8-Day Mount Toubkal Trek & Berber Villages from Marrakech

After breakfast, depart for Imlil — approximately 1 hour 30 minutes into the foothills of the western High Atlas Mountains. At 1,740 metres, Imlil is a beautiful mountain village surrounded by walnut and fruit trees and serves as the starting point for the ascent of Mount Toubkal. You will meet your muleteers and cook and load up the mules before setting out along the trail upstream along the Imenane River, passing through almond groves of the Assif Imenane Valley. Overnight in tented camp in the terraced village of Arg (1,500m) — approximately a 2-hour trek.

After breakfast, set out along the trail toward Tacheddirt, passing streams, fields of wheat, and groves of walnut, apple, and cherry trees. Along the way you will pass through several Berber villages set amongst terraced hillside plots, including Amskere (1,707m), Ikkiss (1,740m), and Tamguist, before arriving at Tacheddirt — a well-maintained mountain village that exemplifies the balance of humans and nature with its stony homes and terraced irrigated fields. Overnight in tented camp in Tacheddirt (2,314m) — approximately a 5-hour trek.

After breakfast, head along the trail toward Aremd, crossing through the Imenane Valley past Berber villages perched on the slopes. You will cross the Tamatert Pass (2,279m), stopping to admire views over the Imlil and Imenane Valleys, before descending toward Aremd with views of the magnificent Mount Toubkal. Aremd is a striking village of terraced homes built one on top of the other on a rock glacier, overlooking ancient irrigated fields of fruit trees and vegetables. Overnight in gite accommodation with shower in the village of Aremd (1,900m) — approximately a 4-hour trek.

After breakfast, begin the ascent following a steep zigzag path up the right-hand side of the valley with Toubkal's bulk rising to the left. As the path levels out, the Mouflon Refuge (3,200m) comes into view, tucked well below the pass. Overnight in tented camp near the refuge — approximately a 6.5-hour trek.

Rise early for the ascent of Toubkal. Crossing a small river gorge of the Ait Mizane, you reach the first boulder slopes as the sunrise unfolds. The route climbs a steep scree slope to the summit at 4,167m, where a large iron structure marks the peak. Weather permitting, enjoy exceptional views — most dramatically to the south, where the Saharan Plateau is broken by the extinct volcano Siroua. Return to camp near the refuge for the night — approximately a 7-hour trek.

After breakfast, set off north along steeply descending zigzag trails through the Valley of Assif n'Isougouane toward the Berber village of Sidi Chamharouch (3,106m), set beside a waterfall and small stream. Sacred to the Berbers, the shrine here is marked with strips of cloth and piled stones left by pilgrims. Continue down to Imlil to conclude the trek, bid farewell to your cook, muleteers, and mules, then transfer back to Marrakech for dinner and overnight at your hotel — approximately a 6-hour trek.

After breakfast, you will be transported to Marrakech Airport for your departure flight. This concludes the services of your mountain guide.