis Valley & Tin – Mal Mosque – 5-7Km
A Ouirgane of Wild Valleys & Plateau – 6-7Km
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are fit and well enough to take part in your chosen activity holiday. If you are unsure as to whether the walks are within your capabilities, please contact the office to discuss this matter, thus making sure you appreciate the terrain that you will be walking.
You could be walking across uneven ground in some areas and extreme care must be taken, especially if wet. If used to using a pole/stick, it is advisable to bring it. Please appreciate the route and content of the holiday may change at the time and at the discretion of the guide/organiser, should conditions require. Solo’s Holidays cannot be held responsible for personal injury, accident, or damage to property whilst on these walks other than incidents arising out of the company’s negligence. The guide has the right to refuse to guide a walk with anyone not properly attired.
Dressing in layers is recommended, temperatures can vary in different places in Morocco. Casual evening wear is recommended and comfortable shoes for sightseeing.
It can get cold in the mountains at night and warm nightwear may be of benefit.
Our walking guide recommends you bring the following; Good trainers or walking boots. Rambler pole (optional), hats, sunscreen, sunglasses, camera and filled water bottle.
Please note
A reasonable level of fitness/mobility is required for sightseeing and walking.
You must be in possession of a 10 year passport and valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave
Visas are not required by British Passport holders for stays of upto 3 months
It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct visa, a valid passport and any other travel documents for your holiday. All information provided relates to British citizens who hold or are entitled to apply for a British passport. For the most up-to-date visa information please visit; Morocco Foreign Advice
If you are not a British citizen and do not hold a British passport, you must make your own enquiries as to the applicable requirements.
Compulsory vaccinations: None
All clients are responsible for acquainting themselves with up to date health information of the countries being visited and where necessary take the required precautions. We recommend that you check with your doctor prior to departure as this information can change. You can also visit the travel health website for more information; Travel Health Morocco
Compulsory vaccinations: None
All travellers are responsible for acquainting themselves with up to date health information of the countries being visited and where necessary take the required precautions. We recommend that you check with your doctor prior to departure as this information can change. You can also visit the travel health website for more information; Travel Health Morocco
Dirham
Voltage 230v
Travel adaptor type C (EuroPlug)
There is often confusion on the question of gratuities, since it frequently depends on the type of holiday, location and, of course, your attitude towards tipping, as to what is normally expected. In order to give you a rough idea, we have given appropriate guidance below. Your Tour Leader will be on hand to offer advice or suggestions if required but gratuities are offered entirely at the sole discretion of the individual. We suggest a group collection to cover drivers, porters and hotel staff of €30.00. Your Tour Leader will collect this on your behalf and distribute it accordingly, thus relieving you of the burden of who, when and how much to tip. The tipping of housekeeping will be left to your individual discretion (a small amount left in your room on departure should cover this and would be much appreciated). As is customary, ‘the hat’ will be passed around for the driver and guide on all optional excursions. For any meals that are not included in your itinerary, or taxi fares, your Tour Leader can advise of an appropriate add on.
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