A Walk in The High Atlas Valleys
Imil to Setti Fatma Hike
Duration: 3 Days / 2 Nights   - ref. ITCTTM02m - NO SUMMIT CLIMB This hike may begin in reverse order - ITCTTM02am
LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: GRADE ONE TO TWO - BETWEEN EASY AND MODERATE. BOOTS RECOMMENDED. YOU NEED TO BE REASONABLY CONFIDENT OF YOUR FITNESS, PREFERABLY HAVING HAD SOME PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE OF TREKKING.

DAY 1:   MARRAKECH - IMLIL - IMENANE VALLEY - TACHEDDIRT.

Departure from Marrakech early in the morning for a pleasing 2-hour drive over the Tizi n'Techt way up into the foothills of the Western High Atlas ranges to arrive at our trailhead in the Berber village of Imlil (1740m), known also as Morocco's 'Little Chamonix'. With streams and paths branching out all around us we set out along a piste for a 1 hour and 45 minutes hike towards the east up to the Tizi n'Tamatert (2272m) on through fields of wheat and orchards of walnut, apple and cherry trees until we reach the village of Tamatert (1810m).

Once through the village we shall take a path which leads us up though pine and juniper woods; we stop at the Tizi to admire the Imlil and Imenane Valleys, the latter with its many Berber villages tucked precariously onto the slopes stretching around us, with Jbel Oukaîmeden (3268m) known locally as "Ouka" - and almost as high as the Rockies - on the near horizon. We carry on along the upper valley slopes for another hour or so to the villages of first Ouaneskra and then Amghedoul (2130m) set amidst terraced plots of land carved from the hard slopes where we shall stop for our picnic on the plateau used, in summer, as a favoured bivouac site. Our afternoon will be spent hiking for some 3 hours up through the valley along mule trails until we reach the pretty - and the oldest - Berber village in the Toubkal Massif - Tacheddirt (2291m), set amongst terraced plots clawed from the surrounding craggy slopes, where we'll overnight in a Gite d'Etape (Bereber House with hot shower). Whilst dinner is being prepared, there's ample opportunity to visit the village and the always - welcoming hardy Berber villagers.

DAY 2:   TACHEDDIRT - IAABASSENE - TIMICHI.

After an early breakfast we start our 7hour hike south-eastwards to the terraced village of Timichi (1860m), at the western offshoot head of the Ourika Valley. For 2 ½ we hike slowly up to the Tizi n'Tacheddirt (3200m), which affords us a stunning panoramic view of the Jebel Aksouâl (3842m) on one side and of Bou Iguenouane (3882m) and Angour (3616m) on the other, with the beginning of the luscious nature of the beautiful, verdant Valley stretching out way below us. We shall traverse the pass and continue on down through the rocks north-eastwards for a further 2½ hours until we reach the Berber village of Iaabassene (2030m), where we'll stop for our welcome picnic next to a spring just outside of the village. The afternoon's 2 hour hike takes us up further to the northeast down the valley to the old village of Timichi, set amongst ancient nut trees, where we'll have our dinner and overnight in a Berber family's home.

DAY 3:    TIMICHI - ISGHOUARNE - AGADIR n'AÏT BOULMANE - SETTI FADMA.

After breakfast we set out for a 5 to 6 hour hike eastwards down along the valley full of cornfields and orange groves, with many streams flowing down from the upper slopes, passing through the villages of Isghouarne and Agadir n'Aït Boulmane to arrive at the end of the beautiful Ourika Valley proper and the renowned Berber village of Setti Fadma, with its ancient nut trees and waterfalls. We shall stop for our picnic just outside of the village, before hiking on for a further half an hour to rejoin our vehicle to take us back to Marrakech.

Cost for this tour:

- please call or email for a full quote - all our holidays are tailor-made and the cost of each trek is based upon the following:

* the number of people in your group (some hikes available for single travellers, one person FREE for groups of 10 or more);

* where you are starting from and to where you wish to travel at the end the hike;

* whether you wish to include any additional accommodation (e.g. in Imlil or Marrakech)

* extras such as WC tent or refuge accommodation, etc.

OUR PRICES INCLUDE:

Experienced bi-lingual, licensed mountain guide throughout; accommodation in Berber Houses or camping with igloo tents and undermats provided at the locations specified above; all meals during your trek (breakfast all days except first, all lunches and dinner all days except last); support team (mules and muleteers) throughout and 24hr emergency back up; private round trip transportation Marrakech-Imlil and Setti Fadma-Marrakech.

OUR PRICES DO NOT INCLUDE:

Personal medical or accident insurance. Any expenditure of a personal nature. Bottled or gaseous water (bottled water is available to buy in most villages), nor anything not specifically mentioned in the itinerary, such as laundry, drinks, telephone calls and such like.

IT IS RECOMMENDED YOU BRING (dependent upon the season):

Stout walking boots; sleeping bag (3 seasons); waterproofs and fleece/duvet jackets, hats, balaclavas or ear muffs; gloves; rambler or ski pole; personal toiletries; small First Aid kit, thermal underwear (Dec-May); day pack; filled water bottle(s); torch and batteries (LED head torches are excellent), penknife (remember not to pack in hand baggage for flight); towel, sunscreen, insect repellent, hygienic wipes, nibbles and/or dried fruit. Drinking chocolate if preferred to tea and coffee, camping mug (otherwise it is small Moroccan tea glasses for everything), energy sweets and toilet rolls could come in handy!

** If staying in a Berber House or gite d'etap you may wish to bring some biros or other suitable gifts for the children of the house.

	Meals are normally:
	Breakfast - tea, coffee, milk, bread, butter, jam, cheese plus porridge in the winter and cereal in summer. Picnic lunch - fresh Moroccan salad, cheese, slicing sausage, tinned tuna fish and sardines*, bread, fruit, mint tea.
	Dinner - Tajine (chicken or mutton* with vegetables), spaghetti, cous cous (main courses rotate depending on duration of trek), bread, coffee, tea, cake, fruit. * Those vegetarians or vegans amongst us need to pre-advise at time of reservation.

Tel: + 44 (0) 1989 730 552 (UK)

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