4 Day 3 Nights Berber Villages & Mt Toubkal Ascent
About this tour
At 4,167m, Mount Toubkal is the highest mountain in North Africa. The hike to the summit is challenging, but requires no mountaineering experience and the panoramic view from the summit makes the hard work worthwhile. A perfect combination of 4 day 3 night trek on the western hight Atlas starting by visiting lot of Berber villages and hike over high Mountain passes to acclimatize with the altitude before reaching the summit on day 4.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Marrakesh, Morocco to Imi Oughlad, Morocco
Day1: Marrakech - Asni - Imi-oughlad - Tizi Oussem: Early morning departure from marrakech for a pleasante drive south winding our way up through the moulay brahim gorge and upper valleys to arrive at the higher foothills of the western high atlas mountains and our trailhead of imi oughlad (1450m) with the jbel toubkal , at 4167m the highest peak in north africa , aglzim 3650m and aksoual 38847m ,looming before us . here we alight from our vehicle and meet up with berber muleteer crew . We set off up in north-westerly direction for a 2hour acclimatisation hike up switchback mule tracks , passing by cornfields woods pine and juniper to the tiz n'tachete (2000m),where we shallstop to look back down on the imlil and ait oussaden valleys before carrying on for another half hour to imi n'ifri and our field picnic .thence a slow hike for about 2 and half hours south-west down along a dirt track to assif n' ait oussaden and the red clay terraced village of Tizi Oussem ( 1950 m ) for our accommodation in a gite
Day 2: Azzaden Trekking Lodge, BP31 Asni, Morocco to Imlil, Morocco
Day2: Tizi Oussem - Ighouliden Waterfalls - Tizi Mzzik -Imlil: Trek to a small waterfall at Azib Tamsoulte and return to cross the Tizi 'n Mzik pass (2,500m) for lunch. 2 hours Downhill to join the main Toubkal valley at Imlil (1,900m), Overnight in a Gite
Day 3: Imlil, Morocco to Refuge du Toubkal (French Alpine Club / section Casablanca), Ifergane, Morocco
Day3: Imlil 1800m - Sidi Chamharoush - Toubkal refuge 3207m: After breakfast we 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 6hrs walking.
Day 4: Refuge du Toubkal (French Alpine Club / section Casablanca), Ifergane, Morocco to Toubkal, Morocco
Day4: Toubkal refuge 3207m - Toubkal Summit 4167m - Toubkal Refuge - Imlil - Marrakech: Up early for the climb up Toubkal (4,167m) from where, clouds allowing, you’ll have wonderful views over the Atlas Range and the Sahara Desert then a long way back down past the refuge and the well-worn path back to Imlil. This is a fairly long day with 8-9 hours of trekking, involving 900m up then almost 2,500m back down to Imlil Prior to transfer back to Marrakech.
What's included
What to know
This tour can be customized. Please get in touch with me.
Route & locations
Marrakesh, Morocco to Imi Oughlad, Morocco