Discover the Heart of the Atlas: Lake Ifni and Toubkal Ascent

Settle into your appartment and prepare for the adventure ahead.

We leave Marrakech after breakfast and drive to Imlil via Asni. Imlil is the principal trailhead for walkers and a busy market town. There is constant movement of people coming down from the mountains and those about to embark on their adventure. We meet our mule team, and once all our gear is loaded, we begin walking along the valley towards Tacheddirt, 8 km beyond Imlil. The trail rises as we climb to the pass at Tizi n’Tamatert (2,279m), then descends to the pretty village of Ouaneskra, and continues to Tacheddirt (2,300m), where we camp near the river.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner.

Crossing the valley, we begin a long, slow ascent to the pass at Tizi Likemt (3,555m). The going is tough due to loose scree on the ground. At the top, we enjoy our first fine view of the Toubkal massif before a long downhill descent to the village of Azib Likemt, where we camp for the night.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner.

This relatively easy day takes us through a variety of contrasting landscapes. From Tizi n’Ououraine (3,120m), we enjoy views of the Toubkal massif, including the summit, the east face, and the Ifni Dome (3,876m). The trail leads towards Amsouzert, one of the most striking villages in the region, where we spend the night in a simple village Gite.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner.

West of Amsouzert are several small villages that we explore as we make our way towards Lake Ifni, the only lake in the massif. It is surrounded by rocky mountains and heaps of rubble, and is unusually deep. We arrive by lunchtime and spend the afternoon relaxing at the shore. We camp tonight in this area.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner.

We make our way along a steep path leading up a seemingly endless scree slope. We reach the pass at Tizi n’Ouanoums (3,664m), a narrow ledge between two shafts of rock. From here, it is a long zigzag descent to Nelter Hut, a mountain refuge where we spend the night (or alternatively camp outside).
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner.

We leave before dawn, following a well-worn route to the summit. It should take no more than 2-3 hours to reach the summit, where we enjoy expansive views of the entire Atlas range and the Marrakech plains beyond. Returning to base, we then descend rapidly to the villages of Sidi Chamharouch and Aremd, before following the Mizane River to the trailhead at Imlil.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner.

After breakfast, enjoy free time in Imlil, then return to Marrakech in the afternoon or evening