5 Days Of Green Valleys, Berber Villages & A Climb To The Top Of Toubkal
This trek is fully supported by a local Berber team, including a mountain guide, cook, muleteers and mules to carry your luggage and equipment.
Morocco is only a three-hour flight from the UK and the High Atlas Mountains near Marrakech offer some of the finest adventure trekking in Morocco. This stunning five-day trek takes you through a variety of landscapes, from lush green valleys to rugged mountain terrain. The route passes through colourful Berber villages and crosses scenic mountain passes, gradually ascending to our highest point at 4,167m – the summit of Mount Toubkal, the highest mountain in North Africa.
Nights are spent in traditional village gîtes (Berber homes), with mountain huts used for the final two nights as we climb higher into the Toubkal Massif.
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 –imi oughlad –tizi n’tachte –Tiziane
We make an early morning departure from Marrakech for a pleasant drive south, winding through the Moulay Brahim Gorge and upper valleys before reaching 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, together with Aglzim (3,650m) and Aksoual (3,847m), rise dramatically above the surrounding mountains.
Here, we leave our vehicle and meet our Berber muleteer team. We set off north-west 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 with 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 Berber village of Tiziane (1,750m), where we’ll spend the night in a bivouac or village gîte.
Day 02
Tizziane – tizi n’taghrhourte – D’knt
After our breakfast, we set off on a hike up the Assif n’Aït Oussaden Valley, passing through walnut groves before climbing to Tizi n’Taghrhourte (1,995m). From the pass, the trail continues along a rare, almost flat stretch to reach Assaka Spring, where we’ll stop for a field picnic surrounded by an atmosphere of peaceful silence after around two and a half hours of relatively easy walking.
In the afternoon, we continue our trek along the edge of the forest until we reach the Berber village of D’knt (1,870m), also known as Agouns n’Assoul. Here, we’ll enjoy dinner before spending the night in a bivouac or village gîte.
Day 03
D’knt – Tizi n’tagdalte – Azib n Tamsoult
We set off after breakfast for a three-hour morning hike, climbing through groves of walnut trees and fields of corn and barley. Along the way, we’ll encounter local sheep and goat herders, as well as women and children carrying heavy bundles of firewood and dried herbs – a glimpse into the traditional way of life in the High Atlas Mountains.
We cross the Tizi n’Tagdalte Pass before descending through fragrant juniper forest to a small spring nestled among the trees, where we’ll stop for a picnic and a chance to rest in the peaceful surroundings.
Refreshed, we continue along winding mountain trails for around three hours, gradually descending the upper slopes until we reach a small river at the head of the Assif n’Aït Oussaden Valley. From here, the trail leads into the traditional Berber village of Tizi Oussem (1,850m), before we climb onwards to the summer village of Tamsoult, where we’ll spend the night in camp or a mountain hut.
Day 04
Âazib Tamsoult - Tizi Aguelzim - Toubkal Refuge
After breakfast, we set out eastwards on a moderately challenging hike, following winding mule tracks towards Tizi Aguelzim (3,550m). From the pass, we continue for a further three hours south-east towards the Toubkal Refuge (3,207m), marking the edge of the spring snowline and bringing us into the high-altitude landscape of the Toubkal Massif.
On arrival at the refuge, we’ll settle in, enjoy dinner and spend the night camping in a bivouac near the Toubkal Refuge.
Day 05
Toubkal Refuge - Summit Jebel Toubkal - Sidi Chamarouch - Imlil - Marrakech
After a very early breakfast, we set off at around 6am for the challenging ascent to the summit of Mount Toubkal (4,167m), the highest peak in North Africa. After approximately three hours of steep climbing, we reach the summit, where we’ll be rewarded with spectacular panoramic views across the High Atlas Mountains and surrounding landscapes.
When you’re ready, we begin our descent via the Ikkhibi Sud, or South Cirque. Accompanied by your mountain guide, the descent takes around 2–3 hours and leads back to the Toubkal Refuge, where we’ll stop for a well-earned picnic lunch.
After lunch, we continue northwards along steep, zigzagging trails descending through the upper slopes of the Assif n’Isouhouanem n’Ouagounss Valley towards the shrine of Sidi Chamharouch. Set beside a waterfall, this traditional pilgrimage site is an important local landmark.
From Sidi Chamharouch, a further two hours of descent brings us to the village of Imlil, the starting point for many Atlas Mountains treks. From here, we’ll meet our vehicle and 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 540€/Person
2-3 people 390€/Person
4-7 people 350€/Person
8-12 people 300€/Person
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 village (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
The Accommodation will be in a simple berber Gites at Tiziane Village & D'kent and Tizi oussem
Camping is an option if prefered (june-Octo).
NB : If accommodation is required in the Atlas Mountains either before or after the trek, we can always book you at our Guesthouse Dar Adrar in Imlil or in our Eco-loge 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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Ice axes and crampons (winter)
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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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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.