Toubkal Summit And Berber Villages Trek

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Climb Toubkal Summit and explore picturesque Berber Villages

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.

5 DaysToubkal Summit and Berber Villages Trek Highlights:

  • Enjoy a day hike from The National Park of Toubkal to Oussaden Valley
  • Hike past Juniper forests, springs and Berber villages
  • Climb up to Aguelzim pass through stiff mule tracks
  • Reach the highest point in North Africa: Toubkal Summit
  • Climb down to Imlil Village and back to Marrakech

Mt. Toubkal Summit & Berber Villages 5-Day Hike itinerary:

Day 1: Marrakech - Imi Oughlad - Tizi N’tachte - Tiziane

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.

(6 Hours Walk)

Day 2: Tizziane - Tizi N’taghrhourte - T’kint

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.

(6 Hours Walk)

Day 3: T’knt - Tizi N’tagdalte - Azib Tamsoult Hut

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.

(6 Hours Walk)

Day 4: Azib Tamsoult Hut - Tizi Agelzim - Toubkal 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.

(6 Hours Walk)

Day 5: Toubkal Hut - Jbel Toubkal Summit - Imlil - Marrakech

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.

(6 Hours Walk)

5-Day Trekking in the Atlas Mountains Prices:

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€

What is included in this 5-Day Atlas Mountain Trek:

Return transfer from Marrakech to Imlil ( A/C modern vehicle )

Local licensed English / French speaking mountain guide

Mules for luggage and meals transportation

3 nights at different Berber village guest houses

1 night at Toubkal Refuge

Meals and mineral water (full board)

Not included

Hiking equipment

Personal expenses

Frequently Asked Questions

  • When to hike in Morocco?

    Unlike many trekking destinations in the world, hiking in Morocco can be enjoyed all year long. However, in the snowy winter season, minimum trekking skills are required.

  • Can I climb Jbel Toubkal without guide?

    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.

  • How hard is it to climb Mount Toubkal?

    Most people who are in good shape can climb Mount Toubkal easily. However, the snowy winter season requires a minimum of hiking skills.

  • How cold is it in the High Atlas Mountains?

    The temperature in the winter can plummet below freezing falling as low as -20 Celsius (4 degrees Fahrenheit)

  • What equipment do I need to hike Toubkal Mount in the winter?

    Crampons Ice axes Sports sunglasses (Cat.3 or 4, 100% UVA/UVB. ) Ski goggles Wool hat Sun hat Buff Thick gloves

  • Is it safe to trek in Morocco?

    In general, it is safe to trek in Morocco. However, hiking alone can be dangerous. You will need a local registered guide's advice to choose the routes and safe camping arrangements.

Reviews

Fantastic 5 days trek in the Atlas Mountains

Maria E – Apr 2021:

The walk was fantastic: Ali, the guide, Mohammed, the cook/muleteer, and Mona were all amazing. (The mule's name was Mona; we didn't think it was fair that such a diligent worker should go unnamed!) Everything, even the huts, was fantastic, and we met some interesting individuals along the route. Walking and the vistas that came along with it were fantastic.

Had a great Atlas Mountain hike with Aziz

Leslie K – May 2021:

With the help of our amazing guide Aziz, my daughter and I did a five-day round walk from Imlil to Toubkal through various Berber villages and valleys. He was a lot of fun, extremely educational, and shared his Berber culture with us. He also knows a lot about the area. Aziz was incredibly supportive and uplifted our spirits while we were struggling, and we laughed a lot with him. It was a well-organized 5 days hike with delicious meals, lovely guides/muleteers, and breath-taking scenery! If you wish to have an adventure like this, we definitely suggest Marrakech Desert Trips! Thank you very much!

Best Atlas Mountain trekking tour!

Jason T – May 2021:

We spent an incredible 5 days touring the Atlas Mountains, Berber towns, and summiting Toubkal with Aziz and Moha (apologies if the names are misspelled!) with Marrakech Desert Trips. From beginning to end, everything was well organized. Emails were promptly addressed, the deposit was simple to pay, and the final amount was paid in cash (Euros) onsite.

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    form €330/person
    Good267 Reviews4.8