The Wild Touchka Trek

The wild Touchka trek: 5 nights / 6 days

Trek Grade: Strenuous

Explore the Western High Atlas starting at Ouled Berhil with amazing scenic ascents and descents, then cross the Touchka Plateau and Tizi n’Igourramene Pass and then down to Afensou to enjoy the hammam and a final night at the guest house.

Day 1: Taroudant - Tigouga - Targa - Jbel Askaoun base

1 hour drive on the main road from Taroudant to Ouled Berhil (40 km) then to Tigouga by an amazing ascending 4x4 track and along steep gorges. Possibility to walk part of the way (10 km in 3 hours, 500m ascent) to the village of Targa (1,900 m) after crossing forests of almond and walnut trees. 1 hour walk (100 m ascent) to a lovely wild camp site  in a riverside oasis, at the foot of Jbel Askaoun (3,100 m). Tajine dinner, fire.

Day 2: Jbel Askaoun base - Touchka Plateau

A steep climb on a mule path up to the pass over the Touchka plateau (900 m ascent in 3 hours). Panoramic picnic at the top (2,800 m), on the pass with a 360° view over the Souss valley, the high mountain valleys, the Touchka plateau and the High Atlas peaks. Walk down to the wild camping place (2,600 m), a grassy flat area by a stream. Afternoon: walking as you wish (from 2 to 5 hours) on the Touchka plateau, visiting waterfalls, sheepfolds and enjoying the quiet and expansive countryside, surrounded by high peaks. Barbecue and fire.

Day 3: Touchka Plateau - Tizi n’Igourramene Pass

Back to the pass (150m ascent) and down to Tigouga (descend 1,000 m) by the same scenic path in 3 hours. Simple local restaurant for lunch time if available. Walking to the Tizi n’Igourramene pass (6 km,  200m ascent in 1.5 hours), dominating the Tigouga high valley and a parallel valley (2,000 m).Wild camping on the pass near  goat pastures and still dominated by the High Atlas peaks.

Day 4: Tizi n’Igourramene Pass - Sidi Abdullah U Saïd

Walking down in the other mountain valley, in the shadow of Jbel Agelmoun (3,300 m)  descend 500m, 4 km, 1 hour. Easy walking down the valley, through narrow gorges: 9 km in 2 hours down to the picnic place (bathing possible). To Sidi Abdullah U Saïd until a ford (8 km in 2 hours). Wild camping close to the river with camp fire.

Day 5: Sidi Abdullah U Saïd - Zaouia Bouchnane - Afensou

Walking up to Zaouia Bouchnane whereas the rocks change colour continuously (6 km, 300m ascent in 2 hours). Descent to Imoulas by foot (7 km, 2 hours). Picnic under the olive trees along a river. Panoramic walk on the ridge to Assaka village (150 m ascent; 1.5 hours).Walking down the river by through palm grove gardens to Afensou (1.5 hours). Aperitif, hammam, dinner, B&B at the Berber guesthouse Les Terrasses de l’Atlas.

Day 6 : Afensou - Taroudant

Drive by 4x4 track down to Taroudant .

What’s included

Camping gear including sleeping bags and sheet liners;  transport of all luggage; good food; guiding;  4x4assistance; all non alcoholic drinks; hammam; transfers from and to Taroudant