Day 1: Journey from Marrakech to Imlil, then hike to Toubkal Refuge via Aremd and Mizane Valley

Marrakech - Today marks the start of our adventure as we depart the city and head south towards the Toubkal Massif, renowned for its rugged peaks and deep valleys. Crossing the Haouz Plain, we reach the quaint village of Asni, where our route begins to ascend into the foothills of the Massif. Approaching Imlil, the Oued Rhirhaia Valley unfolds below, with small settlements perched on the hillsides as we navigate the winding path.

Imlil - Here, we leave our vehicle and embark on a hike with our mountain guide, heading up the Mizane Valley towards Aremd and the shrine of Sidi Chamarouch. Aremd, the largest village in the valley, is situated on a moraine spur overlooking the valley floor. It showcases a unique blend of traditional terraced farming, gites, and roads often bustling with goats and cattle. The local Berber villagers have long cultivated maize, potatoes, and walnuts in this challenging terrain. As we move eastward through the flood plain, our path follows mule tracks, leading us into the steep rocky cliffs above the valley.

Shrine Sidi Chamharouch - Crossing the river, we arrive at the pastoral shrine of Sidi Chamarouch, a popular spot for tourists and pilgrims (though only Muslims may cross the stone bridge to visit the marabout shrine). The settlement, nestled beside a small waterfall, consists of a cluster of interconnected dwellings.

Toubkal - We continue our steady ascent, winding and zigzagging until reaching the snowline and the Toubkal Refuge (3206m), our overnight stop. Approximately 5 hours of walking.

Day 2: Ascend Jebel Toubkal (4165 meters), then descend to Imlil and transfer to Marrakech

Toubkal - Our climb of Jebel Toubkal, the tallest peak in Northern Africa, begins early as we head towards the summit. Our route takes us up the south cirque, across the stream above the refuge, and through one of the mountain’s scree fields. Here, we navigate a seemingly endless carpet of pebbles and rocks. Despite the challenging scree and altitude, the breathtaking views make the trek worthwhile.

Mount Toubkal - The walking is relatively straightforward. After reaching the ridge, we find ourselves on a plateau, with a short walk to the summit offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape. From this vantage point, there are panoramic views from the Marrakesh Plain to the High Atlas in the north, and down to the Anti-Atlas and the Desert in the south. Pliny, the renowned Roman scholar, described the High Atlas Mountains as “the most wonderful mountains in all of Africa,” and from our elevated position, it’s easy to see why.

Marrakech - We begin our descent back down the mountain, retracing our steps to Imlil, before making the return journey to Marrakech by car.

• Accommodation in Toubkal refugee
• All meals included: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• Private transfers from/to Marrakech to Imlil with a local driver
• Atlas guides

• Travel insurance, Drinks, Tips.

In two days, you’ll be standing atop North Africa’s loftiest peak. Embarking from the vibrant metropolis of Marrakech, this journey includes travel to and from the mountainous hamlet of Imlil.

As we trek, you’ll be captivated by our enchanting surroundings, guided by a local expert fluent in English, a native chef, and mules to lighten our load.

Don’t forget to take your camera along, as you won’t want to miss capturing the awe-inspiring vistas from the mountain’s summit. Mount Toubkal, soaring high at 4,167 meters, is North Africa’s tallest mountain. This is a trekking peak, so no special climbing skills needed. This itinerary has been designed with the adventurous walker in mind, the climb though not technically challenging, involves some simple scrambling and snow patches.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.