Usk House, Achievable Dreams, 'Toubkal Ascent'

Day 1, Sunday 28th September 2008 [Hotel Foucauld, Marrakech. D (depending on flight time)]

Fly to Marrakech and take a taxi to your hotel.

Day 2, Monday 29th September [Hotel Foucauld, Marrakech. B, D.]

In the morning you may like to join a three hour tour of the old city, taking in some of the palaces, the old Koranic school and the markets, and travelling part of the way by 'caleche' (horse and carriage). The afternoon is free in Marrakech. A 'siesta' is often taken in the early afternoon and later the hotel staff can direct you to a swimming pool, or another ride on a 'caleche' is often a popular option.

Day 3, Tuesday 30th September [Club Alpin Francais refuge, Oukaimeden. B, L, D.]

After breakfast you will transfer to the 'ski resort' of Oukaimeden, a 2-hour drive along a good tarmac road. Oukaimeden is situated at about 2600 metres, and here you will find flat, green valleys which to stroll. In the afternoon you may start your acclimatisation with an ascent up to the pass of Tizi n'ou Attar at 3100 metres, from where there are superb views down the upper Ourika valley. You will return to the Chalet refuge for the night. [3 - 4 hours walking].

Day 4, Wednesday 1st October [Auberge 'Tigmi de Tachedirt'. B, L, D.]

Using mules to carry the baggage you will ascend gently to the pass of Tizi n'ou Addi (2960 metres) after which the trail descends to the village of Tacchedirt in the upper Imenane valley, where you stop for the night in a brand new 'auberge'. Again, there is an opportunity to ascend Oukaimeden peak (3262 metres) on the way to the pass. If you arrive for an early lunch in the village of Tachedirt, you may either choose to relax in the afternoon or make an afternoon excursion up to the pass of Tizi n Tachedirt or a more gentle stroll to visit the village of Ouensekra and Tamegguist. [4 - 5 hours walking]

Day 5, Thursday 2nd October [Simple hotel, Aremd. B, L, D.]

From Tacchedirt an old mine road leads up to the pass of Tizi n Tamatert, from where there are spectacular views into the Mizane valley and the road-head at Imlil. You descend to Imlil on a good mule track, and after lunch climb up for about an hour to the village of Aremd. As the hub of all trekking in this area, Aremd has seen immense improvements over the last fifteen years due to revenue from tourism and project work. It remains however a delightful village in a beautiful location [4 - 5 hours walking]

Day 6, Friday 3rd October [Toubkal Refuge. B, L, D.]

A well-made mule track leads from Aremd all the way up to the newly extended refuge at the foot of the final slopes of Mount Toubkal. Today you will follow this as it leads up the Mizane River, passing the holy shrine of Sidi Chamharouch after about one-and-a-half hours. As this is a Muslim place of worship, you must respect the local custom and not attempt to enter the shrine. There are however a number of small shops here to cater for both the local Muslim pilgrims as well as the tourists on their way to and from Mount Toubkal. Some tourist guide books refer to this place as the 'robbers den', not because you can expect to be robbed, but you can guarantee that the local Berbers will try to sell you all sorts of 'junk' souvenirs as well as soft drinks at inflated prices! The gradient is gentle and the refuge (at 3207 metres) is usually reached after a long morning's walk, allowing time for relaxation in the afternoon. [4 - 5 hours walking]

Day 7, Saturday 4th October [Basic hotel, Aremd. B, L, D.]

The ascent of Toubkal (4167 metres) is a 3 to 4 hour climb up a well-trodden track, which can be a little loose at times. You will take a simple pack lunch up with you so that there is no need to rush celebrations and you can linger a while on the top of, North Africa's highest, mountain! If the air is clear you will have fine views towards the Sahara. You can descend to the valley via a different route after which it is a nice gentle 2 to 3 hour descent down the wide muletrail back to Aremd. [7 - 8 hours walking]

Day 8, Sunday 5th October [Hotel Foucauld, Marrakech. B, D.]

After breakfast you walk back down to Imlil to rendezvous with your transport to Marrakech. After lunch in Marrakech there will be time to enjoy the early evening activities that take place in the Djemma El Fna, just a stone's throw away from your hotel. Acrobats, storytellers, fire-eaters and snake charmers entertain locals and tourists alike (but get a lot more money off the photo-taking tourists!). [45 minutes walking]

Day 9, Monday 6th October [Return to UK. B.]