Toubkal and Valleys 8 days

Toubkal and Valleys Trekking - Summit

Overview

Experience the climb of the highest peak in North Africa, Mount Toubkal summit 4167m (13600fit). Get stunning views of the Atlas Mountains, green valleys & Berber villages, meet the Berber guides & muleteers go for this adventure of your life time….

Mount Toubkal 4167m is the highest peak in North Africa, and is a trekking peak involving no climbing. From November to April two days in this tour involve walking in crampons holding an ice axe for security. The itinerary has been designed for keen walkers, as the ascent is non-technical, but involves some easy scrambling and snow slopes. The views from the summit are amazing across the mountains to Marrakech to the north, and the start of the Sahara to the South. All around are the jagged peaks of the High Atlas stretching as far as you can see in every direction.

Destination: High Atlas Mountains
Duration:  8 days
Start/finish: Marrakech
Type: Trekking (moderate to difficult on Toubkal ascent day)
Altitude (max.): 4167 m
Best season: June – November
Group size: min. 2 – max. 16 persons

Highlights

  • Trek through a remote High Atlas region
  • Climb Toubkal, the highest summit in North Africa (4167 M) – optional
  • Amazing view of  the beautiful Ifni Lake
  • Experience the Berber way of life

Is this trip for you?

The average altitude on this trekking holiday is not high and we spend only one night above 3200m, meaning acclimatisation is usually not a problem.

Climbing Toubkal from the Neltner Refuge and hiking out in a single day is challenging, however we don’t feel it is necessary to split it into two shorter days. We follow a good trail up to the Neltner Refuge and a rocky mountain trail on Toubkal itself, including zig-zag trails on sections of scree. This part of the itinerary is designed for fit and active mountain walkers who are looking for a challenging couple of days of walking.

However, climbing the summit is optional. If you wish you can stay in Neltner Refuge instead and wait for the the rest of the group there. 

Short Itinerary

  1. Arrive to Marrakech
  2. Marrakech/Imi Oughlad/Tinzert
  3. Tinzert/Azzaden Valley (Ait Aissa)
  4. Ait Aissa/Tizi n Mzik/Imlil
  5. Imlil/Sidi Chamharoush/Toubkal refuge
  6. Trek to the summit of Jebel Toubkal/Aroumd village
  7. Aroumd/Marrakech
  8. Leave Marrakech
Toubkal and Valleys Trekking - itinerary map

What’s Included

R

Included

  • Local mountain guide, muleteers and cook
  • All meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner (except in Marrakech)
  • Accommodation: 2 nights in Marrakech and 5 nights in mountain hut
  • Transport: minibus or 4×4 car

Not included

  • International flights
  • Personal travel insurance
  • Meals not mentioned
  • Drinks
  • Sleeping bags
  • Walking poles
  • Souvenirs
  • Visas and vaccinations, PCR tests
  • Tipping

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive to Marrakech

Arrive anytime in Marrakech.

(If your flight lands in Casablanca, we can provide transfer to Marrakech for an extra.)

Accommodation: 3-star hotel or riad
Meals included: –

Day 2: Marrakech/Imi Oughlad/Tinzert

You’ll leave the vehicle on the road up towards Imlil at Imi Oughlad (1,450m) where you will meet your Berber team of muleteers and cook. Your first day will be an easier aclimatisation trek in the Ouirgane National Park. The terrain here is gentler with copper green soil and juniper trees. Overnight in a gite in Tinzert, a small rustic Berber Village. 

Walking time: appr. 4 hrs
Accommodation
: mountain hut
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Toubkal and Valleys Trekking - local

Day 3: Tinzert/Azzaden Valley (Ait Aissa)

After breakfast you’ll head up and out of the valley and traverse over to the stunning Azzaden Valley. The views open up with a rushing mountan stream surrounded by lush walnut groves leading up towards Toubkal and her sister peaks at the head of the Valley. Overnight in a gite in Ait Aissa village. 

Walking time: appr. 5-6 hrs
Accommodation
: mountain hut
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Toubkal and Valleys Trekking - village

Day 4: Ait Aissa/Tizi n Mzik/Imlil

Today involves a fantastic climb out of the Azzadene Valley. You’ll head up the valley towards Tizi Oussem from where you’ll headup towards the pass at Tizi n Mzik (2489m) before descending down into Imlil (1700m). 

