Overview
Our Mount Toubkal Classic Climb with Marrakech combines summiting the highest peak in North Africa with the vibe of exotic Marrakech, a city steeped in ancient artistry that continues to thrive, kept alive by the modern craftspeople of the souks and the contemporary art and design scene of the Ville Nouvelle.
This is a privately-guided trek, you will not be part of a group, and your party will be accompanied by a personal certified guide and a muleteer.
We also offer shorter versions of this tour, enabling you to complete the climb in just two or three days.
- The High Atlas Mountains
- Mount Toubkal
- Toubkal National Park
- City of Marrakech
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Marrakech
Arrive at Marrakech airport, where a private transfer will be waiting to take you to your Riad. Vibrant Marrakech is a fascinating city, home to numerous mosques, palaces and gardens. The medina is a densely packed, walled medieval city dating to the Berber Empire, with mazelike alleys where thriving souks (marketplaces) sell traditional textiles, pottery and jewellery. A symbol of the city, and visible for miles, is the Moorish minaret of the 12th-century Koutoubia Mosque.
- Accommodation: traditional Moroccan riad in Marrakech
Day 2: Marrakech – Imlil (1,740m) and Tizi Mzik circular acclimatisation walk (2,664m) | 7-8h
Early morning private transfer from Marrakech to the village of Imlil (90 km / 2h). Imlil is a small village in the heart of the High Atlas, and also the centre of mountain tourism in Morocco due to its unique location at the foot of Jebel Toubkal.
Start the acclimatisation trek west of Imlil past Berber hamlets with a stunning mountain panorama, including the Oukaïmeden, Tasskssout, Imsserdan, and Azzaden Valley. The walk features a waterfall where a swim may be possible and juniper and pine forests. The trail then heads west from Imlil (1,740m) up through almond, walnut and apple groves offering a panoramic vista of the beautiful valley and Berber hamlets of Tanghourt, Fimlil and M’Zik. There is a strenuous ascent through the Tizi M’Zik pass (2,664m) from where there is a splendid view of the Jbel Oukaïmeden range, the plateau of Tazaghârt and the pretty Assif Aït n’Ouissedene lined with palm trees. Next, the path descends through juniper and pine woods between Jbel Tasghimout (2,664m) and Adrar Adj (3,729m) to the Tamsoult Cascade (2,204m), a lovely spot for a picnic lunch and a nice place to bathe. The return leg is via the same general route but via different paths via the Tizi M’Zik pass back to Imlil.
- Accommodation: a traditional riad in/near Imlil (Dar Amadine or similar)
- Meals: breakfast, packed lunch, dinner; tea and coffee
- Walking time: 7-8h
Day 3: Imlil (1,740m) to Mount Toubkal Base Camp (3,207m) | 6-7h
Begin your 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 exciting mix of traditional terraced farming and streets that seem to be permanently gridlocked by goats and cattle. Continuing east and crossing the floodplain, your route takes you along mule tracks and up into the high rocky cliffs above the valley.
Crossing the river, you 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 shrine itself). From here, the trail continues to ascend steadily, snaking and zigzagging its way up to the snowline and the Mouflons Toubkal Refuge (3,207m), your stop for the night.
- Accommodation: Refuge du Toubkal Les Mouflons (dormitory with optional upgrade to a private room). Depending on availability, you may also be accommodated in a tent outside the refuge, with use of the refuge’s facilities
- Meals: full board, with teas and coffee
- Walking time: 6-7h
Day 4: Base Camp (3,207m) to Mount Toubkal (4,167m) / Marrakech | 9-11h
Early in the morning (around 4 am), you will make your attempt at the summit of Jebel Toubkal, the highest peak in Northern Africa. The route takes you up the south cirque, crossing the stream above the refuge and then heading across one of the numerous scree fields, where you will have to negotiate a seemingly endless carpet of boulders and rocks. The walking is relatively straightforward, but the scree and the altitude will make it difficult; however, the views along the way make the walk more than worthwhile.
Cresting the ridgeline, you will reach the plateau, from where it is a short walk to the summit, and the vistas are pretty breathtaking. From the peak, 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.
