Day 1: Marrakech - Imi Ourghlad - Tizi N'Tacht - Tissi Oussem

Departure from Marrakech for south winding our way up through the Moulay Brahim Gorge and Upper Valleys to arrive at the higher foothills of the Western High Atlas mountains and our trailhead of Imi Ourghlad (1430m) at around 10 o'clock, with the Jbels Toubkal, at 4167m, Aguelzim (3948m) and Aksouâl (3847m).

Here we alight from our vehicle and meet up with our Berber muleteer crew. We set off for a 2 hour acclimatisation hike up switchback mule tracks, passing by cornfields woods of pine and juniper to the Tizi n'Tacht (2000m), where we shall stop to look back down on the Imlil and n'AÏt Ouissadene Valleys before carrying on for another 1/2 an hour to Imi n'lfri.

Thence a slow hike for about 3 hours south-west down along a dirt track to the Assif n'AÏt Ouissadene and the red clay terraced village of Tizziane (1730m) for our accommodation in a gîte to TISSI OUSSEM.

Day 2: Tissi Oussem - Tizi M'zik - Aroumd

We strike out up through pine and juniper trees to traverse the Tizi M'Zik and descend slowly to the foot of the col just before the hamlet of M'Zik (1806m).

This afternoon, we set off down to the Berber trailhead village of towards M'Zik, where we may take our lunch and then a welcome hot shower in the Auberge atlas of our guide, Mohamed at the village of aroumd.

Day 3: Aroumd - Neltner Refuge

(3100 metres) An early start for the long, slow ascent to the Neltner Refuge (3207m), the base camp for Jebel Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa.

Leaving the green fields of Aroumd we follow the Mizane valley past the holy shrine of Sidi Chamharouch, a place of pilgrimage for many Moroccans.

We must respect the local customs and non-Muslims are not allowed to enter the shrine.

There are a number of small shops where we can purchase refreshments. After a picnic lunch by the river we continue the climb to the Neltner Refuge. Overnight camping near Neltner Refuge. (7 hours walking). Overnight camp/Refuge.

Day 4: Ascent Jebel Toubkal (4167 metres), Aroumd

A very early breakfast to set out around 0500h, to the lure of a spectacular sunrise and attain, after a three hour steep climb, the highest peak in the Maghreb (4167m).

We shall take the Ikkhibi Sud or South Cirque for a straightforward - with your guide - 2 to 3 hour descent back to the Refuge for a picnic.

In this event, we shall advise you, prior to setting out from Marrakech, of an alternative peak climb nearby.

We shall now set off towards the north along steeply descending, zigzagging trails of the higher slopes of the Valley of the Assif n'lsouhouanem n'Ouagounss towards the Berber village of Sidi Chamharouch (3106m). Set beside a waterfall.

There is a pilgrimage 'marabout' shrine here where we shall notice a tree, sacred to the local Berbers and pile up stones as we descend high above the valley of the Assif Mizane, down zigzagging trails around granite and basalt grey rocks for about 8km to the remarkable village of Aroumd (Aremd) overnight at the gîte d'étape.

Day 5: Aroumd - Tizi N’tamatert - Imlil - Marrakech

Go for a relatively easy hike down a narrow, winding piste along the splendid lmenane Valley which splits the foothills of the Jbel Aksouâl and the Adrar n’Oukaïmeden ranges and the several Berber villages clinging to the upper slopes.

After some 2 hours we continue up to the Tizi n’Tamatert (2272m) which affords us a panoramic vista of the lmlil Valley and hence a further 2 hours easy hike down winding mule tracks, passing through the village of Tamatert (1810m) with its orchards of apple, nut and cherry trees, until we reach lmlil At around 1430h you leave for Marrakech.