Overview
This High Atlas and Mount Toubkal walking holiday is a fully guided, seven day tour, which culminates in a trek to the top of North Africa’s highest mountain. By taking seven days in the region, you ease your way into these magnificent mountains and passes for four days before taking on the summit, staying in traditional riads and mountain lodges en route. Climbing Toubkal (4,167m) is a tough trek but it’s a stupendous one and, as well as having an expert, personal guide, you are also accompanied by muleteers and cooks. You also top and tail your trip with a night in Marrakech. There is also an option to add on some extra days with other natural adventures at the end of your tour.
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Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Marrakech
Upon arrival, a complimentary transfer from the airport brings you to the riad in Marrakech. Marrakech is a fascinating and vibrant city, home to numerous palaces, gardens and mosques, including the 12th-century Koutoubia Mosque. The medina is a densely packed, walled medieval city dating back to the Berber Empire, with maze-like alleys where lively souks sell traditional textiles, spices, pottery and jewellery.
- Accommodation: traditional riad in Marrakech (Riad Zayane Atlas or similar)
- Meals included: none (breakfast the following day)
Day 2: Oukaimeden (2,600m) – Tizi Nadi (2,900m) – Tacheddirt (2,300m) | 5-6h
The morning begins with a transfer to Oukaimeden, the starting point of the trek, where you meet with the mule team. The route continues to Tizi Nadi then on to Tacheddirt, the highest settlement in the Rhirhaia Valley and your destination for the evening.
- Accommodation: Gîte Ogog or similar
- Meals included: full board
- Walking for the day: 5-6h
Day 3: Tacheddirt (2,300m) – Tizi n’Tamatert Pass (2,280m) – Aroumd (1,800m) – Imlil (1,740m) | 5-6h
Leaving Tacheddirt behind, the route heads through Tizi n’Tamatert Pass before descending into Imlil Valley and the village of Targa Imoula. From here, continue towards Ait Mizane Valley, where you get your first glimpse of Mount Toubkal, visible from Aroumd, the largest village in the Ait Mizane Valley. This is a perfect place to gain an insight into the region’s traditional terraced farming, where streets are bustling with goats and cattle, before continuing onto Imlil, the final destination of today’s walk.
- Accommodation: traditional riad in Imlil (Dar Maachou or similar)
- Meals included: full board
- Walking for the day: 5-6h
Day 4: Tizi M’zik circular walk (1,740m – 2,664m – 1,740m) | 8-9h
Today’s route offers panoramic views of the mountains and sweeping valleys, including Oukaïmeden, Tasskssout, Imsserdan and Azzaden Valley. From Imlil (1,740m), the route heads west through almond, walnut and apple groves with views of the Berber hamlets of Tanghourt, Fimlil and M’zik. There is a strenuous ascent across Tizi M’zik pass (2,664m), which offers far-reaching views across to Jebel Oukaïmeden, the plateau of Tazaghârt and Assif Aït n’Ouissedene, lined with palm trees. From here, the route descends through juniper and pine forests between Jebel Tasghimout and Adrar Adj to reach Tamsoult Cascade (2,204m), the perfect spot for a picnic lunch and a refreshing swim, before heading back to Imlil.
- Accommodation: traditional riad in Imlil (Dar Maachou or similar)
- Meals included: full board
- Walking for the day: 8-9h
Day 5: Imlil (1,740m) – Mount Toubkal base camp (3,207m) | 6-7h
Start the day by heading through Ait Mizane Valley, crossing a floodplain and following mule tracks to the cliffs above the valley. After crossing a river, the route passes the Shrine of Sidi Chamharouch, which attracts tourists and pilgrims alike, before beginning a steady ascent up to the snowline and Refuge Les Mouflons (3,207m), your stop for the night.
- Accommodation: Refuge Les Mouflons (dormitory; optional upgrade to private room depending on availability)
- Meals included: full board
- Walking for the day: 6-7h
Day 6: Base camp (3,207m) – Mount Toubkal summit (4,167m) | 9-11h; Return to Marrakech
It’s an early start for your attempt at the summit of Mount Toubkal, the route heading up the south cirque of the mountain, crossing scree fields and a stream, negotiating a carpet of boulders and rocks along the way. The walk is relatively straightforward, but the scree and the altitude increase the difficulty. After cresting the ridgeline and reaching the plateau, it is a short walk to the summit, with the peak offering unrestricted views in every direction, from the Marrakech Plain to the High Atlas in the north and as far south as the Anti-Atlas and the Sahara. After taking in the view, descend the mountain towards Imlil, where your transfer back to Marrakech awaits.
- Accommodation: traditional riad in Marrakech (Riad Zayane Atlas or similar)
- Meals included: breakfast and lunch
- Walking for the day: 9-11h
Day 7: Departure
Departure after breakfast or extend your stay. Airport transfer included.
