Mountain Toubkal attracts several mountaineers and adventurous people because it is the highest mountain in the high Atlas and Northern Africa and because the journey to the summit is astounding. Great valleys, vast dazzling landscapes, and authentic Berber villages are waiting for your visit on your way to the top! All this and more you get to see in our 5-day Toubkal ascent. The added value of the Toubkal Mountain hike is that you only need to be at a reasonable degree of fitness, as it is more of a moderate hike than a challenging mountain climb. You can climb Toubkal Mountain anytime, albeit in winter.
We leave Marrakech early in the morning for our 5-day Toubkal summit and Toubkal trek. We take a pleasant drive south through the curvy road up to Moulay Brahim gorge, the upper valleys, and eventually arrive at the higher foothills of the Western High Atlas Mountains. Our trailhead of Imi Oughlad will pass by Jbel Toubkal, which peak is the highest in North Africa (4167m), Aglzim (3650m), and (Aksoual) 3847m. The heights of all these mountains will be looming before us as we climb up. We descend from our vehicle and meet your guides and the Berber muleteer crew upon our arrival.
We carefully pick the best guides in the area; their local knowledge of Toubkal National Park will make the 5-day trek around the Berber villages much more exciting and worthwhile.
We will then take a 2-hour acclimatization hike upwards in the North-East direction; then we switch back to hike along mule tracks. Our path will lead us through barley corn fields, a forest of pine and juniper trees, to the Tiz n’Tachete (2000m).
We will take a short stop to look back down on Imlil and Ait Oussaden valleys and enjoy the view of Berber villages beautifully scattered all around the mountains, carefully pushed onto the slopes. Then we continue for another half an hour to Imi n’Ifri, where we will have our picnic on the plateau.
After that, we take a slow hike for about two and half hours south-west down along a dirt track, up through Assif n’Ait Oussaden to the ancient red clay terraced village of Tiziane (1750m).
Overnight in a guest house.
We start our day with an early breakfast, and then we set off our hike slowly up to the Assif n’Ait Oussaden Valley.
We will pass through walnut groves to Tizi N’taghrhourte (1995m) and arrive at Assaka spring. Here we will be awarded an astounding panoramic sight of the surrounding mountains and vistas. We will take advantage of the beautiful, peaceful nature and have our field picnic, enjoying the silence of the wilderness.
Our afternoon hike will take us down along the edges of the forest until we reach the Berber village of D’knt (1870m) or Agouns n’Assoul, where we will have our dinner Overnight in a Guest house.
We start with an early breakfast to fuel our bodies with the necessary strength for our morning’s 3-hour hike upwards through groves of walnut trees and fields of corn.
Along the way, we will pass by sheep and goat herders. As we wave to them, we will lay our eyes on a group of women and children bent over with 20kg loads of faggots and dried herbs loaded on their backs.
As we pass across the Tizi n’Tagdalte, we continue our hike downhill the juniper trees until we reach a small spring set amongst the trees. We will take a break to enjoy a field picnic.
Once refreshed, we are off down winding tracks of upper slopes for some 3 hours to come to a small river at the beginning of the valley of Assif n’Ait Oussaden. We enter the village of Tizi Oussem (1850m), then up to the summer village Of Tamsoult Overnight in a local hut.
After breakfast, we set out eastwards on a moderately difficult hike up winding mule tracks to the Tizi Aguelzim (3550m).
we will then take a further 3 hours hike south-east to the Toubkal Refuge, which marks the spring snowline at 3207m, where we shall have our dinner, Overnight in Toubkal Hut.
We will wake up a bit earlier today as we are keen on avoiding the heated sun- as long as possible- while climbing the Toubkal Mount. After a 3 hour steep climb, we will reach the top of the highest peak in North Africa- at 4167m.
The panorama from here is simply stunning and will make any physical pain you’re feeling worth it! Whenever you are ready, we shall take the Ikkhibi Sud or South Cirque for a straightforward – with your guide – 2 to 3-hour descent back to the Refuge for a picnic.
After lunch, we shall now set off towards the north along steeply descending, zigzagging trails of the higher slopes of the Valley of the Assif N’isougane N’ouagounss towards the Shrine of Sidi Chamharouch. Set beside a waterfall, There is a pilgrimage ‘Marabout’ shrine here, probably the remnant of a pre-Islamic culture but forbidden to non-Muslims.
Another 2 hours downhill will allow getting to the village of Imlil from where most of the treks start, before taking the car back to Marrakech.
Number of Participants: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7-9 | 10-13 | 14-17 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Price per person: | 700€ | 480€ | 450€ | 420€ | 390€ | 370€ | 360€ | 340€ | 330€ |
Number of Participants: | Price per person: |
---|---|
1 | 700€ |
2 | 480€ |
3 | 450€ |
4 | 420€ |
5 | 390€ |
6 | 370€ |
7-9 | 360€ |
10-13 | 340€ |
14-17 | 330€ |
Unlike many trekking destinations globally, you can enjoy hiking in Morocco all year long. However, in the snowy winter season, minimum trekking skills are required.
Hiring a registered local trekking guide to hike Mount Toubkal is now compulsory. There is a checkpoint in Aroumd Village where everyone climbing Jbel Toubkal needs to be registered, and you will not be allowed to go beyond that checkpoint unless a local guide is leading your way. So do not forget to bring your ID for registration purposes.
Most people who are in good shape can climb Mount Toubkal easily. However, the snowy winter season requires a minimum of hiking skills.
The Atlas Mountains temperature in the winter can plummet below freezing falling as low as -20 Celsius (4 degrees Fahrenheit).
Crampons
Ice ax
Sports sunglasses (Cat.3 or 4, 100% UVA/UVB. )
Ski goggles
Wool hat
Sun hat
Buff
Thick gloves.
In general, it is safe to trek in Morocco. However, hiking alone can be dangerous. You will need local registered guides’ advice to choose the routes and safe camping arrangements.
Trekking through the Atlas Mountains was like writing a love letter to nature. The panoramic views and the chance to learn about Berber culture made it an unforgettable journey.
Traversing the Atlas Mountains was a journey that resonated with my soul’s longing. The panoramic views and the bonds formed with fellow trekkers were like echoes of belonging.
In the heart of the Atlas Mountains, I discovered the beauty of being vulnerable in nature. The panoramic views and the bonds formed with fellow trekkers were like brushstrokes of camaraderie.
The Atlas Mountains were my canvas of exploration and introspection. The ever-changing landscapes and the connections with locals made it a journey of significance.
Trekking through the Atlas Mountains was like embarking on a pilgrimage of the heart. The diverse terrains and the connections with Berber communities enriched my journey.