Retracing your steps, you then return down the mountain and head back towards Imlil before your transfer back to Marrakech in the early evening.
- Accommodation: traditional Moroccan riad in Marrakech
- Meals: breakfast, packed lunch, teas and coffee
- Walking time: 9-11h
Day 5: Departure or extra nights in Marrakech
Departure after breakfast (airport transfer included) or extend your stay.
- Meals: breakfast
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation is in riads or guesthouses, and a mountain refuge, Refuge Toubkal Les Mouflons, which is Mt Toubkal Base Camp. Refuge Toubkal Les Mouflons is located at 3,207m. It has single and family rooms with separate showers, as well as seven mixed-gender dormitories. By default, you are accommodated in a dormitory but, when possible, we offer an upgrade option to a private room with en-suite facilities. In the event of no beds being available at the refuge, you will be offered tent accommodation outside the refuge, with use of the refuge’s facilities. We will advise this at time of booking.
Click to view default accommodations
Accommodation is subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel or guesthouse 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 all lunches and dinners in the mountains (picnic lunches are included when out on walks). During your mountain walks, you will be accompanied by a local guide, a cook and a muleteer.
Difficulty and terrain
This trip requires excellent physical condition and some trekking experience. No mountaineering or climbing experience is required. The climb to Mt Toubkal is non-technical but very demanding. The terrain varies, and the trails are often exposed to the sun. In the mountains, the route follows ancient Berber tracks, which can be high, steep, narrow, uneven and rough underfoot (read more about difficulty grades). Some parts of the walks are above the snow line. We will provide crampons if needed, which might be the case if doing the trip in the winter months.
Due to the lack of signposted trails, you will be supported by a local qualified mountain guide. This is a very remote area. You should be a regular walker and have a good fitness level to get the most from these walks.
When to go
This trip is available year-round. The flexibility of self-guided holidays means that there are no fixed dates, 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 coldest is January at 13C with the most daily sunshine hours at 11 in July. Some walks are above the snow line year-round.
Please note that during Ramadan and Eid al-Adha’s festival times, many restaurants and shops will be closed, which may affect your trip experience. Ramadan and Eid al-Adha change yearly. Ramadan 2025 is expected to begin 28 February and end 29 March (Eid al-Fitr). Eid al-Adha 2025 is expected to be from the evening of 06 June to 07 June.
Please note that there might be supplements for bookings over Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
For more information on travelling to Morocco, see our blog on the Best time to go to Morocco.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended airport for this tour is Marrakech Airport (RAK).
- Private complimentary return transfers from Marrakech airport are included.
Inclusions
Included
- 3 nights in a traditional riad
- 1 night in a mountain refuge (dormitory)
- 4 breakfasts
- 2 dinners
- 3 packed lunches
- Private airport return transfers (Marrakech airport)
- Private car transfer from Marrakech to Imlil on Day 2 and back to Marrakech on Day 4
- Luggage transfers of one bag (up to 20kg) per person
- Services of a qualified mountain guide and a muleteer as appropriate in the mountains
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Airfare
- Meals not listed in the itinerary
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses
- Local tourist taxes and entry fees (payable on-site)
- Any items not explicitly listed as included
- eSIM data for international travel (get an eSIM)
Options, extras and supplements
- A supplement applies to members of a group who require a single room (on request). Please note that in mountain refuges single room accommodation cannot be guaranteed.
- This holiday is available for solo travellers. However, a supplement will be charged as the cost of rooms and also luggage or private transfers (when applicable) is not shared. Please note that solo travellers are always accommodated in their own room. For logistical reasons, we don’t offer an option for solo travellers to share rooms with other solo travellers.
- Extra nights in Marrakech before or after the holiday (on request).
- Private room at the refuge with a supplement
- You can also book one of our guided day tour extensions – listed below – for these extra days in Marrakech, or just relax and stroll the streets of Marrakech.
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 request an extra night in Marrakech when booking.
Included: return transfer, guided services, lunch.
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.
Please note: overnight accommodation is not included, please request an extra night in Marrakech when booking.
Included: return transfer, guided services
