Trip Summary
Whether you’re a newbie trekker or a well-travelled walker, this hiking trip in Morocco’s High Atlas Mountains is sure to lure you in. From colourful Marrakech, this 7-day trip will see you staying in mountain gites and hiking huts, trekking through spectacular mountain scenery and reaching the ‘roof of North Africa’ with an expert crew and some trusty pack mules. Climb to the summit of Jebel Toubkal, or Mount Toubkal, from base camp and discover a renewed love for mountainous landscapes and the adventure of being thousands of metres above sea level. As this trip gives you a day to acclimatise to the altitude and traverse the villages at your own pace, it’s perfect for trekkers of any level.
Why You’ll love this trip
- Strap on your hiking shoes and summit the highest peak in North Africa – Mount Toubkal – with your local expert guide leading the way.
- Get a real taste of adventure on your trek through the rugged Atlas Mountains and marvel at the spectacular scenery at every turn with views across the mountain ranges, Sahara Desert and Atlantic coast.
- Experience local life after hiking to your accommodation in a traditional gite (mountain house) in an Amazigh village nestled high in the Atlas Mountains.
- Enjoy a comfortably paced trekking trip – this trip is designed for hikers of all abilities, allowing less experienced trekkers to tackle this fantastic mountain peak and discover a passion for hiking, mountain climbing and exploring.
- Embrace the vibrant souqs, sights, sounds and smells of Marrakech on a walking tour of the medina and visit to Bahia Palace. With your local guide leading the way, you’ll uncover all the best spots and learn more about the culture.
- By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Education for All. Donations help them support girls in the High Atlas Mountains through secondary school, bringing a generation of women out of the cycle of illiteracy, poverty and early marriage.
Is this trip right for you?
- This is a trekking trip. In order to reach the summit of Mount Toubkal, you need to be reasonably fit and healthy. Previous mountain climbing or hiking experience is recommended, but this trip is suitable to those with little experience, too.
- The summit of Mt Toubkal is 4167 metres (13,671 feet) above sea level. At this height you may experience symptoms of altitude sickness. Please see the Medical and Health Information section of the Essential Trip Information for more information.
- In 2024, Ramadan will take place from 10 March to 9 April. Travelling during this holy month can be a rewarding cultural experience, however some regular services may not be available during the daytime, such as restaurants or coffee bars, and occasionally travel can be disrupted by events. Your leader will adjust the itinerary accordingly, but please consider your travel arrangements carefully before booking travel for this period.
Trip Overview
- Start Marrakech, Morocco
- Finish Marrakech, Morocco
- Theme Walking & trekking
- Destinations Morocco
- Physical rating
- Style Original
- Ages Min 15
- Group size Min 1 – Max 16
Salaam Aleikum! Welcome to Morocco. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight, where you’ll meet your fellow trekkers and trip leader. After, you might like to join your leader on a jaunt to Djemaa el-Fna Square in the centre of the medina. Huge crowds converge at night to see the singers, drummers, fortune tellers, dancers and bustling street food bazaars all vying for attention here. This square is one of the largest public meeting places in the world, so you’re sure to find something that catches your eye tonight.
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MealsThere are no meals included on this day. |
Special information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late, please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.
Rise and shine early today for breakfast and a group meeting at 8 am. Your leader will go through everything you need to know about today’s trek before you set off into the mountains. Leave Marrakech behind and drive across the plains towards the ancient marketplace of Tahanaoute, with awesome views of valleys and the Atlas Mountains along the way. Arrive at Imlil, a mountainous village 1740 metres above sea level, then take a 50-minute hike to your mountain base in the village of Aroumd, 2000 metres above sea level. In the afternoon, stretch your legs with a gentle orientation walk around Aroumd. Your accommodation tonight is a mountain gite – a traditional village house. Rooms are furnished in the Amazigh style, with low couches (which can be used as beds), tables, carpets and cushions. On warm nights it’s often possible to sleep out on the terrace under the stars!
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Your travel time today will be approximately 1.5 hours. Today’s total walking distance is approximately 3.5 km or 1 hour, with 320 m of elevation gain. Your bathroom at the mountain gite accommodation will most likely be shared with others.
