A beautiful journey of discovery through the heart of the High Atlas mountains in winter ascending high peaks, enjoying some steep ski descents and experiencing remote Berber villages with their renowned hospitality. This is an opportunity to combine excellent early season ski touring with the unique culture and customs of this fascinating North African country. We start and finish the trip in Marrakesh, an historic melting pot of frenetic activity! Skill & Stamina: This is advanced ski tour in rugged mountain country with steep ascents and descents up to 40-45º. Previous multi-day ski touring is essential. Emergency rescue facilities in the mountains are very limited and you need to be able to deal with demanding conditions and basic facilities. This is an advanced ski tour with long 6-8 hour days requiring excellent fitness and stamina. Mules are used for carrying gear on and off the mountain so you only need to ski with light packs.

Your Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive in Marrakesh. You will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel Riad Omar just a few minutes walk from the Jemaa el Fna Square. This is an authentic Moroccan Riad on the edge of the old town. Time to explore – the Souk, Medina, museums, palaces and gardens - and soak up the unique atmosphere of this enchanting and historic city.

Day 2: Depart the hotel at 6 am for the 2-hour journey by private Landcruiser 4x4s along mountain roads to the trailhead at Oukaimeden, which is also the highest ski resort in North Africa. Once on our skis the route takes us over Tizi'n Eddi (2928m) followed by a descent into the Tachddirt valley and the villages of Tameguist and Tachddirt (2250m). Stay overnight in the village. Duration: 4-6 hours

Day 3: Ascent of Tizi'n Likemt (3615m) followed by a stunning descent. At the foot of the mountains the mules will be waiting for us for the interesting trek over the Col de Tamatert (2279m) to M'Zik (1750m). Views en-route of the mountain oasis at Imlil. Stay overnight in the village. Duration: 5-8 hours.

Day 4: A long uphill day, walking and skinning to the Toubkal hut (3100m) Overnight at the hut. Duration: 4-7 hours.

Day 5: Toubkal ascent (4167m). This is the highest mountain in North Africa and with clear weather the panoramic views from the summit are just astonishing. Depending on snow conditions you may not be able to ascend to the summit on skis but will need to climb in boots to reach the top. Return to the hut via the same route. Duration: 5-7 hours

Day 6: The beautiful ski traverse and ascent of Tizi'n Tadat (3600m) with stunning panoramic views. This is followed by an excellent descent to Tazarharht hut (3300m). Night in the hut. Duration: 5-8 hours.

Day 7: Early start for the ascent of Tazarharht (3980m). Return to the hut and the ski down to M'zik and Imlil. Duration: 6-8 hours. Drive back to Marrakesh via Asni, site of one of the largest souks. Celebrate a great trip with dinner on the terrace enjoying superb views across the city. Overnight at the Hotel Riad Omar**

Day 8: Breakfast in the hotel. Return to the airport for the flight home.

Notes: Accommodation:
- 2 nights in an authentic Moroccan Riad in central Marrakesh;
- 3 nights in CAF (Club Alpin Francais) refuges on Toubkal and Tazaghart. The refuges are basic mountain huts with dormitory style accommodation and very limited facilities. Food is plentiful and excellent;
- 2 nights in villages either staying with local Berber families or in CAF refuges.

Equipment:
- Ski Touring equipment is essential together with skins, ski & boot crampons and an ice-axe;
- There is no glaciated terrain so harnesses and other climbing equipment is not required;
- As always you must ski at all times with avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe;
- All equipment must be brought with you.

Making spectacular backdrop to the city of Marrakech, the powerful presence of the Atlas Mountains in dominated by mount Toubkal (4164m) the highest peak in North Africa. The original inhabitants of the high valleys of the Atlas range called it " Adrar N'Idraran " mountain of mountain - the incredible 700 km long rampart separates the damp plains of Western Morocco from the semi-arid country and oases of Eastern Morocco. In winter, the "snow oasis" offers skiers a unique playground. Leaving from Imlil, the itinerary winds its way along at 4000m, leading to a series of corridors and straight slopes-with occasional stops mountain refuges to sample a tajine and some mint tea.

Day 1 : Arrival in Marrakech, immediate transfer to the village of Imlil. 70 km. Accommodation in an Inn.

Day 2 : Setting out from Imlil at 1650 m cross country skiing with the muleteers to the Irhouliden waterfalls at 2400 m, then skiing onwards to the mountain refuge at Lepinay at 3000 m .Accompanied by porters.

