4 Days & 3 Nights In The Berber Villages & Climbing The Mighty Mount Toubkal In Winter
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 spectacular panoramic views from the summit make the effort worthwhile.
This four-day, three-night trek through the Western High Atlas combines traditional Berber villages, scenic mountain trails and high passes to help you acclimatise gradually to the altitude before reaching the summit on day four.
This trek runs all year round and can depart on any date of your choice.
We usually have several treks departing each week that you can join if you wish, so please get in touch!
All of our mountain treks can be combined with other tours and experiences, including trips to the Sahara Desert, Morocco’s Imperial Cities or the Atlantic Coast.
Pick Up & Drop Off
You will be picked up from your accommodation in Marrakech city, many riads don't have access via car so the driver will park nearby and come to get you.
You will be dropped off at the nearest point to your riad/hotel. Our driver can call your riad to meet you if needed.
Route Details
Day 01
Marrakech - Asni - Imi-oughlad - Tizi Oussem
Early morning departure from Marrakech for a pleasant drive south, winding our way through the Moulay Brahim Gorge and upper valleys before arriving at the higher foothills of the Western High Atlas Mountains and our trailhead at Imi Oughlad (1,450m). Ahead of us, Jebel Toubkal (4,167m), the highest peak in North Africa, along with Aglzim (3,650m) and Aksoual (3,847m), rise above the surrounding mountains.
Here, we leave our vehicle and meet our Berber muleteer team. We set off in a north-westerly direction for a two-hour acclimatisation hike along winding mule tracks, passing cornfields and forests of pine and juniper before reaching Tizi n’Tachete (2,000m). From here, we can look back over the Imlil and Aït Oussaden Valleys before continuing for another half hour to Imi n’Ifri, where we stop for a field picnic.
We then continue on a gentle two-and-a-half-hour descent south-west along a dirt track, following the Assif n’Aït Oussaden to the red-clay terraced village of Tizi Oussem (1,950m), where we’ll spend the night in a village gîte.
Day 02
Tizi Oussem - Ighouliden Waterfalls - Tizi Mzzik - Imlil
Trek to the small waterfall at Azib Tamsoulte before retracing your steps and crossing the Tizi n’Mzik Pass (2,500m), where we’ll stop for lunch. After lunch, descend for around two hours to join the main Toubkal Valley at Imlil (1,900m). Overnight in a village gîte.
Day 03
Imlil 1800m - Sidi Chamharoush - Toubkal refuge 3207m
After breakfast, we begin our trek along the Mizane Valley, first heading towards the village of Aremd and then on to the shrine of Sidi Chamarouch. Built on a moraine spur overlooking the valley floor, Aremd is the largest village in the valley and offers an interesting mix of traditional terraced farming, gîtes and streets that seem to be permanently gridlocked by goats and cattle.
For generations, 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 follows mule tracks and climbs into the high rocky cliffs above the valley. Crossing the river, we eventually reach the pastoral shrine of Sidi Chamarouch, which attracts tourists and pilgrims alike (although only Muslims may cross the stone bridge to visit the marabout shrine itself).
The village sits beside a small waterfall, with a jumble of houses that seem to merge into an almost anarchic mass. From here, the trail continues to climb steadily, snaking and zigzagging its way towards the snowline and the Toubkal Refuge (3,207m), our stop for the night.
Approx. 6 hours walking.
Day 04
Toubkal refuge 3207m - Toubkal Summit 4167m - Toubkal Refuge - Imlil - Marrakech
Set off early for the climb to the summit of Toubkal (4,167m). Weather permitting, you’ll enjoy wonderful views across the High Atlas range and towards the Sahara Desert. From the summit, begin the long descent, passing the refuge and following the well-worn trail back to Imlil.
This is a fairly long day, with around 8–9 hours of trekking, involving approximately 900m of ascent followed by almost 2,500m of descent to Imlil, before your transfer back to Marrakech.
Note: This itinerary is a guideline and may be changed to suit local conditions.
Equipment
Please ensure you have packed all safety essentials. See the Equipment List here if you're unsure of what to bring. Our guides will conduct a final gear check in Imlil before we commence the ascent to the higher altitudes of the Toubkal massif.
Tour Rates
Flexible Pricing
1 person WINTER on request | SUMMER on request
2 to 3 people WINTER 390€ | SUMMER 340€
4 to 7 people WINTER 340€ | SUMMER 300€
8 to 12 people WINTER 295€ | SUMMER 260€
What Is Included?
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Expert, Berber, English-speaking mountain guides
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Mules and muleteers to carry your luggage
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Berber Cook
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All meals on the hike
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Accommodation in a Berber villages (gite)
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Round-trip Transportation between the trek and your accommodation in Marrakech .
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Camping Materiels ( Tents & Mattress) for summer treks.
What Is Not Included
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Travel insurance.
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Soft/alcoholic drinks
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Tips and personal expanses
Accommodation & Shelters
Accommodation will be a mix of traditional Berber gîtes and mountain huts. Camping is also an option during the summer months.
NB: If you require accommodation in the Atlas Mountains before or after the trek, we can arrange a stay at our Dar Adrar Guesthouse in Imlil or our Ouirgane Ecolodge in Ouirgane.
Clothing & Essential Equipment
Essential Equipment
Can Be Hired From Us
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Good walking boots and socks / good trainers for valley treks
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Personnel First aid Kit
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3 to 4 season sleeping bag ( winter) or light Sleeping bag ( Summer)
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Lightweight waterproof over-trousers / rain-pants
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Water bottle or camel back (recommended)
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Soft-sided bag (50-80 litres)
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Lightweight daypack
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Sunglasses
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Sunscreen
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Torch and batteries
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Towel & all personal toiletries
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Ice Axes and Crampons ( winter)
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Crampons : 5 €/ Day/pair
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Ice Axe : 3 €/day
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Walking boots : 5 €/day
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Sleeping bags : 2.5 €/day
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Rain Jackets : 3 €/day
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Walking Poles : 3 €/day/pair
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Back packs : 3€/day
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Stoves : 2€/day
What Is Appropriate Attire In Morocco?
Morocco is a conservative and religious country, which means you always need to be mindful of your clothing choices. This is especially true in the country’s more rural areas, which include the Sahara Desert and its surrounding villages. As a general rule of thumb, you should always attempt to cover body parts considered “private”. For women, this means covering the arms (or at least the shoulders) and the knees up. For men, it requires covering up the shoulders and above the knee.
High Energy Meals
Meals on the trek are cooked by the Berber muleteers. The food is fresh and healthy. Example meals:
Breakfast: Jam, bread, cookies, fruit, juice, butter, coffee, milkLunch: salad, tomatoes, carrots, lentils, beans, rice or pasta, fish (sardines, tuna), seasonal fruit
Dinner: Soup, classic Morooccan tajine, couscous, olives, nuts, fruit
Can my dietary requirements be catered to?
Absolutely. Just let us know about your catering preferences when you confirm your booking to ensure any dietary requirements are met. Please remind as well your guide and cook on first day of the trek.
Start Your Journey
Ready to explore the Atlas Mountains? Reach out to us for detailed trek inquiries, tailor-made itineraries, or any questions about our Berber-led adventure tours.
Email: aztat.trek@gmail.com
Phone: +212 668-760165
Location: Imlil, Morocco
Personal baggage, cooking equipment and food are carried by the mules, leaving you to carry only a rucksack with whatever you need close at hand for the day. NB: Left luggage or unnecessary luggage can be left safely in our storage in Imlil till you come back from the trek.