Undiscovered Atlas

8 days - from $700

Trek amongst terraced valleys and oases of Morocco's isolated southwest
This is a fantastic short winter trek in southern Morocco; untouched, dramatic and rarely visited by Europeans. The Anti-Atlas is in fact a volcanic mountain chain extending southwest from the High Atlas. Fortified kasbahs perch above beautiful terraced valleys and wide oases, while the distant jagged peaks fade into the desert haze. On trek, there is plenty of contact with the local villagers, while the ascent of Jebel Aklim (2531m) gives us wonderful views of the snow-covered High Atlas to the north, and the desert range of Jebel Bani to the south. Agriculture is the way of life in this area, which we see every day walking through small, isolated, self-sufficient villages. The trek ends in Taroudant, one of Morocco's five imperial cities, with time to explore the souks and the ancient perimeter walls.

Itinerary:

Day 1 Start Agadir. 2 Drive to Taroudant for lunch; continue to Irghem. 3 Begin trek to village of Tagdicht. 4 Ascent of Jebel Aklim (2531m). 5-6-7 Complete circuit of Aklim Range; drive to Taroudant. 8 End Agadir.

Mode of travel: 5 days point-to-point walking with full porterage. Altitude maximum 2531m, average 1830m.
Group size: Normally 6 to 16, plus leader and appropriate local staff.
Accommodation: 5 nights wild semi-participatory camping, 2 nights 3-star hotels with en suite rooms. Hotel used is clean and functional although the rooms and facilities may be basic and limited and the breakfasts simple.All camp chores are done for you from erecting/dismantling of your tent to all the cooking and washing up. As official campsites simply do not exist in the areas we visit, we wild camp which means there is no ablutions or toilet block. However, there is sometimes the possibility to find a private spot at a nearby river for a quick wash. Ground conditions and space permitting, a basic toilet tent is erected at each camp.
Food: All breakfasts, 5 lunches and 5 dinners included.
Optional Single Supplement: from $61.25
Trip Reference: TMA
Reverse Itinerary: trips that run in reverse are specified with an 'R' in the dates and prices table below.
Trip Reference: TMA