Day 3 : From the Tazararte plateau 3763 m down trough the Tizguen corridor, spending the night at the lepinary refuge..

Day 4 : To Biguinoussen 4002 m trough the Adad gap. A magnificent descent of the Timellit Assif and return to the lepinarey refuge.

Day 5 : Ascent ti Tizi Melloul 3875 m followed by a short desct of l'Agoundis, a wild valley cutting trough the southern slopes of the Amrharas cwn. The night is spent at the Neltner refuge.

Day 6 :The Toubkal 4167 m on the roof of North Africa. From the summit, the view over the plateaux and plains 3500 m below is unique. The night is spent at The Neltner refuge.

Day 7 : Crossing the Aguerkin 3650 m. The Talate N'Ousmeln corridor leads us to the N'Aït Mizane range where meet up with the mule and return to Imlil. The night is spent in a hotel transfer to Marrakech.

Day 8 : Free time the morning to explore Marrakech according to departure times. Transfer to the airport.

Ski touring
Morocco, the massif Toubkal

Country striking contrasts, Morocco allows fans snow, travel and meetings marry skiing to the discovery of a traditional way of life, that of Berber villages of the High Atlas. We privilege indeed welcome private houses for its friendliness. Our caravan of mules spares us the Ports tedious, and we
And we take full advantage of skiing on the slopes of many peaks whose Toubkal (4167 m), highest point in North Africa.


The raid targeted primarily to good skiers already initiated skiing raid, with a good physical condition. Marche approach feet. The port is limited to your personal affairs and the food race of the day. The raid was designed for you to make the most of skiing.
Some mules bear without reluctant your bags, except in the event of heavy snow falls from these anima
These animals did not support. Depending on the snow conditions you may have to carry your skis on a part of the rise in the refuge Neltner.

Bracing against the snow storm in the High Atlas, Morocco

1. Toubkal 4167m
From the refuge cross the river and ascend the steep gully immediately in front of the refuge. After having gained about 300m in height the angle of the slope decreases and the wide gully continues undulatingly to the wide bowl. Follow the slope rightwards to the crest. If there is plenty of snow then it is possible to continue on skies, otherwise leave them beneath the Tizi n' Toubkal saddle and continue on foot to the summit (4 hours).

Descend along the ascent route. Alternatively descend to the north into the Ikhibi valley (3100m) and climb back up to the refuge (see itinerary no.2 on the map).

3. Timesguida 4089m
From the refuge ascend the main Mizane valley that leads up to Tizi n'Ouagane. This narrows at about half-height and the route leads through a narrow gorge to then widen once more. Continue easily to the Tizi n'Ouagane col at 3720m (2.30 hrs). Leave the skis and continue up an easy scramble to the eastern crest of Timesguida, keeping to the right of the cairns. The crest then widens out to become a large open rocky slope which leads easily to the summit at 4083m (1.30 hrs).

Ras N'Ouanoukrim 4083m
From the summit of Timesguida descend easily down the N face and up to the summit of Ras N'Ouanoukrim.

Descend along the ascent route. Expert skiers can consider the NE couloir that starts immediately beneath the summit of Ras N'Ouanoukrim. 35 degrees steep, it should only be skied in perfect conditions (see itinerary no.4 on the map).


5. Akioud 4010m
From the refuge ascend the main Mizane valley. After having gained about 125m in height a narrow steep gully appears on the right (30 mins). Ascend this to a wide open basin. Continue up the slope, ignoring the obvious Tizi n'Amrharas n'Igliova saddle on the right, situated at the base of the south crest of Monte Afella. Instead ascend leftwards towards a steep gully (1.45 hrs). Leave the skis at the base of this gully and ascend to the saddle 100m above. Continue with crampons without great difficulty to the summit (circa 150m, 1.00 hr).

Descend along the ascent route.
most visitors came up the mountain just to enjoy the snow rather than ski.

From the refuge cross the river and ascend the steep gully immediately in front of the refuge. After having gained about 300m in height the angle of the slope decreases and the wide gully continues undulatingly to the wide bowl. Follow the slope rightwards to the crest. If there is plenty of snow then it is possible to continue on skies, otherwise leave them beneath the Tizi n' Toubkal saddle and continue on foot to the summit (4 hours).

