7 Day :Marrakech and the Atlas Mountains: Experience Marrakech

Salaam Aleikum! Morocco, welcome! Today’s welcome meeting at 6 pm is where you will meet fellow travelers and your group leader. You have the option of joining your leader for a trip to Djemaa el-Fna in the middle of Medina. At night, huge crowds gather to watch singers, drummers and fortune-tellers as they dance on the streets.

Accommodation

• Hotel (1 night)

All Meals Included

This day does not include meals.

Additional Information

We will need to collect your insurance details and information about next of kin at the meeting. It is very important that everyone attends. Please let the hotel reception or your travel agent know if you will be arriving late. For more information about where the meeting will be held, ask reception or find a note in lobby.

At Djemaa El-Fna, you will most likely meet’snake charmers. This practice is not supported by us and we encourage you to stop supporting it. Please see more on our stand on animal welfare here www.intrepidtravel.com/animal-welfare.

Get up early to meet your group for breakfast at 7 am. Before you head out into the mountains, your leader will walk you through the entire trek. You will leave Marrakech and travel across the plains to the ancient market of Tahanaoute. Along the way, you’ll see breathtaking views of the Atlas Mountains and valleys. In approximately 1.5 hours, you will arrive at Imlil village which is located 1740 metres above the sea level. You will need to hike for 50 minutes to reach your mountain base at Aroumd (2500m above sea level). Afternoon, take a leisurely orientation walk around Aroumd to stretch your legs. Tonight’s accommodation is a gite. This traditional village house has eight rooms and sleeps up to eight people. The rooms are decorated in traditional Amazigh (Berber), style and include low couches that can be used for sleeping, tables, carpets, cushions, and tables. It’s possible to relax on the terrace or under the stars during warm nights.

Accommodation

• Mountain Gite (1 Night)

Includes Activities

• Guided trek from Imlil to Aroumd

All Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Dinner

Additional Information

Bathroom facilities in our accommodation are shared often.

Today you will begin your ascent to Mt Toubkal in North Africa. The trail begins at Armoud and crosses the floodplain of Ait Mizane Valley before climbing steeply up the mountainside. You will pass Sidi Chamarouch (a Muslim holy man) on the way. Only Muslims can cross the bridge to reach the shrine-like large white stone. Continue climbing steeply up through a series switchbacks to reach the top of the valley. Toubkal Base Camp, Neltner (3207m above sea level): Enjoy a hearty meal and get enough sleep before tomorrow’s big ascent day.

Accommodation

• Mountain Refuge (1 night)

Includes Activities

• Guided hike from Aroumd To Jebel Tubkal Basecamp

All Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

Additional Information

Today’s total hiking time is about 4 hours. Mules carry all baggage and provisions. Mules are essential to Amazigh (Berber) daily life. They can be used to carry loads, plough fields, turn threshing machine, ferry people between villages and transport them. The accommodation tonight is basic, but clean and comfortable. The room will be shared with other trekkers. Your bedding will be similar to large, bunk-bed platforms. Other climbers can also share the dining rooms and other facilities.

Neltner Hut/Mt Toubkal Summit

Create your tour

Take a final look at the valley after breakfast and take a moment to admire those summits that you have climbed in the last few days. You will then return to Imlil to make your way to Marrakech. It’s about a 1.5-hour ride from here to Marrakech. After checking in, you’ll have plenty of time to explore the area. You can visit the Photography Museum to view the incredible photographs of Morocco’s history, or you can grab a bite from one of the rooftop restaurants around Djemaa el-Fna.

Accommodation

• Hotel (1 night)

All Meals Included

• Breakfast

Additional Information

Today’s total hiking time is about 1 hour.

After breakfast, take a guided walking tour through the Medina. This includes souqs that are devoted to different trades like pottery, woodwork or carpets. Continue on to the 19th century Bahia Palace, where you can take in the architecture. You are free to explore the rest of the city on your own. Your leader can help you find the closest hammam if you want to enjoy a traditional Moroccan bath. You might enjoy Moroccan cuisine and want to indulge in urban adventure tours like Taste of Marrakesh Urban Adventure.

Accommodation

• Hotel (1 night)

Includes Activities

• Marrakech-Medina walking tour
• Marrakech – Palais Bahia

Optional Activities

• Marrakech Luxury Spa Hammam and Massage – MAD750
• Marrakech – A Taste of Marrakech: Inside the Medina Urban Adventure (MAD605)

All Meals Included

• Breakfast

After breakfast, your adventure is over. An Intrepid booking agent will be happy to help you find additional accommodation if you want to spend more time in Marrakech (subject to availability).

Optional Activities

• Marrakech Hot Air Balloon Ride MAD2050
• Marrakech-Heart of the Atlas Mountains cycling daytrip with lunch – MAD2000
• Marrakech-Palmy Cycling Tour – MAD350
• Marrakech – Tajine Cookery Class Urban Adventure. – MAD640
• Marrakech – Quad Biking the Rock Desert and Palmgrove – MAD715
• Marrakech – Magical Marrakech City Cycling Tour MAD350
• Marrakech – Quad Biking Barrage Lalla Takerkoust MAD1650

All Meals Included

• Breakfast

You would like to customize this itinerary?

Inclusions

Meals

6 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners

Transport

Walking, private minibus

Accommodation

Hotel (3 nights), Mountain Gite (2 night), Mountain Refuge (1 nights)

Activities included

• Guided trek from Imlil to Aroumd
• Guided hike from Aroumd To Jebel Tubkal Basecamp
• Guided summit hike to Mount Toubkal
• Marrakech-Medina walking tour
• Marrakech – Palais Bahia

Dates & availability

Trip departures cannot be booked.

Important notes

1. If you don’t want to share a room, a single supplement is available. You will not be able to use shared accommodation on Days 2, 4, and 3 (Mountain Gite), so the single supplement is only available for those days. There are only a few single supplements per trip departure. For more information on single supplements and availability, please speak to your agent.
   2. Because this is a trekking trip, the physical requirements are more severe than other trips. To reach Mount Toubkal’s summit, you must be fit and healthy. This trip will benefit from your previous mountain climbing and walking experience.
   3. For this trip, a ‘Passenger Self Assessment form’ must be completed. For more information, please ask your Travel Consultant.
   4. Some parts of your trip will be above 2800m / 9200ft. This is where travelers can experience adverse health effects from the altitude.