Begin your trek in the morning just after breakfast. From the starting point near Aït Arbi or Tamlalt village, begin your journey on foot into the fascinating Monkey Toes, a surreal labyrinth of naturally eroded rocks resembling giant knuckles and fingers.
Follow narrow shepherd trails winding between the towering formations, walking through quiet gorges and natural rock tunnels known only to local guides. Stop for a picnic lunch under a shaded overhang, where your guide will share stories of the geology and legends of the region.
In the afternoon, continue the hike deeper into a secluded section of the Monkey Toes, where you'll set up your wild camp surrounded by towering rocks and dramatic views. Enjoy a freshly cooked traditional meal, sip mint tea by the fire, and let the silence of the gorge and a sky full of stars transport you to another world.
After breakfast at the campsite, begin a slower, more cultural part of the trek. Today’s walk will take you along lesser-known paths where semi-nomadic families still live in cliffside shelters and seasonal stone huts. Spend time visiting a local nomad family, sharing tea in a cave or simple tent, learning about their way of life, herding traditions, and resilience in the face of the harsh environment.
After the visit, the trail loops back through a scenic high path with beautiful views over the Dades Valley and the full stretch of the Monkey Toes formations. Enjoy a final picnic lunch along the way before you return to your starting point in the mid-afternoon.