Morocco - Climb Mount Toubkal ➤ North-Africas highest mountain
The walking ascent of Mount Toubkal (4.167m) follows the old mule tracks through Berber villages and green valleys in the prettiest part of the Atlas mountains. The ascent to the summit of Mount Toukbal is not technically difficult, and most people reach the top with out complications. In Marrakech, a vibrant city beautifully situated at the foot of the Atlas Mountains, you can explore the alleys of the old part of town, along with markets where snake charmers, storytellers and acrobats every evening do their magical performances. The Atlas Mountains are probably the most beautiful and intriguing part of Morocco.
This tour is particularly suitable for you who want to try out the height, and possibly later want to have a go at climbing Kilimanjaro in Tanzania or do the demanding trek to Everest Base Camp. Trekking to the top of Mount Toubkal will give you not just be an enjoyable experience, but also introduce you to being at a height where the oxygenlevel you breathe is noticeably smaller than what you are used to.
Highlighs on this tour
- Stay in local Berber villages
- Trek to the top of Mount Toukbal, the highest mountain of Northen Africa, 4,167m (13,671ft)
- The tour begins and ends in the exotic city of Marrakech
- Experienced local mountain guide, driver and muleteers
- 4 day trek to Mount Toubkal with full board
- Beautiful scenery and hospitable culture
Great things about this tour
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A driver will meet you in the airport and transfer you to the riad in Marrakech. A riad is a traditional Moroccan house with a yard or garden. The house is often carefully restored, and the stay is comfortable, stylish, luxurious and with high service. The riads has created many local jobs (and pushed real estate prices up), and many of the locals feel they have a part in the riad system.
Hotel (example): Riad Omar
After breakfast, you will be transfered to the village of Imi Ouglad, located at 1,300 meters above sea level (4,265ft), just about 1 hour and 15 minutes drive from Marrakech. Here you will be greeted by your muleteer and his mules, and after loading the gear you will begin the trek. Through the colorful and beautiful valley and over a pass at 1,500m /4,921ft. you come to the village of Imsker. From here you continue along ancient muletracks to the Vally of Ousertik where you will stay overnight at a local guesthouse in the village of Gliz.
Walking: 5-6 hours
The hike continues up through beautiful Berber villages. The hardworking Berber people have for centuries worked to build the terrace fields on the hillsides. There are still people living here by the old traditions, and welcoming invite the passers-by to a glimpse of their daily lives. Further up it goes to Oukaimeden - the lagest skiresort of Northem Africa. After a short break you will continue to Tizi 'n Addi, from where you will experience a stunning view of the surrounding mountants, on a clear day. Then the trails take you downhill to Tacheddirt, the highest situated village in the Atlas region, where a tent camp is set near the riverside.
Walking: ca. 5 hours
The trekking stage of today is a little shorter, for you to save a bit of energy and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. You go over the Imnane valley, which is one of the most famous valleys in the Toubkal massif. After passing through the mountain pass Tizi 'n Tamatert at 2,300m / 7,545ft, you end your trekking day in the Berber village Imlil. The rest of the afternoon is free for own disposal. Imlil is the starting point for many treks in the area, so here is crowded with mules, hikers and local merchants.
Walking: ca. 3-4 hours
You continue along the Mizane Valley. After passing the village of Aremd, you continue in the direction of the Sanctuary Sidi Chamarouch. You walk in an eastern direction and after crossing the river plains of the trek continues on ancient muletracks towards the high cliffs towering over the valley. After crossing the river, you finally arrive at Sidi Chamarouch. This sanctuary gives a fascinating insight into the local life, as people come here from all over the region, with offerings and prayers for good health and life, and maybe even with a hope to chase away an evil jinn or two. From here the trail goes into a steep ascent that winds its way up to the snowline and Toubkal Refuge (3206m / 10,518ft) where you stop for the night.
Walking: 5 hours
Early in the morning, before sunrise, you will begin the journey towards the top of Jebel Toubkal (4.167m), the highest mountain in Northen Africa. The route goes up through the southern basin and over the creek above Base Camp. The trek itself is not complicated, but the ascent and rocky passages occasionally makes it somewhat difficult. The views while ascending more than outweighs the effort. When you reach the summit, you will have an undisturbed stunning view in all directions. To the west you can see the plains of Marrakech and to the south the Anti-Atlas Mountains. After a short stay at the summet, you head back down towards Imlil, where you stay overnight.
