Climb Toubkal peak and Cycle to Sahara Desert

After your transfer from Marrakech to Imlil, Imlil is a village in the High Atlas Mountains. It is a good starting point for a trekking holiday or for climbing Jbel Toubkal, the highest mountain in North Africa (4167m). Imlil has a variety of shops and "pensions" as well as being a trailhead village for treks deeper into the mountains including the ascent of Toubkal. Imlil is a progressive community and money from tourism goes into a variety of projects organized by the Village such as litter collection and disposal you will set off an a 6 hour trek out of the Imlil Valley and into the Azzadne Valley. Along the way you will pass Tizi N'Mzik at 2,450m, the refuge at Azib n'Tansoult and the Ighouliden waterfalls. Overnight in the Tamsout mountain refuge at 2600m.

walking distance approx. 6H

Accommodation: Tamsoult refuge

Today involves a fairly stiff climb out of the Azzadne Valley to the Toubkal Refuge over the Aguelzim Mountain pass at 3,560m. Lunch will be taken with spectacular views over the Atlas Mountain Range. Overnight in the Toubkal Refuge (Niltner Hut) where we w'll likely be sharing a bunk room with other trekkers tackling Toubkal early the next morning.

walking distance approx. 7 h

Accomodation: Toubkal refuge ( Nilter Hut )

Up early for the climb up Toubkal (4,167m) from where, clouds allowing, we w'll have wonderful views over the Atlas Range and the Sahara Desert then a long way back down past the refuge and the well-worn path back to Imlil. This is a fairly long day with 8-9 hours of trekking, involving 900m up then almost 2,500m back down to Imlil than transfer you to Marrakech for the night.

Accomodation: Hotel or Riad

walking distance approx. 8_9

After our breakfast, we set off in Land Cruisers for a scenic drive to the kasbah of Telouet, The crumbling fortress is set in a remote valley overlooking mud villages and fertile gardens. We climb on switchbacks up the Tichka Pass, one of North Africa's highest paved roads. Over the pass we have a few more kilometers to drive before reaching the ruined kasbah. We'll break for a picnic in the gardens, then hop on our bikes to begin our cycling. The ride begins at 6,000 ft / 1,800 m, so the first section might feel a bit tough. After about 10 km we start off-roading down a 32 km jeep track to Tamdaght, set in a desert palm oasis near Ait Benhaddou. The surface is occasionally very poor and sometimes rocky but there are some fun fast sections too as we descend through numerous mud villages and canyon land scenery to an altitude of 4,000 ft / 1,200 m. We aim to arrive well before sundown for some great photo opportunities from the terrace of our converted kasbah hotel. Overnight in a converted kasbah. Mountain Biking 42 km / 26 mi. Ascent 207 m / 679 ft. Descent 665 m / 2,181 ft.

This morning we'll pack our gear onto Land Cruisers, then have a post-breakfast tour of the Ksour of Ait Benhaddou. This complex of adobe kasbahs is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is still inhabited by a handful of families. It's surrounded by date palms and rugged mountains and is probably the best-preserved village in the south of Morocco. It made an appearance in the film The Gladiator. Afterwards we set off in our support vehicles to the start of our 3 day ride through the remote Jebel Sirwa region. With no hotels and few village lodgings available we spend the first night under canvass and the second night in a basic village house. In Agouim we mount our bikes and pedal along a well-maintained dirt path westbound into the heart of the Sirwa. The path we tackle is hilly with one significant climb up to our wilderness campsite. En route we pass through some very remote villages and start to get a flavor for the area, although be prepared for constant changes in character and landscape throughout the three days we spend here! After a lunch break we climb onto an expansive plateau and set up our campsite. With luck, we'll have clear skies and panoramic views of the craggy mountains peaks of the High Atlas and the dark tabletop peaks of the Sirwa range. We're now at about 2,100 m above sea level so temperatures can drop below freezing so wrap up warm for a cold night of wilderness camping. Overnight in tents. Mountain Biking 40 km / 24 mi. Ascent 1,202 m / 3,944 ft. Descent 586 m / 1,922 ft.

Those who still feel energetic can make an early start from the village up a gradual 24 km climb. The scenery is wild and volcanic with some rocky passages as well as some smoother undulating tracks. Those craving a rest can take a transfer in our support vehicle up to the top of the pass - the top of one of Morocco's best descents down towards the plains of Ouarzazate. From the top of the pass there's about 35 km of jeep track to our finishing point - that's over 30 km of descent and just one glute-burning 3 km climb after lunch around the village of Tamachocht, an authentic village perched above a fertile valley of cultivated terraces. After our picnic lunch, a quick climb and some more downhill, we transfer out of the Sirwa back to civilization and the town of Ouarzazate. It's an hour's drive across strikingly desolate landscapes to our comfortable hotel overlooking the town's )palm groves. Here you can enjoy a hammam, which is a typical Moroccan steam bath, and massage (women only) to relax any tired muscles. Overnight in a converted kasbah hotel. Mountain Biking 60 km / 36 mi (+24km / 15 mi optional ascent). Ascent 736 m / 2,415 ft. Descent 1,469 m / 4,820 ft.

After a leisurely start to the day we have a short transfer to Zagora, the start of today's ride. There's an easy start with a thrilling 8 km descent on a dirt path which joins the valley of the River Draa, Morocco's longest river. Today's ride is nice and varied and not too taxing with several short climbs and descents as we follow the upper reaches of the river valley. Some of the villages along the way are startling, with abandoned kasbahs. Our overnight stop is around the town of Agdz where, depending on the size of the group, we will either stay in a beautifully-renovated kasbah just south of Agdz, or a French-run auberge in the palmery. Mountain Biking 40 km / 24 mi Ascent 352 m / 1,155 ft. Descent 609 m / 1,998 ft.