Today, explore Aroumd on some of the local trails with your group. Get to know the terrain and acclimatise your body for the challenge of the summit ahead. Today’s main hike will depend on the weather and the group’s ability and willingness. Acclimatisation hikes are quite slow, with a relaxed pace. Wherever your trip leader chooses, you’ll have the chance to enjoy the beautiful Moroccan countryside, where children run freely through the valleys and farmers tend to their plots of land. Donkeys provide a mode of transport for both young and old, with stony pathways winding through the mountains to villages hidden from the main roads. When you arrive back in your gite, tuck into a hearty dinner and rest up for tomorrow’s challenge.
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This morning you’ll begin your ascent of Mount Toubkal – North Africa’s highest peak. From Aroumd, the trail crosses the floodplain of the Ait Mizane Valley, before climbing steeply in a zigzag up the mountainside. Along the way, pass the pilgrimage site of Sidi Chamarouch, home to the tomb of the local marabout (Muslim holy man). Only Muslims are permitted to cross the bridge and approach the large white stone that serves as a shrine. From here, climb steeply through a series of switchbacks and traverse the flank of the valley above the river. Arrive at Toubkal Base Camp (3207 metres above sea level) and enjoy a hearty dinner and make sure you get plenty of sleep before the big ascent tomorrow.
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Special information:
Today’s total hiking distance is approximately 10 km or about 5 hours, with 1250 m of elevation gain.
All baggage and provisions are carried by mule. Used to plough fields, carry loads, turn threshing machines and ferry people between villages, mules are an indispensable part of Amazigh life. Accommodation tonight is simple, but clean and atmospheric. You will be sharing a room with other trekkers and bedding is similar to large bunk-bed platforms. Dining rooms and other facilities are also shared with other climbers.
Embrace an early start this morning as you’ll tackle the rocky terrain that leads to the summit of Mount Toubkal. At 4167 metres above sea level, this is truly the roof of North Africa. Take in the beautiful silence of the morning while you make the final climb, which can involve some scrambling. Your effort is rewarded by superb views from the summit, which on a clear day can include the entire Atlas Mountain range, the Atlantic coast to the west and the Sahara Desert to the east. After a rest at the summit and time spent marvelling at the view, descend to Base Camp. You’ll fuel up with a hearty lunch before heading back to Aroumd, where your local host will be waiting to welcome you back with a homecooked dinner to celebrate your achievements in the High Atlas Mountains.
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Special information:
Today’s climbing distance is approximately 3.5 km, with 1000 m of elevation gain. Summiting and descending back to Base Camp will take anything between 6 and 8 hours and hiking back down to Aroumd will take further 4 hours.
After breakfast, take one last glimpse at the valley and marvel at those high summits you conquered in last couple of days. Then head back to Imlil and make your way back to Marrakech. In the afternoon, embark on a guided walking tour of the medina, including souqs devoted to different trades such as pottery, woodwork, carpets or spices. Then, continue to the 19th-century Bahia Palace and spend some time admiring the architecture. The rest of your time in the city is free for you to make your own discoveries. If you’re keen to experience a traditional Moroccan bath, your leader can advise you where to find the nearest hammam. If you’ve enjoyed your taste of Moroccan cuisine so far, maybe indulge your inner foodie with a Taste of Marrakesh Urban Adventure tour.
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Special information:
Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours. Today’s total hiking distance is approximately 3 km.
Your adventure ends after breakfast this morning. If you wish to spend more time in Marrakech, just speak to your booking agent.
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Meals
6 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinners
Transport
Private minibus, walking
Accommodation
Hotel (2 nights), Mountain Gite (2 night), Mountain Refuge (2 nights)
Activities
- Imlil to Aroumd guided trek
- Guided acclimatisation hike
- Imlil to Mount Toubkal Basecamp guided hike
- Mount Toubkal guided summit trek
- Marrakech – Medina walking tour
- Marrakech – Palais Bahia
- Toubkal Base Camp to Imlil guided hike
Add on activities
- Marrakech – Luxury Spa Hammam & Massage – MAD750
- Marrakech – A Taste Of Marrakech: Inside the Medina Urban Adventure – MAD605
- Marrakech – Hot Air Balloon Ride – MAD2090
- Marrakech – Heart of the Atlas Mountains cycling day trip with lunch – MAD2000
- Marrakech – Palmery Cycling Tour – MAD540
- Marrakech – Tajine Cookery Class Urban Adventure. – MAD640
- Marrakech – Quad Biking the Rock Desert & Palmgrove – MAD715
- Marrakech – Magical Marrakech City Cycling Tour – MAD438
- Marrakech – Quad Biking Barrage Lalla Takerkoust – MAD1650
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