Descend along the ascent route. Alternatively descend to the north into the Ikhibi valley (3100m) and climb back up to the refuge (see itinerary no.2 on the map

Although it is possible to contact Mountain Guides once you get to Marrakech, all the best ones are booked up well in advance, especially during the spring high season. English-speaking guides are rare. Luckily, one of the best guides, Ahmed ait tadrart, speaks English, as well as French and Berber (tel: 00-212-24-361680 or mobile: 00-212-72-660880 or +212 66.945661). Mount Toubkal (4100m) is best climbed during a week's trekking trip to adjust to the height and to get the best out of the environment. However, a straight "up and down" trip from Imlil can be achieved in two or three days. The guide will arrange all food and accommodation, as well as porter age of your baggage by mule. There are many gires available to sample the local dwellings, but they are all of a very basic standard. For an early May trip, crampons may be required, but not by the end of May. One extra point: in Morocco there is a standard handling charge of 70p for each travellers cheque exchanged, regardless of denomination. It is best to use either high denomination travellers cheques or to use cash (the Euro is recommended). The exchange rate is controlled, so you will find the rate is the same in hotels or banks.

The High Atlas is ’s greatest mountain range. Populated by Berber tribesmen, it has always been an area culturally removed from the rest of , A barrier between the northern plains and the pre-Sahara.

Today we drive to the , sitting in the foothills of the Toubkal Massif.

The next three days are free to take advantage of the numerous optional walks available to nearby villages, in the company of a local guide. The Toubkal Massif is an area surrounding the highest peaks of the High Atlas range. Even limiting yourself to the lower slopes opens up a world of discovery.

Villages seem precariously balanced on the slopes, with houses seemingly growing from the very rocks. Mule tracks follow the very contours of the mountains and the unique flora and fauna of the region is available to even the most reluctant walkers.
for more details please contact:
Douar Aremd
Imlil
Po.Box.188
42150 Asni
Marrakech
Morocco

T: +212 24 36 16 80
M: +212 72 66 08 80
M:+212 66 94 56 61
E : info@Atlaswalkers.com
W: www.Atlaswalkers.com.com

The High Atlas is ’s greatest mountain range. Populated by Berber tribesmen, it has always been an area culturally removed from the rest of , A barrier between the northern plains and the pre-Sahara.

Today we drive to the , sitting in the foothills of the Toubkal Massif.

The next three days are free to take advantage of the numerous optional walks available to nearby villages, in the company of a local guide. The Toubkal Massif is an area surrounding the highest peaks of the High Atlas range. Even limiting yourself to the lower slopes opens up a world of discovery.

Villages seem precariously balanced on the slopes, with houses seemingly growing from the very rocks. Mule tracks follow the very contours of the mountains and the unique flora and fauna of the region is available to even the most reluctant walkers.
for more details please contact:
Douar Aremd
Imlil
Po.Box.188
42150 Asni
Marrakech
Morocco

T: +212 24 36 16 80
M: +212 72 66 08 80
M:+212 66 94 56 61
E : info@Atlaswalkers.com
W: www.Atlaswalkers.com.com

If you’re keen to enjoy Morocco’s beautiful landscapes and explore our vast wilderness areas, pack a selection of walking chose or boots.
There are plenty of tracks and trails to choose from. You can find your own way, or take advantage of the many guided hikes and tours.
Morocco offers a wide range of terrains: Imperial city greenbelts, long deserted beaches, coastal cliff tops, lush native rainforests, open river valleys, alpine tussock grasslands, high country farmland and active volcanic areas.
On overnight hikes you can either ‘rough it’, sleeping out in tents or in more than 1,000 communal hikers’ huts, or choose a trail that offers luxury lodge accommodation and gourmet meals.
You will need to book ahead to walk the popular High Atlas tracks between early April and late October and each year

Although it is possible to contact Mountain Guides once you get to Marrakech, all the best ones are booked up well in advance, especially during the spring high season. English-speaking guides are rare. Luckily, one of the best guides, Ahmed ait tadrart, speaks English, as well as French and Berber (tel: 00-212-24-361680 or mobile: 00-212-72-660880 or +212 66.945661). Mount Toubkal (4100m) is best climbed during a week's trekking trip to adjust to the height and to get the best out of the environment. However, a straight "up and down" trip from Imlil can be achieved in two or three days. The guide will arrange all food and accommodation, as well as porter age of your baggage by mule. There are many gires available to sample the local dwellings, but they are all of a very basic standard. For an early May trip, crampons may be required, but not by the end of May. One extra point: in Morocco there is a standard handling charge of 70p for each travellers cheque exchanged, regardless of denomination. It is best to use either high denomination travellers cheques or to use cash (the Euro is recommended). The exchange rate is controlled, so you will find the rate is the same in hotels or banks.