ITINERARY

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Day 1 – To Dar Assarou in the High Atlas

Leaving the walls of the ‘Red City’ you will travel up into the high valleys of the High Atlas Mountains. En route to the Atlas you’ll pass through the busy little town of Asni which is a buzz of activity as local Berbers ply to sell their produce and goods (Saturday is market day – a particularly interesting day to visit).  The final stretch of the journey to Dar Assarou follows the Mizane Valley as it twists and turns up to Imlil, at the foot of Mount Toubkal (1,740m), North Africa's highest mountain. You will notice the cooler air in this famous mountain village. You'll be greeted with a warming glass of Berber mint tea, and a briefing from Dar Assarou's local host. Lunch and dinner is included today.

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Day 2 – Included activity: Imlil Valley Walk. Optional cooking class

This 3 hour guided walk offers many scenic contrasts as we complete a circuit following ancient footpaths on both sides of the Imlil Valley. From Dar Assarou (1,761m) we walk down to the river and cross the bridge that leads into the main street of Imlil village. Here we begin our ascent of the valley side in the direction of Kasbah du Toubkal. After passing the Kasbah we leave civilisation and follow a trail above the valley until joining the road that leads to Aremd village (1,967m). We follow the road and eventually descend to the wide floodplain and riverbed to the south of Aremd. After crossing the bridge we hike up into the village and take a break for mint tea in a local Berber house. We continue through the village and follow a dirt road back to Imlil on the opposite side of the Imlil Valley, passing cherry orchards and a waterfall. The views of the valley and surrounding Atlas peaks are wonderful as we slowly descend to arrive back at Dar Assarou.  This afternoon you have the option of joining a cooking class at Dar Assarou, specialising in Berber cuisine (additional cost of 350 dirhams per person). Lunch and dinner is included today.

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Day 3 – Included activity: Tamatert Valley Walk

From Dar Assarou we head towards Imlil village and pick up a footpath that leads to two huge and ancient walnut trees, said to be over 1,000 years old. We follow a trail that leads to Ait Souka village, on the lower slopes of Adrar Tamalaroute (2,724m), an imposing mountain that stands over the Imlil Valley. Eventually we reach the small Berber village of Ait Souka which sits on the northern slope of the Tamatert Valley. From the village we follow a trail that leads up a small mountain with mobile network masts atop. From the summit we enjoy wonderful views of the Imlil Valley and Mount Toubkal. After another half hour or so of walking we reach Tamatert village, a Berber farming community with fields of corn and orchards, and enjoy a glass of mint tea in a local house. Afterwards we'll walk back to Dar Assarou usually following a trail along the bottom of the valley or along the road. If you'd like to walk for longer, let your guide know. The walk can be done at any time of the day, just be mindful of mid-day summer heat. Lunch and dinner is included today.

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Day 4 – Transfer back to Marrakech. The escape is over!

Your transfer today can return you to your choice of accommodation in Marrakech, to our Moroccan Hideaway, Riad Africa, or directly to Marrakech airport.