- Meals included: breakfast
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation varies from hand-picked riads and guesthouses, to mountain refuges on day two (Tacheddirt) and day five (Mount Toubkal base camp). The Mount Toubkal refuge (Refuge Les Mouflons) is located at 3,207m and its 600m² area allows it to offer single and family rooms with separate showers, as well as seven, non-mixed dormitories. By default, you will be accommodated in a dormitory but, for an additional fee, we can request to accommodate you in a private room with en-suite facilities depending on availability.
Click to view sample accommodations
- Riad Zayane Atlas (Marrakech)
- Gîte Ogog (Tacheddirt)
- Refuge Les Mouflons (Mount Toubkal base camp)
Accommodation is subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
All breakfasts are included, as well as picnic lunches on day two-six and dinners on day two-five. During the mountain walks, you will be accompanied by a local guide, a cook and a muleteer.
Difficulty and terrain
This trip is rated moderate to strenuous and requires excellent physical condition and trekking experience. No mountaineering or climbing experience is required. There are some longer and more strenuous walks on days four and six, especially the trek to the summit of Mount Toubkal, which is non-technical but demanding. The terrain varies, with trails following ancient Berber tracks, which can be high, steep, narrow, uneven and rough underfoot. Part of the walks are above the snow line and crampons will be provided if needed during the winter months (read more about difficulty grades).
When to go
This trip is available all year and you can start your trip on any date during the season.
July is the hottest month in the Atlas Mountains, with an average temperature of 29C and the most daily sunshine hours, with an average of 11 per day. The coldest month is January at 13C. Some walks are above the snow line all year.
Please note that many restaurants and shops will be closed during Ramadan and Eid al-Adha festival times, which may affect your trip experience. Ramadan and Eid al-Adha change yearly. Ramadan 2024 is expected to begin on 11 March and end on 09 April (Eid al-Fitr). Eid al-Adha 2024 is likely to be from 16 June to 20 June. There may also be supplements for bookings over Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
Getting there
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By plane
Our recommended airport for this tour is Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK).
Arrival and departure transfers from the airport are included. Please note that only one airport transfer per group is included, though we can arrange additional transfers for a fee, however we recommend that all party members arrive on the same flight or at a similar time. Extra charges may be applicable for late-night arrivals.
Inclusions
Included
- 2 nights in a comfortable 3-star riad in Marrakech
- 2 nights in basic riads in the mountains
- 2 nights in mountain refuges
- 6 breakfasts
- 4 dinners
- 5 lunches
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure
- Luggage transfers (one bag of up to 20kg per person)
- Services of a qualified mountain guide, muleteer and cook as appropriate in the mountains
- Detailed holiday information pack
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Airfare
- Meals not listed in itinerary
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses
- Local tourist taxes and entry fees (payable locally)
- Any items not explicitly listed as included
Options, extras and supplements
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own – please note single room accommodation cannot be guaranteed
- This holiday is available for solo travellers; a supplement will be charged as accommodation and luggage transfer costs are not shared (we never mix and match – solo travellers will be accommodated in single rooms, with the exception of the mountain refuges, where the standard accommodation is a dormitory)
- Hotel upgrade in Marrakech on days one and six
- Extra night in Imlil before summiting Mount Toubkal (with or without a guided acclimatisation walk)
- One or two extra nights in Marrakech in standard accommodation
- One or two extra nights in Marrakech in luxury accommodation
- Guided day tour extensions as listed below
Click here to view the Ourika Valley full day guided tour
Ourika Valley is a very popular day trip from Marrakech due to its many scenic waterfalls and unique wildlife, with the valley being the sole location within the High Atlas mountain range where the endangered Barbary Macaque can be found. The day consists of an easy hike (1-3h) to the famous seven waterfalls, with a picnic lunch accompanied by an official guide.
Please note: Overnight accommodation is not included, please choose an extra night in Marrakech when booking.
Click here to view the fishing port of Essaouira full day guided tour
The day trip to Essaouira from Marrakech begins with a drive along the Haouz planes to Chichaoua, the perfect place to stop for refreshments before continuing to Sid L’Mokhtar. The journey leads through the Argan forest, where you may spot the area’s tree-climbing goats, before heading to a local women’s cooperative to learn how argan oil (also called liquid gold or Moroccan oil) is extracted and made into cosmetic products. From here, continue to the port city of Essaouira to explore the city at your leisure.
- Fishing port of Essaouira
- Skala de la Kasbah
- Medina of Essaouira
- Essaouira art galleries
- Seafood lunch by the harbour or on a terrace
- 6km beach
Please note: Overnight accommodation is not included, please choose an extra night in Marrakech when booking.
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