14–21 June 2027 | 8 days | Maximum 15 participants
Eight days of real mountain adventure in Morocco’s High Atlas Mountains. High mountain passes, remote valleys, rocky trails, nights under the stars and views that make every kilometre worthwhile – even when the journey takes a little extra effort.
We will explore some of the less-travelled corners of the High Atlas, discover life in traditional Amazigh (Berber) villages, spend a night beside beautiful Lake Ifni and finish our adventure with an attempt to summit Mount Toubkal (4,167 m), the highest peak in North Africa.
This trek is for people who love mountains, enjoy being active and don’t need luxury to have a wonderful time. There will be some physical challenges, plenty of adventure and an incredible sense of space and freedom.
Sometimes, finding silence means climbing a little higher.
What to expect
Our route takes us across high mountain passes, through remote valleys and small Amazigh villages, revealing the High Atlas at its wildest and most spectacular.
One of the highlights will be Lake Ifni, the largest natural lake in the High Atlas, situated at approximately 2,300 metres above sea level and surrounded by dramatic mountain slopes. We will pitch our tents beside the water and spend a night in this extraordinary setting. There is a good chance we will have the lake almost entirely to ourselves – on our previous treks, we met nobody there apart from local shepherds.
The final challenge is Mount Toubkal (4,167 m), the highest mountain in North Africa.
Rather than following the usual route from Imlil, we will approach Toubkal Base Camp from Lake Ifni, crossing the spectacular Tizi n’Ouanoums Pass. This is a much less frequently travelled route, offering a quieter and more adventurous experience. We are unlikely to encounter many other trekkers until we reach the refuge and the summit trail.
We trek with small daypacks. Our main luggage, tents and food supplies are carried by mules. An experienced local team of mountain guides and cooks accompanies us throughout the journey, preparing delicious Moroccan meals along the way. A freshly cooked lunch in the middle of the mountains tastes especially good after several hours of walking!
The trip will be led by Agata Orowiecka-Khidouma and Yassine Idmansour together with our local mountain team. Expect a small, friendly group, some challenging moments, plenty of mutual support and a good dose of humour.
Who is this trek for?
This adventure is designed for people who love mountains and already have some hiking experience.
You don’t need to be a mountaineer or a professional athlete, but good physical fitness, experience of full-day hikes and a willingness to embrace a few days of simple mountain living are important.
The High Atlas can be surprising – both in its extraordinary beauty and in the length of its ascents.
Participants should be comfortable with:
- Several consecutive days of hiking, including stages lasting 8–9 hours, potentially longer depending on the group’s pace.
- Significant elevation gains and losses, steep ascents and descents, and rocky, uneven terrain.
- Altitudes above 3,500 metres and a summit attempt above 4,000 metres.
- Nights in tents and basic mountain refuges, limited comforts and changeable mountain weather.
- A flexible approach to the itinerary, as weather, mountain conditions and safety always come first.
We are not racing or trying to break records. We walk together, at a pace that takes the group’s abilities into account.
The Toubkal summit attempt depends on the weather, trail conditions and participants’ fitness. All final safety decisions are made in consultation with our local mountain guides.
Dates, price and organisation
Dates: 14-21 June 2027
Price: €795 / PLN 3,500 per person
Flights: approximately €230–275 / PLN 1,000–1,200 per person (not included)
Group size: Maximum 15 participants + mountain team
Organiser: Desert Stories, a Polish-registered tour operator specialising in small-group adventures in Morocco.
Flights and airport transfers
The tour starts and ends at Marrakech Airport. For travellers flying from Poland, we recommend direct Ryanair flights from Kraków:
14 June 2027: Kraków (KRK) 14:55 → Marrakech (RAK) 17:25
21 June 2027: Marrakech (RAK) 17:50 → Kraków (KRK) 00:15 (+1 day)
Return flights are estimated at €230–275 / PLN 1,000–1,200 per person.
Airport transfers are included for participants arriving and departing on the recommended flights. Travellers choosing alternative connections are welcome to join, with individual transfers available at an additional cost.
Our optional flight service includes purchasing tickets, managing reservations, online check-in for both journeys, preparing boarding passes and arranging additional baggage or airline services upon request. We also provide assistance in the event of flight schedule changes. Airline tickets, baggage and other airline charges are payable separately.
Booking and payment
A 30% deposit (€240 / PLN 1,050) is required to secure your place.
The remaining balance of €555 / PLN 2,450 is due no later than 7 days before the trip begins.
Full payment terms are provided in the booking agreement.
Good to know: what is six-seven-eleven?
After several weeks of trekking in the High Atlas, our mountain guides and I came up with a completely new unit of hiking time. When our guide Yassine says six-seven hours, Hassan the cook shakes his head and corrects him: seven-eight. And I add: probably eleven. That’s when we finally have a realistic estimate.
Moroccan mountain trails follow their own rules. Unlike many European hiking routes, they are not consistently marked, there are no signposts showing walking times, and ascents are not always predictable. Walking times depend on the terrain, weather and pace of the group. What you do get is an incredible experience of the mountains in their rawest and most majestic form.
And that is exactly why we go!
This adventure is not about breaking records or proving anything. It is about the joy of being in the mountains, sharing the journey, discovering beautiful landscapes and experiencing the satisfaction that comes with every climb. And if our six-seven hours eventually turns into eleven, at least we’ll have something to laugh about over dinner 🙂
We would love to have you join us!