Walking time: appr. 5-6 hrs
Accommodation
: guesthouse
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Toubkal and Valleys Trekking - view

Day 5: Imlil/Sidi Chamharoush/Toubkal refuge 

After breakfast  we begin our trek, heading along the Mizane Valley, first towards the village of Aremd and then onto the shrine of Sidi Chamarouch.

Built on a moraine spur overlooking the valley floor, Aremd is the largest village in the valley and provides an interesting mix of traditional terraced farming, gites and streets that seem to be permanently gridlocked by goats and cattle. For generations the local Berber villagers have worked these lands, producing corn, potatoes and walnuts from the harsh landscape.

Continuing east and crossing the flood plain our route takes us along mule tracks and up into the high rocky cliffs above the valley.

Crossing the river we eventually come to the pastoral shrine of Sidi Chamarouch, which attracts tourists and pilgrims alike (although only Muslims are allowed to cross the stone bridge to visit the marabout shrine itself). The village sits besides a small waterfall, a jumbled cluster of houses that seem to melt together into an anarchic mass. From here the trail continues to climb steadily, snaking and zigzagging its way up to the snowline and the Toukbal Refuge (3206m), our stop for the night.

Walking time: appr. 5 hrs
Accommodation
: mountain hut
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Toubkal and Valleys Trekking - mountain ridge

Day 6: Trek to the summit of Jebel Toubkal/Aroumd village

Early this morning we make our attempt on the summit of Jebel Toukbal, the highest peak in Northern Africa (4167m). Our route takes us up the south cirque, crossing the stream above the refuge and then heading across one of the
mountains numerous scree fields, where we will have to negotiable a seemingly endless carpet of boulders and rocks.

The walking is relatively straightforward, but the scree and the altitude will make the going quite difficult in parts. However the views along the way make the journey more than worthwhile. Cresting the ridgeline we find ourselves on the plateau, from where it is a short walk to the summit and the vistas out across the surrounding landscape are quite breathtaking. From here there are unrestricted views in every direction, from the Marrakesh Plain to the High Atlas in the north and as far south as the Anti-Atlas and the Sahara. Pliny, the great Roman scholar, once described the High Atlas Mountains as “the most fabulous mountains in all of Africa” and from our vantage point high above the valley it is easy to understand why. Retracing our steps we then return down the mountain and head back towards Aroumd (1900m) village for overnight in a gite.

Accommodation: guesthouse
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Toubkal and Valleys Trekking - snowy path

Day 7: Aroumd/Marrakech

Take an hour gentle walk down to Imlil village from where we drive back to Marrakech for the last day of our trip. In the afternoon the group can enjoy wandering arround Marrakech or taking a mint tea in one of the terasses of the medina.

Accommodation: hotel or riad
Meals included: breakfast

Day 8: Leave Marrakech

End of tour and we say goodbye.

Accommodation: –
Meals included: breakfast

Notes for the Tour

Shorter itineraries are also available

Please note that climbing Toubkal is also possible in shorther trips as well, however the minimum is 3 days. For more information please contact us.

 

Tailor-made options

Atlas Treks are tailored to match the season and your level of fitness.

Beside this itinerary other options are also available:

  • You can base yourself in Berber Guesthouses from where you can take daily walks.
  • Or you can have the so-called Atlas Mule Trek for 2+ days. On mule treks you usually have the choice of staying in Berber Guesthouse/with families or wild camping in 2-person tents.

Accommodation

This trip can be done in tents in the mountains instead of guesthouses and mountain huts.

What to bring

For Atlas Trekking you need to prepare as you would for walking in any mountain region. It can be warm and sunny during the day but the weather in the mountains can change quickly from sunshine to snow and cold winds (autumn through late spring).

In addition to regular packing, here is a Check List for Atlas Trekking:

  • Good walking boots and socks
  • Comfortable shoes/slippers for camp/guesthouse
  • Trekking pants
  • Lightweight waterproof over-trousers / rain-pants

For more info and detailed guideline please see our Cloths and equipments for trekking tours travel tip.

Book now

Do you want to book or have a question? Feel free to contact us.

Mobile:

+212 671 170 034

Whatsapp:

+212 671 170 034

Contact us and all you have to do is dream.
We’ve got plan for you and any dream will do.

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