Duration: 3 Days and 2 Nights

Mount Toubkal is the second highest peak in Africa and the highest in North Africa. At an altitude of 4,167m and surrounded by towering sister peaks, climbing Toubkal is a fantastically rewarding challenge.  Located just a short distance from Marrakech, Toubkal can be climbed easily on a two day trip from the bustling City. An extended 3 day trip gives the opportunity to take things a little bit slower whilst further exploring all the wonders that Mount Toubkal has to offer.

• Day 1:

Drive from Marrakech to Imlil and trek to Toubkal Refuge via Aremd & the Mizane Valley

After picking you up from your hotel or riad in Marrakech, we leave the city driving south towards the craggy peaks and plunging valleys of the Toubkal Massif. Crossing the Haouz Plain we pass through the tiny town of Asni, from where our road begins to climb towards the foothills of the Massif. Below us the valley of the Oued Rhirhaia stretches out into the distance and small villages cling to the sides of the steep hills as we meander our way towards the village of Imlil. After leaving our vehicle and, in the company of our mountain guide, begin our 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 interesting mix of traditional terraced farming, gites and streets that seem to be permanently gridlocked by goats and cattle. For generations the local Berber villagers have worked these lands, producing corn, potatoes and walnuts from the harsh landscape. Continuing east and crossing the flood plain our route takes us along mule tracks and up into the high rocky cliffs above the valley. Crossing the river we 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 marabout shrine itself). The village sits besides a small waterfall, a jumbled cluster of houses that seem to melt together into an anarchic mass. From here the trail continues to climb steadily, snaking and zigzagging its way up to the snowline and the Toukbal Refuge (3207m), our stop for the night.
Approx 5-6hrs walking

• Day 2:

Trek to summit of Jebel Toubkal(4165m); return to Toubkal Refuge

Early this morning we make our attempt on the summit of Jebel Toukbal, the highest peak in Northern Africa. Our route takes us up the south cirque, crossing the stream above the refuge and then heading across one of the mountains numerous scree fields, where we will have to negotiable a seemingly endless carpet of boulders and rocks. The walking is relatively straightforward, but the scree and the altitude will make the going quite difficult in parts, however, the views along the way make the journey more than worthwhile. Cresting the ridgeline we find ourselves on the plateau, from where it is a short walk to the summit and the vistas out across the surrounding landscape are quite breathtaking. From here 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. Pliny, the great Roman scholar, once described the High Atlas Mountains as “the most fabulous mountains in all of Africa” and from our vantage point high above the valley it is easy to understand why. Retracing our steps we then return down the mountain and head back towards Imlil prior to rest for the evening once again in a traditional Berber Tent.
Approx 4-5 hrs walking

• Day 3:

Trek to Imlil via Aremd & the Mizane Valley; return to Marrakech

Today we retrace our steps back towards Imlil, following the path through the village of Aremd and the Mizane Valley. One we arrive back at Imlil, a car will be waiting to take us back to Marrakech. Indeed, it is possible to trek back from the Toubkal Summit straight to Imlil and, here at Hip Marrakech, we do offer a 2 day Toubkal Summit Trek. However, the benefit of choosing a 3 day trek is that After arrival back in Imlil you not only get to spend an extra night in the traditional Berber tent, but it also makes the trek a lot less strenuous and, therefore, more manageable. Ultimately, the 3 day trek gives you the opportunity to take things a little bit slower, which means more photo breaks, more time speaking to your guide to learn about the local traditions and cultures and more opportunities to take in all the sights, sounds and smells of rural Morocco.
Approx 5-6 hrs walking