Walking: 9 hours
After breakfast, you will be transfered to Marrakech. Here the day will be free at your own disposal. Hunt for souvenirs in the small souks in the city, take a peaceful stroll in the Botanical Garden, and visit the square Djeema el Fna, which also is a great place to enjoy your final dinner. Overnight in the riad.
Hotel (example): Riad Omar
Transfer to the airport for departure.
Price includes
- 2 nights in hotel/riad in Marrakech
- 5 day/4 night trekking to the summit of Mount Toubkal with accommodation in guesthouses
- Breakfast in Marrakech
- Transfer from the hotel in Marrakech to the entrance of the Atlas Mountains
- All meals during the trek
- Local English speaking guide, a cook and muleteers
- Mules for transporting the luggage
- Transfer from the airport to the hotel in Marrakech
- 24-hour local and international service hotline for the duration of the tour
- This is a packaged holiday and is therefore covered by The Travel Guarantee Fund - See which benefits this means for you - click here
- Flights to/from Marrakech
- Tips for the guide, the cook and the muleteers (around €40,- per participant)
- Lunch and dinner in Marrakech
- Handling fee (EUR 20)
Practical info
This is an individual trip. This means, it is only you who are on the trip and you have your own guide and carriers. For example, if you do not mind being put together with other travelers, then you can let us know and we will put you together with others if they have the same wish.
On this tour you have a local guide and cook on the tour. Your guide speaks English, is an expert in the area and has completed the tour many times before.
Notice: If you open the booking form, fill it out and go to page two, you can save your quote and have it sent to your email as a pdf. This way you can easily send it to others who can then see the price and exactly what is included. When you have saved the quote you can easily restart the booking and you will not need to enter all the information again.
Dates of departure
This tour can be arranged on the starting day of your choice all year round. Note that in the winter months (November to March) the daylight is shorter, and therefore there will be small changes in the route. There will also be snow at the top of Toubkal, and you might need extra equipment, which can be rented locally.
The flights to/from Marrakech are not included in the price. You can easily find a suitable flight via a flight booking engine such as Momondo or Skyscanner.
Notice: we recommend that you book with us and wait for the confirmation before you book your flight.
It works like this:
- You book your chosen holiday with us
- We confirm your holiday (usually within 48 hours)
- You arrange your transportation
Airport transfers
When you arrive at the airport you will be picked up and driven to the hotel in Marrakech. You will also be driven back after the trip ends.
Book a quote
If you prefer that we handle your flight, then we would be happy to arrange this for you. You simply book a quote below the map on this page and we will return with a quote as soon as possible (usually within 48 working hours). Please note that we add a handling fee of 45 euro to each flight and this means that the flight will be cheaper if you book it yourself.
In Marrakech you stay in a so-called "riad" - a charming tourist class hotel with breakfast included. On the trek you will stay at local guesthouses.
In Marrakech, breakfast is included, but you have to buy the other meals. On the trek all meals are included, and in the guesthouses you will have the option to buy sodas. The kitchen team provides drinking water and tea / coffee on the trek.
A typical day of trekking begins with a wake-up time between 06:00am to 6:30am. Once you are dressed and have eaten breakfast, you will pack your luggage and start walking around 08:00 am. Around noon you will have a nice long lunch break before continuing on the afternoon walking stretch. You will usually arrive at the place of accommodation in the afternoon.
This tour has difficulty grade 3. You will walk on good paths, however the last stretch leading to the top is fairly rocky. Walking days are not particularly long, and most people will first notice the seriousness of the altitude on the summit day.
Grade 3
Walking in hilly or mountainous terrain, with longer ascents and descents. You will walk 5-7 hours a day. Requires good fitness and good health, but no technical experience. Requires good footwear such as trekking or hiking boots.
Read more about our Grading System
When booking this trip, you will receive our practical information and packing list for the trekking tour to the summit of Mount Toubkal.
Mount Toubkal can be climbed all year round, even in wintertime. In the period from November to February it is cool in the low-lying regions with day temperatures of 10-15 degrees. The temperature drops as you get up at a height, and there is snow on top. March to October are good months for which the average temperatures in spring and autumn is 20-25 degrees. In the summer it is hot with over 30 degrees in the low-lying areas. Here is some general climate data for Marrakech, as seen on www.yr.no.
We are members of the Travel Guarantee Fund (nr. 2529) and have all available insurances. Read more about that here.
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Phone: +44 20 3936 1208
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Phone: +44 20 3936 1208
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